What's the allure of older 4Runners?

[01rangerxl]

What I also noticed was that there were a lower number of complaints on the older vehicles, probably because the information that long ago was lacking, so much less reported cases on the older model years..... so when you compare the 2005 Silverado and add together all possible models, then compare it to the same model year explorer you get a more accurate comparison. Explorers had bad transmissions for multiple model years.

Compare the same model year of a particular model to another one of the same year, then do that through several years. Like a 2002 gm truck of many different models and compare it to a 2002 explorer.

You're missing my point...it's garbage data to draw any solid conclusions from. People find the website one way or another, and they may choose to submit a complaint. Yes, you can see some failures that are more common, the individual complaints can be good to read, but you can't say there is an XX% chance of your vehicle having a certain problem based on this website. It's just self reporting a problem...it's a complaint box. It doesn't account for how many vehicles are on the road, or were sold when new, where the website traffic/responses come from or anything like that.

 

[02SE]

Don't get me wrong, if I could afford and had to buy a brand new SUV, it would come down to a Predator-face or the goofy new Bronco. Full sizes are just way bigger than what I need, and I just don't like the CUV things.

I hope I'm not coming off as being offended. I'm not at all.

I'm just stating facts (the vehicles destroyed by C4C) or my observations of what I see (or don't see) on the roads.

 

[Killer223]

Wait, so you're telling me my 95 r4unner with under 100K is worth a lot of money?

 

[350Rocket]

You're missing my point...it's garbage data to draw any solid conclusions from. People find the website one way or another, and they may choose to submit a complaint. Yes, you can see some failures that are more common, the individual complaints can be good to read, but you can't say there is an XX% chance of your vehicle having a certain problem based on this website. It's just self reporting a problem...it's a complaint box. It doesn't account for how many vehicles are on the road, or were sold when new, where the website traffic/responses come from or anything like that.

I understand your point that it's not very reliable data for those reasons. I guess the fact that so many specific vehicles on that site lined up with my own experiences through work, that I put more value in it than the average person that never sees any vehicle problems in person. Like you said, we're all skewed by our own personal experiences.

 

[02SE]

Wait, so you're telling me my 95 r4unner with under 100K is worth a lot of money?

Possibly.

 

[01rangerxl]

I hope I'm not coming off as being offended. I'm not at all.

I'm just stating facts (the vehicles destroyed by C4C) or my observations of what I see (or don't see) on the roads.

They are still out there, maybe not in your area, but they are a staple where I live.

This would still be on the road with over 257k if it weren't for an idiot pulling out without looking...

This is the immediate replacement while I look for another 91-94...

Ugly as hell, runs like a champ.

 

[supton]

A widespread defect, according to the New York Times and a class-action lawsuit, affects the 2005 to 2010 models of the Nissan Pathfinder. Coolant leaks into the transmission causing transmission failure anywhere from around 90,000 to 102,000 miles.

SMOD impacted more than just Pathfinders. First time I heard of the term was while shopping 4Runners! I was interested in the generation with the 3.4, then heard about this problem. Skipped over a few that had recent radiator replacements, ESPECIALLY if they had recent trans service...

I believe Ridgeline has the same problem on the first generation too. I would think any setup with the ATF going into the radiator could be prone to the problem, but it does seem a curse of the imports.

 

[02SE]

SMOD impacted more than just Pathfinders. First time I heard of the term was while shopping 4Runners! I was interested in the generation with the 3.4, then heard about this problem. Skipped over a few that had recent radiator replacements, ESPECIALLY if they had recent trans service...

I believe Ridgeline has the same problem on the first generation too. I would think any setup with the ATF going into the radiator could be prone to the problem, but it does seem a curse of the imports.

I don't know about the pathfinder, but the pink milkshake in the 4Runner was more about maintenance neglect. Just as the so-called sludge engines were. People would buy or more often lease a Camry based on their sterling reliability reputation, and then NEVER, and I mean NEVER, change the oil. 40k or so miles down the road, and surprise, the engine is sludged. As a master tech at a Toyota dealer back in the day, I got to see those neglected cars first hand.

With the 'pink milkshake', people neglected to EVER change the coolant. Eventually the coolant becomes acidic, and if neglected long enough, eats through the transmission cooler tubing.

The highest mileage 3rd gen I've personally been aware of, was approaching 800k the last time I heard, on it's all original drivetrain. Including the radiator with it's integral transmission cooler. It was maintained by the book it's whole life.

 

[dblshock]

I own a '95 T-100 3.4L 4x4 (camp truck now) with 280k doesn't use a drop of oil..some things are problematic like rust, brakes, lines fuel tank, dash lights but that drive train and suspension are spot-on.

 

[350Rocket]

SMOD impacted more than just Pathfinders. First time I heard of the term was while shopping 4Runners! I was interested in the generation with the 3.4, then heard about this problem. Skipped over a few that had recent radiator replacements, ESPECIALLY if they had recent trans service...

I believe Ridgeline has the same problem on the first generation too. I would think any setup with the ATF going into the radiator could be prone to the problem, but it does seem a curse of the imports.

This was a problem on some Chrysler products too. Especially older Neons. Bypassing the internal cooler in the rad with an auxiliary cooler is a good move on any vehicle that is prone to this.

 

[Luftmasse]

I still see the Previa's on the streets soo... 4runner shouldnt be that bad?

 

[meep]

Ah, the Landmaster!

From "****ation Alley" - with George Peppard and Jan Michael Vincent, among others...

Rocket launchers and autocannons certainly help against some threats, like gangs of crazy people, but don't work well against swarms of giant bugs in Las Vegas...

I never finished this movie in the ‘80s BECAUSE MY PARENTS MADE ME GO TO BED. I’d looked for it but never knew the title.

I can’t believe you just posted this pic and the title!! I can finish it now!!!

 

[supton]

I don't know about the pathfinder, but the pink milkshake in the 4Runner was more about maintenance neglect. Just as the so-called sludge engines were. People would buy or more often lease a Camry based on their sterling reliability reputation, and then NEVER, and I mean NEVER, change the oil. 40k or so miles down the road, and surprise, the engine is sludged. As a master tech at a Toyota dealer back in the day, I got to see those neglected cars first hand.

With the 'pink milkshake', people neglected to EVER change the coolant. Eventually the coolant becomes acidic, and if neglected long enough, eats through the transmission cooler tubing.

The highest mileage 3rd gen I've personally been aware of, was approaching 800k the last time I heard, on it's all original drivetrain. Including the radiator with it's integral transmission cooler. It was maintained by the book it's whole life.

I dunno, that's the same usage as the domestics (as little maintenance as possible) yet SMOD doesn't seem to be the same problem. And in-radiator ATF cooling is (was?) very common.

Plus, even if I'm wrong... doesn't change the fact that SMOD is a problem on these vehicles. There might be value in proactively replacing the radiator and/or redoing the ATF cooling loop. And certainly not paying top dollar for one of these vehicles!

 

[02SE]

Well, all I can say is that people took that reliability reputation to heart, and figured they don't need ANY maintenance. I saw it all the time. Friends still in the business still see it.

 

[01rangerxl]

I still see the Previa's on the streets soo... 4runner shouldnt be that bad?

I know there is a member here with one, but I haven't seen a Previa in the wild in years. It has been at least 20 since I rode in one.

 

[01rangerxl]

Well, all I can say is that people took that reliability reputation to heart, and figured they don't need ANY maintenance. I saw it all the time. Friends still in the business still see it.

Lots of vehicles get little to no maintenance though, that's hardly a 4Runner thing. How many problems on competitors could have been avoided if people had maintained them at all? There seems to be a double standard where problems with a 4Runner are considered entirely the owner's fault, whereas problems with a domestic/Nissan are considered entirely the vehicle's fault.

The 4Runner is generally reliable, but the level of supposed perfection used to justify the crazy prices seems a bit exaggerated. Sometimes prices really are just crazy, and sometimes they do have more to do with an image or name than actual value.

 

[02SE]

Lots of vehicles get little to no maintenance though, that's hardly a 4Runner thing. How many problems on competitors could have been avoided if people had maintained them at all? There seems to be a double standard where problems with a 4Runner are considered entirely the owner's fault, whereas problems with a domestic/Nissan are considered entirely the vehicle's fault.

The 4Runner is generally reliable, but the level of supposed perfection used to justify the crazy prices seems a bit exaggerated. Sometimes prices really are just crazy, and sometimes they do have more to do with an image or name than actual value.

Having worked in Toyota dealer and independent shops, I noticed a distinct difference in the level of neglect. I still have friends working at both who confirm that what I saw back in the day, STILL happens. Although the issue has decreased since they started their 2-year 'Free Maintenance'.

It is what it is.

 

[MrPlow]

I know there is a member here with one, but I haven't seen a Previa in the wild in years. It has been at least 20 since I rode in one.

In the Seattle area in Washington State, we have old Previas all over the place. The paint on those older Toyotas is pretty incredible stuff! Just takes a beating and doesn't chip or peel much at all.

I know of one old lady who drives her original Previa today still. She only changes the oil something crazy like every 10-15K with conventional. LOL. I think the oil sump volume for those little 4 bangers is high though, which helps.

 

[350Rocket]

Lots of vehicles get little to no maintenance though, that's hardly a 4Runner thing. How many problems on competitors could have been avoided if people had maintained them at all? There seems to be a double standard where problems with a 4Runner are considered entirely the owner's fault, whereas problems with a domestic/Nissan are considered entirely the vehicle's fault.

The 4Runner is generally reliable, but the level of supposed perfection used to justify the crazy prices seems a bit exaggerated. Sometimes prices really are just crazy, and sometimes they do have more to do with an image or name than actual value.

I have to agree with that. I remember a member on here broke a trans or rear on an older gm truck and said "pos GM product" then not long later his Toyota had a major failure (also transmission I believe) and said "these things happen". That's a very typical mindset I've seen in the automotive repair business.

The strawberry milkshake of death mentioned though is a failure inside the rad, not really preventable and nothing to do with maintenance. The rad cracks between the trans cooler and rad itself and mixes fluids making a milkshake.

I've seen it multiple times on old Neons, a couple newer Chrysler products like a Durango, and a Nissan or 2. Also an older Tundra.

 

[Strommen95]

One of the things people never talk about is demographics.. Toyota on average has an older customer base that is far more likely to take care of their vehicle. They generally are the last ones to complain about a car too.. Lexus and Buick too, both highly rated for reliability are known for older demographics. If it goes from Point A to Point B they'll be happy meanwhile other customer bases are generally more picky and vocal with any complaints.

In contrast to Toyota Chrysler for example for many years had a lot of low credit and young customers.. I'm not saying Chrysler is the best manufacturer ever but it's no wonder Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, etc had so many "bad vehicles" with what their customer base was. Anyone who's been in business will typically tell you the "worst" customers are often the loudest and most audible customers too post sale.. In the sense of car buying the "worst" customers would be those with low income or bad credit. People that generally aren't going to take care of their vehicle.

Another thing is perception.. Perception is reality regardless of what reality really is. A person with a lemon Toyota will say they had bad luck. A person with a lemon American car, Korean, German, etc will say they're all like that.. Perception goes a long way regardless of what the truth really is.