Advice on Purchasing 2000 SR5 5-speed

[leftcoastsurf]

Long time lurker, first post. Not a stranger to 4runners (had an '87, '94, and wife currently drives a '14). I have been searching for some time now for a 5-speed 4x4 3rd Gen for a while now. I have read through the buyer's thread and absorbed all I can.

I am currently looking at a 2000 SR5 4x4 5-speed with 220k miles on it. It has been a SoCal truck all its life and the asking price is $6,700. Supposed to have all the maintenance records and was owned by a lady that drove it 50 miles to and from work each day. Timing belt was done at 187k. Not sure about ball joints etc but will check it out when I see it. This is in the condition and has everything I want, except for the mileage.

I would like this as a DD and would be driving it across country (SoCal to Ohio) in December. With the the high mileage, but good maintenance (still to be verified) what are peoples opinions on this making the trip worry free? I know these rigs are good for 300k+. I have read about rebuilds but am unclear of what may trigger this and if this vehicle will need it in the future. Can a rebuild be prevented if proper maintenance is strictly followed?

Thanks for any assistance!

 

[Jasony0423]

Good question. I found this site looking for the same type of info. I found a 5 speed 4x4 4runner (1996) here in ohio that has 203k miles. I'm looking at it as a commuter and something to drive on weekends when I don't have my wife and kids with me.
Seller is from Western pennsylvania, and so it's got quite a bit of rust. Im not planning on doing mugh with it, I'm just not sure if it's a good deal or not. No lights on, a/c is cold. He's asking $2,000 but I got the impression that a smaller stack of cash would probably be accepted.
Sorry for the threadjacking, I can't post my own yet and this just seemed similar, like I said.

 

[Unner]

Make sure it's good to go on maintenance and drive it as much as you can until your trip so your comfortable with it and know the truck. I wouldn't be afraid to drive my truck from Alabama to Alaska if I wanted to at 178k miles.

 

[ridefast]

I wouldn't be afraid to drive my truck from Alabama to Alaska if I wanted to at 178k miles.

I feel the same about mine!!!




220K for $6700. yikes. High on price

 

[leftcoastsurf]

Make sure it's good to go on maintenance and drive it as much as you can until your trip so your comfortable with it and know the truck. I wouldn't be afraid to drive my truck from Alabama to Alaska if I wanted to at 178k miles.

Good to know and good advice! I intend to get AAA as well for the trip if I get the 4runner. I am comfortable with the maintenance and love required to ensure it is dependable. I am just a little concerned if I should expect to do a rebuild some time in the near future.

I feel the same about mine!!!




220K for $6700. yikes. High on price

Yeah the price is a little high but not compared to other ones out here that aren't as clean but have lower miles. We will see how it looks in person.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Up here a 5-speed with 200k+ miles goes for about $5500. That's assuming it's in good mechanical shape.

 

[leftcoastsurf]

Up here a 5-speed with 200k+ miles goes for about $5500. That's assuming it's in good mechanical shape.

Thanks for the benchmark! That price sounds more reasonable and is around what I would be willing to offer.

 

[MyHigh]

Thanks for the benchmark! That price sounds more reasonable and is around what I would be willing to offer.

I agree, if you can get him down to around 5 grand I think you will be more in range of what's reasonable. I picked mine up for that in 2013 at 185k, it was also the first time ever I took it to the dealer and did a pre-purchase inspection, it was 150 for the stupid crap like brake pad %'s and fluid levels but for 200 total they included a compression check which is priceless, they also did deeper inspection of whole drivetrain and comprised a list and cost. Totally worth it come bargaining time.

I must admit though I bought from a used car dealer though,but they where asking 9,500 and I walked out the door with 5,500. It was all because of inspection.
Whatever you decide, if the truck looks well, and drives well you will be happy with the 5-speed,

Good luck

 

[Loud Runner]

I bought my 1997 5speed for 6,000 with 146,000 miles on it.

 

[krenaud33]

I would like this as a DD and would be driving it across country (SoCal to Ohio) in December. With the the high mileage, but good maintenance (still to be verified) what are peoples opinions on this making the trip worry free? I know these rigs are good for 300k+. I have read about rebuilds but am unclear of what may trigger this and if this vehicle will need it in the future.

My 2000 has over 310K on it and I drove it 3K miles round trip from Iowa to Phoenix this past June.(it had 300K on it) The main thing I did before the trip was lower ball joints and out tie rods. They had never been replaced in the 150K miles I owned the 4Runner so I thought it would be a good pre-caution. All of my other maintenance was pretty up to date so I wasn't too worry about the trip. Took it through the Rockies on the way out and wheeled in Moab a few days as well, so it was tested.

Make sure your maintenance is up to date and keep an eye and eye out for indicators that something might be going south.

 

[leftcoastsurf]

I took it to the dealer and did a pre-purchase inspection, it was 150 for the stupid crap like brake pad %'s and fluid levels but for 200 total they included a compression check which is priceless, they also did deeper inspection of whole drivetrain and comprised a list and cost. Totally worth it come bargaining time.

Ok thanks for the advice. If the compression test comes out okay is it safe to say as long as maintenance is continued that a rebuild in the future is less likely?

My 2000 has over 310K on it and I drove it 3K miles round trip from Iowa to Phoenix this past June.(it had 300K on it) The main thing I did before the trip was lower ball joints and out tie rods. They had never been replaced in the 150K miles I owned the 4Runner so I thought it would be a good pre-caution. All of my other maintenance was pretty up to date so I wasn't too worry about the trip. Took it through the Rockies on the way out and wheeled in Moab a few days as well, so it was tested.

Make sure your maintenance is up to date and keep an eye and eye out for indicators that something might be going south.

Wow! That is pretty amazing. Those items you mentioned are exactly what I was planning on doing for sure if I can't find evidence in the maintenance records. I am assuming you haven't had to rebuild the motor, is that correct?

 

[krenaud33]

Wow! That is pretty amazing. Those items you mentioned are exactly what I was planning on doing for sure if I can't find evidence in the maintenance records. I am assuming you haven't had to rebuild the motor, is that correct?

Correct engine has not been rebuilt. Timing belt was done around 80k-90k(before I bought it) and by myself at 290K. Yes that's correct 200K miles on a timing belt/water pump etc. I had the strawberry milkshake around 180K. Replaced radiator and had tranny flushed right after it happened.