High Mileage '96

[marcosdavid]

hello All-
1st time to this forum.
I've purchased many used Toyotas over the years and never been frightened of hi-mileage but I'm now considering a '96 SR5 with auto transmission and 3.4 L V6. that has over 295,000 miles on it (hard miles, Alaskan winters).
I'm not familiar with the 3.4L or the 96 auto trans. The truck runs like a dream and seems to be well maintained but no service history is available.
What do I need to be worried about with this engine/tranny combo on a late model but high mileage T4R?
Thanks,

 

[shootmymime]

hey,
i also have a 96 with only 200K miles, sorry dude but i really cant tell u anything, but would like to know when to expect for mine to drop out...
if your are thinking about buying it, what is the price? i would not spend more than 1,500 on it.. just cuz high miles and no records of mait.

 

[XJeepguy]

I have a buddy who has a 96 ( bought new ) , he has 485,000 KM ( about 300,000 miles for you Americans) on it now . Timing belt ( of course ) ,brakes , tires he has done . REGULAR scheduled maintenance has showed its value here.

Think he said it uses about 3/4 of a liter of oil now between changes ,which is pretty good considering its mileage. Still runs like a top, but he had used pure synth oil it ,I know that .

XJ

 

[shootmymime]

i know yotas are great cars but the only thing i a worried about is the past maintenance

 

[XJeepguy]

Is this from a dealer or private ? Do you have a TRUSTED mechanic that can do a pre-sale inspection ?

i know yotas are great cars but the only thing i a worried about is the past maintenance

 

[shootmymime]

yes a good mechanic with an inspection would be your best bet! how much is it?
good call Xjeepguy

 

[twitchee2]

My 96 is now up and over 230k. its been hard miles and the last 20k have been rough teenager miles. again standard maintenance and the thing runs like a charm. leaks oil from the drain plug just been to lazy to fix it. i cant give you info on that high of millage, i know there is some one on this form with a 96 with 320,000 miles i believe.

 

[marcosdavid]

Thanks for all the feedback guys-
To answer your questions...
The hi-mileage '96 T4R I was looking at was owned by an auto wholesaler, a critter that is not a dealer and not a private party but has the worst traits of both (they lie like a dealer but offer all the warranty protection of a private party...none).
He was asking $5500. He got that price for it after turning down an offer of $4800. Apparently, a pre-sale inspection found only 1 cracked CV joint boot but I don't know how good of an inspection was done.
I was prepared to offer $4500 with the assumption that I would have to start looking for another V6 to drop in it in the near future.
The lack of a service history was also my biggest concern as it was for all of you. If I had known that it had twice yearly oil changes I wouldn't have been reluctant. If I had known that it had only run synthetic oil, I would've bought it on the spot.
I missed out on a nice rig but I think I made the right call.
I'll just have to keep looking. Fairbanks, where I live, is a 4-Runner town. You see them everywhere. They just don't go on the market very often.
Thanks again for the good advice and info.
M

 

[XJeepguy]

I live in a semi-large town and that seems to be about the only SUV you rarely see for sale in the local paper . Peeps like em and hate parting with them

where I live, is a 4-Runner town. You see them everywhere. They just don't go on the market very often.
Thanks again for the good advice and info.
M