Too late to the party? - Relying on 3rd Gen for single vehicle ownership

[Hob]

Been interested in 4x4 3rd gens for the last year. Lately I'm considering selling my 03 Cobra to get some extra cash to put towards a house and pick up a 99 - 02 4runner as a primary DD/camper vehicle.

I'm only a little concerned I'm showing up too late to the fun. The newest possible being 12 years old and will likely have 120k+ miles. Should I reconsider my interest if it's my only vehicle?

 

[IBallEngineer]

Been interested in 4x4 3rd gens for the last year. Lately I'm considering selling my 03 Cobra to get some extra cash to put towards a house and pick up a 99 - 02 4runner as a primary DD/camper vehicle.

I'm only a little concerned I'm showing up too late to the fun. The newest possible being 12 years old and will likely have 120k+ miles. Should I reconsider my interest if it's my only vehicle?

Nope, you are joining the party when the prices are best in relation to what you get. I bought 2000 one year ago, with 153K, now has 169K. Its my daily driver and will be for at least another year or so. I plan to make it a rock crawler for my son in a few years, as of now I believe I'll just get another 3rd gen for myself and daily drive that too.

 

[mn_swede]

nope- I run a 2000 with 163K and counting as my daily driver here in MN. You just need to make sure you know what you are getting into in regards to replacing parts/ maintenance and upkeep. Take your time finding a good one- I waited 2 months and numerous hours on the internet.

Good Luck

 

[UnderFire]

Plenty of 3rd gens out there still on daily driver duty, mine included.

 

[Whiskey512]

We bought our 2000 with 64K in 07 and it was our only vehicle for 6 years, commuting 120 miles a day for the last 2 years. It now has 205K and is still running like a champ. If you take your time and find one that has been cared for the mileage shouldn't scare you at all, these trucks are tough! Good luck with your search and happy wheeling!

 

[satek]

I've had my 4runner with almost 250k miles since 2000 as its sole owner; she's still running like a champ!

 

[Jaketino]

I bought my 98 last year at 177k. I've driven about 10k so far with all stock suspension and using it as my DD. haven't had any major issues. Just find the right one for you and join the community!

 

[Limbwalker]

I generally get bored and trade in vehicles every 2 years or so...
Bought my 01 in 08, and have 136K on it now with general maintenance along with mods, and after 6 years (the longest I have ever owned a vehicle) I still love it and plan to do even more to it.

 

[Brique]

I bought my 01 last year with 185k miles on it. Gotta do some standard stuff to maintain in and peel some of the years off, but she's a daily driver, road trip girl and i plan on keeping it for a long long time.

 

[Supermoney]

There are 2 4runners selling on CL in my area with both over 330,000 miles if that gives you any advice. 120k mileage on these is absolutely nothing. We only have 150k on ours, would love to hit 300-400k on it.

 

[KidVermicious]

Been interested in 4x4 3rd gens for the last year. Lately I'm considering selling my 03 Cobra to get some extra cash to put towards a house and pick up a 99 - 02 4runner as a primary DD/camper vehicle.

I'm only a little concerned I'm showing up too late to the fun. The newest possible being 12 years old and will likely have 120k+ miles. Should I reconsider my interest if it's my only vehicle?

Nope. If you're willing to keep up on basic maintenance and invest in a repair every now and again, a 3rd gen will run you far less in yearly cost of ownership than any newish vehicle on the market today.

Pull the trigger. Get you a 4Runner. Just make sure it's well maintained, because none of the above is true for a poorly maintained truck, and you don't want to play catchup.

 

[vanion2]

Just bought my 01 last month with 164K miles on it. Just took care of all the critical maintenance and put new tires on it. Now it's time for road trips and some 4 wheeling. These are Toyotas and they are bullet proof. As long as you keep up the maintenance you have nothing to worry about.

 

[white_n_slow]

I have been in a line of work for the last ten years that requires me to have a "nice car" for work. And my lifestyle dictates a "camping truck" for the weekends. When I left the industry for a few years hiatus, I decided I would try out one multi-purpose vehicle to save on insurance and maintenance. That's exactly how I got into my first 3rd gen. After owning two, neither one has let me down once, and both were well over the 150k mark (close to 200k). For someone who likes to play in the woods, I think the 3rd gen is the ultimate "do it all" vehicle. Pleasant enough for daily use, enough power to keep up with traffic, pretty decent off road, and dead reliable (more reliable than many "newer" cars I have owned).

I'm now back in my old business, so I have two vehicles again and I got something a little more off-road oriented for my weekend wheeler, but there are times when I regret selling the 3rd gen. In fact, it happens more frequently than I care to admit.

 

[tre9er]

I like to see that the timing belt+water pump was done by 120k or sooner and then check the cleanliness of things, too. If it runs good and you're prepared to put some money into preventative maintenance (fluids, lower ball joints, bushings, etc.) you can end up with a vehicle that will last you for many, many years. There are several guys here with over 300k.

 

[MTD]

If you are worried about miles, there are still deals to be had out there in that regard. I just bought a 2000 and It only has 82000 on it... I set up a cars.com alert for 4runners that had the specs I was looking for and played the waiting game. That being said though these trucks with some basic maintenance have no issue getting to 350k without batting an eye, so I wouldn't worry too much about mileage. Just take your time and sniff out the deals and :welcome:

 

[hurt4x]

My 98' has 204xxx miles, and has been my DD for over two years.
It Gets wheeled pretty hard once or twice a month, It gets driven 5 hours to Richmond 10+ times a year, and driven 7+ hours to the beach twice a year. All with no major problems.
Regular maintaince and knowing your car go a long way also.

 

[wc11]

It's never too late.
As long as the PO was diligent with maintenance.

As I've stated on other post, bought my '98 new, religious on the maintenance and just turned 300,000 miles and still runs great.
Some normal cosmetic wear and tear that is addressed as time goes on but that's to be expected for a 16 year old daily use vehicle.

 

[CallMeAnEngineer]

My only vehicle is a 16 year old 3rd gen with 215k miles. Take care of one and it will take care of you.

 

[voldosm]

I'm in the same boat, just started looking at 4Runners... Not planning on it being a DD, but I have a feeling we will fall in love with it and drive it a lot more than I expect My thread with what I've found in my area, in case you guys want to weigh in at all! All opinions and comments are greatly appreciated!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/173076-looking-3rd-gen.html#post1744554

 

[98Base4R]

Most versatile DD?

For a DD, a 4 cylinder 2WD might suit your needs. Get ready: a lot of members will say that the V6 is under powered, and the 4cyl is too slow to get out of its own way.

But for a DD, not running a lift kit or big tires, it works out pretty good.

Now you have a DD that is capable of going down some pretty rough roads, camping, etc. Not rock crawling or mudding, a road is still needed.

Add Tundra brakes (at least 199mm) and 16" wheels, and you can tow a decent trailer, without warping brakes, without white knuckles.

Add a separate set of winter tires/wheels, and you can go through deep snow where the guys in big 4WD pick ups are spinning out.

Make sure the headlights are at the glass ones, which started in MY2000 or so. Much better light output, and a big safety upgrade. If you get a '98 or '99, upgrade the headlights.

Used as a DD, a well maintained 2WD 4cyl Runner with 200k on the odometer can get 24MPG, go 60k on a set of $450 tires, can get to a campsite and back on rough roads, tow a trailer, and never require a timing belt.

A 2WD 4cyl is the lowest on the totem pole, an under powered station wagon compared to its 4WD, V6 brother with 31" Duratracs and a 3" lift. But as a DD/light duty camping vehicle it can do a lot of what a 4WD can do, using less fuel, and with lower maintenance costs (tires and brakes).

Good luck!