I got my truck at 140k ish miles.. I consider that its a 10 year old truck.. I think as long as you can live with the condition of the interior and exterior. The Drivetrain should be no problem. Why would you want to spend so much more just to see a lower odometer. I bet if you drive my truck and another 4runner with 50k miles. You would not be able to tell the difference.
It's amazing how hard it is to find a low mileage 4Runner 4WD
- Thread starter JeffMerr
- Start date
Hebrew Hammer
New member
totally
Yeah I can semi relate. I my gf at the time now wife and I searched day and night for 3 month.. and I know 3 months isn't a lot but literally like 8 hrs a day trying to find one. Found mine at 153xxx sr5 4x4
Yeah I can semi relate. I my gf at the time now wife and I searched day and night for 3 month.. and I know 3 months isn't a lot but literally like 8 hrs a day trying to find one. Found mine at 153xxx sr5 4x4
Ryantobias25
New member
Buying a 4Runner
Hey guys, I am new to this whole forum thing but I have been looking for a 4Runner for a couple of months now and finally found one I really want to get. The only problem is that it has 196k miles. Is that too much? He's had all the normal maintenance done with even head gasket replacement and seals. I am going to meet him next weekend.
My overal question is: is 196k too much and will I be able to get 300k out of it?
Hey guys, I am new to this whole forum thing but I have been looking for a 4Runner for a couple of months now and finally found one I really want to get. The only problem is that it has 196k miles. Is that too much? He's had all the normal maintenance done with even head gasket replacement and seals. I am going to meet him next weekend.
My overal question is: is 196k too much and will I be able to get 300k out of it?
Bumbo
New member
We have a 2004, 4x4 SR5... its a family owned car, purchased new. Nothing special done to it aside for suspension lift installed 20k miles ago, some lighting, and a few electrical upgrades... So far no major issues or repairs to date, just regular scheduled maintenance...
It has almost 200k on it... its actually 198k and some change...
Every time I take someone for a ride who isn't familiar with my 4Runner, I always get asked how many miles, and always get a compliment about how smooth the engine feels, and how "tight" it rides for a truck with 200k on it.
So, if you ask me if I think I will be able to get 300k out of it... ya, I honestly think ill get 300k out of it. If anything, id like to pass that milestone too.
jrm
New member
In the meantime
contact him and ask him for the VIN number and run a carfax and/or toyota VIN lookup to see about where the 4runners been, # of owners, maintenance and possible accidents. If i was spending say over 10k i'd target something with less miles....
ainkiller:
contact him and ask him for the VIN number and run a carfax and/or toyota VIN lookup to see about where the 4runners been, # of owners, maintenance and possible accidents. If i was spending say over 10k i'd target something with less miles....
ainkiller:I wouldn't be afraid of the engine or drive train - that will likely last 300K no problem. What I would look at is rust on the frame and suspension components - that can make things like wheel alignment, shock replacement, etc. really painful, plus if the rust is bad enough it becomes unsafe.
Electronics don't have a wear-out mode, but panel lights, door lock motors, blower motors, stuff like that may start failing more frequently. That kind of maintenance can get expensive if you can't do a lot of it yourself. Emission sensors may also start to fail from time to time. Again, not a big deal if you can diagnose and replace yourself, but hiring that done adds up quickly.
That being said, my daughter and son-in-law just paid $8K for a 2004 with 220K miles. Everything works and the interior looks like it's < 5 years old. Runs great. I think they'll still get a lot of value from that vehicle.
Last year, I looked for approx 3 months for a low mileage T4R 4th gen. I found what I wanted in a 2006 T4R 4th Gen 4x4, v6 with 43,000 miles. It was at a dealer in the Northeast. I have had to do some maint. work as it was not driven often. Overall, in pretty good shape and it has been a pleasure to drive. Was a bit worried about rust, but after doing some some underside cleanup, it seems to be prettying decent shape.
My advice is to keep looking as the lower mileage T4Rs are out there.
My advice is to keep looking as the lower mileage T4Rs are out there.
Sorry for the hijack...haven't reached the 15 post min to post my own thread. Figured since I did find this 4R on Craigslist, it would be post worthy in this thread. 3rd week of looking on CL.
I saw this 2008 4R Limited today at a dealership. 1 owner previously from the state of Alaska. Should I be worried about all this rust? Quick google search suggests Alaska does not use salt on the roads, so I'm wondering where this rust came from.
The rust on the rear axle, tow hitch, and some clamps in the engine bay... are they to be worried? Sales manager claims the rust does not affect the vehicle's safety, so they are not going to address the rust.
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Rodtheviking
New member
That looks like salt spray from being near the ocean to me, the cars from the coast here in Washington get that too. I think its even worse than salted roads as it gets everywhere not just the undercarriage.
I'd pass.
I'd pass.
I didn't even think about the possibility of ocean spray, good thinking! I'm starting to think if this 4R I checked out then literally lived on the Pacific ocean in Alaska. Kind of odd that select metal peices/components beneath the car and inside the engine bay are rusted, while other components are fine.
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Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Are you taking the dealer's word on the one owner in Alaska? And road salt aside, many Alaska communities are near the coast. And what's the mileage?
I suggest either passing or, if you otherwise love it, buy planning to spend whatever time and effort is needed to scrape the rust and repaint. You could shortcut it with a rust converting product but that might bite you in the long run. Let us know how it turns out.
I suggest either passing or, if you otherwise love it, buy planning to spend whatever time and effort is needed to scrape the rust and repaint. You could shortcut it with a rust converting product but that might bite you in the long run. Let us know how it turns out.
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Carfax stated it's an 1 owner car, with prior registration and service in AK. I'm probably going to pass, as I don't have the time or energy to deal with the rust treatment, and I would be paranoid of the rust in the areas that I can't see.
My wife's RX has 130k+ miles with zero rust. Then again we've been living in the Pacific Northwest. Guess I'll be adding Alaska to my list of states to avoid used cars from...
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4by4th
New member
I live in Texas and spend a week or two in a front row beach house every year. Things we see and shake our heads at:
People backing trucks into the water up to the doors to launch and retrieve boats and jet skis;
People burying Jeeps in the sand 5 feet from the waters edge;
Saw a Toyota P/U pulling somebody in an inner tube on plane in the water;
Constant stream of Jeep Wranglers and Wrangler Unlimited's covered in mud like it's cool that they've been splashing through the marsh drains;
Beachouse Hunters TV show recently had people who just bought a house in Galveston, celebrating by driving their Jeep through the beachfront water like it was Lake Michigan- clueless.
No way I'd buy a used 4x4 in Texas with any signs of rust. My 2004 4R has been thoroughly washed and I pull a sprinkler under it any time I drive on the beach, and I avoid the water at all costs, turning around rather than driving through marsh drains.
People backing trucks into the water up to the doors to launch and retrieve boats and jet skis;
People burying Jeeps in the sand 5 feet from the waters edge;
Saw a Toyota P/U pulling somebody in an inner tube on plane in the water;
Constant stream of Jeep Wranglers and Wrangler Unlimited's covered in mud like it's cool that they've been splashing through the marsh drains;
Beachouse Hunters TV show recently had people who just bought a house in Galveston, celebrating by driving their Jeep through the beachfront water like it was Lake Michigan- clueless.
No way I'd buy a used 4x4 in Texas with any signs of rust. My 2004 4R has been thoroughly washed and I pull a sprinkler under it any time I drive on the beach, and I avoid the water at all costs, turning around rather than driving through marsh drains.
Bluesky 07
Senior Member
Re salt air corrosion, also take a close look at the wheels and emblems. On our recent trip to the southern Outer Banks (Emerald Isle, NC), I saw a 4th Gen Limited and was puzzled by some random discoloration on the emblems and wheels, and pitting on the wheels as well. Realized it must be a local and that's the result of long-term salt air exposure.
Don't know whether it's preventable with regular cleaning and waxing - I assume so, because diligent boat owners can keep docked vessels looking pristine with a lot of work - but it was an eye opener on what can happen to a vehicle in that environment.
Don't know whether it's preventable with regular cleaning and waxing - I assume so, because diligent boat owners can keep docked vessels looking pristine with a lot of work - but it was an eye opener on what can happen to a vehicle in that environment.
macgyver_ga
New member
I just found one!
My husband just found me a 2004 4x4 v8 sport with 83,350 miles. It has a salvage title but we have the car fax. Anyway it runs and drives great! My problem is I'm confused. It's my first 4runner (and I already love it!!) and I'm not sure about the 4wd. The manual is no help. Is it always in 4wd? Do I just turn on the differential when I'm in snow? My last car was a 2000 xterra and it had a shifter to engage the 4wd. I just want to make sure im doing it correctly so i dont tear it up. Thanks for any help.
My husband just found me a 2004 4x4 v8 sport with 83,350 miles. It has a salvage title but we have the car fax. Anyway it runs and drives great! My problem is I'm confused. It's my first 4runner (and I already love it!!) and I'm not sure about the 4wd. The manual is no help. Is it always in 4wd? Do I just turn on the differential when I'm in snow? My last car was a 2000 xterra and it had a shifter to engage the 4wd. I just want to make sure im doing it correctly so i dont tear it up. Thanks for any help.
flipflopnfly
New member
I believe all 4x4 V8's are fulltime 4WD. The 4WD twist switch has only two positions "H4" and "L4". There's a "Center Diff Lock" pushbutton that locks you into 50/50 torque front and rear instead of the variable torque in plain old "4H". Also, locking the center diff also turns off traction control so the nannies don't kick in and bog you down when you want the wheels to spin freely.
