Buying a high mileage T4R

[nocturnalenemy]

Hi guys,

I've been following the forum for a while now getting ready to buy my first 4runner. I've found an 03 V8 Limited (XREAS susp + everything but Nav,) for a decent price (listed at $8000, first negotiation he's down to $7300). Only issue is the high miles: 224,000.

Toyota 4 Runner | ksl.com

Exterior is immaculate as is the interior. I've seen it in person and pictures barely do it justice. All body parts have original VIN tags so nothings been replaced. There is one tear in the leather on the side of the driver's seat which is not pictured. Back lift gate opens 2/3 way and then slows down and must be lifted manually. (Not too expensive to fix, right?)

I know the toyota engines, especially the 4.7, are strong and capable of 300k-400k+, but the only service records I can get are from toyota dot com/owners which lists a replacement floor mat last week and an oil change at 134k.

So my question is would you trust a high mileage 4Runner enough to purchase, without knowing its extensive history? The interior and exterior are amazing for a 10 year old vehicle which leads me to believe it was cared for, but I don't have the proof.

What do you experts think? Is it worth the risk?

Thanks for your input

 

[Husker Z]

Hi guys,

I've been following the forum for a while now getting ready to buy my first 4runner. I've found an 03 V8 Limited (XREAS susp + everything but Nav,) for a decent price (listed at $8000, first negotiation he's down to $7300). Only issue is the high miles: 224,000.

Toyota 4 Runner | ksl.com

Exterior is immaculate as is the interior. I've seen it in person and pictures barely do it justice. All body parts have original VIN tags so nothings been replaced. There is one tear in the leather on the side of the driver's seat which is not pictured. Back lift gate opens 2/3 way and then slows down and must be lifted manually. (Not too expensive to fix, right?)

I know the toyota engines, especially the 4.7, are strong and capable of 300k-400k+, but the only service records I can get are from toyota dot com/owners which lists a replacement floor mat last week and an oil change at 134k.

So my question is would you trust a high mileage 4Runner enough to purchase, without knowing its extensive history? The interior and exterior are amazing for a 10 year old vehicle which leads me to believe it was cared for, but I don't have the proof.

What do you experts think? Is it worth the risk?

Thanks for your input

I guess it depends on your financial situation. Are you in a position where you would be able to afford a catastrophic failure of some sort, like an engine? With anything with miles like that, it's always a possibility, even though probably not likely. If you wouldn't be able to absorb something like that, I would probably pass and try to put my $7K towards something else with a few less miles.

 

[NJshadow93]

It should have had two timing belt services with that amount of mileage. Check the engine and there should be a sticker with a date and number of miles, that should be when the timing belt was last replaced. The service can easily cost about $1000 so keep that in mind. If you cannot get a definite answer on when it was last done (should be every 90-100k miles) then have it done immediately along with the water pump, idler pulleys, tensioner, and other moving parts in there. After that, the engine is basically "new".

Check the XREAS suspension. I am very skeptical that it is healthy with that amount of mileage. If you see a leak, you're going to want to replace the suspension (there are much better and cheaper options than XREAS, such as Bilstein 5100 shocks) If your gut tells you it's a good truck, and it has been checked by a professional (such as a Toyota dealer, who charges $100 or so for a thorough check) then go for it and enjoy. You can tell a lot just by how well the vehicle drives. How's the power? How does the transmission shift? Any weird noises? How much rust is present? Also check the CV boots and make sure they aren't leaking. Good luck!

By the way, the pictures do not make it look like a 10 year old truck with over 200k miles, looks very clean.

 

[nocturnalenemy]

I guess it depends on your financial situation. Are you in a position where you would be able to afford a catastrophic failure of some sort, like an engine? With anything with miles like that, it's always a possibility, even though probably not likely. If you wouldn't be able to absorb something like that, I would probably pass and try to put my $7K towards something else with a few less miles.

But I want one now! :hungry: j/k. Thanks for your input. I'm a recent grad with a pretty good job, but money is still pretty tight. The wife is tired of driving her RWD sports sedan in the snow though.

 

[mikebontoft]

didn't expect a KSL ad to pop up when I clicked on the link. (and no, I didn't see the KSL part. haha)

It looks pretty well cared for. You can guarantee with that kinda mileage it's been a freeway trooper.

Either way, a welcome from the UT peeps.

 

[Husker Z]

But I want one now! :hungry: j/k. Thanks for your input. I'm a recent grad with a pretty good job, but money is still pretty tight. The wife is tired of driving her RWD sports sedan in the snow though.

I've been in your shoes before and know how you feel. But, I also know when I was in your shoes, if I my car all of a sudden had a major failure, I was screwed. It would either become a 5,000 lb paper weight or I would have to go in debt to get if fixed, on top of the debt of the actual car itself.

Toyotas are fantastic cars and their engines are some of the best out there, but they are still mechanical, things break, things wear out. Someone who kept it immaculate inside and out, may have never turned a wrench under the hood, you just never know.

Good luck with your decision and congrats on the graduation and job!

 

[Gecko123]

Hi guys,

I've been following the forum for a while now getting ready to buy my first 4runner. I've found an 03 V8 Limited (XREAS susp + everything but Nav,) for a decent price (listed at $8000, first negotiation he's down to $7300). Only issue is the high miles: 224,000.

Toyota 4 Runner | ksl.com

Exterior is immaculate as is the interior. I've seen it in person and pictures barely do it justice. All body parts have original VIN tags so nothings been replaced. There is one tear in the leather on the side of the driver's seat which is not pictured. Back lift gate opens 2/3 way and then slows down and must be lifted manually. (Not too expensive to fix, right?)

I know the toyota engines, especially the 4.7, are strong and capable of 300k-400k+, but the only service records I can get are from toyota dot com/owners which lists a replacement floor mat last week and an oil change at 134k.

So my question is would you trust a high mileage 4Runner enough to purchase, without knowing its extensive history? The interior and exterior are amazing for a 10 year old vehicle which leads me to believe it was cared for, but I don't have the proof.

What do you experts think? Is it worth the risk?

Thanks for your input

Can you tell if it's been off-roading a lot? A lot of towing?

i would get a good mechanic or maybe even get two mechanics opinion. have it thoroughly checked out. spend the extra $100-200 for inspection. It will be worth it.

 

[nocturnalenemy]

Can you tell if it's been off-roading a lot? A lot of towing?

i would get a good mechanic or maybe even get two mechanics opinion. have it thoroughly checked out. spend the extra $100-200 for inspection. It will be worth it.

Does a dealer count as a good mechanic? That was my plan.

 

[Gecko123]

Can you tell if it's been off-roading a lot? A lot of towing?

i would get a good mechanic or maybe even get two mechanics opinion. have it thoroughly checked out. spend the extra $100-200 for inspection. It will be worth it.

They are hit and miss from my experience.

 

[CAN-03runner]

Can you tell if it's been off-roading a lot? A lot of towing?

i would get a good mechanic or maybe even get two mechanics opinion. have it thoroughly checked out. spend the extra $100-200 for inspection. It will be worth it.

For the offroading, if doing some major offroading, the rear diff housing often will scrape on rocks, you will see scrapes and scratches under it. I don't think you would get those scrapes going through sand and beach, gravel road/forest roads.

On the rear lower control arms, the frame mount, often that mount comes to scrape, rest, bang, sit on, whatever, on rocks, and the ends bend in a little. Again, regular driving shouldn't bend those on their own.

The muffler usually takes a beating offroad, if it has dents it could be from hitting stuff offroad.

The exhaust pipes, near the cat converter, there are there kind of crossmember tubes that might be called cat protectors. Offroading they could take some hits. Also where it bolts into the frame, there is sort of like a pocket, I guess meant to protect the bolt heads, if you hit a rock those get bent.

For towing, check if electronic brake controller is installed. That could be a sign of lots of towing or heavy towing.
If it doesn't have a hitch....no towing....:lmao:

Maybe also play dumb and ask the guy how he attaches the hitch ball to his receiver. Is there a special Toyota part, or did he just go to a trailer store and buy one. Or does he have problems inserting it, like if it is a very tight fit and if he has trouble with the hitch pin. If he has answers or solutions to this he may have towed if that is a problem for you.

I started with the 5000lbs hitch receiver. Mine was a tight fit and the hitch pin wasn't easy to get in. That's how I know that. Also when you slide the shank and ball it slides in and touches the spare tire. You could say, "wow that spare is pretty close, does it give problems inserting the shank, like does it prevent the insertion" See what he says. If he say", I don't know, I never towed....or if he says "oh I can throw in my receiver ball", or "yeah it slides in tight but it goes in after you jiggle it a bit".

If he has a tube hitch receiver instead, not all 2003 V8 got that one initially, so if it has a stickker from Reese, or Uhaul or some other manufacturer then it isn't factory, he installed it, so he can tow, or tow heavier weight. If he didn;t tow, he wouldn't go out and install an aftermarket hitch receiver.

Thats what I can think of.

 

[CAN-03runner]

I bought a used 2003 V8, low cost, it had some things to be done to it, but nothing major has given way. It also had done some towing, and had a brake controller already installed. But I bought from used dealer, with 2 year waranty on engine, transmission and transfercase.


The timing belt should have been done or needs to be done right away.
I hope he changed more than just the engine oil. Inspection should check the fluids in transfercase, transmission, and front/rear differential. Hopefully it is not totally black. You can play dumb again here, say something like " so I never had a 4x4 before. what about the fluids in the differentials and transfercase, when should I change those. What did U use, maybe I will stick with the same brand of oil to keep it the same" be his friend. Good answers are probably, oh I change every 30,000 with xbrand, or with whatever synthetic is on sale, or with whatever/whenever my toyota dealer says when I go in for the services.

Bad answers, "I have 4x4.....??" or "my neighbours, brother-in-law's, uncle says "ah these toyota's are great, you never need to change fluids, they are lifetime" Bad....very bad Jerry, very very bad.

 

[zonianbrat]

From how clean it looks I'd bet it was a pavement princess with a lot of time on the highway and not too much time off roading. Just a guess though. You do need to take it to a trusted mechanic. Let them get it on the rack and check things like bearings, u joints, brake calipers, etc. Carfax?

 

[calikev]

I'm no mechanic, but I would plan to add $2000 in costs within 2-3 months on this vehicle. If that makes sense buy it. If not, put your $$$ elsewhere.

Plugs, flush ALL fluids, brakes, rotors & bleeding, TB, WP and all involved with that, a/c recharge & flush, radiator flush and fill, PS flush & fill, battery, etc...

This list above is likely $2k and that's if you do most of it yourself.

I believe in preventative maintenance, not fixing things after my vehicle leaves me stranded. If you aren't prepared to do most of this stuff soon as you get it then I would pass. After doing these things you know you have a safe vehicle for the family and a point to maintain the vehicle from. Right now you have no clue when any of these were done, so you will likely end up doing most or all of them. Unless you find out this guy was a real rare breed and has been as anal as most of us in terms of maintenance.

 

[nocturnalenemy]

I bought a used 2003 V8, low cost, it had some things to be done to it, but nothing major has given way. It also had done some towing, and had a brake controller already installed. But I bought from used dealer, with 2 year waranty on engine, transmission and transfercase.


The timing belt should have been done or needs to be done right away.
I hope he changed more than just the engine oil. Inspection should check the fluids in transfercase, transmission, and front/rear differential. Hopefully it is not totally black. You can play dumb again here, say something like " so I never had a 4x4 before. what about the fluids in the differentials and transfercase, when should I change those. What did U use, maybe I will stick with the same brand of oil to keep it the same" be his friend. Good answers are probably, oh I change every 30,000 with xbrand, or with whatever synthetic is on sale, or with whatever/whenever my toyota dealer says when I go in for the services.

Bad answers, "I have 4x4.....??" or "my neighbours, brother-in-law's, uncle says "ah these toyota's are great, you never need to change fluids, they are lifetime" Bad....very bad Jerry, very very bad.

Thanks CAN, you give great advice and things to look for. The only problem is this is from a used car dealer so I don't have access to the latest owner. I'll check the things you talked about. Carfax shows just no accidents and just two owners with the transfer at 90k.

 

[natevans65]

My 4.7 has 170K miles on it and it runs very strong. But then again, I do most of the maintenance and know the truck very well. Agree with what others have said with respect to changing out all the fluids etc. Timing belt is key too. I noticed they did not show many pics if any of the engine compartment. A lot of the times they steam clean the engine bay to make it look like new...but you can crawl put the front of the truck up on a curb and crawl under it to see how it looks underneath. This isn't a tell all of how well it was maintained, but if it came from a salty part of the Union....then you might have some other issues as well. Look at Amsoil products for the fluids....The Original Synthetic Motor Oil Plug in your year make and model and it will show you all the fluids and what you need to change including capacity's.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That VIN posted on their website doesn't register in TIS, I would have them double check the VIN posted. (JTEBT17R930011877)

 

[nocturnalenemy]

That VIN posted on their website doesn't register in TIS, I would have them double check the VIN posted. (JTEBT17R930011877)

That's a typo. It ends in 8 and it should register.

 

[Gecko123]

I'm no mechanic, but I would plan to add $2000 in costs within 2-3 months on this vehicle. If that makes sense buy it. If not, put your $$$ elsewhere.

Plugs, flush ALL fluids, brakes, rotors & bleeding, TB, WP and all involved with that, a/c recharge & flush, radiator flush and fill, PS flush & fill, battery, etc...

This list above is likely $2k and that's if you do most of it yourself.

I believe in preventative maintenance, not fixing things after my vehicle leaves me stranded. If you aren't prepared to do most of this stuff soon as you get it then I would pass. After doing these things you know you have a safe vehicle for the family and a point to maintain the vehicle from. Right now you have no clue when any of these were done, so you will likely end up doing most or all of them. Unless you find out this guy was a real rare breed and has been as anal as most of us in terms of maintenance.

You are probably right or around the ball park. 1500 or 2 grand to have things fixed up or maintained. I know when I got mine I changed all the fluids,etc and that cost me about 1500.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That's a typo. It ends in 8 and it should register.

Ah okay, I'll run it through TIS tomorrow and see if its got a dealer rap sheet on it for you. :keyboard:

But pretty much inspect all the fluids you can, check the brand of the tires (they look to be pretty good condition, sometimes dealer's throw cheapo brand tires that wear out faster.), take a flashlight with you and try to check under the hood and maybe the brakes if you can see them through the wheels. It should have had at least one timing belt replaced (They do last easily into 150k from most people's experience and I have yet to hear of one physically snapping), preferably two to show its been on a good maintenance regiment. On the test drive I would feel for good shifts, do a couple decent brake checks to see if the vehicle nose dives a lot and seems to bounce a lil (indicating failing shocks.)

 

[CAN-03runner]

You are probably right or around the ball park. 1500 or 2 grand to have things fixed up or maintained. I know when I got mine I changed all the fluids,etc and that cost me about 1500.

I 3rd this. Timing belt, water pump, all fluids.2000$

Note on the water pump, my mechanic ordered a "toyota 4runner" part 2-3 times but it didnt fit. Finally a lexus part was the right one. Just in case you would run into the same issue.

But now that i have more time myself, and at how easy it is to change diff, and tcase oil i wouldnt bring it in to get done unless you want a bill to record/prove it for futre. My stealership charges 150$ per! Whaaaaaa!!!!