Big Repairs Advice

Hey all,
2005 with 170k miles on it.

I need to replace the timing chain, CV axles, Sway Bar Links, Carbon Canister and a few other things.

All in will be about $6k. I really like the runner and it has been great and reliable. Think it is worth it to do the repairs?

 

Only you can answer that. Do you plan on keeping it for a few more years?

 

Not helpful : )

I do plan on keeping it. I guess the other big thing that I COULD need to replace would be the head gasket at some point. So knowing that I don't want a car payment and I like the 05, I think it could be worth it.

 

The picture appears to look good. If it's your baby I would sure consider it.

 

Yes.

 

If you like the car and aren't itching for a new one then I think it's a pretty easy yes. It'd be different if this was a vehicle where reaching 170K was something of a miracle. We know that many of these trucks go well over 200K. And that they don't tend to have endless expensive problems. 6K seems like a cheap price if it buys you many thousands of more miles on something you really like.

Look at it this way, what could you buy used for 6K? Would it be as reliable, useful and enjoyable as your truck if you do these repairs?

But again, the key to me is if you really like it. If you want a reason to buy a new one, that 6K and the trade in value of this could be a nice downpayment.

 

I think you could prolly take care of some items your self and save some $.

 

It’s old and at the end of its life. It’s not whether it’s worth it, it isn’t, unless you can do that work yourself, use used parts, cut corners etc. The question is can you afford a better vehicle. If you can’t, best take the Chilton manual out of the library, search the you tube videos, and get some basic tools.
There’s no doubt your money would best be spent on a low mileage newer vehicle, preferably one with more air bags and better safety equipment.
IMHO. You don’t need to agree or disagree with me.

 

I'd trust Oldtoyotaguy more than I'd trust me...

 

Haha, hey Singleminded, I thought you nailed it. The 6k + the trade in value and move on. There’s a lot of cool, good 4 Runners out there. Preferably one with low mileage and 8 air bags.
Keeping an old vehicle like that on the road is a hands on experience and not for the timid. It can be done, if you don’t mind greasy finger nails and taking the bus now and then.

 

I was in a similar predicament last year before picking up my '19. My 4th gen had almost 250,000 miles when it developed an oil leak out of the front seal. The cost of replacement was a little over $4,000. With that being said, and seeing the value of the vehicle was only worth $6,000, I decided to trade it. Even though the vehicle is bullet proof, sometimes at these high mileages, $4,000 can easily become 6-7,000 dollars, when you open things up and see that other components require replacement.

OP, I know you said that you would prefer to not have a payment, and it's up to you. If you're ok putting the money in and keeping it a long time, then go for it. After driving the '19, I quickly forgot about that front seal oil leak. In addition, I think what did it for me was thinking that if I did spend the $4,000, and on the way home, I was hit and the vehicle was totalled, would I recoup that money.

Cheers,
Sean

 

First, thank you all for your thoughtful replies. Especially @brownersd , @Oldtoyotaguy and @Singleminded. All very good thoughts and I can see both sides.

Here is my thought process. For anything new/used, I would be looking at a 4Runner or Tundra. For something with under 100k miles is easily $30k. I am not sure in my 4Runner @ 170k miles is at the end of its life but I recognize that it is old so there will be some repairs. I could see it lasting into the 200ks.

I like the truck, but it is becoming a equation of economics. Keep the car and spend $ on repairs, or spend more $ and get something newer...I guess that is what I have to decide.

 

That seems to be a good way of thinking about it. It would certainly seem rational to replace this truck with something a lot newer, but one has to be able to afford that. If spending that kind of money is impossible or unwise, the question becomes what is the best use of the money that you can afford to spend. That's why I suggested thinking of it in terms of what 6K could buy you used. The answer is not much, especially if you want another 4R or a Tundra. Seems to me, you could spend 6-10K on a used one only to find it soon needs several thousand dollars more in repair. So then you might be kicking yourself for not sinking that money into a truck that you already like and know well.

I don't want to put words in his mouth, but I gather that Oldtoyotaguy's view was partly motivated by a concern for safety. If you add that to the equation, not limiting yourself to thinking of the economics, then there's a further argument for a new truck.

Regardless, it looks to me like a tough decision. So I wish you the greatest luck!

 

Ok, so I am going to keep it and invest the $. I think it makes more financial sense, and that is really my current focus. I found a place that will do the timing cover and chain for $2k, so that brings down the cost a bit.

I really appreciate all of your advice guys.

One of these days, I can't wait to dump some $ into a new truck. But not now.

 

Best wishes! We're all rooting for you!

 

I hope it turns out to be the best decision you ever made. I know I said flip it, but some Toyota’s have some serious mileage on them before going to that big wrecking yard up in the sky, and I hope for you that yours is one of those.

 

How it is not helpful? You answered your own question. You think it is worth it. Doesn't matter what others say, only how you feel about the vehicle. End of story.

 

Man, best of luck, and you have to indeed do what's best for your financial situation. Nice that you got the costs down... Good start...

 

I hope it lasts you a few more good years.

My '03 was at 257K when I traded it in in 2017. It only failed to start once, when it needed a battery.

As long as there's not a ton of rust underneath, I would put the money into it.

 

The frame is in pretty good shape. I treated some spot rust the other day and it should last for abit.

 

The timing chain is good for the life of the vehicle.

I have 2005 SR5 V6 with 150,000 miles and runs like me. Never a check engine oil lite in 15 years.