Need advice on 4runner purchase with high mileage

[GirlTruck4me]

Hey there!

I am trying to find out if a 97' 4runner with 4wd and 265,000 miles at 4,000 is a good price?

Also, how safe is the 97 and is it still considered a 3rd generation?

The interior looks pretty bad, but hopefully nothing a detail shop and some cute seat covers cant handle.....

Thank you for your time!
:girl:

 

[MattDyer94]

I just bought a '97 limited 2wd with 178k miles for 3500 with literally all new leather interior except for the back seats and carpet. I would pass on that. You could find better.

EDIT: Personally, I wouldn't by at 265k miles..ESPECIALLY if he doesn't have lots and lots of records showing it has been taken care of. Just my opinion.

 

[lem14]

Welcome

So the price is in the reasonable category, but a little high in my opinion. It just depends on your area and the condition.

A 97 is a 3rd generation and is fairly safe, however, it is missing some of the traction based safety features that are in later models.

Read this thread posted by 4Ripcord

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

I would recommend looking for later year.
lem14

 

[GirlTruck4me]

It is supposed to have had only one owner, a woman who was travelling back and forth from Mississippi to Colorado for school,so im hoping hwy miles is a little better?? The dealership info from the original purchase is still in the glove box.....

Here's the deal, im trading in my 2000 honda accorde coupe with 160,000 miles on it for this vehicle and then paying the extra thousand in cash...im just tired of trying to fit a car seat in and out of a two door vehicle and stuffing a stroller in the trunk...haha :ybrick:

 

[BrianSD_42]

I would wait for one with much less miles. > 250 k miles is fine if you have owned it for years and know the vehicle but with a new purchase you will have no idea what is going to fail down the road.

 

[Kurtis]

$4k, 265K miles, and a trashed interior. You can do better.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

$4000 would be fine if it was clean and had service records. Based on what you've said, I wouldn't go for this one, especially if you're putting money on top.

I bought my '97 Limited 4x4, 1 owner with 187K on it for $2800 last summer.

These a great, safe, reliable vehicles. I wouldn't be afraid of one with 265K on it but I wouldn't go for the one you described.

 

[Inoculation]

$4k is too high. 250k+ is a hard sale for me. I usually get 300K or more out of my vehicles, but I would never and have never sold them to anybody I know. A fair deal would be a straight trade for your accord that is 3 years newer and almost 100k less miles.....

The 97 is fine, but try to find a cleaner one with less miles for less money. Don't be afraid to hammer people down on the price either. Don't get emotionally attached at any point and be sure to walk away from anything that doesn't seem right.

Craiglist/cars.com/autotrader are the easiest places to find what you are looking for. Don't rush to buy. do a little research and you will save yourself some headaches in the future.

Good luck!

 

[AZ4FNER]

If you do not have an urgent need to get out of the Honda, then keep looking for the 4Runner.

You should be able to find a clean/low mile 2WD that suits your needs. Be patient.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

Too much $$$ for that one. I had bought my '96 with 216k and a beat up interior last year for $2400, and I wouldn't have paid more than that for it. Then again, mine is a 2WD.

 

[l3igl3ang]

mine had 252k miles on it and i got it for $2,200 with bad plugs and wires. its a 97 limited 4x4 as well but seats are pretty ruff and has scratchs on it

 

[Volley]

I agree with Brian, wait it out ou will find a better deal.