Need Help Deciding to Switch to a 4 runner

Hello everyone,

I'm currently a college student and I'm thinking about switching over from my Subaru Outback to a 1999 Toyota 4Runner. I'm moving to a house soon and the Subaru is costing me quite a bit of money, so I'm wondering if it's worth making the switch.

I found a 1999 4Runner in my area for $9,000 with only 100,000 miles on it. I've heard that the 4Runner is a reliable vehicle, but I'm not sure if it's worth giving up my Subaru for it. I love my Outback, but the repair costs and maintenance have been adding up, It looks like its starting to eat oil, and the gaskets feel like they might blow soon. Overall, I am not certain that the Outback can be reliable for me for the next 3 or 5 years and I'm looking for a more affordable option.

Has anyone made the switch from a Subaru to a 4Runner? What were your experiences like? Is the 4Runner a reliable vehicle? Is the price of $9,000 reasonable for a 1999 model with 100,000 miles?

I appreciate any input or advice you can give me. Thank you!

 

the 4Runner is one of the most reliable vehicles out there. but of course Subies are generally pretty solid too. Not sure I'd do a '99 though.. I kinda think that's a little old...but if you know it's been well maintained, that along with the low mileage might make it a good deal. I have a 2019 4Runner...my only real gripe about the platform is the abysmal gas mileage. but I like not having to work on it other than maintenance. used to be a Chevy guy til I got smarter

 

Just keep in mind that a 99 4Runner is still a 24 year old vehicle. Low mileage or not, it's still going to require upkeep and maintenance. For example, with only 100k miles, it's questionable whether the timing belt service has ever been done, so budget for that.

Honestly I'd rather buy one with closer to 200k and all that maintenance already done.

Those 100k miles could be hard miles from just around town or off-road.

For that money I'd be looking for a much newer Civic, Corolla, Fit, etc.

 

I bought my 4runner in college, and I am a textbook case of what you should do. I had extra money to fix urgent issues immediately after purchase, and spent the next 1.5 years solving a multitude of smaller problems myself. After that I pretty much have a vehicle I know is solid. I never felt close to being stranded, it's always started, but at the end of the day it's not infallible with time and you should expect to have a lot of annoying issues crop up before you get where I am.

I'd recommend a newer vehicle. Even if it has few miles your never going to be sure it's reliable unless you turn the car upside down fixing everything you see. It doesn't help that they typically have multiple owners, poor records, and are the target of getting abused off road. They also get poor fuel economy, no matter what engine it has.