Opinions on buying a 200k mile 3rd gen

[thebaine]

Im in the market for a 4R and I found a 99 limited that looks like its in really nice condition. Leather is still great looking, new tires, plugs and wires, new brakes. But it has 203K miles. The guy is asking $5900. My girlfriend says I'm crazy for even considering buying a car with that many miles, but I told her "It's a 4Runner!". Well, what are your thoughts? There's also a 2000 limited with 150k miles for 7000 and a 2001 SR5 with 167k miles for 5800 in my area.

Thanks very much. I feel like I've already learned a lot on this forum about 4runners.

 

[deejay35]

If there isn't any service records and you don't know what to look for, I'd take it somewhere to get looked at. Mileage IMO for the most part is irrelevant, it all depends on how the previous owner(s) took care of it.

Try looking up the VIN(s) on toyota.com for possible service history.

While you're in this price range, I'd look for one with heated seats!

 

[fotorunner]

Depends on what has been done to it. Has the timing belt/idler/water pump been changed recently or is that due?
What about lower ball joints?
When were the plugs and wires changed last?
Service records are a big help on something like this.

I sold a 97 with 270,000 on it for $3800, I probably could have held out for 4 and got that. The timing belt had been done on it, it had new plugs and the front end had been rebuilt (including the steering rack) within the last 40,000.

I then paid $7000 for a 2000 with 110,000 on it. But it had every service record from the day it came off the lot and every service had been done at a Toyota dealership.

 

[Millerad1651]

I recently bought a 98 with 280k on it for my wife. It's in great condition and had all preventative maint done right before I bought it. Paid $3500.

 

[Jon]

If there isn't any service records and you don't know what to look for, I'd take it somewhere to get looked at. Mileage IMO for the most part is irrelevant, it all depends on how the previous owner(s) took care of it.

X2 I'm over the 350k mark and still rollin

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

OP, I bought mine with 240k on it and zero service history from my buddy, who is terrible at maintaining anything. The thing runs like a top but has clearly seen its fair share of mistreatment. My wife was so impressed with how the thing felt and drove she was done with her truck and we bought another for her with 185k. They are great trucks.

Jon, 350k rocks! I see we are neighbors, ever need a hand give me a shout.

 

[quicksilvr]

thebaine: if you like that rig with 203k, and it's in great shape, you just need to talk him down to $4500.

Then again, my truck has 199,957 miles on it as of right now, so I'll roll 200K this weekend. And if I was going to sell my rig, I wouldn't take a penny less than $6K.

 

[blue dog]

Just baught a 2000 with 258k on the clock. 4 grand. Needed tires and few basic things, runs like a top. Timing belt and pump were done 50k miles ago, all new fluids. Did need new axles and sway bar end links.

 

[sprchrgd_4x4runner]

I bought mine with 205000 miles supercharged for the same amount 5900 I now have 230000 still running strong.

 

[nissanh]

Have you or your girl friend ever owned a toyota?


You can pull the dip stick while the engine is running and see any oil/oil drops coming out. If oil is visible, engine is bad.

Give couple of high rev's and see for any visible smoke (blue - burning motor oil) coming from the rear exhaust.

200 K miles is nothing for a toyota if it has been maintained properly.

 

[adam99sr5]

Have you or your girl friend ever owned a toyota?


You can pull the dip stick while the engine is running and see any oil/oil drops coming out. If oil is visible, engine is bad.

Give couple of high rev's and see for any visible smoke (blue - burning motor oil) coming from the rear exhaust.

200 K miles is nothing for a toyota if it has been maintained properly.

what do you mean by oil/oil dripping out? If you see oil where?
Do you mean when the engine is running and you pull the dip stick and theres oil on the stick its bad?

 

[OrangeTexan]

He means if you see oil coming out of the dipstick hole while it is running, then the engine is pretty much toast.

 

[JayRolla]

I bought my 1996 at 186k miles for $5k. I have about 215k now and have replaced only the brakes. After the lift it now needs ball joints, cv boots, and a rear axle seal but other than that this truck is running great. I love my 4runner

 

[Trekerjohn]

I may be a sucker since I bought a 96 Limited with 250,000 miles for $5,700, but it was super clean, leather in good shape, sunroof, and excellent in and out. It runs like a top. I have put about $4,000 into it. It runs great. Took it out over a nasty washboard dirt road to go shooting today, and it takes a beating and keeps going. Just put new tires on it. Replaced U&L BJs, I&O tie rods, steering rack, sway bar bushings, struts & front springs, shocks & rear springs, battery, timing belt & water pump, and flushed all fluids completely. Added a tranny cooler. I love it. No buyer's remourse here.

 

[The4kbeast]

II work pretty close to the industry, and mileage doesn't mean much except tor the uninformed. It's a huge selling point, but you can't take it for face value to determine if this is "the one" or not. I don't know what your technical skills are, but I'd say the safest bet is to have a mechanic have a look. If it is that certain it may be the one, I'd say do it. If nothing else it is peace of mind.

I shopped for almost 8-9 months looking for the one I picked up. It has over 200k, but they were all highway miles. It needs maintenance, but I could tell what it needed when I was looking at it and toolkit out of my offering price. If nothing else, I'd be looking too pull the trigger on one while gas prices are elevated. It really has pushed a lot of clean 4Rs into the used market, and a lot of these owners are motivated to sell. Good luck!

 

[BrianSD_42]

If you buy it then be prepared to spend several thousand to keep it up over the next 2-3 years.

200k miles is a lot. I have 213k right now. I have owned my truck since 2002, it had 65k miles when I bought it.

* new heads at 199k (fairly common actually after 175k miles)


If you are lucky your engine will have no major malfunction (mine didn't until 199k), your rear axle seals will last forever (yeah right ...) and your transmission will stay solid (mine's great)

The items below will probably HAVE to be replaced after 200k miles if you want the truck to work to proper factory specifications.

* new front brake rotors and pads
* new (remanufacture) steering rack
* lower ball joints
* full suspension replaced
* radiator


What do you expect for a truck with 200k+ miles ? Is it a great fix er up'r camping vehicle .... probably but you will have to spend a good deal or time / money keeping it going ...

Look through the 3rd gen section and you will see how many posts are of the "help my truck is broke" type. 4Runner's are great but don't get tricked into thinking the average (key word here) 3rd Gen will run to 250k or 300k miles with just the brakes replaced.

:zoom:

 

[Bigmikelakers]

If you buy it then be prepared to spend several thousand to keep it up over the next 2-3 years.

200k miles is a lot. I have 213k right now. I have owned my truck since 2002, it had 65k miles when I bought it.

* new heads at 199k (fairly common actually after 175k miles)


If you are lucky your engine will have no major malfunction (mine didn't until 199k), your rear axle seals will last forever (yeah right ...) and your transmission will stay solid (mine's great)

The items below will probably HAVE to be replaced after 200k miles if you want the truck to work to proper factory specifications.

* new front brake rotors and pads
* new (remanufacture) steering rack
* lower ball joints
* full suspension replaced
* radiator


What do you expect for a truck with 200k+ miles ? Is it a great fix er up'r camping vehicle .... probably but you will have to spend a good deal or time / money keeping it going ...

Look through the 3rd gen section and you will see how many posts are of the "help my truck is broke" type. 4Runner's are great but don't get tricked into thinking the average (key word here) 3rd Gen will run to 250k or 300k miles with just the brakes replaced.

:zoom:

I hope this isn't a dumb question but, do you think it would make sense to replace the heads ahead of time? Since the chances of them cracking shoots up dramatically after 200k?