Purchase dilemma

L

LexRunner

New member
So I've been scouring this site for about 2 weeks now reading high mileage threads trying to decide if I should purchase or not. I need some words of advice from the people who drive these on a daily basis.
So a little background on me: mechanic with Lexus for the last 7 years, had a tacoma which I loved. Bought a boat and had to get rid of the taco due to it not pulling as I hoped it would. Leased a new f150 worst decision ever. Hate it, hate their dealers.
So I found a 2007 v8 sport with 140k on it that I might purchase. Agreed to 14k plus my $1500 rollover from the truck. It does need a wheel bearing but no big deal. Everything else is in great condition and even had the t belt, water pump, and even spark plugs already replaced. Purchasing it from a toyota dealer and they even let me talk to previous owner.
What's your thoughts? Should I do it or ride out the lease and lose all that money? Anyone ever tow with a higher mileage 4runner?
Thanks for any and all advice, I hope to be able to contribute to this forum as this and tacoma world are the best forums I've ever been on.
 
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I'd buy it..but not for that price. At that mileage you're probably half way to doing the timing belt again. And who knows what other maintenance has or has not been done.

I just picked up a 2004 V8 with 104,500 on the clock from a dealer in Nicholasville. It runs great. Feels solid. It's my first Toyota EVER. I've owned LOTS of GM, Ford, and Chrysler products over the years. Both brand new and used. Some were great, others not so much. This Toyota with 105K on the clock feels like a new vehicle. No rattles, noises, nothing. Trans. shifts like butter. Engine runs tight and strong, except for a manifold leak. Everything on the vehicle works...lights, buttons, controls, etc. I'm very impressed with it. I don't regret my decision at all so far and I'm trying to do all the maintenance on it now to keep it running great because I plan to drive it to 500,000. My only real concern is the rust...the undercarriage is rusted pretty bad.

I would try to get the dealership to come down on the price some. It might be a 2008 but with that kind of mileage you're going to dump money into maintenance pretty heavily over the next 3 years. For the record, I towed a utility trailer that weighs close to 1,000 lbs. with a load of heavy, muddy, bulk mulch on it plus a bag of sand and two bags of rubber mulch this weekend. Maybe 1,500 lbs or a little more? Not sure but the 4.7L didn't even know there was a trailer back there.
 
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I wouldn't consider 140k miles to be high mileage. I would say maybe 180k miles to be high mileage on a 4runner, or when you got to do the timing belt again.
 
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You're a mechanic so you might not care but with those kinds of miles I think you'd start to run into problems like bearings(one is bad already like you said), CV boots and those kinds of things. I wouldn't be worried about the drive train with that number of miles if it has been properly maintained and not abused. But if this was me personally I would be looking for a lower mileage 4Runner even if it meant an extra $2000 or going a year or two backwards.
 
The previous owner was religious about maintenance. The t belt, water pump, and spark plugs were done at 100k. Every repair order from every service is in order in the glove box. The dealer came down from 15k to where I'm at now but won't come down any further as they put a little money into it. They replaced the axle boots and clamps during inspection. The price seems high to me too but there are multiple ones in my area with that mileage that are priced the same or more. This is the best maintained one I've found yet and speaking with the p.o. made me at ease about it. Also even with the summer time towing I only average 8,500 miles a year on my vehicles.
 
LexRunner said:
The previous owner was religious about maintenance. The t belt, water pump, and spark plugs were done at 100k. Every repair order from every service is in order in the glove box. The dealer came down from 15k to where I'm at now but won't come down any further as they put a little money into it. They replaced the axle boots and clamps during inspection. The price seems high to me too but there are multiple ones in my area with that mileage that are priced the same or more. This is the best maintained one I've found yet and speaking with the p.o. made me at ease about it. Also even with the summer time towing I only average 8,500 miles a year on my vehicles.
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i bought my 03 with 96k miles on it. It had ALL maint. records and was just recently completely ran through with the belts and plugs and whatnot. I paid a little more than a similar one on the lot but i felt more comfortable buying this one which was more but i know whats been done.
 
It's an 07. I know I can find one cheaper that's older but I like the styling changes of the 06-09 models. The p.o. Was an older gentleman that was retired who's hobby was bird photography and used the 4runner to travel from park to park, or so I was told by the salesman.
 
Any records of transmission maintenance? 140k would be pretty late to start flushing fluid at this point. You'd pretty much be restricted to drain/fill/pray.
 
That I did not see, but also wasn't looking closely for it. Mainly wanted to make sure the belt was done. You're right about that though.
 
NeutronJon said:
Any records of transmission maintenance? 140k would be pretty late to start flushing fluid at this point. You'd pretty much be restricted to drain/fill/pray.
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True. I drained my trans pan this weekend and the fluid looked terrible. But with 105K I'm afraid to have it flushed.
 
LexRunner said:
It's an 07. I know I can find one cheaper that's older but I like the styling changes of the 06-09 models. The p.o. Was an older gentleman that was retired who's hobby was bird photography and used the 4runner to travel from park to park, or so I was told by the salesman.
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This 4runner wouldn't happen to be at the Dry Ridge Toyota would it?
 
LexRunner said:
Why yes, yes it would be. Do you know of it?
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I do, I was in there on Satuday to take a look at it. It looks really good in the pictures, but it was pretty scratched up in person. I think they might be taking advantage of the 1 owner angle with the price.

My first inquiry about the vehicle was if the timing belt and water pump had been done. They looked at the service history, and from what they could tell it had definitely not been done. The price I offered them, was with the timing belt included out the door at 14.5k. They declined it, no big deal, I walked away. After driving it, and looking at it, I don't think it is worth 15k. However, that is totally my opinion. Not sure if you noticed, but it did have a slight humm when driving, but I think that could be the AT tires it has. It also "clunked" when I pulled up to a stop light. From what I've read on here, that could have been the suspension.

Also, from my inspection, it appears that it might have been in a small collision with the front right bumper. It is loose, and appears to be repainted. Also, it doesn't quit sit right. As far as they knew it had not been in an accident.
 
jminz said:
I do, I was in there on Satuday to take a look at it. It looks really good in the pictures, but it was pretty scratched up in person. I think they might be taking advantage of the 1 owner angle with the price.

My first inquiry about the vehicle was if the timing belt and water pump had been done. They looked at the service history, and from what they could tell it had definitely not been done. The price I offered them, was with the timing belt included out the door at 14.5k. They declined it, no big deal, I walked away. After driving it, and looking at it, I don't think it is worth 15k. However, that is totally my opinion. Not sure if you noticed, but it did have a slight humm when driving, but I think that could be the AT tires it has. It also "clunked" when I pulled up to a stop light. From what I've read on here, that could have been the suspension.

Also, from my inspection, it appears that it might have been in a small collision with the front right bumper. It is loose, and appears to be repainted. Also, it doesn't quit sit right. As far as they knew it had not been in an accident.
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Usually, if the timing belt has been done the technician will put a sticker on the top of the engine or under hood somewhere indicating the mileage and date of the repair. Mine is clearly labeled.

The "clunk" is very common. The problem is the splines on the slip yoke of the rear driveshaft. When they dry out and require lube...they start clunking when you stop at a light and the rear end torques up. Mine, however, still clunks even after being lubed heavily so I think the damage to the splines has already been done. Driveshafts are hundreds of dollars so it'll have to wait.

Mine also has been wrecked and painted because the door on the front driver's side clearly does not match...but I knew this going into the deal. I paid $13,500 but I have all service records including timing belt having already been done and I only have 105K so I felt it was a good deal. The interior on this one is flawless with leather and it doesn't have the cracked dash issue yet.
 
jminz said:
I do, I was in there on Satuday to take a look at it. It looks really good in the pictures, but it was pretty scratched up in person. I think they might be taking advantage of the 1 owner angle with the price.

My first inquiry about the vehicle was if the timing belt and water pump had been done. They looked at the service history, and from what they could tell it had definitely not been done. The price I offered them, was with the timing belt included out the door at 14.5k. They declined it, no big deal, I walked away. After driving it, and looking at it, I don't think it is worth 15k. However, that is totally my opinion. Not sure if you noticed, but it did have a slight humm when driving, but I think that could be the AT tires it has. It also "clunked" when I pulled up to a stop light. From what I've read on here, that could have been the suspension.

Also, from my inspection, it appears that it might have been in a small collision with the front right bumper. It is loose, and appears to be repainted. Also, it doesn't quit sit right. As far as they knew it had not been in an accident.
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That hum you heard is one of the front wheel bearings has gone bad. It's a tell tale sound and if you slightly turn the steering wheel a little the noise goes away. I agree the price is too high, that's my dilemma though as its the exact style and color I want but the miles are high.
 
LexRunner said:
That hum you heard is one of the front wheel bearings has gone bad. It's a tell tale sound and if you slightly turn the steering wheel a little the noise goes away. I agree the price is too high, that's my dilemma though as its the exact style and color I want but the miles are high.
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I also looked at the one at superior Hyundai. Not sure if you saw that one or not on autotrader. It's priced right. Message me and I can give you more info on it.
 
jminz said:
Never mind looks like it sold
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Thanks though. I actually looked at that one. No t belt and needed tires. They also low balled me big time on my truck trade in. It actually made me laugh. Can't blame them though, m truck would have been the 2nd most expensive car on their lot other than a new genesis sedan.
I might expand my search to include 05s even though I like the refresh of the 06-09 more.
 
LexRunner said:
Thanks though. I actually looked at that one. No t belt and needed tires. They also low balled me big time on my truck trade in. It actually made me laugh. Can't blame them though, m truck would have been the 2nd most expensive car on their lot other than a new genesis sedan.
I might expand my search to include 05s even though I like the refresh of the 06-09 more.
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Same here. Appears we are in the market for the exact same 4runner.
 
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