hello All-
1st time to this forum.
I've purchased many used Toyotas over the years and never been frightened of hi-mileage but I'm now considering a '96 SR5 with auto transmission and 3.4 L V6. that has over 295,000 miles on it (hard miles, Alaskan winters).
I'm not familiar with the 3.4L or the 96 auto trans. The truck runs like a dream and seems to be well maintained but no service history is available.
What do I need to be worried about with this engine/tranny combo on a late model but high mileage T4R?
Thanks,

hey,
i also have a 96 with only 200K miles, sorry dude but i really cant tell u anything, but would like to know when to expect for mine to drop out...
if your are thinking about buying it, what is the price? i would not spend more than 1,500 on it.. just cuz high miles and no records of mait.

I have a buddy who has a 96 ( bought new ) , he has 485,000 KM ( about 300,000 miles for you Americans) on it now . Timing belt ( of course ) ,brakes , tires he has done . REGULAR scheduled maintenance has showed its value here.

Think he said it uses about 3/4 of a liter of oil now between changes ,which is pretty good considering its mileage. Still runs like a top, but he had used pure synth oil it ,I know that .

XJ

i know yotas are great cars but the only thing i a worried about is the past maintenance

Is this from a dealer or private ? Do you have a TRUSTED mechanic that can do a pre-sale inspection ?

yes a good mechanic with an inspection would be your best bet! how much is it?
good call Xjeepguy

My 96 is now up and over 230k. its been hard miles and the last 20k have been rough teenager miles. again standard maintenance and the thing runs like a charm. leaks oil from the drain plug just been to lazy to fix it. i cant give you info on that high of millage, i know there is some one on this form with a 96 with 320,000 miles i believe.

Thanks for all the feedback guys-
To answer your questions...
The hi-mileage '96 T4R I was looking at was owned by an auto wholesaler, a critter that is not a dealer and not a private party but has the worst traits of both (they lie like a dealer but offer all the warranty protection of a private party...none).
He was asking $5500. He got that price for it after turning down an offer of $4800. Apparently, a pre-sale inspection found only 1 cracked CV joint boot but I don't know how good of an inspection was done.
I was prepared to offer $4500 with the assumption that I would have to start looking for another V6 to drop in it in the near future.
The lack of a service history was also my biggest concern as it was for all of you. If I had known that it had twice yearly oil changes I wouldn't have been reluctant. If I had known that it had only run synthetic oil, I would've bought it on the spot.
I missed out on a nice rig but I think I made the right call.
I'll just have to keep looking. Fairbanks, where I live, is a 4-Runner town. You see them everywhere. They just don't go on the market very often.
Thanks again for the good advice and info.
M

I live in a semi-large town and that seems to be about the only SUV you rarely see for sale in the local paper . Peeps like em and hate parting with them