Starting Cost vs Maintainance

N

Notoyz

New member
Would like some collective input on vehicle purchase. Low mileage but still doing upgrades like tbu, big three, suspension, radiator, trans cooler etc vs a higher mileage vehicle and doing the same upgrades. I realize the inherent risk of driveline components having more wear and tear than a lower mileage truck.

Do you feel there will be a significant savings in items like electrical system switches, motors etc as well as weather seals, carpet etc.

As an example lets says 100-120k mileage for 8K vs 200-220k for 3k (realistic figures as I have watched local craigslist for past year). This leaves $5000.00 is cash for new parts.

I hope I'm making this clear, as this would probably a better face to face discussion
 
Register to hide this ad
bought mine for $4K, definately have not spent $5k in upgrades/parts, not even close.

probably spent around $1,700 after simple piece of mind maintenance and upgrades. everything is in my build thread (signature).

a lot of future cost will depend on the maintenance history of the vehicle. I would take a 250k mile vehicle that has been well maintained over a 100k mile car with shitty maintenance any day.
 
was just looking on craigslist at a 1997 with 111K for $8500 with what looked like good maintainance records, sold in an hour so i didn't get to actually look at it :dammit:

Missed one yesterday, for 1k w/ 220K mileage but with probably poor upkeep. This is what got me thinking about older but pumping cash into it. Also if i do the repairs / upgrades I know where I stand
 
A well maintained anything, can definitely be worth the extra cost people ask. I find with certain items, the 3rd gen 4runner for example, people ask outrageous money whether it has been maintained or not.

Example. When I was looking to buy a 3rd gen, I looked at maybe 6 or 7 before I took a break. The price ranged from 4-6$k. 4 of the trucks had rotten frame rails, one was absolutely filthy inside and out and needed some body work ( again rot ), and the last one was a 96 with 400,000km on it. Priced the highest. In the ad, he claimed all the maintenance had been done. In person, I dont think he knew which way was up - and I didnt take the chance.

My truck is a 97 with 276,000km on it when I bought it. Lacked a bit on the maintenance side of things, BUT, frame was solid, body was good, clean inside ( for a 20 yr old vehicle ). So I myself have put money into the truck to bring it up to snuff, but I knew going into it that I would need to do this. I weighed what was important to me vs the costs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I recently picked up a 96 SR5 4wd for $3500. Had 185k on the clock. Seemed like a great deal. Did oil change and a couple other things to start. Two weeks into owning it, it threw a rod out of the side of the block. Im up to close to $1200 for used engine, seals, belts, pumps, and all that for the "new"engine that has 180k on it. Definitely was not what I had planned. Everything else is very straight as far as frame, body, interior, and suspension. It will be my first engine swap..... not planned at all. I would have rather bought one with slightly higher mileage and better maintenance for a more money and not had to deal with the hassle. Ill probably be able to get my money back out of it after driving it for a couple years but Im tired of working on stuff so it really doesn't seem worth it to me.
 
LittleCaesar said:
For any used auto, maintenance is probably the biggest variable (getting replacement OEM parts for example), along with time now for 3rd gens.

I myself would like a well-cared for normal mileage 4runner over one that hasn't been driven much but I may be in the minority according to this Ebay listing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Toyot...ash=item285203c93a:g:LO0AAOSweUFaj2gp&vxp=mtr
Click to expand...

That guy has 2 other low mileage 4runners for sale too. Where the hell is he finding them?
 
Notoyz said:
Would like some collective input on vehicle purchase. Low mileage but still doing upgrades like tbu, big three, suspension, radiator, trans cooler etc vs a higher mileage vehicle and doing the same upgrades. I realize the inherent risk of driveline components having more wear and tear than a lower mileage truck.

Do you feel there will be a significant savings in items like electrical system switches, motors etc as well as weather seals, carpet etc.

As an example lets says 100-120k mileage for 8K vs 200-220k for 3k (realistic figures as I have watched local craigslist for past year). This leaves $5000.00 is cash for new parts.

I hope I'm making this clear, as this would probably a better face to face discussion
Click to expand...

The $3000 T4R's are usually junk from what I've seen. But sometimes you get lucky & someone doesn't know what they have. Different parts of the country are higher priced too. I paid more for a higher mileage well maintained 4R. I think I got a good deal though. 99 Limited, one owner, e-locker, always dealer maintained, 6 pgs of maintenance records on the carfax, 217K miles - $5500, he had it listed for $6k-I offered $5K & he said $5500 & I said done! He was embarrassed because oil from a valve cover leak was smoking. That's what happens when these sit for a while. I tightened up the bolts & all is good. Now there's no rush for me to do the gaskets. I think you should be able to find something good between 175K & 200K for a nice price. But yes, good maintenance records increase re-sale value.
 
I would check Craigslist west coast simply due to the rust issue. Anything in Nevada CA, Arizona...We have airline bone yards out here where they store 747's for decades with no degradation to the electronics and certainly no rust. I got my '98 with 160k for $1,500...
yeah it's got dented bumpers and is full of sand but that's an easy fix.
Type in the year, say 1996-2002 and less than 150k miles in the filters on the left side of the column and see what comes up. I really can't believe how many clean 20 year old 4runners are out here.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-4runner/6461988740.html
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-4runner-4x4-5spd-v6/6499185085.html
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/2001-toyota-4runner/6509842553.html (no idea WTF he said)
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/1998-toyota-4runner-5-speed/6512695030.html
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/toyota-4runner/6502512354.html
 
I'll chime in and add my observation & opinions on it to give you some more base to pull from. I do want to add before hand that sometimes looking 500-1000miles away may save you a bunch....

My first 4Runner was a 1997 with 170k for 6500 USD in 2010. I did timing belt, water pump shortly after buying it for 800 only cause I showed it had never been done. I did a 3" lift & my e-locker for 700. I did get a steal on the locker for 250 from a friend & lift for 500'ish from what I can remember. After taxes the next year I got my BFG KM's for 1300. About a year or two after this my dad burned up the clutch and installed it for 500 or so. So 6500 purchase price & the others for 3500 appox. for all the rest of maint/extra's as the lift/tires/locker didn't HAVE to happen which is 2000 of it. Sold it in 2013 for 3500?, I can't remember the exact number it sold for and it only sold cause I can't drive a manual due to my injury.

My second 4Runner was a 2014 with 2 miles so won't get into that one..

My third(current) 4Runner is a 2000 with 116k miles when I purchased it. I paid 11.5K for it, but it's VERY unique(check my signature to the link for a picture...), I probably could have gotten a non unique boring 4Runner(no offense =P /tease) for 7-8k around here. I swapped out the lift, new (used..) tires, sliders, winch, light upgrades, custom swing away, custom rear rack with custom cover, new stereo, trans cooler and more that i'm forgetting... So between necessary & want they come up to 7k. The item's I feel were needed was 2k. I've done a few oil changes and transmission oil changes isn't included in my price and my excel sheet says i've spent 1073.20.

More information for you to help balance/tip your scales :)

Just to be aware I don't regret either one or my purchases/additions. I would do it again with some differences in regards to items but it would have cost me MORE versus less...

Though I wish I had gone with more, aka Icon Lift with adjustments(Stage 5) and a MT tires not a AT..
 
It is my opinion that gaskets, bushings, seals and hoses in critical areas/systems should be considered for replacement based upon time as well as mileage. 3rd gens are nearing that time, regardless of mileage. Low mileage does not necessarily mean these items aren't in need of replacement but it can mean lower wear on mechanical times. Generally, lower mileage interiors, exteriors and electrical components are in better shape. That is something I'm willing to pay for in used vehicles. In those areas, swaps, repairing and refreshing can be very pricey and/or difficult and not look right/function if done incorrectly or cheaply. I paid a premium for my low mileage 3rd gen. There are areas that the low mileage is not representative (suspension bushings set over time, valve train not as clean as I would of expected, axle seals), there are also areas that look almost factory new (paint, underbody, interior, switch gear, tranny, diffs). I plan on keeping it along time. I hate making emergency repairs. I want things to work correctly and I enjoy "maintenance" and upgrades.

How long do you plan on keeping it? And during that time, what are you willing to replace? If you plan on keeping it for a long time then your "starting" mileage becomes more of an issue. What is your real budget? Spend just beyond that :wink2: and get the example that feels right. In short, I would spend more for the lower miles, everything else equal. Once again, just one guy's opinion.
 
I have come to realize that where the milage was put on the vehicle is the most important factor. Highway miles are by far the easiest miles on a vehicle. At 60mph in overdrive the engine revolution per mile is at its minimum as is the wear on the transmission(locked) and suspension. A 4runner that was a commuter in a no salt state with decent maintenance is going to be your best bet until the milage starts to get over 250k. Any 20 year old vehicle is going to need some maintenance regardless of how well somebody tells you it was taken care of. One of the biggest problems with buying these vehicles now is finding the actual history. Most of them have had multiple owners and it is hard to figure out all the problems until you spend some time working on it
 
Scramble said:
That guy has 2 other low mileage 4runners for sale too. Where the hell is he finding them?
Click to expand...

No clue. I mean they look nice but that much for a twenty year old 4runner.

I think what really kills it is the bidding war for the 2001 Buick LeSabre. :cheer2:
 
We bought my girlfriend a poorly maintained 96 with 7 previous owners and 230k. I wouldn’t say it’s a nightmare, but it’s not fun. I’m a Jaguar/Land Rover tech so I do all the work on it, but it needs a lot of stuff and it gets old messing with it all the time. For example, I did the timing belt, water pump, valve cover gaskets, bulbs, spark plugs, wires, etc. I took it to work yesterday to change the oil, it now needs a power steering pump or rebuild (leaking everywhere), and a right rear axle seal. The check engine light came on and I have to put a throttle position sensor in it. The truck sat for a while and is now driven almost daily, so that has something to do with it. And all this is above and beyond all the normal stuff it needs, like shocks and struts, ball joints, wiper blades, filters, etc.

Point being, if you’re buying one on the cheap and then have to do a bunch of work, and plan on doing it yourself, it’s not bad, but it’s not a walk in the park. If you plan on buying one on the cheap and have to pay someone to do the work, you’ll EASILY double, or triple the purchase price of the truck to get it to a good, trustworthy point. We paid $1500 for the 96, but it’s a 3.4/4x4 E-locked 5 speed. I bought it from a co-worker who fully disclosed the majority of the issues it had. We’ve probably put $600 into over the last month or so, and I anticipate by the time it’s lifted, repaired, and 100% problem free, we’ll be into it about $4-5k car included.
 
LittleCaesar said:
For any used auto, maintenance is probably the biggest variable (getting replacement OEM parts for example), along with time now for 3rd gens.

I myself would like a well-cared for normal mileage 4runner over one that hasn't been driven much but I may be in the minority according to this Ebay listing:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1998-Toyot...ash=item285203c93a:g:LO0AAOSweUFaj2gp&vxp=mtr
Click to expand...

Well I agree with you! Although it is technically possible for a very low mileage vehicle to be very good, most of the time it does a lot of nothing, which hurts. I have 6 cars, and I spend a lot of time trying to keep everything OK, but I know that my Ol' FJ62 is really just falling apart because I rarely drive it. Starting it up and letting it run every other Sunday just isn't getting it.

Of my two 3rd gens, I bought one with 153K, the other with 275K. Both were very clean inside and out, the latter had a spark plug blown out of the head. Of the two the 275K had better paint, the interiors were about equal. They have 230K and 305K respectively now and the maintenance has been pretty much the same. I am currently painting the roof on the lower mileage one, Imperial Jade got jaded!

Get a clean one that isn't abused in anyway, mileage is important, but not a deal breaker!
 
Wedgy said:
I would check Craigslist west coast simply due to the rust issue. Anything in Nevada CA, Arizona...We have airline bone yards out here where they store 747's for decades with no degradation to the electronics and certainly no rust. I got my '98 with 160k for $1,500...
yeah it's got dented bumpers and is full of sand but that's an easy fix.
Type in the year, say 1996-2002 and less than 150k miles in the filters on the left side of the column and see what comes up. I really can't believe how many clean 20 year old 4runners are out here.
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/toyota-4runner/6461988740.html
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/2000-4runner-4x4-5spd-v6/6499185085.html
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/2001-toyota-4runner/6509842553.html (no idea WTF he said)
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/1998-toyota-4runner-5-speed/6512695030.html
https://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/cto/d/toyota-4runner/6502512354.html
Click to expand...

HOLY MOMMA I wish I could find something like these!! Stupid midwest rust!! I need to find a west coast/southwest friend to find me a runner. :) :dancin:
 
The third coast (southeast) area has good 3rd gens without the west coast price.
Ones that have spent their life from Memphis south, S. Carolina south can be rust free, Atlanta prices trend higher. Houston has lots but you need to check for if it drowned in a Hurricane.
 
PM your email. I have a whole spreadsheet that can be used to give you a ballpark on maintenance/extra/upgrades and whatnot. California - 1999 117k salvage Sr5 4x4
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 326 (members: 1, guests: 325)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,307
Messages
3,554,050
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top