"Alan Strassberg" <paleale@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:48690962$0$17183$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
> My '97 4Runner engine is gone - it's somewhere between
> $2000 to $3500 to repair (awaiting details).
>
> So, is it worth fixing? Or write it off? Bluebook is
> about $5K.
>
> Tough decision - looking for net.wisdom on which way to go.
>
> alan

What is the hulk worth if you don't fix it? I am guessing a junk yard
would not give you more than $600 to $1000 for a non-running hulk,
assuming it is in decent condition. If you fixed it and everything was
back to nominal (for an 11 year old vehicle) how much do you think you
can realistically get for the vehicle (forget the blue book nonsense,
SUVs are in the toilet at the moment)? There are 41 similar 4Runners
for sale on Ebay today. The highest actual bid on a 1997 is $6,100 for
Limited, 4X4, sunroof with 95k miles. It is a dealer selling it, and
in the pictures, it looks perfect. Is yours even close to that nice?
most of the rest of the 1997, have no bids, or bids in the $3500
range. There are several with "Buy It Now" prices in the $4500 to
$6500 range - but no takers.

Unless you 4Runner is relatively low mileage in excellent condition
(and a 4x4 Limited Model), I am estimating you would be lucky to get
$4000 for it. My advice would be to list it on Craig's list, as is
with the bad engine for $2500. It someone bites, sell it to them. It
not, and you really love the vehicle, invest $2500, but plan to drive
it for a couple more years at least. When you say the engine is "gone"
is it non-functional, or just running poorly?

Personally, I think you kept it too long already

Ed

"Alan Strassberg" <paleale@sonic.net> wrote in message
news:48694e1b$0$17215$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>
> 131K miles
>

I just have to ask, what happened the engine blew at that low milage ?

On Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:45:22 -0500, Ralph Mowery wrote:

>
> "Alan Strassberg" <paleale@sonic.net> wrote in message
> news:48694e1b$0$17215$742ec2ed@news.sonic.net...
>>
>> 131K miles
>>
>
> I just have to ask, what happened the engine blew at that low milage ?


Guess: these things (3.0L V6) had a nasty habit of losing one of the
cylinders.

Or, perhaps, sludge...?