Good Buy? or Good bye?

[sami]

I'm looking into a '97 SR5 4runner sportin the 5 speed for $4,000.... sounds incredible right? there is a catch, 240,000 miles. However, it was owned by the owner of a dealership from '97-06, and meticulously cared for and serviced, as it was his wife's... Then in '05 or so his daughter drove it all over the country for work (hence high miles). Then they sold it to the current owner, who now needs to sell it cause his business isn't doing so good at the moment.

This thing has serious balls. the engine has loads of torque and power, and it shifts very smooth. The interior isn't terrible, but it's not pristine either. The exterior as you can see is slightly rough, due to the daughter bumping into stuff:friday:... alot so it would seem. Worste case is the dent on the hood.. no biggie, a sport hood with the scoop would be a great fix

So, that's the story...

I'm taking it to a Toyota specialist tomorrow, the only guy that my dad trusted to wrench on his Toyota racecar. So i'll report back as to what he says.

Initial thoughts? Concerns? Ideas? Warnings? Go for it's?

Thank you in advance

-Jason

 

[mountainpete]

You asked for initial reactions so here is mine... that is REALLY high mileage and eventhough it is a Toyota and was taken care of, I wouldn't go for it.

By the sounds of your description the high mileage was compiled over a very short period and then the truck was sold. If that is the case the previous good service record really doesn't describe what the current condition is. I hate to be mistrusting, but I also wouldn't believe the dealer servicing without seeing records that include the mileage listed.

If it was my money, I would invest into a slightly older 80 series Land Cruiser with less miles.

Pete

 

[KingCrabberCurry]

Do you want this strictly as a trail rig? I'd be leery of using anything with a quarter of a million miles on it as my DD, Toyota or not. Also, not to be stereotypical, but girl drivers (the kind that put Roxy stickers on their vehicles and run into stuff all the time) do not take very good care of their vehicles. I had a girlfriend once who went 12,500 miles between oil changes in her 1995 Blazer. (It didn't work out.)

My $0.02.

 

[preacherman]

My opinion is this. If someone "bumps" into that much stuff and puts that many dents in the exterior, just how well did they take care of the rest of the car?

Usually you can tell how well someone takes care of the mechanical by how well they take care of the rest of the car. Also, is there any documentation on the whole "owned by a dealer" or just a great story? If daddy was a dealer why didn't he give her a good deal on body work? I bought an Audi one time that was "owned by the dealer" and upon the sale he gave me three file folders of records. Oil changes, tire rotations, even gas receipts with the octane rating highlighted. If you are looking at a DD move on, the exterior and interior fixes will nickle and dime you alone.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

The question is what you want to do with it. I have seen a couple Toyotas with over 400K that you could not tell they had more than maybe 150k miles. But that said, you never know. Seems like a decent deal if it really does run well and the story is true, I just bought one with 236K and feel like it's just getting ready for its second life. But it has a new engine as well. I think for what we are doing and where we are going you'll probably be fine... Make sure you have AAA plus I suppose

 

[kcowyo]

The miles wouldn't concern me since it has either the 3.4 or the 4 banger. Two rock solid engines. But looking at all of the dents front & rear, I have to wonder, was she far-sighted or do the brakes just not work?

In an off-road loving state like Utah, where there are tons of 4wd Toyotas for sale from mild to wild, it would seem there is a better option out there to spend $4K on.

Keep shopping.

 

[sami]

Thank you for all of your responses.

Yes, it is the 3.4ltr. I just sold my '85 rockcrawler, and want more of a toned down rig more suited for around town, weekend camping and exploring with a dash of luxury.

'mountainpete' - I see you logic and tank you for your comments. I'm trying to stay away from an 80 due to mpg's. I've been set on picking up another 1st gen 4runner due to my deep love for them, but then this 4runner popped up and got me thinking... or longing for a bit more power, and coil suspension!

'KingCrabberCurry' - This'd be a DD with a trip everyother week type of vehicle. God forbid, and the motor did go in the near future I have a very good friend who gets great deals through his Toyota service bay at the dealer he works at... So there are options if things went sour down the road.

'preacherman' - I think he said she nodded off at the wheel:yikes: ... I hear you on not having the records, and will work that as an angle to lower the price if it comes to it.

'dieselcruiserhead' - If i were to build this one, it'd be an OME lift with sliders/bumpers and keep it relatively simple. Trips would be short jaunts around the state, with the occassional tag-a-long with cruiseroutfit and croanies , which would include you if ever wheeled... i kid, i kid

'kcowyo' - Can't touch a 3rd gen 4runner for any less than $6k around here IMO, i've had my eye out. I'll keep lookin around, and wait to hear what the mechanic says about this '97.

Thank again guys.

-Jason

 

[Skylinerider]

Man, Sami you'd look good in that with the pink Roxy sticker and that license plate cover.:elkgrin:

 

[sami]

Man, Sami you'd look good in that with the pink Roxy sticker and that license plate cover.:elkgrin:

The last 4runner i bought had a Madonna sticker on the rear quarter panel... Scary pattern forming here now that you mention it..

 

[Skylinerider]

The last 4runner i bought had a Madonna sticker on the rear quarter panel... Scary pattern forming here now that you mention it..

I remember seeing pics of that. That was awesome.

 

[lowenbrau]

I never worry about high miles because I don't mind replacing worn parts. I have had Toyotas with over 700,000km and know of at least one with over a million. I currently have a BJ70 with 550,000km and I've been trying to catch up to a buddy with a little over 600,000km. Weird things start to wear that you wouldn't necessarily expect. Things like power steering pullies and axle splines. Other things you expect to go like window regulators etc. That 4runner is the right age to have loads of parts in the wreckers and good parts store support so you shouldn't have to rely on the dealer too much. The question is, is it worth the $2 or $3K savings over one with half the miles. You need to decide but I'd gamble it is.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

I am busted... I realized about a month ago it had been a year since I owned an operational 4WD... Unbelievable... So I took some of the new MTB funds and dumped them into that new truck. If I weren't in Jackson Hole all week next week then I would be all over the Swell trip next weekend... Go out and break the new old truck in. Waiting for that new Old Man Emu myself though (hehem)..

 

[Martinjmpr]

Just FYI but a Montero or Trooper with that kind of mileage would run you maybe $1000, maybe less.

Not neccessarily saying they are comparable, but it gives you an idea of the "Toyota Tax" you'd have to pay.

I'd have a real hard time laying down that kind of cash for a vehicle with that many miles on it. Yes, it's a Toyota (All Hail Toyota! ) but at that kind of mileage, you can't be sure about what is likely to break or fail. Maybe nothing. Maybe everything.

What kind of shape is the clutch in?

 

[sami]

The verdict is in from teh Toyota specialists...

Timing chain has maybe 5k miles left on it
water pump is gone
tie rod ends need replacing
new clutch hose
Rear main seal
Sway bar links replaced
and some more but why list them cause this thing needs an easy $2k to bring it back mechanically...

They said it hasn't seen much service at all. Still has OEM plug cables!! which is impressive i guess.. but hell... This thing has never seen a tune up other than fluids.

Well the idea was fun while it lasted...

Back to the drawing board

-Jason

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Sorry to hear it, good for you for checking it out... Sounds like the story didn't quite add up...