Thoughts on buying a used high-mileage 3rd gen?

[TXMAG]

Hi All,

I've been thinking about scooping up a 4Runner lately and found one that has me interested. It's a 1997 1 owner limited with 300K miles. Interior and exterior appear to be VERY clean (minimal to no rust). It supposedly runs and drives great and all accessories/options work but I haven't taken a trip out to see it yet. Asking price is $3000.

If I buy it, it would probably see less than 10K miles a year and I'd love to get 3-ish years out of it. More if I really enjoy it would be great. I'll probably look to buy something else at that point. Also, I'm very mechanically inclined so I'm not afraid to dig in and perform some maintenance if need be.

I've gone through the stickies but would love to hear any input you all might have. What do you think? I've bought plenty of used vehicles, just never one with this many miles.

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

Chances are, with that many miles on it the guy has about 10 people calling him about it: yourself, and 9 imaginary people. After 300k its going to be tough for him to hold firm on any asking price so talk him down and check the thing out as best you can. If you could do a leak down test, or at least compression that would be good. If both the motor and tranny take a dump after you buy it you'll be another 3k in it getting it running. That being said, I work with a guy with 390k on his 5vz/auto Tacoma and its going strong. Mines still kicking at 260k, its just a chance you'll have to take.

 

[Hog1983]

Be prepared to spend some money just doing little maintenance if you want to take care of it... Timing belt, water pump, tranny flush, coolant flush, rear end oil, bushings... I just bought a 96 with 244k and its in great shape. But... Most of the parts are still factory. All my bushings are cracked and dry rotted, my bottom swaybar link bolt is about to fall out, there is a small oil leak I am trying to find. In my opinion it's worth it to me, I paid 4000 and like I sain mechanically it is in great shape and I owe no one it's mine paid for no payments. We are going to start working on it in about 6 weeks. I'm looking forward to my own build thread!!!

 

[TXMAG]

Thanks for the feedback so far. I'd like to get it under $3000 for sure if for no other reason than to offset some initial maintenance costs. He did mention that it has some new parts like brakes, ball joints, etc. I'm just mostly worried about engine/tranny issues at that mileage. I'd hate to buy it then be doing serious motor work in a year.

At least it's a non-interference engine though which is a selling point for me.

 

[alaskaflyer]

Where is it located? When I was looking for mine I looked at several that said little to no rust, most of them just had the rust painted over. For that price and if it's not too far it would be worth checking out. Like mentioned above, be prepared for upcoming maintenance costs and things needing replacement just due to the age of the vehicle and the mileage on it.

 

[sakoluvr]

I bought a '97 back in February for $2800. It is an SR5 4x4. It needed tires, but that was about it. Mileage was 260,00, and I have since put 4,000 + on it. It runs great, and I have yet to add any oil since I changed it 3200 miles ago. Absolutely no rust. I did install new plugs, wires and vacuum hoses but that was cheap since I did it myself.

 

[TXMAG]

[MENTION=10052]alaskaflyer[/MENTION] - It is located in northern Mass/Southern NH. I'm a bit dubious as to the minimal/no rust claims due to salting the roads during the winter but we'll see. I'll be as thorough as possible when inspecting the undercarriage.

[MENTION=92548]sakoluvr[/MENTION] - Glad to hear that you had a similar mileaged one with no issues.

 

[ipaman]

It had to be taken care of to get to 300k. I would think you could get another 30k miles out of it no problem. I have seen some 97's for sale in my area that have less miles but look like complete junk. So my point is miles aren't everything.

Let us know if you get it.

 

[TXMAG]

Just wanted to thank all those who posted. I went ahead and passed on this one for no reason other than it didn't feel right. There's always the next one!

 

[Albyneau]

Just wanted to thank all those who posted. I went ahead and passed on this one for no reason other than it didn't feel right. There's always the next one!

I know, I know~ really REALLY old thread!
But I just couldn't help posting....
Just picked up (last year) a '96 2wd with 319k~ now 338k
Runs like a top, and consistently get 25+ mpg, with an occasional trip into the 28's.... I LOVE MY TRUCK.

 

[McLoven1t562]

I'll skip what a lot of others have already said, because it's good information.

Can say the 96 I just purchased last year already had about 300k on it too, i'm now at 321k and it's running GREAT. I've done typical maintenance like pump/belt, rack n pinion, valve cover, plugs & wires n just basic stuff like that....most of which were really just because of tiny leaks that could've been managed or like the rack had worn boots but an oem one was super affordable at Toyota. Thankfully I have mechanic friends so all my work has been done at houses which saves me THOUSANDS in labor. If you get a maintained vehicle and keep maintaining it, i've seen mileage as high as 500k, but just like any car it's always a gamble on a high mileage vehicle.

my 1 suggestion (course it's hit and miss) tell the guy you got cash in hand BUT you'd really like to meet at a shop and you'll offer to pay for a vehicle inspection. Kind of reassure him that you obviously expect for them to point things out, but you just want to make sure the huge things like engine and drivetrain are in good condition lol

My seller met me a toyota specialist and yea it came up with like 7k worht of repairs (shops quote) and I bought it, then my buddy and I did all the repairs and more for less then half that cost!

 

[McLoven1t562]

I know, I know~ really REALLY old thread!
But I just couldn't help posting....
Just picked up (last year) a '96 2wd with 319k~ now 338k
Runs like a top, and consistently get 25+ mpg, with an occasional trip into the 28's.... I LOVE MY TRUCK.

i didn't even look at the post date!!! ha ha ha

wait how the hell are you getting 25mpg?!?!?! I'm 99% sure mine gets like 16! plus the sticker mpg on these has always been well under 20! lol -- is it the 4 cylinder?!

 

[Albyneau]

Mainly I "blame" it on the 3RZ/5spd, combined with the fact I rarely operate out of the 1500-2500 RPM range....

 

[Devbot]

i didn't even look at the post date!!! ha ha ha

wait how the hell are you getting 25mpg?!?!?! I'm 99% sure mine gets like 16! plus the sticker mpg on these has always been well under 20! lol -- is it the 4 cylinder?!

You would be shocked at what Toyota left on the table with the 3RZ, there's acres of room for improvement that even the most basic mechanics can do