'98 Limited: 197K too many miles?

[Chris S]

This is my first post, although I have combed through this forum and read many threads. I'd like to thank everyone for making this a really comprehensive source about these neat vehicles.

I've come across a '98 limited here in the SF Bay area. 197K miles. Second owner. New tires, alignment, shocks, stereo, and battery. Super clean exterior. Leather almost perfect. Drives really well at all speeds--shifts smoothly. The clock is out. The radiator is not original, but wasn't done in the second owner's tenure.

He's asking $5,900. The seller did point out that the valve cover is moist. Clean carfax; no prior owner records, so I would do the timing belt and water pump within the next year before any long trips.

I plan on having my mechanic give it a going through. The seller and his wife seem like really honest people, and if they are trying to dump a lemon they do a pretty good act. They just bought a newer Landcruiser.

I plan on putting about 7-8K miles a year on this vehicle, typical local town/highway driving, and a few road trips each year, some of it in 4WD.

Anything I should make sure my mechanic checks out? What are likely issues I'd have to deal with in the next 3 years or 25K miles? Should I abort this deal to to the absence of prior owner records?

Third generation one owner all records 4runners with 150K in my area go for about $8K, $10K at dealers. So I like this price given everything except the lack of records and approaching 200K miles.

Thanks for your feedback.

 

[goldshield1]

I bought a 2001 SR5 4x4 with 175mi. from trusted dealer friend. It was/is in excellent condition. No records so I did timing belt and water pump right off the bat. I did not have any trouble until last week. My ECM started acting up. Stealer wanted $1800 to swap with new. I bought rebuilt from ECM outlet and replaced my self (ECM behind glove box) 25 min. job. I love my 4R. I'll keep it forever or 500,000 miles, whichever comes first.

 

[broncosi]

I'm on my phone so I'll be brief. I bought my 98 sr5 in 2004 with 180,000 highway on it. Single owner who had just done the timing belt and had all the maintenance records. Paid around $10k. It now has about 275,000 miles on it and is running like a champ. And still looks brand new. I get compliments all the time. I would definitely go for it.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I paid $2800 for my '97 Limited with 187K on it. It's pretty clean but was filthy when I bought it. Needed a major detail and some little things but it was a great buy.

I paid $5000 for my '99 SR5 Highlander with 190K on it. I miss that one a lot.

 

[BrianSD_42]

That is a lot of miles.

My engine suffered a head failure CYL #3 at 199,830 miles. Another member just suffered the same thing at 198,000 a few weeks ago. Don't assume the engine will be good for 300,000 because some people make it that far without major failures.

But I do think these are great trucks and I love mine still. Good luck with the hunt.

 

[Chris S]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate these points of view.

Other than a compression test, is there a way to judge the state of the engine? Is sounds great and drives perfectly. It's hard to process the experience driving while looking at the odometer.

What's more likely if the vehicle has been driven under normal conditions with regular maintenance, tranny or engine problems?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

In these, neither really. The engine is damn near bullet proof and they have the best automatic trans I can think of.

 

[Kurtis]

We bought ours with 205K on it. But the engine purrs and drives great.

 

[VA4runnerchic]

Ha i have a 98 limited as well. Mine has 354,xxx miles and STILL purrin' like a kitten! I'm third owner. Previous owner took d*mn good care of it! Like Pitbullrescuer said these motors are bullet proof! And i only paid 3 grand for mine heehee

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Ha i have a 98 limited as well. Mine has 354,xxx miles and STILL purrin' like a kitten! I'm third owner. Previous owner took d*mn good care of it! Like Pitbullrescuer said these motors are bullet proof! And i only paid 3 grand for mine heehee

I paid less for mine. With half those miles almost. And it's 4WD. :runandhide LOL

 

[VA4runnerchic]

I paid less for mine. With half those miles almost. And it's 4WD. :runandhide LOL

Haha hush!! Im sure mine looks better!!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Yours does look pretty clean actually. But don't count mine out either, I just got a phenomenal deal. Guy bought a brand new one and just wanted to unload this one. Right place at the right time with cash in hand.

 

[T4R_Finally]

One thing to keep in mind is that the engines, if cared for, can last a long time and often outlast other parts. So be preventative where you can in areas such as radiator, timing belt, water pump, ball joints, and other things you read about here. And then dont be surprised when other little things come up. Sounds like, for what you want to use it for, its not too many miles. Good idea to have a mech check it out anytime you can work it out.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

I bought my 98 with 220K miles for $2750 (October, 2010), but it was a bucket of dirt (literally fine brown dust everywhere - stripped the interior and cleaned everything with a bucket of soapy water). I don't know all the history but it has been wrecked at 106K (didn't show up in carfax even though the dealer body shop straightened the frame - don't trust carfax) and didn't have any maintenance records. I did the normal maint things - timing belt, water pump, ball joints, shocks, fuel filter, etc. It runs great and is tight like a new one (but could use a new muffler).

I think the price (for a limited) is probably fair for your area but I'd figure on spending $1000 for maintenance in the next year (timing belt, water pump, belts, and lower ball joints - I'd definitely replace them just in case). So you're really paying $6900 for it, which is probably still a good price if it is a solid truck and as nice as you describe.

 

[jacktahoe]

I live part time in Sac and the other part in Homewood, so I am a Northern Ca person too.

I bought my 98 in 98...it has a v6, 4 wheel drive.

I use mine hard, driving it up to Tahoe trailing a boat that weighs ~ 4000 lbs, and a lot in the snow.

I change the oil every 10k with mobil one, along with the transmission fluid in the pan. I change the timing belt and water pump every 90K miles.

So far this is what has broken:

1. Front rotors warp. They are cheap to replace so I do it at every brake job.
2. Antenna broke.
3. Starter broke.
4. Rear Axel seal leak.
5. O2 sensor.
6. Heater temp control unit on the dash.
7 Catalytic converter ( they steal them often here ) It costs 350 to replace if they do the work for you.

I have 261,500 miles on it.

I have never changed the brake fluid, the power steering fluid, the transfer case fluid. When I do the brake job, I bleed the brakes for a good long time though.

I drive around 20K per year. The thing runs and runs. I am buying a prius plug in for the milage, but will keep my 98 4runner !

Use only the NGK two prong plug or else you will not pass smog.

 

[awdjunkies]

There is also a member on here (Can't remember name or which thread is) that has 600k miles, yes, that's 600,000 miles on his 4runner still going strong.. I think he may be out of TX. But yeah almost 200k miles is pretty much nothing IF the maintenance has been performed.

 

[DC runner]

Man. I will be the word of caution.

That is a lot of miles. The engine is by all accounts amazing... but at 200k miles; you gotta wonder about everything else.

Get it, don't get it.. but don't be surprised if little things (or major) occur. Window motors fried. A/C Compressor gone. Exhaust clogged/dead. Sensors shot.


The engine is just one part (albeit one of the most important, I agree) so it comes down to what are you willing to tolerate. If other systems dying or being dead doesn't bother you.. then go for it. At 200k seals are dry, etc. etc.

Don't take this to be a "don't do it, debbie downer" as the 3.4 is a very strong engine. I just wanted to be the voice of caution. If you go into it assuming that little things will go bad... then you can live with it.

 

[Chris S]

I bought it...

I appreciate the variety of replies, and I'm not going into this with unrealistic expectations. I had my mechanic check it out, and he said what many of you guys did: change the timing belt, water pump (he said the lower ball joints looked newer) and be prepared to fix things as they break.

My other car is a '92 Saab 900 Turbo, and I have a 70's era sailboat so I am familiar with the fix-it drill! I have also learned the value of preventative maintenance with cars but also as homeowner. That said, I also know that some products are well built and well designed...and this Toyota is one of them.

Something I don't think I mentioned earlier was that the seller is a parts manager for a Toyota dealership. He bought this car for his wife who then decided that she had been used to her big Lexus SUV and wanted a Landcruiser instead. So I feel like I was dealing with a guy who knew cars, and (I hope) didn't just knowingly pass on a lemon.

But it looks great, drives great, and everything works: A/C, all switches, etc. I'll post photos soon. Thanks again for the insight.

To JackTahoe: I grew up with a place on the West Shore..learned to ski at Tahoe Ski Bowl. Still rent a place every summer and spend a few weeks at Meek's Bay. Paradise.

--Chris

 

[awdjunkies]

Congrats on your purchase, and welcome to the 3G4ROC aka 3rd gen 4runner's Owners Club :hatsoff: lol seriously though, you wont be disappointed.
Guess what? Any used car/truck/suv you buy, you will have to do some sort of maintenance on.

 

[broncosi]

Congrats on the buy! Glad you decided to pull the trigger!