'97 4Runner- Should I buy it?

I found this truck for sale by a mechanic shop. They did the head gaskets a couple months ago and had the heads resurfaced. They insist the engine was done right. It runs well. I saw some coolant inside the oil cap but they insisted it was from before the heads were done. That concerns me though..

The transmission feels good, clutch pedals got a little play but clutch engaged fine and it was easy for me to drive it and shift smoothly immediately which was nice.

It's a little beat being 20 years old, with some dings, scratches, interior is not perfect but surprisingly good condition leather. Overall good condition. It's an sr5 with running boards and fender flares. Clean title and looks like lots of stuff done last year like timing belt(?) some axles and wheel bearings and gear oil changes and brakes and stuff.... 290kmiles. It is gonna need new tires as these are cracked.


No serious rust I could see. Cv axles looked good. Drove great around the block.

Is it worth $4000? I was able to talk them down a few hundred. It's so many miles. But it seemed to run great.

 

I don't know what to tell you. I'd add a few thousand and get a newer one.
My first runner was a 97 v6 sr5 and I loved it,but I got it with 60,000 miles on it. It's still running up in humbolt county CA.
Buying a used car is always a gamble if it doesn't come with warranty.

 

$4k sounds kinda high for a 97' with previous head gasket issues. just my $.02

 

I agree with RonT4R. My first 4runner was a 99 LTD ED with 162K miles and in good shape. I paid less than 4K for it.

 

I recently bought a 99 sr5 5 speed with 185k on the odometer for just under 5K here in Colorado where they tend to hold their value very well. I would search for one with less miles if I were you

 

Thanks guys, I passed on it