Buying 1999 4Runner...A few Questions?

[zsmithku]

Hello,

I have tried my best to do as much research on this body style of 4Runner before purchasing, but feel it may be easier to get answers straight from proud owners.

I am currently looking at purchasing a 1999 4Runner SR5 4WD that is in amazing cosmetic condition. Vehicle has no dents, major scratches, rust, tears in the interior or stains. Looks awesome for the year. Also, it has new tires and new brakes. My only reservation is that it has 140K miles on it. My main question then lies in reliability. I love Toyota for its track record, but wonder how much of a gamble I may be taking with a higher mileage vehicle like this. Any thoughts, good or bad, would be much appreciated.

Also, if I do decide to purchase, any thoughts on what I should do to keep it running in tip-top shape?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Best,
zsmithku

 

[Elton H]

aslong as its been maintain that kind of miles aint even broke in for a toyota

 

[TheDurk]

I'm with Elton--I've had my '99 since new (now at 125K) and maintained it myself. I see nothing that suggests its useful life is even half over.

Factory recommended maintenance is really all it requires. I also do a bottle of Techron in the gas tank just before every oil change. If I had an automatic, I think I would by-pass the in-rad tranny cooler for an external, that milkshake thing sounds painful.

At your mileage, make sure timing belt, accessory belts, thermostat and water pump have been done at or since 90k, or prepare to do them yourself.

 

[Nuke]

I sold an '81 Celica with 178,000 miles. It was in showroom condition and was a tow vehicle. Alternator and wheel bearing were the only abnormal maintenance items.

I sold an '88 Camry with 215,000 miles. It still ran great but the tranny was jsut beginning to act up. I never did squat beyond an alternator and normal maintenance to that car.

I sold my '90 4Runner with 205,000 miles on it to a friend. All I did was the standard preventive maintenance and Toyota took care of the headgasket at 95,000 miles for free per their recall. No other major issues. My friend has over 350,000 on it now.

I sold my '00 4Runner with 152,000 miles on it to a friend I worked with. Same basic maintenance as my '90 and it was a tow vehicle. It was in great shape.

My son is still driving my '97 Camry with 180,000 miles on it despite his mother not knowing which end to point forward when she drove it.

I have an '08 4Runner with only 16,500 miles. I'll report back in another 184,000.

 

[zsmithku]

I think that answers my mileage question. Haha. Appreciate the illustration Nuke. Point taken.
I should hopefully be a proud owner of a 4Runner by this week.

 

[Pikeman]

Bought mine July 08 with 152k on it and now have 198k no issues and that is whith driving hard on and off road. If the interior and exterior are in as good a shape as you mention then they more then likely maintained the rest of ir as well. Good Luck and welcome to being an owner.

 

[96743runner]

I agree with what everyone else said. 140k is not very much for a 4Runner.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I bought mine in '04 with 95k on it and it currently has 155k on it and is in perfect mechanical order (outside of the power antenna) and burns less than a half quart of oil between my 8000 mile oil changes which is very good and is actually normal.