How many miles to purchase one with?? Advice needed!!

[photograjockey]

Hey everyone! Need some advice on this one.. I am looking at buying my first 4runner soon, and am looking at some options. I'd really like to get into a nice '01 or '02, but am wondering if it is worth it to get into one with 175+ miles on it to save a few thousand dollars, or would it be better to hold off for one with around 120 or so??

I have read lots about the reliability of these, and just wondering what your thoughts are. I plan on owning the vehicle for at least 4-5 years after buying it. What do you think??

 

[WK15]

I did a lot of shadow reading on this forum before I joined and bought mine.

I bought a 2002 Limited 4x4 with 181K on it. I paid 9K for it. I feel that I bought it for a good price.

My biggest thing was the services done on the vehicle. The previous owner was in the military and had the vehicle service at a Toyota dealer for everything. It was a no brainer for me when I found that out.

I think if put 2k into the vehicle since purchasing it. I feel that I made the right choice and have no regrets buying a vehicle with such high miles. The 2k was not because I had to. I'm very anal about my vehicles.

My plan is to own this for the next ten years. I enjoyed this vehicle so much I bought my wife a 2011 Toyota Sequoia, which she loves.

Hope this helps. :thumb3:

 

[SRSRunner]

3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide / Information thread
read that first... Honestly if the price is right and the documentation is good- go for it I just turned 232k this morning..

 

[Tomsriv]

Its not uncommon for them to need engine work after 200k miles, or more work in general. Mine needed a valve job at 209,000 so I just rebuilt the engine. I now have 227k and I'm having an electrical problem. I know a lot about cars and I know the flaws in mine very well. I did a rack and pinion boot a couple months ago and found it had a small leak, so eventually it will need that replaced. Also cat converters are very expensive. All the above happen with mileage more than age.
My 4cyl motor rebuild was $2000 but I saved that in 2005 when I bought it with 30k more miles than another runner. So its up to you what you want to risk.

 

[TN22Corps]

Going strong at 230k, just did valve cover gaskets. Inside looked a little crimey, but original owner was very negligent. That being said, it's just taken normal maintenance to freshen her up and keep 'er going.

I, too, debate the mileage issue. My wife and I are debating whether or not to buy a 4th gen or lower mileage (4x4 absolutely) 3rd gen in the future. I just love the styling, simplicity, and durability of the 3rd gens. At this point I feel very comfortable wrenching on a 3rd gen. But, something about a "newer" vehicle..

 

[Nunyabiz]

Bought mine a few months ago with 157xxx miles on it.
2002 Sport Edition 4X4 for $7,700.
Owner handed me a folder that was at least 3" thick with all the normal maintenance, oil changes, tires, and improvements he has done to it over the years.
So I felt confident about the deal.

Obviously the least miles the better however it all depends on how much you want to spend and what kind of deal you can get for one with over 150,000 miles.

 

[Hepar]

I agree with a lot of what the others say. Miles on a vehicle are very dependent on how the vehicle was treated. I have a good friend, but she is the hardest person on a car both inside and out. If she had say a 2002 4Runner with 75k miles on it, I wouldn't buy it from her. Whereas if my other friend had one with 150k I would totally buy it because I know how well he maintains his vehicles.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I wouldn't buy past the 120,000 mile threshold. But that depends on how mechanically inclined you are. If you are ok with getting a steering rack from a scrapyard and swapping it out yourself then buy one with a LOT more miles. But if you would go to a mechanic for that type of work then I suggest you don't get one above 120,000 miles.

Either way plan on fixing a lot of things, less if you have lower miles. Don't believe me??? Just look at this forum about half the posts are because something isn't working and needs to be replaced. This is not a big deal considering that a 2000 is a 12 year old truck and 4Runners are still better than their competition. Where is the competition btw? -- the graveyard; they are no longer on the roads. I have a 97 4Runner, how many 97 anythings do you see these days?

If you want a full breakdown of the maintenance I have done check out my thread (sorry for self advertise guys) because I have documented my troubles along the way. I have had more issues than most people here but to be fair, I have owned the vehicle from 68,000 miles to 204,000 miles.

:driving:

 

[sportscarfan]

Bought this 1997 V6 4x4 last October (2010) for $6800 with 174k on it. Now has 181k with zero issues. If the the seller has a folder of maintenance history, I wouldn't hesitate.
YMMV - I've been my own mechanic for 25 years.

 

[sooner02r1]

I bought mine with 170k on the clock, have had no issues but I did a pretty intensive service when I bought it that would've cost probably over a grand at a shop. I think knowing the maintenance history and knowing that it's been cared for is more important than mileage. I'd take my 170k miler over a 120k that had been neglected. you can figure $1,000 for timing belt/water pump every 90-100k miles so that's something to consider. look for rust, pink milkshake, axle seal leaks, etc. condition/care > mileage