Worth it?

[4runrun]

I'm considering buying a 4 runner as a 2nd vehicle, probably a 97-99 (that's what my budget will get me).

Most all of the ones I've seen have pretty high mileage. I know Toyotas last forever but I'm wondering if they're worth buying with like 120k on them? Any problems I should look out for?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[Elton]

Welcome aboard..... i got 137k on my 4runner and it runs like new .. things i would look for is when the timeing belt was changed

 

[trd_style]

4runners can last REALLY long compare to other cars. my 4runner had about.. 180k and it was still runing perfect. even though you can tell it's not as fast but it still run perfect with no problems.

 

[Elton]

mines got plenty of power i think thats do to the fact i have a 5spd

 

[tailduster]

I recently bought a 99 with 118,000 it runs perfect in everyway. I know I can easily get another 100,000 miles out of it.
The toyota will hold up so much better than any ford gm or dodge.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

My '99 is almost to 120k and everything works fine and outside of normal maintenance I've done the rear axle seals at 100k.

 

[shotking4]

Get a 99. many more creature comforts like cup holders. the ones in my 98 suck.

 

[97Limited4Me]

Get a 99. many more creature comforts like cup holders. the ones in my 98 suck.

That is the worst reason ever.

 

[lee]

it is? why?

they stepped it up in several ways in 99

-better headlights
-more modern bumper & grille
-integrated fogs
-better cupholders
-taller coils (on avail highlander model)
-overhead console
-more outlets

etc etc etc

 

[97Limited4Me]

The cupholders part. Everything else makes sense. The cupholder thing kills me. But hey, each to his own.

 

[Drew]

I like so love my launch pads, I mean cup holders.


But back to topic...


If I were you I would make sure the following issues were checked or done.

1. Timing belt and all those other belts (3 in total I believe)
2. All your fluids (trans, etc...)
3. Water Pump and Thermostat. (big bucks there)


THose three things could put you over $1000 to $1500 including labor and taxes. At least in my neck of the woods. Dont let it get you down though. Considering that will cover you for the next 100,000 miles you should be fine. Trust me Domestic SUVs are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay worse. Ask Lee he has a black Ford Explorer with 4Runner badges. :biggrin2:


Drew

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The cupholders part. Everything else makes sense. The cupholder thing kills me. But hey, each to his own.

The new cupholders make alot of sense,the old ones didn't .
Go off roading with cups in those pre '99 cupholders and you'll learn alot.
Even mostly full sodas stay quite secure with the more normal cupholder placement of the later years. You cannot off road with cups up by the dash period.

 

[KyleT]

my 96 has 155k, my bros 98 has 195k. both run and drive soo nice. you would never know the milage by the way they look.

 

[peter78]

I agree, I wouldn't be too afraid of getting a 3rd generation model with 120,000 miles on it. I have 85,000 miles on my 2001. Recently I saw this in our classifed section:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=23224

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detai...+descending|Q-descending|Z-20148&aff=national

This car, looks great. He is selling it for $8,000 and it has 197,000 miles on it. In my opinion that kind of mileage is a little high. We are going to see more and more 4Runners like this, since they hold up so well. So, I guess I am saying 120,000 miles doesn't seem all that bad on a 4Runner. I think it would have a lot of use left in it.