New to the forum here, and looking for some advice. I've been looking into buying a 3rd gen t4r and after a few months of searching I've found one that I think might be the one. I found a 5 speed, 4x4, 97, sr5, with 205k miles and they are asking $5999. I don't know about any service records, or how well it was maintained. So I'm wondering if this is a good price? and are these too many miles? Also I know that ideally I should take it to a mechanic to have it checked out, but I can't really afford that right now, so are there anythings that I should look out for? Thank you all for your input.
buying a 3rd gen with 205k miles
- Thread starter lukadown
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Relentless
New member
Is this at a used car lot off of south virginia st by the Les schwab? Looks like it from the photos. I've got a very similar 4runner; 1998 now with 205k on it, I paid $4000 for it back in May so $6k sounds high to me.
I could possibly meet and give my opinion on it, I live down that way in South Reno.
I could possibly meet and give my opinion on it, I live down that way in South Reno.
brian4t
New member
Yeah, that's the one right next to les schwab.
username182
New member
I paid 4k for my 2000 sr5 with 203k miles in pristine condition. Im in MN too where anything 4wd goes for a premium...
I would say 4k ish would be a decent price if it is in good condition.
I would say 4k ish would be a decent price if it is in good condition.
Thanks all. I went to go check it out last week, before we started it we talked and he dropped the price to 4950 out the door(taxes doc fees and smog check included). Then when we went to start it the battery was completely dead. He put a new battery in it and it started right up. The engine sounded great, but it did start to blow a bunch of white smoke from the tailpipe, and I saw it was leaking a bit of coolant, but couldn't figure out from where. Took it for a test drive and after about 10-15 mins of driving, the smoke stopped. Clutch felt nice, 4hi and 4lo worked great, all the windows rolled down. But I can't figure out the white smoke. I know for a fact that it had been sitting in the same spot for at least two months, so could this just be condensation that built up over the winter, or is it something more serious; head gasket, cracked heads, or cracked block. I'm supposed to go back tomorrow and check it out again but I don't want to commit if it like that. Again thanks for all the great advice.
BeachWagon
New member
I'd keep looking elsewhere also. In January 2009 I paid $3000 cash private owner for my 97 2wd, with 212,000 miles on it. She has needed lots of loving, and I have dumped a lot of cash into her. So much so, I could never sell her and make anything decent. Though, after putting 2500 into having the motor completely rebuilt, at 270,000 miles, due to a spit plug, she runs strong as can be. But it costs. End of next year, I'll take her off the frame and dump a ton of money into her.
I say all this, because you said you couldn't afford to take the truck to the garage to check it out. Buyer beware. Buyer prepare. I say keep looking.
I say all this, because you said you couldn't afford to take the truck to the garage to check it out. Buyer beware. Buyer prepare. I say keep looking.
BrianSD_42
New member
:rofl:
Ok you made me LoL a bit. How can you afford a whole truck but you can't afford $50 (1/2 hour labor) to have it checked out by a decent mechanic? Really wow ....
:rofl:
Read the buyers guide. It is truly a great thread for potential buyers. Read it
---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html
My opinion:
* if it has white smoke then avoid it (see next sentence)
* you really should have a simple compression test done before buying it; my Dad taught me that
* heed this warning ----> at 200,000 miles a major engine failure eg. a cracked head is perfectly plausible so beware
* the 5 speed is not special and does not make it worth more than an automatic; the 96-02 Auto is a great trans, mine has 212+ miles on it
* if you find a really clean 4Runner with 200k, it might run fine until 250k - maybe. But it will not run forever.
* you are better off with either a 4WD Auto with 150k or less for your $5500. 150k miles is a lot less than 200k on these trucks.
Good luck.
Ok you made me LoL a bit. How can you afford a whole truck but you can't afford $50 (1/2 hour labor) to have it checked out by a decent mechanic? Really wow ....
:rofl:
Read the buyers guide. It is truly a great thread for potential buyers. Read it
---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html
My opinion:
* if it has white smoke then avoid it (see next sentence)
* you really should have a simple compression test done before buying it; my Dad taught me that
* heed this warning ----> at 200,000 miles a major engine failure eg. a cracked head is perfectly plausible so beware
* the 5 speed is not special and does not make it worth more than an automatic; the 96-02 Auto is a great trans, mine has 212+ miles on it
* if you find a really clean 4Runner with 200k, it might run fine until 250k - maybe. But it will not run forever.
* you are better off with either a 4WD Auto with 150k or less for your $5500. 150k miles is a lot less than 200k on these trucks.
Good luck.
Last edited:
My recommendation is to keep your eye out for a high mileage one owner vehicle being sold privately. Benefits being,
1) the seller usually assumes over 200k miles severly depreciates a vehicle, when in fact after 100k miles the level of depreciation per 100k is usually less than $1,000 (on a 12+ year old vehicle) and
2) If they kept the same vehicle for over 200k miles it probably treated them pretty well.
I found my one owner '99 Limited with 190k and I put an additional 100k trouble free miles before swapping the motor solely because I wanted to. I was going to wait til the v6 died but I didn't see it happening anytime soon.
1) the seller usually assumes over 200k miles severly depreciates a vehicle, when in fact after 100k miles the level of depreciation per 100k is usually less than $1,000 (on a 12+ year old vehicle) and
2) If they kept the same vehicle for over 200k miles it probably treated them pretty well.
I found my one owner '99 Limited with 190k and I put an additional 100k trouble free miles before swapping the motor solely because I wanted to. I was going to wait til the v6 died but I didn't see it happening anytime soon.
brianemc2_42 You make a good point. I couldn't afford the mechanic at the time I posted originally, but after calling around I'm going to have one check it out tomorrow. I know that there is nothing special about having a 5 speed, but I used to have a 00 tacoma with the 5 speed, so i guess i just kinda missed it and test driving this brought back some good memories. After reading all the posts and advice I think if he wont go down on the price then im just going to keep looking. All of you have been a great help, and I'll keep you posted on what happens with this deal.
Thanks to all the members that posted their 2 cents. I ended up taking to a shop of my wife's friend, and turns out that the suspension was all shot. Break lines were cracked, front brakes were wearing unevenly, needed new rotors, calipers and complete rack and pinion system, and tires, although they had about 75% tread, were dry rotting from the inside. After all the parts and labor, the shop quoted me between $2,200 and $3,000. I took this back to the dealer who was selling the Runner and he was unwilling to drop the price, he still wanted $4,750 for it. I was willing to give him $3,300 he still refused. I ended up just walking away. I figure I'll just keep looking and hope to find a gem out there like so many of you have. I think I just had really bad car fever.:doh: Again thanks for all the great input. This place is great.
BrianSD_42
New member
hey man I am sure you will find one; they are not as rare as they seem at first.
Keep checking CL and look for private sellers.
I would avoid the internet forums; most of the guys here seem to think their trucks are worth $2000 over what they paid for them.
There is a guy in SoCal with a really nice rig he's considering selling for $8.5-$9.5k. His username is JadaTheRotwiler (spelling sorry) and he has a clean Black, 01 (?), 4WD with < 150k miles on it. SoCal pricing being what it is, it is probably worth $9k if fully clean and running.
Keep checking CL and look for private sellers.
I would avoid the internet forums; most of the guys here seem to think their trucks are worth $2000 over what they paid for them.
There is a guy in SoCal with a really nice rig he's considering selling for $8.5-$9.5k. His username is JadaTheRotwiler (spelling sorry) and he has a clean Black, 01 (?), 4WD with < 150k miles on it. SoCal pricing being what it is, it is probably worth $9k if fully clean and running.
Similar threads
