hello guys - i am looking to buy a 4runner in the next couple of weeks, and i need a little advice... i have been looking at '97 sr5 v6 4x4 5-speeds, and the average mileage on them is ~60k miles. i just found a '98 with ~88k on it, and they are asking $14,500 for it. it is exactly what i am looking for, but i am wondering if i should be bothered by the higher-than-average mileage on it. the guy who has it is the original owner and works in the service department of a car dealership, so he says he has had it in the shop religiously every 3000 miles for the regularly scheduled maintenances. what do you all think? thanks in advance for the help,

wally

i bought my 97 sr5 4x4 with 90,000 miles from the original owner for $15,000. it had perfect service records and was in truly exceptional shape. i couldn't be happier with my 4runner

Look at the ujoints-see slung grease?(thats good) - look at the tailpipe-any oily residue?(not good) hold the rake (letter not working) gas it-stall around 2000rpm? (should e good if so) im sure you will get other suggestions...I think its a great deal..I have 65000 on mine and its not roken in yet...

my '98 has 102,000 and its still running strong. no problems so far and i dont expect any.
-Casey

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by Wallstrum:
<strong>hello guys - i am looking to buy a 4runner in the next couple of weeks, and i need a little advice... i have been looking at '97 sr5 v6 4x4 5-speeds, and the average mileage on them is ~60k miles. i just found a '98 with ~88k on it, and they are asking $14,500 for it. it is exactly what i am looking for, but i am wondering if i should be bothered by the higher-than-average mileage on it. the guy who has it is the original owner and works in the service department of a car dealership, so he says he has had it in the shop religiously every 3000 miles for the regularly scheduled maintenances. what do you all think? thanks in advance for the help,

wally</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">I think you should be OK. My friend put about 100,000 on his, but has not had any problem.

I took possession of my '90 4Runner at around 150k mi. It now has over 240k mi. on the original motor and auto tranny.
Best to inspect each vehicle on an individual basis and decide.

I bought my truck with around 98,000 miles. The owner had all service records and the truck was in great shape. I had the truck inspected by a toyota dealer. The inspection cost around $120 (compression check and everything else) but it was well worth it and gave me a good confidence.

Mileage does not mean nearly as much as the care it has had. At 136,000, mine runs perfectly. I have seen vehicles destroyed in one third that mileage through neglect, stupidity, or a combination of the two, however. These are SOLID vehicles. Give it a good once over, and a good test drive - and go for it!

Terry

Any 4Runner with less than 100,000 miles is just about broken-in. I sold a '90 with 210,000 and the guy drives Phila-Boston-Detriot on a regular basis with it. Plus, the engine internals never saw daylight except for Toyotas head gasket replacement campaign.

I've put more money into troubleshooting every domestic vehicle I've ever owned than I spent total in non-preventive maintenance on any one of my Toyotas.
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

If I remember correctly there is a big scheduled maintenance at 90,000 miles that costs about $1,200.00. The truck is probably fine but, you might want to check into how much the next scheduled maintenance will cost and negotiate from there.