Opinions- just how far do these engines go?

[Clifford]

Hey folks-

I am wondering just how far these engines go.

Looking for an '01 or '02 4wd and have begun to look in different cities I could get to (where friends/family live).

I know it would vary a lot due to many circumstances but if I see a 180K+ mileage car that was freeway "only" is it even worth looking at? Ideally I would like to avoid major repairs like an engine rebuild for at least 5years

Any opinions/experience appreciated!

Clifford

 

[Hacker]

I was in the same position as you a couple of months ago -- looking for a 3rd gen Runner and realizing the only ones available were hovering around 150K miles.

I had the exact same concerns.

Conventional wisdom (on the internet, at least) is that the V-6 powered 3rd gen T4R is only through half it's service life at 150K.

I ended up picking up a well-treated '99 Limited with 165K for $7K. I have every reason to believe that, with regular oil changes and other as-needed service, I'll get another 100K miles out of it before it has anything major happen to it.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

My '99 is just hitting 150k and it's been trouble free,burns about a half quart in 8000 miles (new ones can burn that or more) but has zero leaks and just went through a complete inspection by the dealer after my TB and water pump were done at 138k miles and was in very good condition and no problems.

I drive my truck a bit hard and off road about 10 times a year and it's holding up better than I expected and I don't see why I won't see another 100k with no problems.

 

[az4runner02]

I was in the same position as you a couple of months ago -- looking for a 3rd gen Runner and realizing the only ones available were hovering around 150K miles.

I have to disagree on that statement, if you look hard enough you can find low milage ones. But as I discovered, the ones with low miles sell as quick as they are listed so you need to be on it. I got my 2000 SR5 4x4 with 52,000 miles for $9900. And that was just about 1 year ago. May be a little more then one with 150,000 miles, but worth every penny of it.

 

[hulk311]

these engines have been known to go for 800,000++ miles, so you should be fine. :iagree:

 

[theizzardking]

i bought mine last week with 78K on it for $8900, check my previous posts i was lokoing in the 150K range before i was told to keep looking....so keep looking! lol, they are out there!
2000 sr5 4x4 rear diff lock comfort package c-7 ,78K

 

[Pikeman]

Bought a super clean 98 a year ago with 153k on it and have since lifted and off-roaded it about twice a month pretty heavily and now have 186k on it with no problems but did just figure out the timing belt has never been done so will take care of that.

 

[Glockwarrior]

I looked for along time and I could not find one in my price range ($5000)
I finally found on in Nashville TN for $5000...needed the TB WP and tensioner replaced so he gave it to me for $4000. It currently has 191350 on it..I got it w/189800. BTW it is a 97 Sr5 4-digg

 

[LINY4Runner]

these engines have been known to go for 800,000++ miles, so you should be fine.

This may be a slight exaggeration....but I can see 300-375 easily for ANY 4Runner out there that's taken care of correctly

 

[96743runner]

This may be a slight exaggeration....but I can see 300-375 easily for ANY 4Runner out there that's taken care of correctly

I agree with LINY4Runner. Almost any toyota will last forever as long as you take care of it and have the routine maintenance done when it needs to be done.

And don't give up...keep looking if you want a low mileage runner, like those above said. My good friend got a 99 Limited with only 38k on it for around $9k, a few months back. If you look hard, you'll probably find what you are looking for.

 

[Clifford]

Wow, thanks for all the replies- I am going to tough it out and try to get a lower mileage one though it is certainly clear that these are long running and dependable rides.
Regards,
C

 

[PossumJenkins]

Honestly try to avoid anything with 150K + miles unless the original owner took really good care of it. It also depends on where the vehicle is located...try to find an AZ or CA truck because you are pretty much guaranteed to have no rust and a clean interior/exterior. I found my truck at a Nissan dealer close to where I live and when I bought it 2 1/2 yrs ago it only had 16K miles on it. Not sure where you are located but check autotrader because there are a lot of nice 4Runners for sale out here in AZ that are super clean with 90 to 110k miles for 10 to 13k.

 

[Hacker]

I have to disagree on that statement, if you look hard enough you can find low milage ones.

Well, thanks for your opinion, but I was relating my actual experience looking between March and June of '09, in a 200 mile radius from Oklahoma City.

You may have a valid point, but it's ridiculous for someone to say "I disagree with you" when I am relating what I actually experienced.