Bought a 1998 Toyota 4Runner on Saturday

[SDRider]

It will be a first car for our son when he turns 16 this summer. One of our neighbors was selling it and was asking $6k but we got him down to $4800. It is a one owner truck with 203,000 miles on it. They had a stack of maintenance history and I drove it down to a local mechanic I know to have him look it over. It has never been in an accident but it needs a bit of work. Namely, brakes, struts/shocks, timing belt and power steering rack bushings. Oh, and once all that is done it needs new tires and probably an alignment.

My son and I spent most of yesterday replacing the front struts and front brakes. Still need to replace the rear shocks. This is my son working on the right front brakes. I did the left front but I had him do most of the wrenching on the right front. He doesn't have his license yet so I figure my wife and I can use it for trips to Home Depot or other small errands once we get the mechanical bits all sorted out.

My son and his friend Andrew. Andrew is the one sitting there watching.


Body is decent, some minor scratches and dings but nothing major. No rust whatsoever as it was purchased new in SoCal and has been driven around here its entire life.

Everything works though, A/C blows cold, power windows, doors and moonroof all work, no engine lights lit on the dash. It starts right up and runs smoothly and shifts through all the gears. The tires are old and cracked and even though they have some tread remaining they are not worn evenly which contributes to the feel through the steering when driving it.

I've got a little over $500 into it in parts so far. It still needs about $700 worth of work and I figure tires will set us back another $500 but then it should be good to go another 100k miles. These things are built really well and I know people with over 300k on them. We parked it in the driveway the last two nights and there isn't a single drop of any fluids underneath it.

I'm proud of my son today. He didn't complain at all and was willing to do anything I asked of him and he was a great help. I barely did anything on the right front wheel. He just asked me what to do next after he completed each task. Plus, I think he will always remember this and not be afraid to try to repair things himself when he is older.

[superdog]

love these. congrats.

[GB-man]

Very impressive you’ve put him to work Julian! The ability to work with ones hands is damn near lost these days. A valuable skill.

3rd gen 4runners are great rides. I have a 5th gen and very happy with it. Please let us know how she runs when all the work is complete

[Thatguy]

Nice truck and a great learning experience for your son!


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[s14roller]

Great vehicle to start with. He wont be scared about tackling repairs in the future.

[Gharddog03]

Solid vehicle !!

[SDRider]

Oh, and I took my Rolex off while working on it.

[The Libertine]

Will always remember his first car - even more special with the memories of working on it with his Dad.

[HorologyK]

Lexus and Toyota are best.

[mannyv11]

that's awesome and I am sure your son will absolutely love that truck even more now than just having something handed to him.

It took me way to long to learn how to work on cars, but my father in law took me under his wing and we've rebuilt some absolute classics and every time I get behind the wheel it is a special feeling.

I hope he enjoys that car for years to come.

[bdex75]

Perfect first car. And perfect that you made him wrench on it to keep the repair costs down Julian.

And they do run forever it seems.

I have been casually looking for a car for my high school son. But as he has shown almost 0 initiative to get a license I haven’t got serious in my search.


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[SDRider]

Originally Posted by HorologyK

Lexus and Toyota are best.

This has me wanting a new GX460 even more now. They are based on the same chassis. It is a very stout and reliable platform.

[Art 1]

I have a '99 Limited. 120,000 miles. Drives better than a new C class. Bought it new. Excellent condition. It sits in Florida. We don't use it much. 100 miles a month maybe. Asked regularly if it's for sale.

[gettocard]

203k mikes ? It just finished its break in period. My favorite car of all times,enjoy it.

[Wesley Crusher]

I really like the 90s and early 2000s 4Runners and Pathfinders. Great SUVs. My first car was an Infiniti QX4 and that thing was really bulletproof. Unfortunately, rats found their way into the engine and chewed up all of the wires. I tried to fix the car multiple times, but it was so plagued with electrical issues after those damn rats that I just gave up and sold it.

[encarter13]

My first car was a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. I loved that thing! Why did I sell it!!!!

Great purchase and enjoy the time wrenching together.

[brandrea]

Nicely done.

Good to see the kids do something other than text

[cjohns]

I just love those California cars,, if it was a 98 anything you would be able to clean the door glass even if it was rolled down ! Rust rust rust......

[RW16610]

Congrats! That's such a memorable moment in life and he'll learn so much this way. I'll never forget working on my first car! Lots of life left in that and needs no major work. At the price you got it for you simply can't go wrong. Certainly the feel good thread of the day for me, as it brings back so many memories. Thanks for sharing

[Danny83]

Fun car for a 16 yo

[CamSLC]

Perfect first car. Toyota's live forever if maintained well.

[1st amg]

That is what I love to read Julian, you and your son working together on this. I aspire to do what you are doing with him, realize what it takes to purchase, fix, repair and own a vehicle. Awesome stuff, perfect first car for a teenage boy too.


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[tamiya]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

That is what I love to read Julian, you and your son working together on this. I aspire to do what you are doing with him, realize what it takes to purchase, fix, repair and own a vehicle. Awesome stuff

+1, that time spent & mechanic skills passed on is an inheritance IMHO worth more than a PP

[cda555]

Absolutely love older 4Runners. My brother turned 16 before me so he got my mom's old one. I was pretty bummed... had to setting for an old Camry. You look like you got a great one.

At first I thought you were using just the jack to hold it up... then I saw the jack stands :) Great job guys!!!

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by cda555

Absolutely love older 4Runners. My brother turned 16 before me so he got my mom's old one. I was pretty bummed
At first I thought you were using just the jack to hold it up... then I saw the jack stands :) Great job guys!!!

I thought so at first too. With a closer look behind his head I was able to spot one of the axle stands in place.

[swils8610]

Great choice! 4 Runners are a tank!


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[tamiya]

Originally Posted by cda555

At first I thought you were using just the jack to hold it up... then I saw the jack stands :)

If I'm instructing kiddies I also tell 'em to lay the loose wheel under the sill... I've managed to push cars off jackstands before

Even if they're just changing a wheel & not planning to get any fleshy limb under the car, it's still a good habit of putting that loose wheel under the sill. Because if ever car falls flat on the ground... it's a mega PITA getting it off the ground again!! nobody realises how hard until you're left to fix it

[skkali168]

Nice and good hard working son


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[tritium8]

Great buy and good for you having him handle the repairs!

[Old Geezer]

That’s a great buy. Those vehicles are bulletproof.