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Advice About Purchasing a 1991 4Runner, 340,000 Miles

Discussion in '2nd Gen 4Runners (1990-1995)' started by andersen_hoff, Jun 12, 2023.

  1. Jun 12, 2023 at 10:36 PM
    #1
    andersen_hoff

    andersen_hoff [OP] New Member

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    I'm kinda new to the 4Runner scene so I was hoping to get some advice on a purchase I was considering.

    Its a 1991 4Runner SR5, manual 5 speed transmission.

    It has 340,000 miles on it but I did a test drive today and as far as I can tell it still runs great. It also has new tires and lights.

    Doesn't seem to have any major problems, not engine trouble, rust, ect.

    The seller wants $5,400, I would offer $4,750.

    My questions are: how many more miles could I get out of it? Could it work as a daily driver? Is this a good price for it?

    Attached are some images.
    IMG_6004.jpg IMG_6005.jpg
     
  2. Jun 12, 2023 at 10:53 PM
    #2
    duc_minh206

    duc_minh206 New Member

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    Hard to say how much more miles u can get from the car that old, but be ready to spend more money if anything break down. If it was me, I would make sure to have at least 15k laying around before considering about buying, imo. The car is nice btw.
     
  3. Jun 12, 2023 at 11:22 PM
    #3
    Lockdown

    Lockdown New Member

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    Daily drive a 340K mile car?

    Lol dude just spend $250/month and lease a corolla if you need a daily.
     
  4. Jun 13, 2023 at 7:08 AM
    #4
    watermelonman122

    watermelonman122 New Member

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    Ya I wouldn't recommend these rigs as a daily driver. I know a lot of people do, but they can turn into a money pit in a hurry. Nevermind the time you'll be without your commuter when something inevitably does break. If you want it for the weekends, then I would definitely do a deep dive on it. When was the timing belt done? A compression test wouldn't hurt. I would check how the transmission and transfer case fluid looks. How's the idle looking? Does the coolant have that characteristic orange tint that's super concerning?

    340k is a shit ton of miles. I get the impression I've had pretty bad luck, but I bought mine at 242k for $3200 and nothing seemed amiss. The transmission (also 5spd) seized up after only a couple thousand miles. At 252k, the head gasket went and I just got done with a very expensive engine swap. I'm only five years and 10k miles into owning this car and we've soared well past $10k.

    They can be a lot of fun and the community on here is fantastic, but be ready to learn A LOT about this niche engine and all its foibles. Buy the factory service manual (themotorbookstore.com has license to print them and sells them for about $160). You can get pdfs of it too. I can say that I've learned a ton, which is great, but I've definitely spent more time under the car than in it.
     
    Ironguy likes this.
  5. Jun 13, 2023 at 7:17 AM
    #5
    Ironguy

    Ironguy New Member

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    New pine scent hanger, new sun shade
    There are so many variables to take into consideration that I would at least want a trusted mechanic to look at it and get an opinion.
    Good luck!
     
    Ripper238 likes this.
  6. Jun 13, 2023 at 7:33 AM
    #6
    2ndGen22re

    2ndGen22re Goldie, my 1st love & my new kid…

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    One-at-this-price stripper. Bought new 34 yrs ago, a $13K leftover. Added Detroit TruTrac, 1”rear spring spacer and “pinstripes”… Factory AC kit and roof rack bought at dealer cost at time of purchase, still blows ice cold 32yrs later. 2022 AG ORP all stock.
    This 4R has the rear tire carrier which came with Oem 31” tires which means it has 4.56 gears rather the 4.10 on the 225 size tire 4R.
     
  7. Jun 13, 2023 at 8:15 AM
    #7
    Ripper238

    Ripper238 New Member

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    Nice! 340,000 miles, its just broken in! lol
     
    kingroon likes this.
  8. Jun 13, 2023 at 5:28 PM
    #8
    2018 Limited

    2018 Limited New Member

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    Had a 1991 4 Runner v6 SR5 with the 3.0 V6. It was an automatic transmission. It was a great looking vehicle and I bought it as a daily driver brand new but I didn’t enjoy driving it. I recall it being a slug that wouldn’t pull a drunk out of bed but I was in my hot rod 20’s back then. Now it would probably be fine for me. It sounds a little risky buying a vehicle with 340,000 miles as a daily driver if you need reliable transportation . I’ve done that a few times before and it always ended up costing me more money than it was worth.
     

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