Considering a 500K mile 4runner..

jmejiaa

New member
So my brand new GTI was totaled, I am int he market for a e46 M3 but I need something that can tow for my occasional track day.

I am considering a beater 4runner my buddy has at his shop but it has 500k miles on it. he says it runs good and it is good shape.

They are asking 2.5k, but the owner is my uncle and I'm sure he'll give it to me for a lot less..

If the car checks out Ok with my mechanic, any issue with buying this? I'll use it as my DD until I purchase my new car, then it will become more of a beater.
 
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If you can get it for a $1000, go for it. Especially if it will pass your state inspection. Hard to beat $1000 for a drivable beater that doesn't need $$ dumped into it.
 
Not sure if it's the original engine..

But I agree anything over 2k might be too much? But I'm thinking right now this is a better idea than towing with the M3.
 
If you can get it for a $1000, go for it. Especially if it will pass your state inspection. Hard to beat $1000 for a drivable beater that doesn't need $$ dumped into it.

Im going to have to disagree. It has 500k on the odo. NO 4runner, and hardly any other vehicle either, with that mileage is worth anything over $500. Thats an insane amount of mileage and to assume its in perfect running condition with no issues and needs no money dumped back into it is a bit too simplistic IMO. $500 or keep looking. $2.5k is crack pipe dreams.
 
The value is totally dependent on recent maintenance. Compare the maintenence you'll ahve to do, add that to the value, and see what you can get for that money elsewhere. The car may be worth anywhere from $500-$2500 based on condition and needed repairs. A cheap car can get very expensive if all this stuff starts breaking and needs dealer repairs.

I'd want a new timing belt, water pump, oil pump, wheel bearings, brakes (hoses, caliper rebuilds, parking brake repairs, ignition components (plugs, wires, coils) , sensors (coolant, MAF, TPS, etc), vacuum lines, filters, fuel pump, fuel filter, shocks, springs, rebuilt fuel injectors, O2 sensor, thermostat, all new fluids, tires, etc.

Perform a compression test, leakdown test, fuel pressure test, timing check, etc,
 
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Im going to have to disagree. It has 500k on the odo. NO 4runner, and hardly any other vehicle either, with that mileage is worth anything over $500. Thats an insane amount of mileage and to assume its in perfect running condition with no issues and needs no money dumped back into it is a bit too simplistic IMO. $500 or keep looking. $2.5k is crack pipe dreams.

$500 usually buys a car WITH NO ENGINE or TRANSMISSION at all. rofl....I got $250 for a scrap shell of a totaled car with no engine, tranny or running gear by taking it to the scrapyard. A running driving vehicle that passes inspection is easily worth $1000.

And OP, yes if there was any vehicle to buy with that kind of mileage, it would be a 4runner. Or maybe a diesel Volvo. :)
 
If the body is clean and you can get it for $1000, buy it! Don't listen to all these nay sayers, if it runs good and looks decent it's worth every bit of a grand but I wouldn't go any more than that with it. My truck only has half that mileage but I run it hard, long road trips and beat the hell out of it on and off road and nothing major has broken on it yet.
 
if it's in good shape, yada yada yada... like the others say, for $1k I'd take it. I disagree with the 2k miles though. If taken good care of, a 4Runner can easily last...well lets say, 5k :D
 
That truck is worth much more than $1000 in parts. If any 4runner runs and it can be registered without penalties, it's worth $1000.
 
If you know the vehicle and know what has been replaced, then for $1500 do it, I have no problem taking my dads jetta with 260k miles right now and running it to 500k miles, but i wouldnt buy a jetta with 260k from someone. I know what has been done to the car, and who did it (me and my dad). But at 500k miles on a 4x4 vehicle there is just so much mechanical stuff that could be worn out. Its up to you, but do you really want to find out its a POS 150 miles from home towing your nice M3 back home?
 
Having access to the runners history makes all the difference. The runner did not make it to 500K being neglected, your relative did something to keep it running. As mentioned, parts alone you could make your money back if needed so there's your out. Something between 1K but less than 2K is fair.

Lastly, knowing what you intend to do with it, I'd say it answers your needs.

Buy it .........congrats

If its a relative whos in need or been there for you, I'd offer as much as your comfortable with. Shar'in is car'in

Hope this helps......

Regards, 8sm
 
For HOW much?

At 500k they should be paying *you* to take it. Seriously, go to classifieds at Craigslist and buy a 3rd gen 200k truck for $5k or less. Soooo many of these around here - and babied / maintained at that.
 
Having access to the runners history makes all the difference. The runner did not make it to 500K being neglected, your relative did something to keep it running. As mentioned, parts alone you could make your money back if needed so there's your out. Something between 1K but less than 2K is fair.

Lastly, knowing what you intend to do with it, I'd say it answers your needs.

Buy it .........congrats

If its a relative whos in need or been there for you, I'd offer as much as your comfortable with. Shar'in is car'in

Hope this helps......

Regards, 8sm

I couldn't agree more. For what he wants it's a perfect fit.


At 500k they should be paying *you* to take it. Seriously, go to classifieds at Craigslist and buy a 3rd gen 200k truck for $5k or less. Soooo many of these around here - and babied / maintained at that.

He's not looking for a permanent DD, he just needs something to drive around while he looks for an E46 M3 which are a lot harder to find good deals on than 4Runners are and then use it to tow the M3 to track days, the 500K Runner suits his needs perfectly. Like 8sm said, it didnt make it to 500K without being maintained...
 

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