I need some advice on how to deal with my 95 4Runner (Limited V6 4x4). It has 170k miles on it. It is running like total crap, and has been diagnosed with exhaust fumes in the coolant system. According to my mechanic, that means the heads need to come off. I am the original owner, and this vehicle has already had the heads off twice. The last time it was done by a friend, about 25000 miles ago, which I guess means he didn't do such a good job. Oh well.
I'm not about to drop 1500-2000 on this truck again. I called a wrecker and he said he'd give me 600 bucks for it. My mechanic says they might be willing to buy it for up to 1000, but they would be buying it to fix it, and with the SMOG laws in California, I don't know what happens if they aren't eventually able to get it smogged.
Am I being offered fair value here? Outside of needing a head rebuild, the truck is in fairly good condition. All I am interested in at this point is unloading it with little/no more hassle for the most amount of money possible.