Did you buy a high mileage 4runner?

I'm in the market and my budget indicates I'm looking at vehicles with mileage in the 100k-150k range. I'm aware of the rust issues and the need for a pre-inspection. I'm just wondering how it worked out for you if you bought one with high mileage.

Thanks.

 

Lol, for a 3rd gen, 100-150k is LOW mileage.

Not exactly what you're looking for, but I bought my 13 when it was 6 years old with 79k on it with no worries.

With a 3rd gen, just remember to budget for a timing belt replacement, no matter what the mileage is, unless you have proof it's recently been done.

 

My 4Runner had I think 240k miles give or take, and I took it on a 34hr round trip to go wheeling in Moab for a weekend within 2 weeks of owning it.

These things are reliable, just don't be a dummy and go through it like you would any other used vehicle

And if it has rust, just pass on it. Why buy a vehicle with rust? Foolish if you ask me.

 

I know, it's just I'm struggling a bit with paying $20k (more or less) for something with that kind of mileage. Lol!

 

Why would you pay even half that for one with 150k miles?

I found a 4Runner locally, a 1996 with clean title and I think it was 165k miles, manual, V6 4x4 all stock for only $7k. My friend came up to hang out at my house before we went to go pick it up (he lives 3.5hrs from me).

I inspected it thoroughly before I suggested he offer $7k from the initial $8k asking price and he saved some money cause of it.

Frame is immaculate too cause we're in California and this was no more than 6 months ago.

 

After money was exchanged; we had taken my LC to go see it



Before he left home that night



And shortly after when we went out to hit up some snow, go mud wheeling, then camping cause like I said....a thorough inspection is worth its weight in gold

 

Well yes, you would have to be smoking crack to pay 20k for one.

If you're going to pay that much for a third gen, look at 80 series Land cruisers, they're better in every way (other than fuel economy, but barely lol)

Shoot, I'd sell you my fifth gen for 20k.

 

If your paying 20k that thing better be so clean I can do surgery in it. And it better have under 60k miles.

You won't find a cheap one under 100k, and you don't have to. Most people buy them well over 150k miles, and they'll run no problem.

The most important thing is that it was taken care of, get one with good records. If it runs well when you purchased it, it will continue to do so as long as you take care of it

 

I got mine at 350K. It had been a fleet vehicle in Colorado, Dept. of Highways, strangely enough. The dealer we bought it from did the timing belt change, including the radiator, water pump, oil pump, all the other belts, even the ECU. The frame was nearly rust free, with a little on the bumpers. The interior had a few minor problems, such as the passenger sun visor, the fuse block cover on the drivers side, the sunglasses holder, etc.
We paid $5,000.00, plus $1,000. to get it shipped down here. So far we've had to replace 1 coil and plug wre. And the plugs, all 6, just to be safe. Did an oil change after 3,000 mi. Golly gee. We did have to replace the rear axles and brakes, due to a rear axle leak caused by a clogged diff breather, but I didn't mind at all. The brakes are fantastic now, and yes, we had the front pads done too. Yes, I bedded them on the way home after, and they's been fantastic ever since, even in the snow and rain we have gotten so far.

I think I got a heck of a deal, personally. We put a set of Toyo OR KO3s too. A great investment!
Up till we got this puppy, we had been driving an 87 4Runner, which we had since 97. It was a good truck, reliable as heck, but it was time to say farewell.

OH! All my Toyotas are 5 speeds, 4WD, save my pickup. It's a 5spd, 2WD, and I put 325,000 miles on when it my DD. Now, I just drive it in the summer. Nice having the open bed for going to the grocery store, especially since we get 4 12 packs of 2 different kinds of soda every trip, one for my wife and one for me.

Have fun, all!
Pat☺

 

Mine had over 240k. Bought it for 5500.00. Had some oil leaks, and a few other minor issues. I put about 1k into it and it's fine. Electronic Locker actuator rotted all to hell, so that doesn't work. Sterring is a little loose..But overall for 6500.00 it's a solid rig.

 

Maybe try a search in TX! no salt/rust here, unless it’s from the coast. There are some really clean well kept originals around here in the $4,500-10,000 range. You can save the extra cash in case it needs a few things done.

 

Mine was a fleet vehicle too. The owner of National Cable Construction bought it. But it was a little hard to get in and out of so she got a Mercedes. Under 200k miles and rumor: new transmission and top-end.

 

$8 dollars a hour.