Hello! Okay, I’m trying to decide whether or not to buy a 4Runner. I love the 3rd gen body style so, that’s really what I’m looking at. Most of them have around 160,000 miles on them and cost anywhere from $3000-$8000. The one I’m seriously looking at has 170,000 miles - great condition - $3000.

Currently I drive a 2005 mustang with only 68,000 miles on it and it’s never given me one issue. I’m a college student who needs transportation from class to work. I’m not a huge driver otherwise. I’m prepared for some work to be done on vehicles with higher mileage and I have money set aside for upgrades and such but do you think it’s worth buying one or just stick to my mustang for now?

Any advice would be appreciates.

Thanks!

I’d say, if you aren’t happy driving your mustang then trade it in, and get a 4runner if it would suit your needs better.

There’s nothing wrong with buying a high-mileage 4R but make sure maintenance has been routine and the truck checks out good everywhere else. Check the frame for rust. Find a local shop and have them inspect it before you buy it if you’re concerned about anything.

Also could try posting in the 3rd gen section if that’s what gen you are looking to get. Those guys will tell you the things to look for when purchasing.

College first, transportation "wants" later. Since your Mustang has given you zero issues, keep driving it. After you get your degree and a job in your field, back up your savings, look at your retirement options (Google: compounding retirement interest) then start with a 4Runner. Boring, yeah. But later on you'll probably look back and say it was a great decision.

I agree with this 101%.


Of course, I didn’t do it that way either so I’m playing catch-up. Hindsight is 20/20. I would only switch vehicles if your current ride is becoming unreliable.

Perfect answer /thread

I agree with these people. While I do daily my Runner about 30 miles each way to work, it's never left me stranded. That being said, it's also my second vehicle, I perform ALL maintenance on it, and it's nice having a second vehicle when it sometimes takes me 30+ days to swap my own trans. I personally wouldn't want this vehicle if I had to pay a shop for everything as I'd probably be in over what I paid for it originally.

Keep the Stang, when it breaks, fix it. When you have enough money to outright buy a 4Runner without trading in the other vehicle, then buy one.

I bought mine with 140k...I wish I got one older with more miles for cheaper and took longer to find "the one." Don't be afraid of the mileage. I'm excited to see mine roll 170k tonight.

It all depends on how well the 4runner was taken care of. I made to to work, to school, and back in a 98 that had 160k miles when I bought it. I had to stop driving it 5 years later because I was in an accident leaving it at 195k miles. It was a great 4runner.

Anything under 160-180k isn't really high mileage for 4runners.

As long as they are taken care of properly, they last forever!!!

I bought my 2004 with 185k.
I wanted a 3rd Gen....but couldn't find one in decent shape....
and this one had the lowest mileage/best condition in my area.
Now that I have an hour+ drive to work (each way)...
it's close to 250k.
Even so, I still trust it enough to drop $1300 for brakes.

What kinda of brakes are you throwing on that cost so damn much ?!

Big brake kit costs like $400 max

Did you end up getting one? I just got an
08 V8 with 130,000 miles on it. Hoping it gets to 300,000 miles at least.


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The big cost was the Hydro Boost unit, which failed.
They are $3200 new...
$1500 used (but you can't find them)

My mechanic found the problem was the motor in it had seized.
Found a new replacement for $500.
Evidently, you have to take some of the dashboard apart to get it in and out...
so labor made up another $500.
The extra cost was to fix the actual brakes, as well as an oil change.

Those brakes are going to end up costing you more than your whole rig !!!

Post up some photos when you get it all setup.

I plan on just trying to find a Tundra set to convert to.

I just sold my '04 4Runner with 120K miles on it... It was still in great shape, never had any reliability problems with it. Only significant work it needed beyond oil changes, tires and brakes was a front wheel bearing that went bad, costing like $800 to replace. Otherwise, with regular maintenance, was an amazingly reliable vehicle.

Funny you say that, cause when I first got the news that a new unit was $3200...
I freaked out.
I bought my 4Runner used for $8,000...
and my former boss paid for half!
So I was looking at paying almost as much as I paid to buy the truck!
(fortunately, the total bill was only $1300)

As for pictures....there are none.
They only replaced the small motor in the Hydro Boost...
so there is no noticeable difference.