Feedback for getting a high mileage 3rd gen

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spyder918

New member
I'm sure this gets asked a lot - I'm looking at an '01 Sport with 230k miles for 19k. Looks pretty dang clean. Minimal rust in the undercarriage. Looking for some feedback from you pros on here. I've never bought a car with such high mileage before but I know 4Rs are just different beasts. I know I'll have to take care of issues here and there, but I'm wondering how much life can I expect from the engine before something major happens? I would love to get a 5th gen but they're just so dang expensive. Let me know what you think. Here is part of the description -

COMPLETE NEW BUILD 2001 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 SPORT 4X4 WITH FACTORY CENTER DIFF LOCK, JUST GOT DONE WITH COMPLETE RESTORATION / CUSTOMIZATION OVER LAND BUILD INCLUDING A NEW 3.5" BILSTEIN - TOYTEC LIFT, NEW 33" BF GOODRICH KO2 TIRES, NEW 17" BLACK RHINO WHEELS, COMPLETE COLOR MATCH ON FLARES AND BODY MOLDINGS, FULL LINES RUNNING BOARDS AND REAR BUMPER STEP IN BODY COLOR, 2-TONE FRONT GRILL, NEW TYGER ROOF BASKET AND MUCH MORE. ALSO THE ENGINE GOT COMPLETELY SERVICED AND RE-SEALED WITH ALL NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS AND ALL NEW PLUGS AND WIRES AND PCV VALVE, NEW FULL TIMING BELT KIT AND TENSIONERS, NEW THERMOSTAT AND COOLANT, NEW OXYGON SENSORS, NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS, NEW RADIATOR HOSES
 
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For $19k...? Wouldn't pay half of that if you begged me to. You could buy one near stock at that mileage, build it up to those exact specs and still have thousands upon thousands to spare.
People love to use repainting as an excuse to demand unreasonable amounts of money.
 
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What manner of crack is being smoked lately with these 3rd gen prices? You can buy a 5th gen with considerably less miles and less inevitable problems for cheaper. The trick is to just lowball the crap out of them, most people looking for 5th gens (not to mention their financing companies depending on their credit) are scared of high miles.
 
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Too much money. I’ll also point out that they mention a more than 3” lift with no diff drip or pan hard correction.
 
cl4Rk said:
Too much money. I’ll also point out that they mention a more than 3” lift with no diff drip or pan hard correction.
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It sounds like the sealed all the current leaks and threw on a bunch of cosmetic.. sorry I mean "overland" stuff to look cool.

OP if youre looking to spend $19k on a 3rd gen keep an eye on Adventure Motors in Kansas City, they do it right.
 
wow, 19k and for a 2001.....so we are talking about the year that has the most expensive brake system, non rebuildable throttle body, and the least reliable transmission of all 3rd gens....and you are willing to pay 19k for it....wow
3rd gen prices are going nuts.
the only reason I have a 2001 is that any 3rd gen is so hard to find up here and the price was way cheap.....it was a fixer upper. In the hunt for a 97-2000.
But being nice, it is a 3rd gen, and 3rd gens are hard to beat. Mine, after the repair ( $350 plus my labor) it has not let me down all winter....that says a lot up here
 
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1 year ago I bought a 1999 5 speed runner for $5000. I lifted it, redid all the suspension and steering, fully tuned up the engine, added an ARB bumper and winch, lights, new tires and wheels, changed all the fluids, etc and I'm sitting around $10K invested total. That seems like an insane amount for what you are getting.

I guess if you are in the rust belt and you simply can't find these I can understand the price. But even in CA the 4runner/Tacoma prices have gone nuts.
 
For 19000 I think you could get a 5th gen. Look for a '10~ 13 with 150000 miles. For this rig I think it's too much money.
 
That truck looks good nevertheless Modding and fixing is a lot more fun. Look for a cheaper used one and build it your self.
 
spyder918 said:
Thank you everyone for the feedback! Sounds like this may be a no go with the high price.

This is the link to the actual vehicle - 2001 Toyota 4Runner SR5 for sale in Portland, OR | Stock #: 14258 SPORT* FULL NEW BUILD* NEW BILSTEIN TOYTEC LIFT* NEW 33" BF GOODRICH KO2 TIRES*NEW 17" BLACK RHINO WHEELS*NEW TIMING BELT &WATER PUMP* FULL SERVICE*LIKE NEW IN & OUT
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painting the hood scoop grille+insert white was a horribly gaudy touch :lmao:
The 5th gen has had many recalls (more than gens 1-4 combined) so I feel like to get one that has the kinks worked out means looking for a fairly new one. That or do a good bit of research on what to look for and avoid. Just my input
 
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DPenner said:
For 19000 I think you could get a 5th gen. Look for a '10~ 13 with 150000 miles. For this rig I think it's too much money.
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More like 16000 (with a bit of negotiating). I got my 2011 for under 14k, a couple years ago, from a Toyota dealer. I was looking at 4th gens and gx470s but realized these high miles 5th gens seemed to be a better deal. The 5th gens are still soccer mom vehicles and as I said there is little competition for high mileage ones compared to 3rd gens. The 4th gens I looked at had way more issues (and rust). I think they fixed a lot of bugs with the 5th gen and it seems like worthy successor to the 3rd gen. Everything is a little bigger, beefier, better thought out and easier to work on from my experience. And you can fit a 285 spare underneath.
 
Spiker Engineering said:
I'd look at this one instead - Toyota 4Runner Supercharged - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...
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^^^^ This one looks WAY more dialed that the 19k rig with the so-called mods & upgrades! - most of which are bogus. Even with a Salvage title, if you plan to actually use it (forever).

*Edit - However, not installing hood struts along with all the other mods is a bit suspect......

And if we're really nit-picking, what's with the 3-wheel drive bumper? "3x Innovation Rear bumper with tire carrier and table "
 
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Endlessblockades said:
^^^^ This one looks WAY more dialed that the 19k rig with the so-called mods & upgrades! - most of which are bogus. Even with a Salvage title, if you plan to actually use it (forever).

*Edit - However, not installing hood struts along with all the other mods is a bit suspect......

And if we're really nit-picking, what's with the 3-wheel drive bumper? "3x Innovation Rear bumper with tire carrier and table "
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Just more "muh overlanding" bullshit to drive up price. Overlanding is the hot new meme.
What's ironic is they could have a "base model" tire carrier (without the swing out, table, gas can holder and hi lift mount) that would cost them way less, and the Instagramers these ads are targeted towards would STILL buy it up without thinking twice
 
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photoleif said:
heck, M&M will help you too. they seem to go after great-condition toyotas and when i check, they often have a good-looking 3rd-gen like this one.
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I want it .....if it was not so far stinking away by the time I got it home Id have 13k in it....car fax does show it was in a accident....driver side....and why has it had the power steering flushed like 4 times....most of the service was done at a midas....maybe that is one of their scams
 
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