Don't be too sure. My daughter and her husband paid that for an '04 with 225,000 a year and a half ago, in Missouri. I would expect the price to be higher out here in Colorado. Given that 4 runners 4 years newer and half the miles go for almost double the money, $8K is not all that much out of line, particularly with the new tires, rear locker addition, suspension upgrades, and the likelihood of little rust. I'd guess someone will pay that for it if the seller waits long enough.
4th Gen High Miles - Talk me out of it
- Thread starter GrassFed
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Don't be too sure. My daughter and her husband paid that for an '04 with 225,000 a year and a half ago, in Missouri. I would expect the price to be higher out here in Colorado. Given that 4 runners 4 years newer and half the miles go for almost double the money, $8K is not all that much out of line, particularly with the new tires, rear locker addition, suspension upgrades, and the likelihood of little rust. I'd guess someone will pay that for it if the seller waits long enough.
jonnys
New member
You're very right Ron, I've been scouring the market and it's pretty consistent except for the miles. Just those miles make me want to get a second opinion, and a lot of information I'm getting is to negotiate and try and snag a deal. I've set a max offer in my head, so we'll see how the inspection goes. Great feedback, thank you!
It's really an expected miles vs. cost decision you have to make. Obviously, all else being equal, a well maintained '08 with 120,000 miles has more life left in it than the same well-maintained 04 at 250,000 miles. But, you pay for those extra expected miles. If you can afford the extra money, you're probably better off going newer, but if not, the older vehicle can still give you a lot of solid miles.
Given that, the older vehicle only really makes sense if you can do a lot of your own maintenance. The major drive train components (engine, transmission, diffs, etc.) have a lot of life left in them, assuming good maintenance. If the frame is relatively rust free, your major maintenance concerns are stuff like O2 sensors, accessories (alternator, PS pump, etc.), wheel bearings, light bulbs, various hoses, etc. None of that is terribly hard to fix in your garage, but the money really adds up if you have to have it done by a shop or dealer.
Fortunately, websites like this make maintenance info readily accessible, even for fairly complicated projects, and Harbor Freight brings the cost of good but not great tools down to where you can afford them.
Bottom line is, if $7-8K is what you have to spend, and the off-road mods are of interest to you, the vehicle you're looking at looks to me like a strong contender.
Given that, the older vehicle only really makes sense if you can do a lot of your own maintenance. The major drive train components (engine, transmission, diffs, etc.) have a lot of life left in them, assuming good maintenance. If the frame is relatively rust free, your major maintenance concerns are stuff like O2 sensors, accessories (alternator, PS pump, etc.), wheel bearings, light bulbs, various hoses, etc. None of that is terribly hard to fix in your garage, but the money really adds up if you have to have it done by a shop or dealer.
Fortunately, websites like this make maintenance info readily accessible, even for fairly complicated projects, and Harbor Freight brings the cost of good but not great tools down to where you can afford them.
Bottom line is, if $7-8K is what you have to spend, and the off-road mods are of interest to you, the vehicle you're looking at looks to me like a strong contender.
Definitely get that inspection at a shop you trust. He says it has a locking rear but doesn’t say which one he has [emoji848]
And no rust on a Denver car?? With the amount of salt they lay down each winter??
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They do use quite a bit of mag chloride on the roads here, but truthfully, rust is not nearly the problem in Colorado as it is in the east. I think it's because our snow days are interspersed with periods of dry, relatively warm weather and extremely low humidity, which mitigates the rusting potential of the chemicals. Along the Front Range, we spend a lot more time operating on dry roads in the winter than on snowy or slushy roads.
Also, because of the relatively long periods of good weather, people tend to wash their cars fairly quickly after the snow disappears after a storm, so the crud doesn't stay on the car all that long.
My '94 4runner has been in Colorado all of its life, mostly outside, driven daily every winter, and frame and body rust is minimal after 23 years. The only rust areas are the problematic fenders areas surrounding the wheels.
jonnys
New member
Thanks for the great information, Ron.
To be completely transparent I am a beginner with car maintenance, and I know the basics but I currently do not have a garage. This is making me think harder about my search.
Mainly the vehicle is going to be used for mountain trips and not a daily driver, so I might have some wiggle room for something like this, but again your input is making me think deeper.
I think I'll go with the pre-purchase inspection for experience and piece of mind, build my relationship with the mechanic, and go from there.
Thanks again. If you have more light to shed, definitely don't hesitate. Same for any other users on here.
Having another vehicle that can serve as a daily driver, even temporarily, is a big help. That's the other piece of running older vehicles and doing your own repairs/maintenance. You need a backup, so if one vehicle is down for even routine maintenance, you can still carry on basic life functions, go get parts, etc.
I'll occasionally pull one of my 4runners out of service for several days or a week at a time while I do a mod/upgrade, or some preventive maintenance. But, I only do that while the other one is in complete working order, so I can take my time on the first one.
As far as catastrophic failures that leave you stranded in the wilderness, I don't have much concern with these vehicles, even at high mileage. Neither of my 4runners have ever come close to letting me down in that way. And, newer vehicles can have quirky failures just as easily. The only two times I've ever called AAA is for vehicles that had less than 60,000 miles on them. (Neither was a Toyota)
Edit: I might add that doing your own maintenance also puts you much more in tune with the health of your vehicle. All vehicles of a particular make and model start out from the factory pretty much identical. Once they get 150,000 miles on them each one develops a unique personality. Understanding that is key, and it's fun to do. You'll get a feel for what sounds or feels normal, and what is abnormal, and be better able to pre-empt failures before they leave you stranded on the road.
I'll occasionally pull one of my 4runners out of service for several days or a week at a time while I do a mod/upgrade, or some preventive maintenance. But, I only do that while the other one is in complete working order, so I can take my time on the first one.
As far as catastrophic failures that leave you stranded in the wilderness, I don't have much concern with these vehicles, even at high mileage. Neither of my 4runners have ever come close to letting me down in that way. And, newer vehicles can have quirky failures just as easily. The only two times I've ever called AAA is for vehicles that had less than 60,000 miles on them. (Neither was a Toyota)
Edit: I might add that doing your own maintenance also puts you much more in tune with the health of your vehicle. All vehicles of a particular make and model start out from the factory pretty much identical. Once they get 150,000 miles on them each one develops a unique personality. Understanding that is key, and it's fun to do. You'll get a feel for what sounds or feels normal, and what is abnormal, and be better able to pre-empt failures before they leave you stranded on the road.
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Supersonic
New member
My 2005 v6 4th gen with 294,000 miles seems a great value, mostly just needed the service updated, best 2k I may have ever spent on a vehicle. I think they are a consistent good quality build and there are a couple of things I've learned in the past month of owner ship that may help.
Service, even though serviced at the dealership, the transmission filter and PCV valve are 2 things I would have liked to have been serviced prior to my ownership. Point being, service certainly can be of differing standards.
Was the valve clearance ever checked at regular service interval? I'm thinking that's every 60,000, and the ad say's 'this 4Runner has superb maintenance history', hold them to this standard or negotiate more.
The 'lift' and the intake modifications are not to my taste, or that could also be a matter of budget. Closely look at the quality of work. I gotta like the exhaust though, anytime I never have to work on that...
Look for frame rust, used car dealer here is advertising 2-2003 4runners 'Rust Free Body' (just don't look at the rust flaking off the frame) I could clearly see a rusty frame behind the rear wheel on both of them, didn't have to look no further, that was just yesterday, my buddy is now looking for one too.
For the most part, if it ain't rusty, you'll have a lot to work with even if there are issues. Can I overcome the problem? Is the question here.
Trailer hitch, be well versed in knowing how to determine condition of the transmission/drive train. Your going to have a pre-purchase inspection, but things could get overlooked.
Have enough information to trust your gut instinct and try not to be so enthralled you can't walk away. Any $nk is a lot of money to end up with a car you can't drive and just sits in your driveway.
I bought my 2006 with 200k for about 7,000 just over a year ago. Best money I spent on it was having a mobile vehicle inspector check mine out and he said it was good. I'd see if the timing chain cover was resealed. I know mine has not had it done, so I take it in every six months or so and have it rechecked. I also had to have a wheel bearing replaced, which is no small expense. I'm happily over 250,000 miles on it, and still going.
jonnys
New member
Thanks for all the great input.
Going to keep my options open, go through with the inspection, but also keep my eyes peeled for any newer 08+ deals because you never know, right?
What are some good states to check for good deals? Like Ron mentioned, the market in Colorado is slightly higher than other states, but curious if anybody has input. Some quick Google searches gives some information, but there might be some CraigsList veterans on here with sage wisdom.
Thanks again guys, looking forward to getting into the community.
Going to keep my options open, go through with the inspection, but also keep my eyes peeled for any newer 08+ deals because you never know, right?
What are some good states to check for good deals? Like Ron mentioned, the market in Colorado is slightly higher than other states, but curious if anybody has input. Some quick Google searches gives some information, but there might be some CraigsList veterans on here with sage wisdom.
Thanks again guys, looking forward to getting into the community.
