Too many miles or not

TrexRunnerGirl

TrexRunnerGirl

New member
So I've been seeing this old 4Runner, 1998 maybe, on my way to work for sale in the ultimate blurple color for the last month.
I stopped to check it and I think it said 278K . Yes, a midwest truck and asking like $2700.
I'll go check it out again and get some pics and find out maintenance etc. as I thought I'd seen a through-hole toward the rear of the frame as I crawled around it but otherwise the frame seemed ok.

Is that pushing it on the mileage even to use for a beater truck? For the kid to drive or me to go within a 250 mile radius of home?
 
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You can always pick up a high mileage vehicle and swap engine / trans if you get it a really low cost.

I'd imagine most of the electronics isn't too subjected to mileage (there are heat cycles) but I'd imagine Toyota put high quality electronics in the 4R.

At 150k most peoples bushings / suspension is already worn out.

Certainly good deals to be had on high mileage vehicles but the re-sell value isn't going to be great.
 
TrexRunnerGirl said:
...
ultimate blurple ... 278K... $2700.
Is that pushing it on the mileage even to use for a beater truck? For the kid to drive or me to go within a 250 mile radius of home?
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For $2700 (or less maybe) that isn't out of expectations or Life.
Drive it, you know what it should feel like and inspect some more underneath to be sure. Could be a Deal.

Luck and enjoy your Runner. :cowboy:
 
For that price, it's definitely within reason. My first 3rd gen had 280k on the clock when I bought it and I daresay it drove smoother stock then my second 3rd gen with almost 100k less miles! Definitely watch the frame though- a hole on the passenger rail by the muffler is one thing, but weld failures and soft spots all around are another.

Keep us updated!
 
Non factory rust holes in the frame really kill their value in PA as they will not pass yearly inspection. It's my hobby to repair and fix these frames. So if you can get us some photos I might be able to asses the frame damage for you.

That mileage really isnt super high as if it's a 1998 315k miles would be average now at 15k a year.





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The issue with high-mileage 4Runners normally isn't the engine. It's the steering, suspension and rust if your area is prone to it. Engine and transmission might be smooth but I'd bet money it's got a death wobble at highway speeds, the rotors are warped, the suspension rides terrible and has rust spots developing or worsening. That's when you have to decide if it's worth it.
 
gamefreakgc said:
The issue with high-mileage 4Runners normally isn't the engine. It's the steering, suspension and rust if your area is prone to it. Engine and transmission might be smooth but I'd bet money it's got a death wobble at highway speeds, the rotors are warped, the suspension rides terrible and has rust spots developing or worsening. That's when you have to decide if it's worth it.
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it can be if you dont do timing belt/wp intervals. same with oil and other maintenance. anything can become a problem if you dont take care of it.

im more or less worried about any maintenance being done for 2.7k. if there arent any maint records i would walk.

FWIW, i paid 6k for mine 6 months ago. 235k, but i had all the maint confirmed.
 
Are you confident in your ability to fix any issues that will arise, and get the truck up to snuff on any maintenance? If it's a no, walk away. You'll easily dump more than the truck cost into labor alone if you're gonna pay for someone to do repairs, and you'd be better off buying a better truck to start.

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How is everything else on it as far as. Tires, interior, maintenance, owners, frame/suspension? When I was looking I had 2 choices. Decent frame and rough interior or nice interior with a hole rusted through the passenger frame rail and really rusty suspension parts. I picked the solid frame and rough interior and he wanted $2900 with 187k I offered him $2200 due to the fact I had to get, new tires, timing belt job, second hand interior etc. If I had to make a offer I would offer him 2k and see what they say. It took the guy I offered a nights sleep to decide he wanted to get rid of it. 2k is fair for what the market is around here. Also...I witnessed a lady driving a 3rd gen today with the passenger side control/trailing arm completely rusted off...Not sure how people dont recognize stuff like that!! Good luck with your decision! Another good car to look into for not much more is a toyota matrix or matrix xrs with the AWD system.
 
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Js'00imited4runner said:
.I witnessed a lady driving a 3rd gen today with the passenger side control/trailing arm completely rusted off...Not sure how people dont recognize stuff like that!!
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Don't you have safety inspections in your state?

You spotted one that needs a frame rebuild. :D

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brillo_76 said:
Don't you have safety inspections in your state?

You spotted one that needs a frame rebuild. :D

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No we only have emissions. The county I'm in we don't have either emissions or inspection. So I can buy a car/truck with a CEL and register it without passing emissions. Pretty fortunate to have that.. Yeah I know I was gonna stop her and let her know but she wasn't paying attention to me.
Oh well hopefully she made it home safe.
 
I'm hardly a professional, but I think what the others have said is about right. At that mileage, the suspension is going to be the bigger concern, and rust. If it drives decent at highway speeds and doesn't shake like a cold dog on braking, then I'd feel okay about getting it. You can expect the normal maintenance we all do, but at that point, you'll have to figure on replacing suspension components pretty soon if they haven't already been done.
 
After the gym today I went over and looked at it up close. First it's a bit cold today, 20 or so but sunny. No snow so bonus!

All along both doors, both sides, the rockers? all rusted and would need replaced. I looked around in the wheel wells and the frame there looks ok but the springs are shot and rusted bad.

I then crawled on the ground (it's quite cold in leggings and a sweat shirt - yea I'm kinda dumb like that), parts of the frame looked good but then running the length of the doors I found some spots where at the triangle point and the rail it was separated and rusted through.
The interior looked pretty good and normal. Seats weren't ripped to shreds.

It has worst rust than my 99 has/had which I work on and I've spent way too much fixing it up and looking at putting more into it cuz it's acting weird (cylinders or trans I think).

Going to have to pass on this lovely Blurple 4Runner. I think you are all right that I can find my next Runner in better condition and just keep saving what I can. Thanks for all your input it is much appreciated!
Still chasing that Jade or Bronze unicorn. :)
 
TrexRunnerGirl said:
After the gym today I went over and looked at it up close. First it's a bit cold today, 20 or so but sunny. No snow so bonus!

All along both doors, both sides, the rockers? all rusted and would need replaced. I looked around in the wheel wells and the frame there looks ok but the springs are shot and rusted bad.

I then crawled on the ground (it's quite cold in leggings and a sweat shirt - yea I'm kinda dumb like that), parts of the frame looked good but then running the length of the doors I found some spots where at the triangle point and the rail it was separated and rusted through.
The interior looked pretty good and normal. Seats weren't ripped to shreds.

It has worst rust than my 99 has/had which I work on and I've spent way too much fixing it up and looking at putting more into it cuz it's acting weird (cylinders or trans I think).

Going to have to pass on this lovely Blurple 4Runner. I think you are all right that I can find my next Runner in better condition and just keep saving what I can. Thanks for all your input it is much appreciated!
Still chasing that Jade or Bronze unicorn. :)
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I'd hard pass on any rusted vehicle. If you have some decent mechanical skills you probably could procure a FL, AZ or etc. vehicle sight unseen. Just check the carfax and verify that it would be a true southern car or go have a fellow member check it out.
 
APhelps said:
I'd hard pass on any rusted vehicle. If you have some decent mechanical skills you probably could procure a FL, AZ or etc. vehicle sight unseen. Just check the carfax and verify that it would be a true southern car or go have a fellow member check it out.
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Yeah we hear ya man. But around here beggers cant be choosers and 3rd gens in the southern states have skyrocketed in value. I've been searching in TN. to see what I can find and its only a 8hr drive back which is doable. My dad always told me growing up "keep it 3-5yrs and start looking to buy something else a little newer" just a example we barely got a dusting of snow sunday into monday morning and they used enough salt for all winter! The roads are so covered their white, windows are covered in salty dust. Sucks but we don't really have a choice. Not all of us live where not a single fastener/bolt/fender still has its factory paint on it. I would if I could. Cheers! Glad you passed on this one theirs plenty more out there.
 
I think judging these trucks by the odo is a mistake.

In order to make a valid decision you need to know vehicles, in general, well enough to form your conclusion by "the seat of your pants." You LISTEN. You FEEL. You drive it and let it speak, to you.

At > 200K it's not what's still good but what has been fixed by previous owners.

As an example, remove the fill plug in the differential. Is the fluid clean, kinda bubbly and super slickery in your fingers? If so the rear end has most likely been resealed and will not be a problem for a long time.
 
Skibber said:
Inspections?...We ain't got no inspections! We don't need no inspections! We don't have to do any stinking inspections!



YouTube
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Lol. I know lots of people complain about them in this state but we also dont have vehicles bending or mostly falling apart on the road. When they get too rotted they either have to be fixed,sold to Ohio...lol..or recycled. Any non factory frame rusted hole is instant failure in this state.

So we dont have frame brackets missing, holes in the body or passenger compartments etc. As they will not pass inspection.

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TrexRunnerGirl said:
So I've been seeing this old 4Runner, 1998 maybe, on my way to work for sale in the ultimate blurple color for the last month.
I stopped to check it and I think it said 278K . Yes, a midwest truck and asking like $2700.
I'll go check it out again and get some pics and find out maintenance etc. as I thought I'd seen a through-hole toward the rear of the frame as I crawled around it but otherwise the frame seemed ok.

Is that pushing it on the mileage even to use for a beater truck? For the kid to drive or me to go within a 250 mile radius of home?
Click to expand...

278k is a little high for my liking. $2700 for a beater might be worth it IF it's in decent shape and has been taken care of though. Depends on how long you're looking to keep it and what you want to spend in maint.

This one might be worth checking out if in the budget. Asking just over double the price, but less than half the miles of the one you mentioned. Again...only worth it if in decent shape. I bet it could be had for 5k or even less. Rear diff lock too. Same place has a 02 SR5 with 191k for the same price. Might mean there are some issues with the one in the link.

Autotrader - 1999 T4R Limited
 
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