What is considered low milage on a 4runner?

[birdtail]

Hi there! I am new to the forum. Ive done lots of reading but no real posting yet.

I currently own a 2006 Jeep Liberty with just under 32k miles. This thing is a piece of crap, I tell you. I never want to own a Jeep again.

I am switching to a 4Runner soon- Within the next few months. I will be trying to sell my Jeep mid-August and then driving the old work truck for a few months to save up a downpayment. I'm 19 and I have a co-signer on my Jeep- I have a great score but it lacks history, so getting a new vehicle on my own will have higher interest

Anyhoo.. I know that Toyotas seem to live forever. It seems most Toyotas can crank 100,000 no problem and I commonly see them hit 150,000 or even higher!

I am looking to get a 2005-2007. There are a couple for sale currently in my state with 60-80k miles. My first thought is "oh, that's already halfway through it's life", but on a Toyota, what do you think? I consider my Jeep to have low mileage with lots of life left (read: If i don't set it on fire and push it off a cliff first). Most people see 32k and they are like "wow, its barely broken in!"

Here's one with 79k:
2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4

60k:
2004 4Runner 60k miles


I would hate to pass up a good 4runner because the miles are offputting. I know that a mechanic can tell me if one is going to be good to me or not, but I thought I would ask the 4th Gen Toyota owners themselves.

 

[hgill]

Well I have only had my runner for about 6 months now and its my first Toyota. I picked up a 06 Sport Edition V8. From what I have read, if you properly maintain the truck, you can easily take it into the 200k range. Ive already put about 8k since I bought it and plan to keep it well over 200k. When your looking at these runners, just check the maintenance history, try to find one maybe where the owners has all the maintenance records.

These trucks will go well over 150k, and here is a highest mileage thread that you can look through to get an idea as to what to expect out of a 4th Gen.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/37419-highest-mileage-4th-gen.html

Im fairly a newbie to the runner, so you'll have a lot more members chime in.

best of luck on the purchase.

 

[berettashot117]

man these trucks aren't even broken in till about 120k lol. my hopes are to drive this thing to 250k, and I have full confidence that it will make it

 

[Hmebuildr]

I bought my 03 SR5 this summer with 75K on it hell the previous owner hardly drove it

 

[DC runner]

100K? 150K? You have been driving domestic. I am new to this forum, been a member over at yotatech for a long time. I recently upgraded to a 4th gen runner and noticed that this board has a larger community of 4th gen owners.


Anyway. I have only ever owned a Toyota. Had 4. I had a 1990 4runner, and on that generation 100k was broken in, in particular on the 22re (4cy). Current runners? All the fancy computers fritzing aside, I fully expect that a properly maintained engine to last 200/300k.

Just bought a 2005 4runner sport v8 4x4. WOW. I owned a 90' 4cy runner and a 92 v6. I loved those. But this beast??? WOW! Eventually throw on a small lift, just to get some nice AT's on there.

Gorgeous trucks!

 

[tacticalcustoms]

I bought mine at 130,000 miles and I changed the timing belt myself and the belt still looked like it could go another 60,000 miles. It runs great. 2003 4runner v8 limited

 

[DC runner]

You want to know mileage?

Look at it like this. Engines fail because internal parts go out, wear out. Pumps, bearings, seals.

Over the past 30 years, as technology has allowed tighter tolerances. Higher quality, lower weight components. We have computers that give us detailed projections of heat expansions. etc. etc. etc. Engines/transmissions get more reliable.

1980. A vehicle with 100k was high mileage. Today, at this point. Even on domestic vehicles, 100k is really just half way there.

What does that mean? If you find a vehicle with 130k miles, and you look and see detailed service history. The owner took good care. Get it checked out and take a look.

But 130k miles would not deter me if I got it inspected and it looked,felt good.

Hope that helps.

 

[Maritimer]

Mine is at 130,000 now, and I like it enough that everything would have to give out for me to give up on it.

12,000 miles per year is a good guestimate, so a 2001 should have about 120,000 right now, and they are still running strong. You see 1996s on the roads, and 80s Runners on the roads. A 4th Gen is SAFE for 10 years, easily, no matter the mileage.

I'm prouder of my old truck than I would be driving a new Compass or a new Santa Fe (a new Runner is a bit $$$), and one of those will depreciate $1000's in 2-3 years. I'd rather pump those $1000's into a new engine or transmission for something with style.

 

[KB084RUNNER]

Toyotas....we have 3 and have usually traded them in at 160k only to realize that was too soon. Will go 200k minimum now. My T4R has 51k on it so since I run about 18-20k annually I am good for another 6-7 years. That will get me past the college years for my kids and then I'll get a Lexus convertible.

 

[EDness]

low mileage...maybe under 10k miles a year?

As long as the previous owner takes care of the car and the exterior's in great shape...can't really go wrong with these cars. But there are always a few that will give you problems.

I used to drive it 15k a year until i bought a second car. Now my 4runner gets about 2k a year...i'm at 46k now and i have not touched it for 2 months. =/

 

[scenic-seeker]

I see you listed a couple 04's and they both have less miles than my 05.

I'll say this without fear of jinxing me...My 4runner is the very best vehicle I've ever owned. And as a retired auto worker, I knew better than to jinx the GMs I drove over the years.

I think everyone on this site would boldly claim the same confidence.:boink:

 

[MikeInNH]

I'd be far more concerned about the maintenance record then how many miles. I use to work with a guy who would lease a new vehicle every 2 years...and during that period he'd rack up about 30k miles.....AND NEVER EVER DID ANY MAINTENANCE...this included changing the oil. So what would you rather buy...a vehicle with 30k miles and never had an oil change or one with 80k that was meticulously cared for???? I know my answer!!!

I own a 05 which has about 175k miles....All I've done is fluids/filters and brakes and new shocks...that's it...All wear items anyways...Even have the original battery. 4runn starts and runs like new. I did have one little glitch in my OD (which I wrote about here earlier)...My OD reset itself...so it's showing 4k miles instead of the 175k miles it actually has....no big deal to me (unless it happens again) since I plan on keeping this vehicle for another 175k miles.

 

[jow]

My goal was under 50,000 mi on a T4R 07-09 out the door Certified, B-B Warr for 20.000.00. Low mileage is hard to find. After 4 mo I decided to pay a little more for lower mileage. Finally! Found a base model (all I wanted) 07 V6 2WD 34,000 mi @ 23.000.00 out the door Certified (75,000/7yr on Drivetrain + “I Believe” and Bumper-To-Bumper Ext warr for 6 yrs. The warranty business is such a game you have to wonder what you have and what it actually cost. Such as, I feel I could have gotten this truck for about 18.000.00 from a personal owner vs a Dealer. The lowest mileage I saw was an 07 with 27,000 mi at about 18.000.00 Certification transferable (per a Dealer).

The Bottom Line, Being Satisfied With Some Peace Of Mind!! jow

 

[birdtail]

Thank you to EVERYONE for taking the time to answer! I feel much more at ease now.. Looking forward to joining the 4Runner Family very soon 8)

Everyone I've ever asked that owns a Toyota says they are very problem free and easy to maintain. Can't wait to get rid of this Jeep.

 

[Nuke]

My 1st T4R was a '90 2nd gen. I sold it to a friend with 205,000 miles on it in great condition. Last I spoke to him he had over 375,000 on it and hadn't cracked a bolt on the engine.

My 2nd T4R was a '00 3rd gen. I sold it with 152,000 miles in showroom condition only because the auto industry was dying and I got a great deal on my current '08 T4R 4th gen (which I have almost 50,000 miles on and it's still like-new).

I also owned an '81 Celica that I sold with 178,000 miles in superb condition, an '88 Camry that I sold with 215,000 miles but the tranny was beginning to act up and my youngest son is still driving my '97 Camry with 180,000 miles.

 

[DC runner]

Just to show some Jeep love.... the liberty is not their best showing. REAL jeeps continue to be some pretty nice vehicles. Comparing the Liberty to say a Grand Cherokee is like comparing apple's and Oranges.

I love Toyota's and have friends who love jeeps. Both make economy line products and both make exceptional products. I do, however, view Toyota's to be higher in overall reliability.

But... you have to admit.. Jeep makes some fine offroad products.

 

[MikeInNH]

<b>Jeep makes some fine offroad products.</b>

For off-roading I like a Body-On-Frame vehicle..NOT a uni-body. The Grand Cherokee is Uni-body. The Pathfinder was Body-On-Frame then went to Uni-Body...now back to Body-on-Frame. The Jeep Wrangler is Body-On-Frame though.

 

[pengy]

Low miles...

My 2004 4Runner SR-5, V8/AWD, side airbags and no roofrack (got it around late August because I ordered it from the dealer, and it took about 2.5 months for the Japan factory to make it and ship it here) has broken 24,000 miles. That's what I consider low miles

I never saw a need for the roof rack, and I wanted side airbags (which was pretty rare on SR-5 those days, since it didn't come standard), and I didn't need it "that day", so I ordered it and waited for it, in case anyone was wondering...

I think I had changed the oil 6 times (about once a year w/ Mobil 1 extended drain) -- about once a year. So good luck finding what you need.

Pengy

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If I were only going to use a high mile vhicle around town or as a work vehicle it may be ok, but when I am travelling across the country going through 120 degee deserts in Arizona etc. I like the piece of mind of something a little newer. But as stated it is all about the maintenance being completed over the life of the vehicle. Rubber cv boots, door seals etc all dry out over time and will eventually leak.

 

[Tucson4runner]

i live in arizona and just recently purchased a 2000 limited with 185000 miles and it came with all service records and the truck drives and feels great ive even had it inspected by a shop and they say everything is in perfect working order. im really close to entering the 200k club and hope to enter the 300k club in the future. i dont doubt your runner would get up there too with the right maintenance