I have seen 3rd gen 4runners with more than 300k to 400k miles on them with the same engine. Are they not reliable?

You are budgeting almost twice the value of the vehicle for repairs. That's awesome, but then again you could probably allocate some more money towards purchase price, and save on repairs. I think these 3rd gens have such legendary status that the price and what people put into them is getting nuts.. My 04 Sequoia and v8 4runner are much better on the road, but I daily drive the 3rd gen and wheel it so I can keep the other vehicles pristine. The 3rd gen is also a mail vehicle. Mail and trail. Depends on your definition of a daily driver I guess, I like to daily mine so my others don't get beat up. But generally the Sequoia and 4th gen v8 are much better to drive around. Smooth as ice.

I plan to budget around $5500 for repairs, as I will take it to a family mechanic to get it updated in terms of maintenance. This is, of course, assuming worse case scenario.

Year: 1998
Miles when purchased: 166k
Miles now: 181k

Thats low mileage, actually.

Is 260k miles too much for a 2.7 3rz 4runner? This is the 4runner I am looking at.

Mine did have 4 previous owners, who all seemed to modify the crap out of it. But it did have lower miles.

I wouldn't worry too much about that milage if there are records of stuff being done (fluid changes and valve adjustment). The worst thing about that could likely happen is burnt up valves, so do a compression test before purchase.

The timing chain is a question mark, you replace it when you hear it rattling. There is no interval for when it should be replaced, so unless you hear it during the test drive its anyone's guess. The only way to get a good idea of life left is to take off the valve cover and see how far the tensioner has extended out. Most people who replace the chain on 3rz do it because they already have the engine apart for other reasons, the chain could last the lifetime of the engine.

The other problems that you can (and I have) encounter with this engine are things you can expect to find on the V6 (or any 25 YO vehicle) as well. Oil and exhaust leaks are pretty common, that happens with age. Bushings will likely need replacing too.

Anecdotally I hear more about transmission problems than engine ones. I don't have the automatic transmission, can't comment on common problems. Check the fluid at the very least.

A problem common on all 3rd gens is lower ball joint failure. To check condition you have to jack the front up and check for play in the joints. Unless there is documentation of it being done, I would factor the cost of changing them into the price. They fail suddenly and dangerously, so it's something done out of safety.

I plan to budget around $5500 for a mechanic to update the maintenance, assuming worst case scenario.

Mine is almost 380k. No signs of slowing down.

My take is that it still has the cargo cover. That’s a big deal. It means that it was most likely taken very good care of.

That 4 cylinder is going to be a bit slow. Even the 5VZ lacks what I would consider modern power. If your goal is to buzz around 80 mph on the interstate, you’re probably not going to love the vehicle that much, even if it was a v6. If a high-speed cruiser is a mandatory requirement, you may want to consider a fourth GEN or newer.

Love mine, but I also have a stable of other vehicles. Thing is these are 20+ year old rigs now. They’re great, but they do come with some minor issues given the age.

Do old car issues bother you? They don’t bother me in the slightest, but I do all of my own work. If I had to pay somebody for everything I do, there’s no way it would work out. These 4runners are very long lived vehicles. longevity wise, they’re only beaten by Land Cruiser and I think the old suburbans from the 90s.

Body on frame, reasonably economical. If you’re going to daily it and mpg matters, probably don’t throw a set of 33 load E MTs on. Stick with some stockish SLs. Next best would be some C rated a/ts. They are great run around vehicles. Good family rig. Unbelievably great family off-roader. Easy to park. I love these things, but if I had to put a ton of miles down, I would probably drive something else like a Subaru or rav4 if there’s an AWD requirement.

Truthfully, as a minivan owner, if you’re looking for just a car to haul people around, the sienna awd absolutely kills it in that department. I know, I know, everybody hates minivans, and you lose cool guy points when everybody else in town drives Ford raptors and TRX’s.


It really comes down to what are your expectations and desires.

Do you have a 3rz 4 four cylinder 4runner yourself?

Maybe I missed it, how much do you plan on budgeting to repairs?

Its pretty simple. Go look at it and drive it. If its in good shape, has enough power, the options you want, and most everything works, buy it. If it doesn't, walk away and find something else.

I will take it to a family mechanic if I decide to buy it. Budget around $5500 max, assuming worst case scenario.

Do you have a 3rz 4 cylinder 4runner yourself?

Yep. A '97 2wd 3RZ 5speed that will never see the road again. The engine and trans is going to be swapped into my '94 pickup to replace the tired POS 22RE. The rest I'm using as a parts donor for my '99 V6 when stuff is needed and compatible

I don’t. I’ve only rode in one.