Do you think there are any time capsule 4th gen 4Runners out there?
- Thread starter rwh963
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AuSeeker
Elite Member
I think it's a good possibility but most likely a later year model, but the chances of finding one that has 10,000 to 20,000 miles is more likely.
That being said I would rather find one with around 10,000 miles than one with a 1000 miles, the reason being is that automotive mechanics aren't meant to just sit somewhere, they were meant to have their moving parts moving to stay in good condition and get fluids to places it can't get to unless the all parts of the mechanism are moving and fluids changed before the end of their "shelf" or working life, etc.
Any vehicle was meant to be operated and maintenance performed to stay in good condition, a vehicle that has sat for 12 to 18 years with only 1000 miles on it hasn't been operated enough to keep the mechanicals in good condition, seals will be dried out and most likely beyond being reconditioned which is going to shorten it's intended life, on the other hand a vehicle that has 10,000 miles has been operated enough to keep the seals supple and other areas lubricated as they were intended to be to stay in good condition.
That being said I would rather find one with around 10,000 miles than one with a 1000 miles, the reason being is that automotive mechanics aren't meant to just sit somewhere, they were meant to have their moving parts moving to stay in good condition and get fluids to places it can't get to unless the all parts of the mechanism are moving and fluids changed before the end of their "shelf" or working life, etc.
Any vehicle was meant to be operated and maintenance performed to stay in good condition, a vehicle that has sat for 12 to 18 years with only 1000 miles on it hasn't been operated enough to keep the mechanicals in good condition, seals will be dried out and most likely beyond being reconditioned which is going to shorten it's intended life, on the other hand a vehicle that has 10,000 miles has been operated enough to keep the seals supple and other areas lubricated as they were intended to be to stay in good condition.
Inv4drZm
Senior Member
I don't see why it matters, its a basic vehicle they made quite a few of. And they would only be a maximum of just under 20 years old. And mileage doesn't really matter on these vehicles because they last so long.
No way I would trade mine for one with lower miles, even if it was a free trade, as mine hasn't ever had any mechanical issues, even at over 160k miles.
No way I would trade mine for one with lower miles, even if it was a free trade, as mine hasn't ever had any mechanical issues, even at over 160k miles.
y=mx+b
New member
In one of the Facebook groups, someone got a "Barn Find" of sorts with 15k miles or something like that on it. Parked because animals had eaten through a start wire or something. Guy was an experience technician and figured it out iirc. If I can find the post I'll link it here, but I don't remember if I saved it. Was dirty enough and had odometer pics for the story to be believable.
702tripgen
New member
I just bought a 2005 limited V8 4x4 in mint condition with 35,000 original miles from the original owner. It came with the original tow hitch stole in the plastic in the Toyota box, cargo cover, and original window sticker. It stayed in the garage it's whole life. The owner had it in the driveway to do some work for Christmas decorating when I was walking my dog. I asked if they would like to sell it and they said yes a week later I drove it home.
DirtySouth89
New member
ehhh
I wouldn't really trust a ~15 year old vehicle with less than 20k on it. Hell, 50k. Moving parts are meant to move. All kinds of shit goes bad when it sits. My 2006 SE V8 has 106k. Basically a teenager and she is mint. :rockon:
I wouldn't really trust a ~15 year old vehicle with less than 20k on it. Hell, 50k. Moving parts are meant to move. All kinds of shit goes bad when it sits. My 2006 SE V8 has 106k. Basically a teenager and she is mint. :rockon:
volkinator
New member
what about this?
2006 w/ 22K
2006 w/ 22K
81runner
New member
I agree, and I just rolled over 205k recently, I plan to be buried with mine.
MN4RNR
New member
I saw that one as well.
End of 2019 I became owner of a 2003 SR5 V6 (2WD
) with only 26K miles on it. A garage queen that has never seen off road with everything original (even tires) with the exception of engine oil and filter. Looked , felt, sounded ,and smelled like new. Previous (original) owner, an old gentleman close family friend used it regularly for Drs. visit on tuesday and shopping fridays, not sitting unused.
I updated everything I can think of, all fluids, tires, brakes, hoses, belt, plugs etc and keep my head gasket in my daily prayers (zero issues so far).
I live in a now very poor 3rd world country where I run lightly off-road for wildlife photography in far away places. Bad news getting stranded.
10k miles later I think I have very reliable vehicle that I trust. As 81Runner said ( I am 68y/o) I plan to be buried with it. LOL
I guess if you really want a 15 year old car for double the price to knock off 100k miles it would be nice to have. Especially if you're not planning on doing any modifications to it.
I settled for an '03 V8 4wd that was totaled with 130k miles and leather interior for $6k. My entire build to this day (including the full front end repair, lift, RCV axles, bumper, winch, 35" tires, roof rack, RTT, numerous other overland gear, etc) is sub 18k and i couldn't be happier.
The stuff I want to do with my T4R, i'll probably end up at around the price of that stock $25k car fully purpose built with just about everything I can think of doing to it.
be careful buying super low miles, good condition cars.
first-person lesson (biggest financial mistake of my life -im not married btw)
2012 i bought a stock, perfect, big dealership, 2005 (limits financing options for those with top 5% credit if over 10 years old) subaru WRX with 34,000 original miles. garaged by previous 1 owner, unmodified.
well, as the saying goes, if you dont use it, you lose it. the water pump seized just over a year after i bought it, dragged belt over seized pump and melted off while driving, quickly. bent every valve and almost ruined entire engine. $2800 repair. absolute POS and in doing research after theres a lot of car people who advise not buying 'museum' vehicles. lesson learned.
first-person lesson (biggest financial mistake of my life -im not married btw)
2012 i bought a stock, perfect, big dealership, 2005 (limits financing options for those with top 5% credit if over 10 years old) subaru WRX with 34,000 original miles. garaged by previous 1 owner, unmodified.
well, as the saying goes, if you dont use it, you lose it. the water pump seized just over a year after i bought it, dragged belt over seized pump and melted off while driving, quickly. bent every valve and almost ruined entire engine. $2800 repair. absolute POS and in doing research after theres a lot of car people who advise not buying 'museum' vehicles. lesson learned.
bigmoose
Member
I was able to get a 04 V6 with 84,000 on it. I had been looking for quite a while and jumped on it the day it showed up on Craigslist. Drove 350 miles each way to look/get it. Not the best year but I could not resist. The usual problems with the 03-05 years have popped up. Bad instrument cluster so far. Got my fingers crossed on the head gasket. I loved my 03 and should not have gotten rid of it. Hindsight...
volkinator
New member
I found my 07 2 years ago with 70k on it. It was definitely a grandpa car, and from when services were done, it seems like it was a summer car in upstate NY (was skeptical on buying in the NE, but the frame was clean - and original, not touched up) But it was driven frequently enough, I'd be more worried about the barn finds where it's been sitting for 10 years
ieatfish
Member
I'm sure they're out there. Especially late models. There are always enthusiasts buying the last year of a car and storing them.
Here is another great example that is as close as you'll see being sold regularly.
Toyota 4Runner 67k miles - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...
Give it another 5-10 years and we might start seeing the time capsules showing up at auctions. But for now, they're not quite nostalgic enough.
Here is another great example that is as close as you'll see being sold regularly.
Toyota 4Runner 67k miles - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...
Give it another 5-10 years and we might start seeing the time capsules showing up at auctions. But for now, they're not quite nostalgic enough.
aelarson
New member
A year ago I bought my 08' V8 Limited with 82K on the clock. I felt like that was a pretty good find. Obviously, more examples with fewer miles will pop up as time goes on.
As it has been mentioned before, be careful what you wish for. Super low mileage examples will suffer from dry seals, dry hoses, etc. and can make for an expensive time capsule.
As it has been mentioned before, be careful what you wish for. Super low mileage examples will suffer from dry seals, dry hoses, etc. and can make for an expensive time capsule.
