High mileage 99 Limited: reliability?

[PupaScoopa]

My fiance' found a '99 4Runner Limited at a small dealership in town. I'm looking for anyone's advice on the longetivity of the 4Runner (since you folks are the experts after all!)

Positives: The body looks immaculate, very few dings, scratches, no apparent rust. The paint is silver and doesn't show very apparent swirl or surface oxidation. Very few chips from highway debris/gravel on the bumper and hood. The asking price is $10,000.

Negatives: 170,000 miles and it's a '99.

These are highway miles as the previous owner was a construction bidder/contractor. I haven't test driven it yet. I haven't closely looked over the suspension and frame. I'm mostly concerned about the transmission and transfer case as this vehicle probably wasn't taken off road that much. I haven't sat inside yet to see how worn the seats and controls are, I expect the driver seat to be in fair to bad condition.

Any specific place on these trucks that water tends to stand and create rust?

Any particular engine accessories or components that tend to die at intervals of hundreds of thousands of miles or years?

 

[02SE]

I would say that if it was properly maintained, it should have a lot of life left in it.

Is there any way to talk to the previous owner, to see what kind of maintainence it had?.

I would want to know how often the gear oil in the axles was changed, and what oil was used. (regular, or synthetic)

How often the transmission, and transfer case were serviced, and again, what oils were used

I would also want to know how recently the timing belt was replaced. Toyota recommends every 60,000 miles, for severe service. Almost everyones driving falls into the severe service category.

 

[peter78]

The 4Runner is the right vehicle to have a lot of miles on it. I do agree with 02SE, a real important part is how was it maintianed and condition it is in. A well made car, junked out is now junk. Try to get some records and have a good mechanic look it over.

 

[PioneerMeta4]

Thats a lot of milage...i have a 99, i only have 63k. No problems with it so far...but i heard the timing belt should be changed every 90k miles.What did the owner use the car for...

 

[02SE]

As far as the timing belt goes, I was just referring to what my owners manual supplement states in the maintainence log.

At 60,000 miles, there are additional recommended services that should be performed, for special operating conditions.

Which are listed as..

1. Towing a trailer or using a camper or car top carrier.

2.Repeated short trips of less than five miles in temperatures below freezing.

3. Extensive idling or low speed driving for long distances as in heavy commercial use such as delivery, taxi, or patrol car. (Of course frequent driving in heavy rush-hour traffic would achieve the same thing)

4. Operating on rough, muddy, or salt covered roads.

5. Operating on unpaved or dusty roads

Most peoples driving falls into at least one of the categories. My driving falls into three of those categories.

So, I replaced my timing belt at 60,000 miles, just to avoid any potential of a broken belt, at a bad time.

 

[EDGE]

170k is alot for a 99 but it's really anyones guess as to how many miles are left in it and what other parts will need to be replaced.

You do realize you can buy a Ford Explorer, depending on options and mileage running about 30-60k thats about 3 years old for 13k but then again a Limited 99 with 30-60 k runs about 25k:goinposta

 

[bulldog-yota]

If the car was well maintained 170k miles should be fine. Also check the car out at carfax.com

I'm concerned that you state the car has few chips on the front bumper and hood after 170k mostly highway miles. Mine has only 27k miles on the highway and I already have a number of chips. Was it in an accident?

Unless you know the condition of the 4R, I wouldn't recommend getting it for your fiance with 170k miles. Woman and older cars normally dont mix well. A little maintenance task can turn to a big one quickly, they also tend not to notice little problems as soon as males usually.

What is the KBB for it in your area?

If in doubt dont buy it. rather spend a few $$ more on a 4R you really like, know the condition and with lower miles. Or if you are strapped for cash buy something less with fewer miles and years.

Check the oil of the tranny and the engine. Smell the tranny oil. Also check underneath the 4R to see hwat the undercarriage looks like, you wil quickly see if it was offroad. Will they give you a warranty on the car for 2-3 months at least?

 

[peter78]

Woman and older cars normally dont mix well.

Boy that is a sexist remark, but I think it does have some validity. People that buy cars with that kind of mileage usually plan on doing a lot of work themselves. I remember selling my Acura with 190,000 miles just 2 motns ago. I said you can get the tires rotated at one tire store for free if you use my phone number and he said no thanks I will do it myself in my shop. So when the alternator goes out, maybe she can fix it on her own, just be prepared for some problems like that along the way.

 

[asdiluzio]

My best friends father has the same year T4R with 250K miles on it and he treats it like crap. He hasnt even changed the timing belt yet and uses the truck for hauling, yardwork, etc. I think all he did change on it so far was the clutch once.

 

[SolaraT]

I just purchased my Limmited 4x2 year 2000 with only 45k miles on it for $18k After gap,tax, & 3 year full ex warranty $22k

It used to be a company car and not well maintained. Check engine light pulled a code for fuel running to lean so they replaced the Mass air flow sensor. They also said the air filter was real dirty, spark plugs are due to replacement, and tranny fluid is burnt out.

I realy don't think of it as a bad thing since I will take excellent care of it from now on.

 

[runnergranny]

The asking price is $10,000.

Negatives: 170,000 miles and it's a '99.

You have plenty of wiggle room with that dealer no matter where you are in the country. Like someone else said, look up the KBB and offer $100. over it. Most car dealership shoppers are tire kickers and have no desire to buy any car with that high mileage. Not that 170k for a toyota means much for reliability, but ppl just aren't interested.

If the dealer has a website, see if the car is inventoried there. You'll usually notice a several thousand $ reduction in price on their website vs sticker on the lot. They know internet shoppers can see the competition with one click, so they don't list outrageous prices. And there is still wiggle room on the internet prices.

Other than being a limited, I bought a 99 Sport Package (?) same color, towing, 4wd, in great shape for $10k private sale w/111k miles. The local dealer had a 98 Limited that they wanted $13k for and I walked away from it. The day after I bought my runner, the dealer called begging me to buy it. lol sorry too late.

Shop value for your $ and you can't go wrong.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

You do realize you can buy a Ford Explorer, depending on options and mileage running about 30-60k thats about 3 years old for 13k but then again a Limited 99 with 30-60 k runs about 25k:goinposta

And it will always perform like a Ford and I'd rather have a Toyota with 30k more than buy an Explorer.

3rd gen values have taken a hit since the 4th gens have been out for a while so low mileage '99s can be had easily under $20k (most are in the $17k range and Colorado is high priced where Toyotas are concerned) now.
My '99 had 90k when I got it last fall and I paid $13.5 and it came with a Yakima rack,5% tint all around and new 265/75 tires and is in great shape plus it's the rarer sport edition.

 

[wm69]

If the car was well maintained 170k miles should be fine. Also check the car out at carfax.com

I wouldn't put too much faith in carfax. If you pull up my 93 accord you get all green lights, but I submerged it in a swamp (don't try and take a turn doing 125; young and dumb) about 12 years ago, I've been rear ended (major damage) twice, and I've rear ended someone else once. I also rolled one of my Jeeps a few years ago and tweaked the frame. Again, all green lights on Carfax. Carfax doesn't show any of this. Look the car over yourself CAREFULLY, don't reley on carfax to tell you anthing.

 

[SolaraT]

For what you pay car fax it is worth it. It's definatly better then nothing.

 

[jeffk66]

Explorer

And it will always perform like a Ford and I'd rather have a Toyota with 30k more than buy an Explorer.

3rd gen values have taken a hit since the 4th gens have been out for a while so low mileage '99s can be had easily under $20k (most are in the $17k range and Colorado is high priced where Toyotas are concerned) now.
My '99 had 90k when I got it last fall and I paid $13.5 and it came with a Yakima rack,5% tint all around and new 265/75 tires and is in great shape plus it's the rarer sport edition.

I had a '95 Explorer up until 12/05. Some women turned left in front of me and I nailed her doing 40 miles an hour. We were all ok, but they called the Explorer a total. I needed a car quick, so I ended up with a '98 4Runner SR5. I have read manny listings on many websites about the 4Runner. The 4Runner is starting to grow on me. But what is it with the negativity against the Explorer? The 4Runner is much more utilitarian. The cup holders are usless. It rides much like my 1979 Jeep J10. The upolstery is awful. I am hoping that it is built to last like everyone says. I could tell the temperature and the direction in th explorer. The ride was smoother and it was more roomy. Why are you all so set on the 4runner?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Re: Explorer

Why are you all so set on the 4runner?

Uh,because this is a 4Runner board. :bash:

The Explorer has nowhere near the off road capableness of pretty much any 4wd 4Runner and they don't hold their value nearly as well and reliabilty is subpar to the last couple of generations of 4Runners and that is documented.

Explorers in stock trim are pretty much a glorified station wagon and that is probebly why they might ride better than a 4Runner but the Runner is still a truck compared to the Explorer which is just a street queen off the showroom floor.

 

[peter78]

Re: Explorer

Why are you all so set on the 4runner?

Well, we are a 4Runner forum, but I think it is more than that. There are a lot of good 4Runner forums that have a lot of members. It seems to have a very loyal base. When I bought my 2001 I noticed the the forums devoted to 4Runners and everyone talking about how great they are. No other SUV seems to have the same amount of loyal followers. I took that as a good sign to buy.

 

[broncosi]

Positives: The asking price is $10,000.

Negatives: 170,000 miles and it's a '99.

i bought my 98' for $9,500 with 178,000 miles on it. He raced bikes up and down the east coast and had every service record since he bought it. Needless to say, mines never been in the shop, i just hit 182,000 or so and its still running hard, not a single issue. I expect mine to go to 300,000 at least

 

[lee]

theres a reason the newer exploders have independent rear suspensions.... theyre cars on stilts.

and thats what their owners want.. is a minivan but they dont want you to say minivan.

they also apparently want terrible service records and subpar performance in a bland package.

why are we hung up on a vehicle that is capable, intelligently and solidly built and great looking?

i dont know.

 

[peter78]

why are we hung up on a vehicle that is capable, intelligently and solidly built and great looking?

i dont know.

:rocker: :cheers: :cheers: :bouncy: :dancin: :driving:



I couldn't of said it better.