Sell My 984Runner or Keep?

What’s up folks,

I bought a 1998 4Runner SR5 5 speed manual last June and immediately the rear diff blew, replaced it for $900 with installation. Ran great for another month, then the master clutch cylinder and slave cylinder went out. Fixed that for about $400 6 months later and runs great again. Also had new plugs installed during the cylinder installation process. Originally bought it for $3650 with 115k miles on it (which is a steal in my opinion). Only issue is that I bought it from SF and it had some minor to major rust issues underneath. Not affecting the frame too much (front and rear bumpers are trash, but replaced the front from a 99 for $150) but everything else in between is bad to horrible. It now needs basically everything-

Tires
Brakes (pads and rotors)
Timing belt
Water pump
Power steering pump
New belts
Front struts
Shocks
Drive belt

And possibly a few other little things here and there. I’m basically looking for a suggestion/ opinion on whether or not it’s worth keeping. I have a baby on the way and need it to be a safer car than it is.

Thanks fellas!
Looking forward to hearing from y’all.

 

That question is incredibly hard to answer. Do you like it? Are you in a financial situation to upgrade or would you sell it and get something in the same price range? I would keep it and fix it. You have about 5k into it. Where I live a clean 4runner with that low of miles would sell for 9-12k all day. It sounds like it needs some maintenance but if you're handy with a wrench all of what you have listed is highly doable without taking it to a shop.

 

I've been offered 7500 for my 98 and it has 153k on the clock.

 

Sounds to me you don't trust your kid in it. So I'd dump it or if you are keeping it find something else to drive and keep this as a toy.

 

@4scooter19

Ah man, I do love my truck. I bought it because it was a steal with low mileage, the body and interior were and pretty much still is pristine. Just coping with all the money that’s going to have to go into it and having a baby coming is tough. We also own a 17 Accord so having a reliable vehicle isn’t an issue, more just having my own daily driver that I also want to turn into our outdoor adventure mobile. We have a husky as well and it’s good to have for her.

If I had to sell it, it’d have to be for the right price (at LEAST $5k-6k). But if I put the money into it then I obviously just put that amount right back into it. I do have a buddy that is very much into his Tacoma and could help with some of the work, he also has a lot of buddies that are mechanics. He’s part of TacomaWorld and is constantly out and about in his beauty. Definitely want to keep it is the main thing...

Thanks for the response dawg!

 

@Dillusion

I drive safe as it is, but it’s not that I don’t trust having my newborn in it. Generally just wondering if it’s worth keeping. Love the truck, love the fact that it’ll run forever if I keep it maintained. If I sell it and buy something else for as cheap, I’ll eventually have to put money into that as well. When I’d rather dump it into this beauty. Just a matter of prioritizing what gets done first. Unless I find someone to buy it for a decent dollar, that’s the only way I can let it go. Thanks for the response my man.

 

I'd keep it then man. I always think about what it would cost to re purchase what I'm selling. The chances of you finding another with the mileage and condition for what you paid for it are pretty slim I would guess. It sounds like the 4runner is exactly what you need for what you want to do. Throw some money at it and make it safe for you and your fam. I know where your at. I have an 11 year old and a 2 year old. I dumped about 2k into my excursion before my daughter was born to make sure I had a safe reliable rig.

 

I was just going off what you said it needing to be a safer car than it currently is.

I drive a beater 99 Accord as my daily but I wouln't drive my kids in it on a regular basis. Not that it isn't safe and breaks down. It is just that there is a higher probability that it could happen and I rather not have them with me when it does.

We always have 3 vehicles just in case one breaks down.

 

@4scooter19 @Dillusion

Definitely prefer to keep it fellas. Thanks for the input! One last question/ concern, what about under carriage rust issues?

 

That really doesn't look bad. I have seen ones way worse. I worked as a welder fabricator for almost 10 years and fixed a few third gens way worse than that.

 

Looks ok to me for the years it got on it.