I bought an '88 with 108,000 miles and added an other 172,000; 50,000 of which were on logging roads. I had to replace the ball joints twice (hitting potholes at 50 are hard on them - logging roads - no choice) I did the oil, plugs, and other fluids as scheduled (rough service) and the timing belt every 80,000 miles, and would probably still be driving it today if I hadn't been t-boned by a civic doing 50MPH. (BTW, the civic was totaled and I drove home, but the insurance company wrote it off anyway) Anyway, I would have expected to get about 350-400 out of it with regular maintenance.
My 2000 4Runner (RIP) was going great until I managed to wreck her. I miss that car like crazy.
Had 130k on it. Though, it did need a new catalytic converter about 15k ago that cost a small fortune (something like $2400 - yeah, I used a dealer, time and tools were lacking), so I'd keep an eye out for that, and was one of the few reasons why I didn't immediately go out and get a neused 2000 again.
Only other things were the typical replacement parts for a car with that many miles on it - water pump, belt replacement etc. Pretty much if you are diligent with fluid and filter changes there isn't much reason why they should go wrong. But they will have problems if they aren't taken care of - my buddy neglected the oil situation in his and ended up throwing a rod.
Have a 2006 SR5 now. It's a nice car, though I swear the ride quality in my 2000 Limited was better (or maybe it was just the leather seats lol).
Just bought a 98 Limited in real good shape. I'm putting new tie-rod's on the front and having to replace a CV boot on the front as well (ripped open somehow). Hope I'm as happy with it as I am with my 01 LC. I live on a dirt road in snow country, and love my 4wd Toyota's!
This isn't a 4Runner story, but I think is relevant to this thread. I have a friend who has a Land Cruiser, a '99 I think, in fact he and his wife drive his and hers Land Cruisers. His Land Cruiser has 194K on it, and he often uses it to tow uhaul trailers back and forth across the country, moving his two kids back and forth from college. Anyway, he was recently debating whether to buy a newer one or not. His runs perfectly and has no problems, he was just concerned about the miles. He finally just put it in the shop for a top to bottom going over, plus had them put in a timing chain, since it had never had a replacement. I think he got new shocks and a few other misc maintenance items done. Spent something over $2K. He figured he is good to go for a few more years.
My friend is a retired doctor, but his wife, who is also a doctor, still works out of their home, doing research for medical companies, and pulls down about $100K per month. So they could well afford a newer Land Cruiser, or even a brand new one. I kind of admired that he just put some maintenance money in the old one, basically for peace of mind, and kept on motoring, LOL. They have owned Toyotas for years and years. He said once he deviated and bought a Tahoe, and had all kinds of problems, so went right back to Toyotas.
Myself, I drove an 04 Highlander, but am thinking about selling it and buying a used 4Runner in the next few years, so find myself lurking on the 4Runner threads from time to time.
I paid $7k for my 98 4runner with 130k miles. It came out of the shop with only $300 worth of work and everything working fine. It is immaculate inside and out, and if I get less then 200k miles out of it, I'll be surprised. Best money I've ever spent on an automobile. I do love my 01 LC though, what a ride.
Wow!! I have a baby... 2000 4runner with 117K on it. Still going strong. No major repairs, except the Catalytic Converter. That was only because my old one (with about 110K on it) was STOLEN...
2005 Rockwood 26' 5'er, Michelin LTX MS tires, 270 watts of solar on the roof, 4 T-105 golf cart batteries, Xentrex converter, Outback FX2012T inverter/charger.
If you can't take it with ya, why bother with an RV!
2000 Tundra (bought 9/9/99)
JBA Headers
Gone but not forgotten~
I had a 98 4Runner that I bought used with 36k on it and when I sold it 3 years ago I managed to put 248k on it. I only replaced the water pump twice as they went bad. (obviously timing belt while I was in there)
Other than brakes tires and plugs it never needed anything else, no drive-train problems whatsoever. I sold it for $6500 and bought my Tundra.
I do miss that vehicle, it was a great camping rig and it took me everywhere.
Re: How long can a 4runner last?
). Hope I'm as happy with it as I am with my 01 LC. I live on a dirt road in snow country, and love my 4wd Toyota's!
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