Looking at a 2004 Toyota 4Runner with high mileage

[Rot 911]

Is the Limited, but has 99K miles. Is this a deal breaker or is the V8 engine as bulletproof as I have heard. What about the rest of the drive train?

[71T Targa]

We have the V8 in our '02 Sequoia with almost 200 on the clock and no issues.

[Laneco]

A toyota with 99K? Well goodness, it probably only has another 200,000 left in it...

Use the 99K as a negotiation point on a six year old car. Then drive it until you grow exhausted of the very sight of it, then sell it as a running vehicle to the next person, or as a charitable donation.

There are alot of these running very well with over 200K on the clock. Probably won't prove as durable as the 22R engines, but still a very good engine.

angela

[pete3799]

I wouldn't be scared of the mileage.
I have no experiance with the v8 (all of mine have been v6's)
Never had any trouble with the drive train (current one has 120K+), but i'm sure it's different with the v8.
A lot of those miles were on dirt roads and it has no squeaks or rattles.

[abisel]

I have a '97 SR5 5-speed 6-cylinder with 260,000 on the clock. No major issues that weren't my fault. I had to replace the rear differential because I overloaded the towing capacity and wore out the pinion gear. That happened at 190,000 miles.

Other than that, I have had to replace one fuel injector that went bad, a starter that just wore out, a couple batteries, four sets of tires, and a couple light bulbs. I have also replaced the timing belt twice and the components associated with the timing belt, but these are normal 100K maintenance items.

I did put in a new clutch at 250,000 miles but the symptoms weren't the clutch itself, but rather the throw-out bearing and slave cylinder. The clutch disc had only worn about 1.5mm from the stock 8mm thickness. Pressure plate was good and so was the flywheel. But since I had already purchased everything clutch related, I replaced it all.

I am still on the original brakes but they are just now indicating that they need to be replaced. I'm getting a slight shimmy in the steering wheel when I apply the brakes.

The front suspension bushings are showing wear too and I plan to rebuild the front end to include new drive axles. The drive shaft may need looking into as well, I think I may have to replace the U-joints. I'm starting to feel backlash whenever I go from accell to coast and back to accell.

So is a 4Runner with 99K and good deal? If it was well maintained I would say yes.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by abisel

So is a 4Runner with 99K and good deal? If it was well maintained I would say yes.

I don't believe this vehicle has ever been off road. Undercarriage shows no rust at all. Interior shows very little wear. Outside is in overall excellent condition with a small scratch on the right rear. Very nice overall. I just can't believe how much these sell for even when the are 6 years old. Edmunds and KBB both put them in the $17-18K range for the Limited. Course they were $36K new back in 2004.

[porsche4life]

I think the Mini is the only thing that holds its value better than a Toyota... Even with all the recalls.

[Rot 911]

Thanks for the info! The 4Runner is at a dealer and I can probably get them down to $18K, maybe a little less. Here is the ad: Used 2004 Toyota 4Runner Limited (Silver SUV) Jefferson City, MO

[speeder]

I would not even blink at that mileage if the vehicle is clean, shows no signs of abuse, etc... That is the perfect mileage to buy a late-model used car or truck as long as you get the proper break on the price. (IMO). I'm browsing Chevy Suburbans and there are tons of them with 200k+ miles running like new, engines never cracked-open, etc...

They don't make 'em like they used to. They make 'em a lot better.

[speeder]

Looks clean as a whistle, Kurt. Maybe Kaisen will chime in but I'm guessing that 4runners are book cars all day long, IOW, whatever the NADA guide says with mileage and equipment factored-in, etc...

[porsche4life]

Looks good... Those miles wouldn't bother me at all...

[abisel]

Here is some info from Consumer Reports on overall rating and prices.





Also, don't let the dealer tell you that the equipment on the vehicle is an "option" when in fact it was standard equipment for the Limited V8.

Standard Features

4.7L V8 DOHC 32V FI Engine Regular Unleaded Fuel Required
5-Speed Automatic Transmission Hill Holder
Automatic Locking Hubs Center Differential
Descent Control Four Wheel Drive
Full Time Four Wheel Drive System Limited Slip Center Differential
Locking Center Differential Electronic Transfer Case
Double Wishbone Front Suspension Front Independent Suspension
Solid Live Axle Rear Suspension Front and Rear Stabilizer Bars
Clock Compass
External Temperature Display Low Fuel Level Indicator
Tachometer Trip Computer
17 Inch Alloy Wheels All Season Tires
P Tires Fullsize Matching Spare Tire
Underbody Mounted Spare Tire Stability Control
Traction Control Braking Assist
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution Front Ventilated Disc Brakes
Rear Ventilated Disc Brakes 4-Wheel ABS
Driver and Passenger Front Airbags Child Safety Locks
Child Seat Anchors Rear Center 3-Point Belt
Seatbelt Force Limiters Seatbelt Pretensioners
Anti-Theft Alarm System Engine Immobilizer
5 Passenger Seating Front Bucket Seats
Leather Seating Power Driver's Seat Lumbar Adjustment
Heated Passenger Seat Heated Driver's Seat
Height Adjustable Driver's Seat Height Adjustable Passenger Seat
Power Driver's Seat Power Front Passenger Seat
Front Adjustable Headrests Folding Rear Center Armrest
Rear Split Bench Seat Rear Ventilation Ducts
Split-Folding Second Row Seat Rear Adjustable Headrests
Steering Wheel Audio Controls Cargo Net
Cruise Control Steering Wheel Cruise Controls
Cupholders Door Pockets
Front Center Console With Storage Front Power Outlet
Multi-Function Remote Overhead Console With Storage
Rear Cargo Cover Retained Accessory Power
Seatback Storage Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel
Universal Remote Transmitter Variable Power Steering
Cargo Area Light Leather Shift Knob Trim
Leather Steering Wheel Trim Reading Lights
Air Filtration Multi-Zone Climate Control
Intermittent Windshield Wipers One-Touch Power Window(s)
Privacy Glass Rear Defogger
Rear Window Wiper Remote Power Door Locks
Automatic Delay Off Headlights Automatic On/Off Headlights
Exterior Entry Lighting Front Fog/Driving Lights
Auto-Dim Rear View Mirror Heated Exterior Mirrors
Illuminated Vanity Mirror(s) Power Exterior Mirrors
Roof Rack AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System
Antenna Rear Audio Controls
Liftgate Rear Door Power Retracting Liftgate Window
Skid Plates Cargo Tie Downs
Trailer Hitch Trailer Wiring


Available Optional Features

AM/FM/Cassette/CD Changer Audio System Daytime Running Lights
Driver Adjustable Suspension Front Side Airbags
Front and Rear Head Airbags JBL Audio
Navigation System Power Glass Sunroof
Rear Spoiler Rear View Camera
Remote CD Changer Self Leveling Suspension
Third Row Bucket Seats Wheel Locks

[Rot 911]

Wow, great information. Thanks guys!

[Leland Pate]

I drive the piss out of mine. I have 81,000 on the ODO and it's a 2006. No problems.

[dar636]

2004 130K, drives like new. Best vehicle I have ever owned. Put the 16 year old in it last May and wish I could get it back.

[aigel]

Make sure it has the timing belt service done with receipts.

I would look a little older and also not exclude the Sequoias. They are a much better value if you go back to 2001-2003. Personally I would rather get an older car with lower miles than the newer car with higher miles. The miles ultimately determine the service life.

Good Luck!

George

[yel911]

Ditto on the timing belt job. My 02 Tundra has the 4.7 V8 and runs like a champ!!! For the record, it's my 4th Toyota since 1983!!!! I only own Honda, Toyota and of course, a Porsche.

[Rot 911]

Originally Posted by aigel

Make sure it has the timing belt service done with receipts.
George

Ouch! Was just checking on this over at the Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum - Powered by vBulletin website. Cost of replacement is $800-1000. If it hasn't been done, that will be part of the negotiations!

[71T Targa]

Originally Posted by Rot 911

Ouch! Was just checking on this over at the Toyota - 4Runner . org Forum - Powered by vBulletin website. Cost of replacement is $800-1000. If it hasn't been done, that will be part of the negotiations!

I know prices are different all over the country, but in the mid west our timing belt service was just under $700.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by yel911

Ditto on the timing belt job. My 02 Tundra has the 4.7 V8 and runs like a champ!!! For the record, it's my 4th Toyota since 1983!!!! I only own Honda, Toyota and of course, a Porsche.

Sorry for the minor hijack but can you tell me about that 4.7 V-8? What kind of gas mileage can someone realistically expect city/highway from a large Toyota truck w/ that engine?

My automotive OCD is focused on early 2000s Land Cruisers at the moment, like this one:

Toyota : Land Cruiser: eBay Motors (item 200516080665 end time Sep-14-10 18:01:17 PDT)