1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited 3.4 from North America
Summary:
Pays for itself and then some
Faults:
Front struts, needed new ones.
Front calipers, rotors, pads.
Ball joints.
Tie rod ends.
Sway bar bushings.
Rear brakes.
U joint.
Climate control bulbs.
Injectors.
Alternator.
Radiator.
Timing belt & pulleys.
Water pump.
Front brake hoses.
Driver's seat cushion rip.
Temp sensor upper front.
General Comments:
I bought the 4Runner as a project truck for a very low price. It took me over a year of searching the classifieds to find one this cheap.
I drove it home and then drove it to work everyday from the time I purchased it.
Although it was not maintained by the previous owner, it was still just barely drivable.
Front shocks were originals with 450,000km.
It sat a lot so the brake calipers were seized, but still drove until I could get around to fixing it.
I spent $1500 on initial purchase. Then I spent another $1000 to $2000 on parts.
I slowly began changing everything on my lunch breaks at work. Before I knew it I had a good running and handling automobile again.
It's been 22 months and I keep up on any maintenance it needs.
The truck is up to 483,000km and the engine runs excellent. It has zero blow-by and consumes zero oil. It doesn't leak or burn anything.
Transmission fluid is still a nice red color and shifts better than any high mileage auto I have ever owned.
Where I worked was infested with rats and one chewed an injector wire. I bought 6 new injectors and repaired the wire.
Although it seems like I have put many parts into it, I could now still sell the truck for more than I have spent on it. That is excellent in my opinion. To drive a car for 22 months and then sell for more than I have put into it. This car is paying me to drive it.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th May, 2020
7th May 2020, 15:49
So all in all you have spent close to, or over $3500 dollars in including purchased price and miscellaneous parts, and you believe you can sell a 21 year old 4 Runner with 480,000 km for around let's say $4,000 dollars? Yeah - dream on...
7th May 2020, 18:11
Uh... have you seen how much 90's era Toyota trucks and 4Runners go for? A lot. As in an amazing amount of money.
8th May 2020, 14:44
Highest mileage 99 4 Runner currently on Autotrader is 280k and the seller is asking $2,800. But yet the reviewer thinks they can get over $4,000 for theirs with 483k.
Yeah, there are others listed for up to $10,000 with over 150k. Good luck trying to get that amount. Nobody looking for an SUV will spend that much on something that old for daily use. It would be more logical to use that kind of money towards a down payment for something brand new.
And please don't reply with "those older Toyota trucks are fetching high prices because they are becoming collector items". We have all heard it before.
8th May 2020, 14:52
Its a 4Runner 1999; it's not worth much.
8th May 2020, 15:57
$5-8 grand is not an amazing amount of money. And then that’s total price. Selling for $30k profit above purchase price or above what you paid for a vehicle is. That involves popular classics or low production modern day cars.
6th May 2020, 18:11
I do not think a 483k truck will sell at a high enough price for you to make any profit after spending thousands on parts.