Saw an ad for a ’96 4runner SR5, 5sp with 290k miles for $2300. I thought briefly about buying it and selling my ’96 auto with about half the mileage, figuring that would leave me with about $4000 to play with and make it into a trail rig.

The ad says it “has had some engine work done at some point” which I am guessing means there are no records. It also says it needs new rotors and calipers and that the rear bumper is rusted. Those things aren’t too bad themselves but they do make me wonder about the condition of the rest of the vehicle regarding rust and how well it has been maintained.

I decided not to buy it because I figure it would probably take between $1-2k to fix it up, and that’s if it doesn’t need a new or rebuilt engine. If it does, then I would be pretty close to where I started $-wise. And I am not going to trust the owner’s word that it “has had some engine work done at some point.”

So the point of this rambling post is: would you consider buying a 3rd gen with 290k miles? I have seen a lot of people say “these vehicles are good for 300k miles.” Well what about after that?

My answer in this case is no because you can buy one like mine with half the mileage and probably much better maintenance history for about the same net price as buying this one and fixing it up. Now it might be a different story if there were records of the engine being rebuilt within the last 100k miles or so. But what else will need to be rebuilt or replaced?

 

I think you basically ended up answering your own question.

.....the answer is yes I would consider it, but it would depend on the vehicle maintenance history.

 

hell, with a 3.4L and a 5-speed, and for a trail rig, who cares if what you want is a 3rd gen. that's the cheapest you'll get a 3rd gen for sure. all i'd do is a fluid swap and a timing belt with water pump and call it good - after fixing the brakes of course. after that, you can go nuts with some lockers/gears and wheels/tires/lift...

however, if you want a dedicated trail rig, then i'd personally get an early 2nd gen - 1990 or 1991 for the same price - with a 4-banger and automatic trans. then do an axle swap and rear leafs with lockers and gears, add tires and then go to town.

 

Is the seller the original owner? I'm guessing no. If that's the case, and there is no maintenance history, you could be in a world of hurt.

I'm just confused as to why you're wanting to sell a 96 4Runner with 150k miles for another 96 with 300k? You probably know the in's and out's of your current rig, which in my opinion, can't put a price tag on.

 

I'd stick with your current '96, or get an "older" rig with significantly less miles. 300K miles with no maitinence records is a big risk IMO, you basically are going to need to plan on doing about 2K-3K of work to get the thing in perfect running condition again...

 

Yeha, MTL, I already knew my answer in this particular situation, at least until Andy chimed in...

Dangit -- now you got me thinking about it again!

Actually I had debated a while back selling the 3rd gen and getting a 1st gen for a trail rig but decided that a trail rig really wasn't really what I needed or wanted. I like to be able to take highway trips in comfort to go camping or to the beach or wherever. Plus I'm still new to offroading so it will probably be a while before I'll want to do more than mine can handle.

I never called so I don't know any more than what is in the ad. Like I said I only briefly considered it until my reasoning kicked in.

I guess I was mainly wanting to hear people's opinions on the longevity of 3rd gens past 300k miles. Like I said, I have seen a lot of people say that they are good for at least 300k miles if they are properly maintained, but I was kind of wondering what would need to be done to extend the life past that. I know that a lot will depend on the history of the vehicle and maintenance.

 

Buy it and drop an LS1 engine into it.

 

300k is a good amount of mileage. It would be benificial if you knew your way around tools and engines.

If your worried about the odometer, just take it out and roll back the numbers to 150k

 

If I owned a reliable 4runner with 300,000 miles on it, I wouldn't part with it for that amount unless I knew it was falling apart.

Chances are pretty good the current owner thinks that too.

 

Ask the seller if you can have an engine "leak-down test" done on it. That will allow you to properly access the condition of the engine.