Have 4Runner, want Tacoma, but is a 01 w/313,000miles too high?

I want to add a truck as a weekend offroader and maybe out of town offroading too.
I saw a 2001 which is kind of within the years I like 02-04 since it is the right size for my garage too. The ad states that:

5sp manual
Tow package
A/C blows cold
Power windows
Matching Lear Canopy
Recent work professionally done with receipts including timing belt, water pump, power steering pump, alternator and battery.
313,000 miles

Ask is $4400. At that mileage I am not sure why they just didnt rebuild the engine as well with the other changes since they are already doing a lot of work.

What do you guys think? How much would an engine build or replace cost roughly? I have a budget of about $6000 altogether for a running and reliable truck for the next 5 years at least.

 

any chance you're buying from the original owner? with that many miles it's all about how well it was taken care of.

 

Wouldn't buy unless you have money for a rebuild of the engine and the tranny. You might get lucky and have it work just fine for hundreds of thousands of miles, but that's a super slim chance.

 

Yes, that's what I am afraid of. I am a Toyota guy but usually sellers' obligatory "Toyotas last forever" is a bit too much. I sell my Toyotas after 180k miles. The owner claims he's the second owner and had it for the last 13 years.

 

If that's true, that's not bad... however, I'm thinking more like 2500 bucks.

 

If I was in a pinch and needed a truck to last a year or two tops then maybe. I wouldn't buy a truck like this if you're planning on keeping it 5 years.

 

Idk man, people have gone double that on these trucks with minimal maintenance. I would haggle, absolutely ask for some sort of records of maintenance, and prepare to at least change the oil, all fluids, spark plugs and wires, and ball joints after purchasing. Also, if the truck is in the salt belt, check the frame for rust.

 

V6 or I4? big difference right there as well.

If the owner has maintenance records well kept, that's a plus.

If your sole purpose is a weekend warrior and you don't plan to put 5k a year on it that's not going to be much extra. If you want to crawl with it then IDK

 

December of 2015 I bought an 01 with 459k on it for 5k. Original engine and tranny, 1 owner. About to pass 477k. The syncros on 1st gear were a little worn down so we replaced the tranny 10k ago. I love this thing, feels like it has more power than my last truck with 138k .

 

Compression test including leakdown.

Oil sample off to Blackstone.

The combination will give a great picture of the engine health.

5 spd I'd not worry over if it drives well, but when the clutch was last done is important.

It's worth paying a pro to inspect it, on a lift, with you present. Pulling wheels, looking at brakes/axle seals/CV boots, checking fluid levels and conditions, looking for rust, etc etc.

Or you can roll the dice and hope for the best.

 

OP if you sell your Toyota`s after 180,000 miles why would you even think of this one??

Just Curious

Depending where the truck lives if I needed another Truck I would have no issue with the mileage after a good hands on inspection.

 

I want a truck just for occasional offroading and not as my daily driver. My wife has the 4Runner and I want my own rig to drive in versus doing the couples thing. I thought about getting a gen 2 4Runner but a truck would be more convenient if I need to haul some cargo.

 

Thanks for the experience but I think anything over 250-300k is an outlier. Let's not forget that these trucks had rust issues during that period and Toyota had a major recall on frames rusting away. Toyotas are great but not infallible. That's why I wanted to ask you guys. I wouldnt mind paying $2,000 more just to have less miles and worries for the next 5 years.

 

Oh it is a V6. I don't think anyone serious about offroading would get a 4. They are great runabouts and slight offroading but the 4banger won't due for me. This is why I stay away from prerunners. They are great in the city and getting off the road but that rwd is not going to let it climb a steep bank.

 

What do you guys think about a 97 with 331,000 for $3000?

I would even pay $3000 if it is maintained well. I see you have a 15 TRD Pro. That's what I would ideally want but a new vehicle will be out of the question for the next 5-7 years.

 

I sold my 99 similarly. But, I knew the trucks history from day it left the dealer. Before I purchased it, it was my assigned company truck. It was cherry and stock. I did put a trans in it around 250,000. Other than normal maintenance, that was it. No rust at all being a Florida truck. I just needed more seating for grandsons. Miles didn't bother me at all.

 

You just need to do a thorough inspection on the frame. I've seen tacomas with 25k on them have a whole frame replacement, so it's not necessary just the miles that make up the rust, I don't have any on mine.
Miles are just numbers, if it's been maintained and not neglected I wouldn't see any reason not to buy it.


But it sounds like your already talking yourself out of this one so maybe it's time to move on.....