Hi all,

First time poster here. I have a 2000 4runner (3.4L, auto, 4x4) in my sights. It drives really well and I'll probably have my local shop check it out.

The truck has 235K miles on it. The seller says they are mostly highway miles. Let's just assume he's truthful on that. How long can a 4runner last if it is driven primarily on pavement and is maintained well?

I searched around the forum but didn't find any longevity threads for gen 3 4runners. If they are there, I'd sure appreciate a pointer.

Thanks a lot!

Steve

 

you can expect 400K if you take good care of it. maybe more

 

Seriously?

I don't want this to come across wrong, but I kind of wonder if you're poking fun at me.

 

Like any machine, it will need regular upkeep to work well. These trucks dont just explode or turn into dust at 400K miles. If you replace worn parts and keep it maintained, I think it will last as long as you want it to.
The beauty of the Toyota trucks are that they are built to be repaired, not tossed into a shredder when they have problems.

 

no i promise im not. toyotas are known for outlasting many other vehicles. I know lots of people with 400k plus on their toyotas, and a few of them are 3rd gen 4runners. if it has 235k its just getting broke in

 

Sorry, I don't want to come across as a skeptic.

That's really encouraging, and much better than what my friends and relations typically experience.

I drove a new '84 VW GTI for 200K. It still ran well, but I traded for a '94 Miata with currently 170K on it. I just needed to replace the engine due to low compression and the suspension needs an investment of parts. Of course, I don't now how the previous owner treated it.

My father-in-law did lots of highway miles, babied his cars, and was as frugal as one can get, but even he never drove something to 400K. He drove an early Audi Fox nearly to 300K and then a mazda sedan (323 ?) past 300K. He liked the fox better, but i recall him needing to replace fewer parts on the mazda.

So, the 4runner isn't actually for me. My college son is buying and is looking local to him while I'm looking local to me. Since he's a college student paying his own bills he can't afford to take on something that will consume a lot of cash. I don't see him taking it offroad much, if at all, but he needs something to get him into and out of the mountains in all seasons.

While I can help him with repairs during summers and breaks, he's not setup at school to do his own work. He needs something really reliable. He likes what he has researched to date about the 4runners.

Thanks a lot for the input! If you have more to say, I'm listening!

Steve

 

I dont blame you at all, before I bought my 4runner and came to this site I thought just reaching 300k was unheard of. it sounds like hes not going to be beating the crap out of it on the trails, so its proming that it will have a long life ahead of it. just make sure he changes the fluids regularly and it should make him very happy. does it look like the previous owner took really good care of it?

 

Yeah just give it a really good once over and talk it down as much as you can when it comes time to buy and then love it to death once you get it, if the the price is right. If it does end up needing a few repairs down the road I would say most would agree that using genuine Toyota parts will make a difference in how long it will last and how often the parts will have to be replaced. Being that dealerships will cost you a lot of us use site that sell the same parts much cheaper. Here is one of them https://www.1sttoyotaparts.com/. I hope it works out for you.

 

its as good as you care for it. ive HEARD toyota motors going easilly 500K. ive seen honda motors go past that and mercedes diesel's go over 700K.

 

I know 4Runners which are at 1'000'000 km mark, but they are 1st Gens. I think with a good maintenance and taking care of it, you should be fine.

 

If "last" is equated to being drivable, then yes, they last. No vehicle is going to be reliable and safe at 200k+ though. A 2000 is at the 10 year mark already, and that's when all the explosives equipped parts are recommended to be changed. Airbags and belt tensioners. Anything can go at any time.

 

hear that.

 

It would have to be a hell of a deal or project vehicle for me to buy it. Yes engines can last a long time, if well maintained. There are 235k miles that you have no clue how it was treated. You could luck out and somebody could have taken great care & replaced parts, oil, seals, etc, or it could be ready to crap out... not just the engine, but there are a lot of working parts such as bearings, shocks, alternator, starter you name it all could be barely hanging in there. Definitely have it looked at by someone.... Sorry to be a pessimist.

 

This is a 1999 ODO

 

Could you site the references? Where does it say airbags need replacement at 10 yrs?

And no vehicles are safe or reliable after 200k miles? Who told you that, Chrysler?

 

lmao^^^

 

 

If it has been taken care of and with a few preventative maintenance measures done here and there, I see no reason why a Toyota can't go well beyond 300k. As long as it wasn't abused, it'll last a very long time.

 

they'll last. love thy yota, and thy yota shall love thee back

 

Again, thanks all.
I've gotten both sick and busy and couldn't check this one out further today. Probably not tomorrow. I really do appreciate the input, though.

Steve