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

[SR5Runner97]

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.

Actually the older headlights are glass to. but the never ones are called the clear headlights. the older are called the fogged headlights. Only reason you have plastic is because you bought some real cheapo ones online for 20$ a pair. The light output isn't THAT impressive, not as noticeable as it would seem like, just looks a lot cooler

 

[traffic61]

Late to the party? Naw, it's never too late.

My '97 2WD has been a daily driver for the last twelve years and currently has 229,000 miles on the clock. Find the right one and you can get great service out of one. Keep up on maintenance and enjoy the ride.

I'm gearing up to find a 4WD version for a toy, so I am on the lookout for a lower miles unit myself.

 

[MyHigh]

99' with 205,000, I bought it two years ago with 180,000. It's my DD and I never have any fear of it not doing what I ask. Yes, you will need to be a little more proactive with maintenance and like mentioned a suprize big fix here and there but all in all you will be fine. Mine is paid in full, however I still make car payments 250/month. If you plan ahead, the sting is minor when a problem arises. I need to fix my starter, I have the parts just have not done it yet, once I get tired of having to tap the starter lightly a few times to release the plunger I will then fix it...:biggrin2:

I understand your fear with buying such an old used vehicle, however T4R's are the exception to the rule!

Plus, you made the wise decision of joining this forum. You, are not alone. Everyday I am amazed with the community here that will prove invaluable when a problem arises. On the same token I'd like to also mention, you made a mistake joining this forum. . . . Have fun with the mod bug!

 

[Hob]

Very good to see the support still for these trucks. I love tinkering so problems won't be a big deal, as long I'm not dropping valves or breaking rings I'll be more than willing/capable to do the work.

My biggest problem will come with the adjustment from the 450hp Cobra to the 183 hp V6. Still not sure how much I'll allocate towards the purchase, the Cobra will give me more then enough to get a decent runner. Plus I'll be getting out of the insurance policy of a supercharged v8 for a 22 year old male.

 

[tre9er]

Very good to see the support still for these trucks. I love tinkering so problems won't be a big deal, as long I'm not dropping valves or breaking rings I'll be more than willing/capable to do the work.

My biggest problem will come with the adjustment from the 450hp Cobra to the 183 hp V6. Still not sure how much I'll allocate towards the purchase, the Cobra will give me more then enough to get a decent runner. Plus I'll be getting out of the insurance policy of a supercharged v8 for a 22 year old male.

The runner drives fine if you realize it's a capable off-road vehicle with some nice DD creature comforts and don't try to pound throttle off the line. It's a slug at times, but you said DD, so just drive it like grandma and you'll be fine. I wish I could find more low-end torque, mostly, but again, it get's decent MPG for what it is and it's rock-solid reliability wise.

 

[FurByCA]

The 98 I just bought had 202k and I recently replaced the engine with a 2000 4runner engine with 148k miles. They're fun to drive daily but I'll stick to the accord as my DD. 30-40 bucks to drive the 4runner for 3 days - lots of mountains where I live make the already bad mileage worse.

 

[sportscarfan]

Don't worry about the miles, worry about the frame rust.
Almost any 4runner you find in states other than the wild west is going to have advanced rot.
Mine just turned 200K and it's lived in CO all it's life. I bought it nearly 4 years ago with ~174k and have had to do very little to it & zero rust.

The automatics are popular for coolant mixing with the trans fluid. Mine is a 5-speed.

 

[Hob]

The 98 I just bought had 202k and I recently replaced the engine with a 2000 4runner engine with 148k miles. They're fun to drive daily but I'll stick to the accord as my DD. 30-40 bucks to drive the 4runner for 3 days - lots of mountains where I live make the already bad mileage worse.

This will be a slight issue being it my only vehicle. I have a 60 mile round trip commute but carpool most of the week. I'll be keeping it mostly stock height maybe with only slightly larger tires so hopefully can keep it at the 16/17 mpg mark. My Cobra gets at best 17 mpg on 91 Oct so it shouldn't be an issue.

Don't worry about the miles, worry about the frame rust.
Almost any 4runner you find in states other than the wild west is going to have advanced rot.
Mine just turned 200K and it's lived in CO all it's life. I bought it nearly 4 years ago with ~174k and have had to do very little to it & zero rust.

The automatics are popular for coolant mixing with the trans fluid. Mine is a 5-speed.

That is one nice thing about living in Arizona.

I definitely know about the strawberry milkshake. Manual would be preferred but they are rare, unless timing works out I'll end up with an Auto and install a trans cooler to best fight those issues.

 

[voldosm]

Don't worry about the miles, worry about the frame rust.
Almost any 4runner you find in states other than the wild west is going to have advanced rot.
Mine just turned 200K and it's lived in CO all it's life. I bought it nearly 4 years ago with ~174k and have had to do very little to it & zero rust.

The automatics are popular for coolant mixing with the trans fluid. Mine is a 5-speed.

Good to hear [MENTION=59497]sportscarfan[/MENTION], as I am now looking for a second or third gen. Runner in Denver Also preferring the 5 speed, but they seem to be harder to find. Anything in particular to look for with the Runners in our area? No rust shouldn't be too much of a hassle. Good maintenance records probably being the second thing?

 

[tre9er]

Good to hear [MENTION=59497]sportscarfan[/MENTION], as I am now looking for a second or third gen. Runner in Denver Also preferring the 5 speed, but they seem to be harder to find. Anything in particular to look for with the Runners in our area? No rust shouldn't be too much of a hassle. Good maintenance records probably being the second thing?

Personally the 2nd gens with the 3.slow are not a viable option. Stick with the good ole 3.4.

 

[Hob]

Have a reasonable offer in on the Cobra. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll be officially searching for a runner!

 

[GlobeTrttr]

Take your time looking - I looked for months before finding mine on Craigslist back in February w/ 200k miles, clean AutoCheck, very clean condition. Some service records were in the glovebox too - previous owner took care of it. Can't emphasize that enough - look at service history!!

Only things I've had to do since purchase:
- new evap canister due to check engine light. Found a used Canister from carpart.com for $95 shipped from Sacramento, replaced in a couple hours, reset CEL and passed emissions.
- new U-joints in drive shaft to cure a slight humming in driveline - still haven't gotten to having the shaft balanced yet (but soon).
-preemptively installed auxiliary transmission cooler on front of radiator (B&M, zip-tie method). A $70 insurance policy against the Pink Milkshake - do this first!!

It will need a timing belt in about 10-15,000 miles based on the last change at 120K, and I'll probably do the valve cover gaskets at the same time (they're seeping oil slightly).

Overall, happy with what I got for $5500. Insurance is cheap, maintenance is easy for DIY, depreciation is nil compared to a new truck.

Any 13 year old car will need things, but few will be as tough and easy to work on as one of these. Good luck.

 

[BlackCat914]

Have a reasonable offer in on the Cobra. Hopefully by the end of this week I'll be officially searching for a runner!

as funny as this is going to sound, I like my 4Runner more than I liked my 04 Cobra. I actually sold my Cobra for more than I paid for it, so bonus for me.

 

[paddlenbike]

My biggest problem will come with the adjustment from the 450hp Cobra to the 183 hp V6. Still not sure how much I'll allocate towards the purchase, the Cobra will give me more then enough to get a decent runner. Plus I'll be getting out of the insurance policy of a supercharged v8 for a 22 year old male.

I came from a 430 hp Supra turbo, so I know what you mean. I added a supercharger to my 4Runner a few years ago and it makes all the difference in the world. I've had the truck for 8 years now and I'm ever-bit as excited about it now as I was when I bought it. Other cars will come and go from my garage but the 4Runner is a lifetime keeper. Good luck in your search, these are great trucks.

 

[montana_jeepn]

I bought mine for $3500 (about $1k too much....depending on who you ask) with 212k and put put about $4k (including rims/tires/lift/uca's/Tundra brakes/sway bars/new rack/tie rods/ LCA's/spark plugs/wires/TPS/new stereo/and probably a few other things) in maintenance items. A lot of the stuff didn't need replaced, but I am always of the mind that while I have something apart, I might as well replace anything else that could fail. I do almost all of the work myself. She runs like a champ at almost 215k and looks great aside from some scratches and dings here and there. I have my 2013 Jetta TDI and my Harley for sale......just trying to simplify my life a little. I plan to keep the runner for a long time. Ask me in a couple years how I made out.

 

[Hob]

Exactly. My goal is to simplify, get down to basics with cheaper solid 4x4 again.

Plan is to pick up a low mileage 99-02, make it slightly more off road / camping friendly while keeping DD qualities, but mostly keep it purring happy and drive it around AZ EVERYWHERE.

 

[KANO]

Thanks OP!

Thanks to the OP for starting this thread. It's good to see someone else that is thinking the exact same thing as I am.

For about a year now, I have been obsessing about buying a '12+ Wrangler JKU (4 door). But recently, I've decided that the "smart" choice for me would be to get into something with no monthly payment, reliable, and offroad capable so that I can pay down some debt (and free up some cash for other hobbies! :bravo

I too have had my share of worries about the age and mileage of the 3rd Gen's I am looking at, but good to see such positive experiences from almost everyone on this forum!

Thanks for the confidence boost!

P.s. - If any of you are selling your '99-'02 Black Highlander Editions let me know!! :lmao:

 

[Brique]

Heh, I've got a black '01 sport, but I'm keeping her for sure. btw, that old thing people say about either having a car payment or having a car payment's worth of repairs every month hasn't been remotely true for my truck. She needs a few maintenance items here and there but nothing approaching $400/ month.

 

[5vzT4R]

Bought my 2000 with 205k miles on it a year ago, now its approaching 219k miles (its my DD) and no major repairs, just maintenance items that will go bad (gaskets, power steering pump) and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the US tomorrow. A highly maintained high mileage vehicle is better then a poorly maintained low mileage vehicle any day of the week. Find a good condition T4R with maintenance records and you will never regret it! Even if they arent the most powerful trucks on the road, a good chance they will be the most capable vehicle all around you on the road, and that's better bragging rights!

 

[Ed_C]

The newest possible being 12 years old and will likely have 120k+ miles. Should I reconsider my interest if it's my only vehicle?

I bought my 02 with 120k miles,back in fall 2012. It's been my only vehicle ever since...well,my only running vehicle that is LOL.