Buying a high mileage V8 - What should I look out for?

[jglenn6]

Hey everybody. Now before I get started on the subject, keep in mind that I have looked and looked for answers to these questions and so far have come up blank. So, here goes nothing.

When buying a high mileage V8 4Runner, what should I look out for? I know the motors can last forever with proper maintenance, but what about the everything else in the drivetrain?

My problem is that my budget of 10k just can't seem to increase (too many bills plus the misses is wanting to start looking for a house). Because of this, I'm limited to something around or under $10k which interprets to something with 150k+ miles. Now, I can fix my truck's suspension and transmission (3k in a $3500 truck) and be fine, but I'd much rather get rid of my Honda (daily) and the Chevy, and purchase a runner.

What would you do/look out for?

 

[ryosten]

It would be nice to know the timing belt was changed. If a dealer performed the service then there is a sticker on the engine itself that shows mileage and date of service. I think you can expect about $1k to get it done.

There are probably more...but probably similar to any car at 150k. Ball joints, bushings, drive line, etc are expected to need some love at that mileage. Good service records could show if it was well maintained by the previous owner(s).

 

[jacksheadache]

I would second the timing belt and other maintenance records. Recently I purchased one with 210K on the clock. Outside of the obvious, manually inspect common rust areas, fluid conditions, and visible bushings. Perform a meticulous test drive. Pay close attention to everything from slow speed to highway speeds and in between. Fully test each and every button within - lights/cruise/hvac/seats/individual lock/window buttons/hatch area, seat belts, 4x4 settings.

Make sure you start it from cold and listen for excessive noise such as slap or the apparently ever so common header leaks. Monitor the temp as it climbs, and make sure it gets to where it needs to be when it needs to be there.

A solid test for any vehicle is a drive through window. Slow speeds, lots of idle, echo off near by walls..

With mine, I knew going in at this mileage (even being a Toyota with serious service records) it's a gamble.. so make sure you factor that into the value and what you end up paying.

 

[Bossman]

Having just traded in my 03 Limited V8 (at 167,000 km) on a 2011 Limited V6, I'd strongly suggest a trusted mechanic give your prospective purchase a look-over.

Even though I was buying from a Toyota dealership, I still took the 2011 to my own mechanic. It was worth it, as my mechanic identified some issues that I needed to be aware of before considering the purchase (items that did pass the safety by the dealership, but would not have met my mechanics standards - or mine!).

As for the high-mileage V8 - timing belt service mentioned by previous posters, check to see if it has the XREAS suspension (any leaks or poor ride), check to see if it has RAS (rear air suspension - working properly), exhaust manifold leak (mine had this at time of trade in).

Routine maintenance items would include brakes (wear on pads, rotors, stuck calipers) and tires (tread depth, age) - these could factor into the price.

I also bought my 2011 at high mileage - check the service history, get a second (trusted) opinion, do a thorough test drive (I took the 2011 out twice) and factor in any repairs that might be needed down the road in figuring out whether a specific 4Runner is right for you.

 

[groverdill]

AC
4LO
Center Diff
Brakes for frozen calipers.
Undercarriage rust

 

[mkristo88]

AC
4LO
Center Diff
Brakes for frozen calipers.
Undercarriage rust

What are signs of frozen calipers? I've never seen or heard of this. I'm new to 4runners so sorry for the stupid questions lol

 

[jfry008]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/217936-test-driving-04-what-look-out.html

 

[Bossman]

What are signs of frozen calipers? I've never seen or heard of this. I'm new to 4runners so sorry for the stupid questions lol

This thread should give you some background - very common problem (especially in areas that use road salt in the winter)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57869-frozen-calipers-how-many-others-had-problem.html

 

[Slowgoat]

What are signs of frozen calipers? I've never seen or heard of this. I'm new to 4runners so sorry for the stupid questions lol

Summary:

Look for uneven pad wear with a little mirror and a bright light.


Look for heating of the wheel from a stuck caliper dragging.

My rear calipers have frozen twice.

The most common one frozen out of them all is the inner lower caliper on the front (the drivers side is now frozen on mine, just found it last month.).

Good luck!!

 

[mkristo88]

This thread should give you some background - very common problem (especially in areas that use road salt in the winter)

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57869-frozen-calipers-how-many-others-had-problem.html

Summary:

Look for uneven pad wear with a little mirror and a bright light.


Look for heating of the wheel from a stuck caliper dragging.

My rear calipers have frozen twice.

The most common one frozen out of them all is the inner lower caliper on the front (the drivers side is now frozen on mine, just found it last month.).

Good luck!!

Gotcha..Thanks for the info!!

 

[Zuke]

207k+ on mine and here is what I can add. Leaking T-Case, exhaust manifold leaks (ticking noise on start up) and leaking sunroof

 

[DZNUTS]

Don't lose hope, i just picked up my 05 Sport v8 with JBL audio for $8500 out the door with 147,xxx on the clock. they replaced the pads and rotors on all 4 corners as well as both front calipers. The timing belt was done at 103,xxx miles which I verified through Carfax as well as the dealer who performed the work.

Best of luck on your search

 

[neoguri]

I picked up a 2006 v8 with 205,000 miles for $8500.

It had its timing belt and water pump serviced. However, I had to refresh/upgrade the suspension, new brake pads, rotors. Total spent for all that was probably around $3k. Hell, I even bought new wheels and tires for the looks. So far I love it.

Now, I am dealing with exhaust manifold leaks which Toyota dealer quoted me $3k. :cry2:

 

[patineto]

How can convince my Wife the rest of the cars need to be measure in "Dog years" and the Toyota age far slower (if take basic care of course)

She has ditch like 12 V8 because they are about the 150.000 even if most of them run like kittens