SOLVED! Post 2853 Leaking Injectors, Dealer Techs Rock! Extended Cranking after Engine Swap 3.4L 5vz

OK, here's the latest:

I found a 2012 Civic with a great looking history and only 43K miles - that's a toddler in Civic speak. Asking is $12K. It's a coupe, but I don't care about 4 doors if we got the 4R too, because then all groceries and doggie outings would be in the Taco or 4R. No sunroof either, but it is a lovely color.........and we all know how it'd do in the fuel and reliability camps

I think we might be able to swing the plan for getting both this car (or something comparable) AND the 4R. Still, it would be a lot in car payments per month, so Eric & I will have to talk about it more. But it's in the realm of possible with this car, which is kinda making me happy. Thinking about that one, the 4R AND the Taco being all ready to go at our disposal =

 

don't forget also that the 4runner is instant profit when/if you sell it, because you can sell it for $3k more then you buy it for and even $4k more if you fix all the little things it needs so think of the 4runner as something you are buying just to turn a profit on and you might just keep it if it fits all your needs.

myself, I would fix up the 4runner and sell it to pay off the civic you bought, then look to buy a second taco (preferably a 2004) for his and her tacos, or maybe hers and hers if you don't want to share

 

This is secretly what my little heart has desired all along.

 

which one? the his and hers tacos or the hers and hers tacos?

 

Take a guess Keakar!!

 

His and hers Tacomas works good for us. Only draw back is we are not driving over 50 miles in her standard cab. We end up taking my (hers?) Extended can for trips.

 

I think it's a woman thing. My wife never drove a truck before we got together. I've been put on notice. She will never drive anything but a truck. She wants nothing to do with an SUV.

 

Wow.

That's all I'll say. Good luck Jen .

 

Nice job taking the high road, "to each his own," Sterdog!! For real, I mean that, because somehow I just KNOW you've gotta have all sorts of colorful opinions right now!!

Although I do enjoy the lively debates we seem to have around here lately, so don't keep it to yourself for too long!! Gotta keep me on my toes a little!

 

But really, would ending up with a 2012 Civic w/40K miles and a 2002 4R with 120K miles, all for the same price as 1 new HRV really be so dumb? We'd be choosing two cars that are known for their reliability. So yes, of course we'd have more repairs with this route than a brand new car, but it's not like we are buying two 15 year old Fords or something!! Right?

 

your logic is very sound but..... to be honest all you need is that civic so.....

4runner is an extra luxury item (if you can afford it) or as I mentioned before, buy it as a way to make money, fix it up, sell it and enjoy the extra $3k you make doing it which pays for the civic you bought or it helps offset the bath you took on the taco engine fiasco

 

Dang it!! I know. You said it. That's the tough part. All we REALLY need RIGHT NOW is that Civic or something just like it. But that 4R will be gone in a flash I bet, once we tell the guy no, then we'd have to dread that awful day that we have to let go of the Taco AND somehow find a suitable replacement. That's a tall order, and one that it would be nice to sort of "get out of the way now." But you're right - it's really not a necessity right now, it's a luxury as far as our current needs. So we have to decide if giving up some spending cash each month is worth it to us to pounce on it while it's available.

In order to accomplish making this decision, I'll need to make some charts and graphs.

 

I honestly have no problems with the choices you are making. I just find it sketchy that a few members are so sure a few 10+ year old trucks, including one that's a total unknown to them, are being recommended as totally reliable.

All I'll say is if you buy the 4Runner dont buy it expecting a profit. Buy it, on top of the Civic, only if you can easily afford it and a significant "improvements" budget over time. Unless it's easily within your budget, I could never in good conscious tell someone that carrying two older Toyota trucks is a bullet proof situation.

 

Btw I've drank a lot of cider tonight at a company function so I may not be able to make further intelligent replies

 

nooooooooooooo you thinking of it the wrong way, buy the 4runner no matter what come hell or high water and resell it to put that $3k in your pocket. that's not up for debate, you ARE buying the 4runner to make money off of it and the money you make will help pay for the civic so you almost get that car for free.

buy the 4runer, fix it up and take your profit from it, wham bam thank you ma'am, and move on. i think the 4runner will o just about anywhere the taco would go but, I DO NOT think the 4runner will be a suitable replacement for your taco "if" you haul stuff, you just cant beat a truck bed for hauling stuff because the 4runner has carpet back there that you have to protect.

the way I see it is, the 4runner purchase is an easy way to make money, that's all

 

ummm, she is buying it at $3k below trade in book value with little to no issues wrong with it, she will make a $3k profit off of it minimum

 

You really think a dealer would give us more than $8500 for it on trade in (if we decided to do that)? Or do you mean private party? I've never sold a car privately, seems like it would be kinda a PITA. I don't think I'd wanna buy it if we really thought we weren't going to keep it long term.

 

In what world do dealers give up blue book value? No offence .

She shouldn't treat the 4Runner as a money making investment IMHO.

 

I do see Keakar's point though. I searched for a 3rd gen Runner and they are all either a shady past, or crazy high miles, or priced to the moon. There really are very few of them available. I don't see a problem getting rid of it, but I fear dealers when it comes to actually getting a good deal.

Regardless, I don't want to buy it if we aren't keeping it though....