Hi Guys,

I have looked for MONTHS to find the "right" 4runner for my limited budget. ($3500-4000)

I finally found a one-owner 1999 in a color/trim combo that I like. It looks garage-kept. Most of the 3rd gens in my price range have had multiple owners, collision repair, or just seem "tired."

I realize any used car will require maintenance, and I shouldn't be blinded by shiny paint.

Isn't a well-cared for/documented higher milage 4runner a better bet than something with 130k that looks like it's been to hell and back?

What does everyone think? Am I too close to the end at 180k?

Thanks,
Danny

 

Unless there is terminal rust, there is no end.

Not much difference between 130 thousand and 180 thousand.

Any used car requires some ongoing investment.

Hard to spend as much month after month on upkeep and improvement as you would on a 60 month or longer new car payment.

 

The reason it might be for sale is it is about due for another timing belt ??

When your paying to have this done can be enough to make you decide to sell.

Then it all depends just what part of the country your in.

I some times think a vehicle payment would be much cheaper then what I spend keeping up with every thing

At 180,000 all the bugs are worked out it is just getting broke in.

Myself I like the old tired look it matches me better !!!

If a vehicle does not have at least 3 different colors I just don`t feel comfortable driving it.

 

Check the vin through Carfax and the Toyota owners site. I found some real lies through checking on a couple I was looking at last year.


I finally got my son a 2000 Tacoma with one owner. It had just over 200k but it was garaged, looks almost new and the owner kept up with maintenance. I do think that is preferable than some of the beat up 130k ones I saw.


My 2000 4Runner is closing in on 200k and it recently got its second timing belt, water pump and a new radiator. If yours is an auto you might think about doing that.

 

Miles would not concern me but it would be how well it was taken care of. If it was taken care of well, I would consider it a great truck.

 

I just bought a 98 Tacoma with 189,000 miles. I know it was treated well all its life. To me, it's a WAY better choice than something driven hard for 100,000 miles. Vehicle longetive relates SO MUCH to maintenance and treatment. A truck that was beat up will have a lot of issues, Toyota or not.

With good treatment and maintenace, we've all seen/heard how long Toyotas can go. I expect to get a good 100,000 out of my new truck. It will need some stuff. Timing belts are coming right up. But that's the way it goes.

 

180k how'd you get so lucky to find low mile?? lol kidding, but it's just a babe.

 

I purchased mine new, did one timing belt job at 170,000 miles and am now at 340,000 miles. I've recently thought about putting the second timing belt job on my to-do list......

I'd buy another 3rd Gen in a heartbeat, provided the frame is not consumed by rust.



Andreas

 

I bought my 97 runner at 220,000 km so whats that.. 140,000miles?
that was 6 years ago already, and besides the regular oil changes, air filter, belts. etc

really the only two things that was actually not regular maintenance was the alternator piled up. and the ignition coils needed to be replaced.

what it really boils down to is are you ready and willing to buy a "cheaper" vehicle and not have a car payment. by possible spending some cash after you buy to bring it back up to a level of condition you feel comfortable in.

rust tends to be your biggest devil with these things so as long as its rust free and your comfortable with the mechanical condition.. i'd say get it before somebody else does.

i love my 4runner it's taken me through a hell and back and still keep asking for more. in my mind they are the best actual offroad vehicle the average joe can have while at the same time still be a practical daily driver. ..


hope what i said helps. and enjoy the new ride

 

My 96 has 370,000 on it. The best change I ever did was the Tundra front brake upgrade. I doubt I will ever get rid of it.

 

With that budget you need to buy a Corolla. Can you afford to maintain a 4Runner? I bought my 1999 a very long time ago. 16 years ago. In just a few years I'll be able to get vintage vehicle plates for it.

At that age, things will go. Can you afford $1k for a new exhaust system? At that mileage you are coming up on new sensors and new CAT and new muffler for sure.

 

Corollas don't need those things? $1k for an exhaust? I can get a cat and muffler for $100 and have it installed for another hundred. Sensors? $20-$50 each and easy DIY. Timing belt is $300 parts and a weekend of leisurely labor. This isn't some elite exotic car club it's a cheap arse 4Runner lol. Even at that a nice 1998-2004 Corolla goes for $3500 here if you can find one that isn't beat to hell and neglected maintenance. Course if you have to pay for somebody to do all your work it's always going to be more expensive- but that's why these forums exist!

 

I bought my 1996 Tacoma off ebay at 150,000 miles. Ran and looked great, sounded good, and am up to 270,000 miles now. Am currently doing a timing belt job on it in my garage and a few other things while I have it apart. Only things I have done to it previously are radiator, starter, tires, battery. Normal maintenance stuff. It still runs great, doesn't burn oil, and am hoping to get 350,000 out of it.

 

Every now and then, add MMO to the oil change procedure to clean out any sludge build up.

Should run forever

 

How much do you add?

 

Tell me about this upgrade and why it was such a good thing? Just trying to learn here

 

20% of the oil capacity. So 5 Qts oil and 1 Qts MMO would be recommended.

 

This was a great mod for the 4runner. Say good bye to warped rotors and brake fade. The rotors on my little Lexus IS300 were thicker than what I removed from my 4runner. Toyots should be ashamed of themselves.


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...rs-rotors.html

 

Do you think it is a good idea to start using that on a motor with 270,000 miles?
I know often it isn't recommended to do a transmission flush on older high mileage transmissions that have not been flushed before, I am curious if the same concerns would apply to using Marvel Mystery Oil to clean engine this late in the game.
Just curious what everyone's thoughts are on this?

 

If you check the forum on this upgrade you will find it to be one of the best single things you can do for your 4runner. Take a few minutes to go over my Tundra upgrade and the follow-on I did. Going on 8 years since the upgrade and have changed the pads and rotors once since and it still is awesome in the stopping power.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/0...runner-146160/