I'm looking at buying a 2001 4runner. I just totaled my tacoma and ran across this 4runner wanted to hear your thoughts.

It has 124k miles and a refurbished tranny 15k miles ago. recent tune up with new fuel pump, plugs, plug wires and fluids. Timing belt was replaced at 73k? Owner has receipts for all the work except for the timing belt.

I can get this truck for $7800. Anything else I should be looking out for? It runs and drives like new and everything feels nice and solid. Great tires and overall in good shape for a 10yr old truck. How much longer will it go before any costly maintenance again?

Things that worry me after searching is why the timing belt was changed so early and the tranny going bad. Radiator itself looks iffy but coolant looks great? So maybe potential pink milk shake to come? This guy has only owned it for a little over a year so maybe that's another bad sign.

If real axle seals haven't been done yet that could be another future repair?

Thanks for the help.

Is it 4wd? This will help determine price.

t-belt at 73k looks to be done at the 6yr mark by miles,fuel pump during tune up or fuel filter?
what do you mean by radiator looks ify? if the coolant is good color not to worry flush it out if you suspect a problem or do the external trans cooler? based on miles and last t-belt its coming up w/in a yr or 2 its up to you.
doesnt sound bad? maybe this person is looking for something more economical?

If real axle seals haven't been done yet that could be another future repair?

Thanks for the help.[/QUOTE]

it could be but that is fixed upon having the problem not as prevetative maintenance

You can sit around all day long and think about things that might go wrong.

Look at it this way, a Toyota with 125K miles is comparable to a lot of other cars with 40K miles in terms of durability and longetivity.

If you like the truck and it's in good shape, go for it. People have all sorts of reasons for selling a vehicle. Some bad, but a lot of times it's because their needs have changed.

I really wouldn't worry that the rear axle seals have not been done. My 2001 with 135,000, I take on long trip and I don't have a concern. Actually my truck has had very little done to it and is running super strong. That is was I am a little concern over the transmission going bad. Was it used off road a lot?

I guess I would really look over the vehicle and have a really good mechanic look at it.

appreciate the responses.

Yes this is a 4wd SR5 model.

After driving it for a 2nd time I decided to pass on it. I really really wanted to purchase but I wasnt willing to pay what the guy was asking for it and he was pretty much not willing to come down on price regardless.

When driving I noticed that going from Park, reverse, or neutral to Drive, the dash light would not light up showing what gear it was in. Sometimes it would slip down to 2nd even though I had clearly selected Drive. I tested this multiple times to see if it was consistant and it did it multiple times. It was like it couldnt determine if it was in Drive or down in 2nd even though the shifter was in drive. If I slightly moved it, then it would go to one gear or the other.

This truck was owned by a farmer in a relatively remote location that I just happened to be close to this weekend. There was no where that I could take it to that I would feel comfortable having them look at it. Most of these rural towns are not familar or fond of imports.

The highway was pretty iced over and it was hard to find a good stretch to get out and hammer it to see how it shifted, or to truly tell what gear the shifter was in.

I am sure this could have been a good truck but after driving and looking at it again my gut told me it just wasnt in the cards.

So I will continue my pursuit of another reliable toyota. Having owned a 94 pickup, 02 Tacoma, and 05 Tacoma I have gotten a good feel for Toyota. Just wish the 94, and 05 didnt fall victim to unfortanate car accidents especially when I am not at fault....good news is that I got more money for my 05 tacoma than what I paid for it 3 years ago.

With the pay off, and new additions to the family we will be buying a minivan, and I need to look for a different hunting vehicle.

its every toyota man's dream to find a 22r 4x4 5 speed with locker