JohnVH

How many miles is too many? Im currently driving a '90 with 362K on the body, and 230K on the motor, and I know itll run a long time yet... But on a 3.4/auto setup in this 97, it has 275k, one owner by an older lady, thoughts?

I dont want to replace a trans or engine anytime soon.. Should I keep looking? Or do you think it has another 100k in it?

Thanks

Keith B.

With used cars, service records are king.
Without records, it better be cheap.
Personally, as long as I'm condemned to buying used vehicles with around 100K miles on them, I get manual transmissions. I don't want to be 60 miles from the nearest paved road and have the auto trans decide to go on vacation without any prior warning.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Well since you don`t quote a price who can say.

How does it look ??

i know some little old ladies who think service of a vehicle is just a waste of time.

Then others who can break out the maintenance book for that vehicle with the dates and mileage of even checking the air in the spare tire.

As I am not a auto trans person i might only buy it for the engine.

JohnVH

Oh sorry, 275K on it

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

I have seen just the difference in driving habits cause interesting problems.

It is always a throw of the dice.

When was the last timing belt service??

JohnVH

dont know that yet, but all work is done locally at a known shop so I have to look into that yet..

my question now is whether I should even waste my time looking at it with those miles? How long do the engine and trans last? etc..

aowRS

I've daily driven my '02 since the day I bought it new. Just passed 307,000 miles and have no worries taking it to 400,000+.

If the truck looks good, drives good, and has records that show a regular maintenance regimen, definitely consider it. Frame rust would be the biggest worry for me.



Andreas

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Do you feel lucky??

If it was me my luck I would just do the paper work and a house would fall out of the sky and land right on it.

In theory do the normal maintenance your engine and trans in theory could go 1/2 a million miles.

then if it was me if it was not the house it would be a failed trans cooler in the radiator before I got home.

Bottom line if your looking for something to just drive and not put money in go with quite a bit lower mileage.

It seems every used Toyota I get takes a easy $1200.00 to $1500.00 in parts just doing the needed things to catch up on neglected maintenance.

BradFed

I just bought a 1998 4runner with little to no maintenance records and 251,000 miles. Like Wyoming said, I will probably 1500 more into it by the time I catch up on all the stuff the previous owner(s) neglected. But $1800 for a 98 3.4L Limited seemed like a good price for this sort of project. It will be a daily driver, but I work from home so it doesn't have to always run.

I've had a couple 3.0's and everything I read on here points to the 3.4 being a far superior engine. Just the feel of the engine is incredible in comparison. I think if you have a '90 3.0 with 362k, this 3.4 you are looking at will be worth it - depending on the price of course.

BradFed

Oh, and I feel like I've got 25-50k miles left before an engine rebuild. I am looking forward to it. If you want 100k more with no worries, then maintenance records will be key.

JohnVH

I looked at it, didnt drive it today because Im on the fence a little yet, they are FIRM at 2800, the tag on it says last timing belt was done at 207K, it has 275K now... Other than that its nice, rust under it isnt very bad at all considering the rear bumper has some on it, frame and suspension looked pretty good....

Or, do I spend another grand and get one with 100k less miles....

BradFed

Sometimes you have to say no to the good, to say yes to the great

JohnVH

talked her down to 2500... its in great shape, one owner, taken to shop for everything, only bad, is the ac doesnt work, and she said one window is finiky, but they all worked when I was checking it out...

So if its up to par on maintenence, anything I should worry about? Is this a good year to get?