2008 4runner, to keep or sell advise requested

Hello, I just signed up to ask this question. My 2008 4runner has 208,000 miles on it. When I bought it it has 197,000 miles and at the time I was thinking it should last 300,000 miles. After some more recent research it seems like that was probably an optimistic hope. I am doing a little better financially now than when I first bought it so buying a new vehicle is more realistic. One of the reasons I bought it is to be a “SHTF bug-out vehicle” although hopefully I never need it for this purpose. So what I am saying is my hope/preference would be for something that is a little more reliable than a regular weekend 4x4 or daily driver.

Since I purchased it I have added a rear bumper and spare tire carrier. (To my mind, I probably paid too much for this however it was the only one available for a 4th Gen.) The idea was to move the spare tire out of the way and eventually install an auxiliary fuel tank where the spare tire normally sits. This is also very expensive to my mind.

The vehicle has had 2 previous owners. When I bought is everything was tight on it however after some maintenance the plastic in the back end interior squeaks. (Not a major problem but irritating.) I have looked underneath it and have not identified any rust issues. Recently I got the tires rotated and was told the rear differential and left rear axle seals are leaking. Took it to a mechanic and the estimate is $1900 for fix this. Also, I got a vehicle inspection and no other issues were identified.

So this is where I am at, trying to decide if I should keep the vehicle or cut my losses and buy a new one. If I make a new purchase I am thinking of either a 2024 4runner with low miles or possibly the new Ineos Grenadier. (From the reviews on the 2025 4Runners, it sound like they have some bugs, and the Grenadier seems very expensive for a new and unproven vehicle although it has a lot of features I like.)

Also, I am not a mechanic and any repairs would have to be done professionally.

Any comments would be appreciated. Thanks

 

Get a 2024 if you can swing it financially and it fits your needs/wants, most on here would probably agree

 

You already got this one, buying another 4Runner will cost a LOT more than a bunch of repairs.

Get a second opinion and quote too as prices may vary.

Especially since there doesn’t seem to be much rust, it’s an almost 20 year old vehicle with 200k miles, the powertrain may last but there will absolutely be repairs on the way.

 

Is the gas tank on a new 4runner bigger or are they still limited by crappy fuel range?
Also are new 4runners actually more reliable, seems they would have alot more technology that could make them less reliable in some cases.

Definitely get another estimate on the repairs, that seems way too high IMO.

 

Had a rear axle seal leak about 4 years ago, your quote isn't all that different from what I paid. Still agree with getting a second opinion. Not sure what it's like where you live, but where I am (greater Seattle area) there can be significant cost differences depending on where your mechanic is.

You'll probably will have to fix things on a 200k vehicle from time to time, but you won't save money buying a new one. Then again, you might enjoy a new vehicle more.

 

Buying a vehicle from a start-up company like the Grenadier is a risky endeavor. Unknown reiliability, parts availability, viability of company moving forward. Rivian is a good (or bad) example.

 

I did a rear axle seal in my driveway with minimal tools last summer, i think its criminal that anyone could charge anywhere near that. Biggest pain was getting the parking brake back contraption back together again. While it took me a while with mediocre tools, these shops sure overestimate "hours" in their computer system for jobs.

 

Where are you located?
What color is the 4R?
Did you keep the OEM rear bumper?
a 200,000 mile 2008 4R 4x4 is a GREAT vehicle with a virtually bulletproof engine, trans, and driveline. If the body looks good and the frame is in good shape i would keep it.
I have (2) 2008, i bought one brand new in 2008 and drove it to 275,000 miles with the absolute bare minimum of maintenance, literally front wheel bearings and brakes and oil changes. I sold it cause i "figured" it was gonna wear out and i missed it. Two years later i went on a crazy hunt to find another 2008 identical to mine with low mileage. I found it in 2019 with 122,000 miles and snagged it and turned it into my daily driver. I drive it to this day and its got about 247,000 on it now. Brakes, thermostat housing (had a small seep), evaporator, belts, is practically all i have done to it other than tires. These things are practically bulletproof and you'd be crazy to sell one if its got a minimal amount of maintenance to be done. You might get dinged with $1500 repairs occasionally but the insurance is cheaper and you dont have to pay $800 a month on a new car note. You can have plenty of months between repair bills and be saving up.

What color is it and whats it look like, i might be in the market if you wanna unload it.

 

If the vehicle has a good history of quality maintenance since new, Keep it. If non-existant records of maintenance I suggest the 2024.
Get a carfax report as it can give some maintenance & ownership history.
Head gaskets can be compromised by old coolant.
Tranny can be compromised by lack of regular fluid service. Cost of replacing engine or tranny can exceed its value to you.

 

I would check and see what your fame situation in regards to rust is. That could play a large role in your decision.

 

Fuel tank size from 4th to 5th gen is the same at 23 gallons I believe but the 4th is just a smidge less efficient overall.

6th gen gets a smaller tank, but I don’t think it’s as small as the 3rd gen still.

 

Are you close to a good Ineos dealer? If not, it’s a hard decision. Many services need to be done by the dealer.

Mechanically speaking it’s a beast.. tie rod, axles are 3/4 ton grade. Tripled locked means good off road. I am sure the Toyota will be immensely better software, and after sales support superiority.

you sound concerned about the new 4Runner’s long term reliability. If you are considering long term ownership, the Ineos is an iffy bet. I am only hanging onto it until it no longer makes sense - That and nothing else on the market interests me right now.

if you can stomach loosing $15k, on depreciation, should the experiment not work out, then go for the Ineos! It’s like no other vehicle.. the cost of the experience may be worth it to many.

 

I checked, and a Grenadier is more than 1,500 lbs. (689 kg) heavier than my 4,300-lb. 4Runner. Something to consider.

 

There is so much going on here, lol.

Who the fuck cross-shops a 17 year old, 200k mile Toyota with a $70k startup car?

Axle seals do not mean there is anything wrong with the car, they are technically a wear item (and 17 years + 200k miles is not bad). This is the kind of thing that you just replace and keep on trucking.

If it is rust free (or rust-light), I'd definitely keep it. But I also like wrenching, and I've owned a 200k+ mile car before and know the work involved.

Not trying to be insulting, but if you're the kind of person that has a shop rotate the tires for you, this might not be your kind of vehicle. Do you change the oil or anything like that yourself?

If you're paying someone to fix things as they come up, this car could start costing you a bit of money in repairs. If you DIY it, you could have a nice, reliable car that only costs you a few weekends of work a year.

If you want to dump it and get a newer car, I'd say look at a range of 5th gen 4Runners within a certain mileage range. There are a lot of used ones out there, you don't need to go for a 2024.

And finally (this post is getting long, wow), I think you already know that you shouldn't be committing to a $70k vehicle payment at this time, so I'd cross the Ineos off your list entirely.

These fuel tank concerns are also ridiculous, especially if you'll be paying someone else to install an aux tank. You can easily get one or two 5 gallon cans and address any range anxiety for less than $50.

 

OP here. I could manage the cost of an Ineos or a 5th gen 4Runner if I decided that was what I want. The question is or was more in regards to getting the best bang for the buck. Spend the money on repairs and an auxiliary fuel tank or get a new vehicle. I decided to go ahead and get the work done on the 4Runner I have. At least this way I won’t have to disclose the issue if I sell it. I am pretty much leaning towards keeping it at this time. This being said, from the internet buzz, it sounds like Nissan will be coming out with a new Xterra soon that I will be interested in, and I did see a video that claimed the 2025 4Runner issues have been diagnosed and will be resolved for 2026 (information not directly from Toyota). (Yes, I know, I am still sounding scatter brained here, what can I say.)

Yes, I get the tires rotated and oil changed at a shop. Yes, I could do those things myself but I am lazy and it is not my thing. I am not a mechanic and any additional work will have to be done at a shop.

Thanks for all the replies, the information really helped me.

 

The issues you've identified don't sound too bad and you could always get a second opinion from another shop to see if that $1,900 quote is reasonable. Just for reference, i've spent more now than i paid for my 2004 on repairs/mods/etc... but i'm still like $45k to the good compared to buying a new 4runner (or any new car for the matter). I love my 4runner so the little fixes/repairs here and there don't bug me. Im currently at 257k miles.