So after a year of searching and almost purchasing I'm ready to try to pull the trigger on a 4runner. I just found a 99 black highlander edt. with 138k. Asking $5900. I know you will all probably tell me that its "just getting broken in" but I was really looking for something with closer to 100k-120k. I'm a college student so i need the best bang for the buck and cant be throwing out money if stuff goes wrong. My budget is just about $6000 so maybe I'm just dreaming that I will find a 4runner with less miles, especially after cash for clunkers obliterated used car prices. Basically I just need you to convice me to buy this one.
Purchase advice
- Thread starter gwohlfort
- Start date
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Interior is tan. There is also another 99 highlander available near me with only 92k and only $3500. But it needs a new transmission. Anyone had to have their tranny rebuilt/replaced? Price? Do you think that 4runner had to be abused to blow a tranny with such low mileage?
JohnsD90
New member
Well i see the R150F Manual transmissions for second gen's with the t-case and bellhousing and all that go for $150 on craigslist, and that tranny will bolt right up to the V6 in the 3rd gen and are basically bulletproof, i also see the auto's from a 3rd gen for for $500ish on craigslist, so i you are willing to pay for a new tranny and willing to install or pay to install, than the 4runner for $3.5k is your choice, if not than get the one for $5.9k, that is a good price for a highlander, and 138k miles is perfectly fine, just check to make sure the timing belt was replaced recently, if not that is $600 to do.
Justin727
New member
Yes abused and never serviced at all.
I actually picked up my 00 4cyl 5spd with 98k on it for 4k and I love it.
JohnsD90
New member
No not necessarily, autos in the 3rd gen 4runner can have what is called pink milkshake mixture in the lines and it ends up killing the tranny, it has something to do with overheater because of a crappy or no tranny cooler on it, so it could have been abused, but there is also a good chance that it wasnt and it is a solid truck in need of a tranny.
Fireball
Member
I'd steer away from the one that needs the tranny replaced. 92k is awful low mileage to have a tranny go and suggests it probably wasn't terribly well cared for.
We don't know where you're located or the exact specs on the vehicle you listed, but an asking price of $5900 seems pretty reasonable. FWIW, I paid a lot more than that for mine. It was in immaculate condition and had 68k miles on it.
We don't know where you're located or the exact specs on the vehicle you listed, but an asking price of $5900 seems pretty reasonable. FWIW, I paid a lot more than that for mine. It was in immaculate condition and had 68k miles on it.
I am located in Baltimore, MD. Both trucks are located in DC. Here is the descriptions for both:
$3500
99 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER 92K MILES SR5 4X4 AUTO ALL POWER SUNROOF V6 NEW TIRES TRUCK RUNS REALLY GOOD THE BAD NEWS IS THE TRANSMITION IS SLIPPING NEEDS TO BE FIXED, SERIOUS BUYERS NO TIRE KICKERS HAVE CLEAR TITLE IN HAND TO GET THE TRANS FIXED IT WOULD BE ROUGHLY $800-$1100 WHOEVER BUYS THE CAN RESELL IT AFTER ITS FIXED FOR GOOD MONEY I JUST DONT HAVE THE TIME OR MONEY TO DO IT THE PRICE IS $3499 FIRM!!!
$5900
UP FOR SALE IS A 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5...THIS QUALITY MADE SUV IS IN GREAT CONDITION AND THE ONLY REASON IT IS BEING SOLD IS BECAUSE A NEW ONE WAS PURCHASED...THE VEHICLE HAS 138,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS HAD ALL OF THE ROUTINE MAITENANCE DONE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER WHEN THEY NEEDED TO BE DONE, IT IS POWERED BY A POWERFUL V6 THAT HAS GREAT GAS MILAGE AND LOTS OF PULLING POWER... BEHIND THAT V6 IS A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 4WHEEL DRIVE AND OVERDRIVE, AND TO TOP ALL OF THAT OFF IT HAS THE OPTIONAL TOW PACKAGE ! THE BODY & PAINT IS IN GREAT SHAPE AND COMES WITH THE OPTIONAL CUSTOM SCOOPED HOOD AND REAR SPOILER....ALL OF THE TIRES AND RIMS ARE STILL IN GREAT SHAPE...THE INTERIOR IS A TAN CLOTH METERIAL AND IS IN GREAT CONDITON ALSO...THE SOUND SYSTEM HAS A AM/FM STERIO WITH 6 PLAYER CD AND CASSETTE...THERE IS ALSO A SUNROOF AN D REAR TINTED WINDOWS AND FULLY ADJUSTABLE LUGGAGE RACK ON THE ROOF...THE WINDOWS ARE ALL POWERED....THE REAR WINDOW IS ALSO POWERED WITH ELECTRIC DEFROST.....THERE IS ALSO A SEPERATE REAR SEATING HEATER....THE MIRRORS ARE ELECTRIC AND HEATED....THE FRONT LIGHTING ALSO HAS THE OPTIONAL FOG LIGHTS....THE HEATING AND A/C WORK EXCELLANT !!!! THIS IS A FULLY LOADED SUV AND WOULD BE GREAT FOR ANY FAMILY ESPECIALLY WITH THE SUMMER COMING !
Anyone know a price to fix that tranny OTD?
brian2sun
Elite Member
The price is going to be high to fix, I would guess $2500-3000, maybe more if it's a dealership. IMO, you'd be better off finding a shop that will put a 60K donor tranny in there and there's actually a lot of places that will warranty used trannies. I think it could be done for $1000-1500 P&L if you do your homework.
bak3rme
Senior Member
i think i saw this one..is this in atlanta area?
i have 260k miles on mine. my parents bought it when it only had 120k miles. just do regular recommended maintenence on it when the time comes and ur 4runner shouldnt give u any problems. if you just drive to school and work and all it should be ok. just think of this...american people average 10-15k miles a year...so basically, you most likely will be out of college by the time your 4runner gets old.
and at that price, for that model (which is the one everyone wants) and at that low of mileage...i'd grab it
but check for other problems, also
i have 260k miles on mine. my parents bought it when it only had 120k miles. just do regular recommended maintenence on it when the time comes and ur 4runner shouldnt give u any problems. if you just drive to school and work and all it should be ok. just think of this...american people average 10-15k miles a year...so basically, you most likely will be out of college by the time your 4runner gets old.
and at that price, for that model (which is the one everyone wants) and at that low of mileage...i'd grab it
but check for other problems, also
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Reviving this thread because I still havent bought a t4r. The black one in perfect condition was sold before I had a chance at it, but the green one with the bad transmission is still available. I'm just hesitant to purchase a vehicle that a major component failed on with such low mileage. What could have caused that? Abuse? Also does anyone have concrete examples on the options for fixing/replacing the transmission and their prices? Anywhere near the Baltimore area is best but I'd like to hear any examples.
Fireball
Member
Might want to give these guys a call. They are Toyota specialists. In PA, a few miles above the MD line. I haven't used them much, but always heard good things, they deal almost exclusively with Toyotas and have been around forever.
Weikle's Specialty Toyota
717-417-2726
417 Main St,Felton, PA,17322
Weikle's Specialty Toyota
717-417-2726
417 Main St,Felton, PA,17322
