2017 SR5 with 150k - good or bad call?

Howdy T4R folks! I'm a longtime Toyota fanboy that's had my interest peaked by 4Runners recently. I previously owned a 2006 Taco (sadly lost to rust - first half of life in NE...), and currently own a 2011 Prius (awesome for getting around) & a 2006 Tundra (partner's horse hauler). After cruising the market for another Gen 2 Taco, I started to consider a 4Runner given that I think a kiddo or two is in the picture in the next few years and double cab long bed tacos are still snug sounding for families. The 5th Gen 4Runner checks all my personal boxes with a bomber drivetrain, boxed (more rust resistant than taco) frame, and seems like it trades the utility of the bed for the more premium ride quality/interior...

Anywho, I'd love opinions on model year vs. mileage. I've got a line on a great deal for a 2017 SR5 with 150k miles but acknowledge that I could snag a 2011 with more like 130k miles for a similar price. I'm neutral about the aesthetics of pre/post 2014 facelift SR5 T4Rs (just not a fan of the limited chrome brick front end) so that doesn't play a part.

So - is there any reason to be concerned about the extra 20-40k miles on a 5-7 year newer vehicle or would it be better to simply aim for low miles no matter what?

Cheers and thank you all for the knowledgeable community as I've been reading A LOT ahead of this possible purchase!

 

Frame rust is still an issue on 5th Gen 4Runners. More so, on very early 5th Gen 4Runners. So have that inspected prior to buying and get it treated with Fluid Film or Krown regularly.

Expectation that 5th Gen 4Runner can easily make it to 250K+ when maintained, so I would look for condition and service records over miles.

 

Choose best maintained vehicle. Should have had all fluids changed-diffs, trans, transfer case, coolant, brake, p/s, etc. Freeway miles? One owner? Those all impact choice. But no 20K isn't going to make a difference.

 

Be sure to take a look at GX 460s too, they depreciate faster

 

Good call! Definitely do this.

As far as the 4Runners, I would lean towards the newer one for the simple reason that it has 6 years less rust on it. 20k mileage either way isn't going to make a difference on these.It's probably mostly highway on a vehicle that (relatively) new.

Condition and maintenance is important too, of course, so you really need to evaluate the individual vehicles on this.

 

I suggest checking the Toyota Certified used website. I found a 50,000 mile 2019 SR5 for my daughter 6 months ago. No rust CA vehicle. It came with Gold Certified warranty- 7 years/100,000 miles.
For the right truck you could travel?

 

Hi. New guy here at the forum but long time 4runner owner. I would agree with all the comments about doing as much verification as you can on previous care and maintenance. Also type of use if you can find that out.

Consider what you plan to do with the truck. Mods in the future? Then consider 2019 or older to avoid all the safety stuff that involves cameras and sensors that will have to be accommodated as part of the mod process.

If you find one with unusually low mileage for it's age, try to ensure that it got oil changed 2X per year even if it didn't get much mileage each year.

Keep in mind with a Lexus GX, the motor is tuned for premium fuel. I had a major Jones for the V8 and even resigned myself to the lower MPG. But the thought of that premium "poke in the eye" at every fill up pushed me back to the 4Runner. You can run 87 in a GX from time to time but shouldn't make a steady diet of it.

Don't know your location, but here in the southwest (AZ) rust is typically not an issue. However with the advent of these big national dealerships I have seen a lot of vehicles in AZ that were shipped out from a wet location so be careful of that.

 

If it's well maintained the mileage shouldn't worry you at all. I picked up a 2016 SR5 with 208k on it for a GREAT price and it still runs like new. It must have been garaged when parked because it has so little surface rust underneath it baffles me (Michigan winters are SALTY). I looked at 3 others before this one and they all had condition problems underneath. I'm still planning on having all fluids done at the next oil change interval for my own piece of mind, but I'm expecting to push this ride over the 300k mark with little worry.