Need advice buying a lifted 4runner. Please halp!

[MistaFolgers]

Hey guys, so like the title says I'm just looking for some opinions on this 4Runner I went and looked at today. It's pretty much exactly what I'm looking for as I want to start getting into off roading after having cars all my life. So first off it has 290,000 miles and he is asking $6000 for it, but said he would take $5500. Personally I don't think that's TOO bad considering all the work that has been performed on it recently. I do realize that it is quite a bit of mileage for the money, but it's a Toyota after all. And after talking to the guy he seems to know quite a bit about Toyota's and just cars in general. His buddy is a certified Toyota mechanic who he had change the timing belt, spark plugs and wires, and everything else that was listed in the post, which is quite a bit.

Basically I'm just wondering what you guys think about buying a lifted 4Runner with so many miles. Granted it was stock before he bought it a few months ago or however long ago he said.

At the moment I own a 2000 Audi A4 2.8 with 125k miles, which has been great in the year that I've owned it aside from leaking/burning a lot of oil. But it's an Audi after all and I'm just waiting for something big to go wrong with it and have to pay an arm and a leg to get it fixed. So I'm thinking getting this might be more reliable regardless of the miles.

Anyway, just looking for some opinions from some of you 4Runner veterans haha. I'd love to pick this thing up and be able to hit some trails by next week, but if you guys don't think it's worth paying $5500 for a car with 290k miles let me know! Thanks in advance for any help guys!

Here's the link to the car:
98 toyota 4 runner 5 speed lifted

Sorry for the long post haha

 

[3rzrunner]

Doesn't look bad from the pictures and he has had all the maintenance done to it, plus its a 5spd so no worries about strawberrymilkshake it looks like a good deal. I say jump on it

 

[MistaFolgers]

Yeah I heard about the strawberry milkshake through the buyers guide on here, good thing I would never drive an automatic! Any other input? The more the merrier

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

I don't know... He has some good stuff but not great. Are the CVs aftermarket or rebuilt OEM? He has a tube front bumper and back bumper and a lift. What type of lift? Does it have a diff lock? I wouldn't be inclined to go over $5k, and that would be asking a lot (from me).

 

[MistaFolgers]

Not sure about the CV's, didn't think to ask. I'll have to give him a call tomorrow and ask about that. The front bumper is custom made, the back however I believe is stock, just painted. It has a 3 inch lift with Bilstein shocks. Road really well IMO, and was smooth on the little off roading we did do. Would you not say the mileage is a big concern?

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Not sure about the CV's, didn't think to ask. I'll have to give him a call tomorrow and ask about that. The front bumper is custom made, the back however I believe is stock, just painted. It has a 3 inch lift with Bilstein shocks. Road really well IMO, and was smooth on the little off roading we did do. Would you not say the mileage is a big concern?

I agree with you. I think the mileage IS a concern. The engine may be great but there's that many miles on every other part of the truck too.

 

[MistaFolgers]

Well personally I'm not too concerned with the mileage after taking it for a drive and everything working. In my mind, the parts with the most wear and tear would be the engine of course, and the suspension. Which correct me if I'm wrong, but according to the craiglist post most of it was replaced when it was lifted? Don't know a whole lot about these things besides what I've read up on.

 

[MistaFolgers]

To be honest, mostly because I'm cheap and I know it's cheaper to buy a built car then to build one yourself. Plus I can't find any other 5 speeds within a 100 mile radius of me. Might just get a Toyota truck, as there are plenty of those around me. Just have always had a soft spot for 4runners =/