Mileage- how much is too much when buying

Im looking to make a purchase on a 2006 4runner sport edition v8 2wd, and it has 138k miles on it. And I know how 4runners last up to 250k or even more with well taken care maintenance. Also what should I be looking for, when looking at the car, or test driving it? any input will be great appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

That is low milage for an 06. I would have a reputable shop do a pre-purchase inspection.

 

That mileage is very low, for that year. Check maintenance records, look under the hood for any signs of leaks or frayed hoses and check the frame VERY carefully for signs of rust. If you see a rusted out trailer hitch...run away as fast as possible.

 

Check the entire frame for RUST (surface rust is fine, but rough flakey deep rust not good, walk away), if very little rust, check to see if the timing belt/water pump, tensioner/idler pulleys has been replaced, the service interval for this is every 90,000 miles, so keep that in mind if it hasn't been done within the last 40,000 to 50,000 miles, if it needs to be done figure around $1000 to $1200 at a good Toyota dealer, more if they just want to make money off you.

Also if you see it's ever been in an auction, be wary of the mileage, many times the mileage on auction vehicles have been rolled back, look for any mileage discrepancies in its service history.

 

I'm guessing 15 - 18?

 

Maybe update the location in your profile and get better answers too.

 

tbh, I just made the account, and idk how to update the location, but the location is San Diego, California, and the cost of vehicle is 18k and I appreciate all the responses.

 

If it has service records for oil changes and there is no rust , go for it.
Be prepared to replace any and every wear and tear item that has not been changed so far.

 

Lots of rubber parts, cv boots, suspension ball joints, belts, hoses, start to break down at that 20-25 year mark. It might be fine now but you’re likely coming into a period of time where stuff is gonna need freshened up in the next 2-3 years simply because the materials that have not worn out because the vehicle’s low mileage are starting to fail and deteriorate from age. If you buy it just expect this over the life of ownership. Just consider this as a back end expense of owning it and make sure you factor it in to your purchase decision vs buying a newer well maintained car.

 

here is link to the dealership selling it 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition V8 2WD | miramarmotorsports https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for...2844?numRecords=100&clickType=dealerInventory

 

Run a Car Fax, see if a Dealership will run you a Maintenance History (They have the ability to do that) You'll need the vin#

 

I've looked at vehicles before from MiraMarMotorSports. Be careful with those guys. Look closely at the frame for rust and/or water damage.
Not a California vehicle it appears. Is it a Salvage Title? Flood Damaged vehicle from Florida for example? I didn't buy from them if that gives
you any indication of my opinion of them.

 

Run away fast and hard!

 

Don't do it!

 

18k for an 06 is too much regardless of miles. Rubber wears with age so you still have maintenance. The car was probably only 25k brand new in 06

 

Dang surprised 2wd sr5 were over the 30k mark.

 

I paid 10,000(private sale) for my 2006 v8 4wd(165k) a couple months ago, thought that was a great deal, but this stealership certainly has their price cranked up.

Consider searching for the Lexus as well, surprisingly although more refined they dont have the cult like following 4runners do and sometimes are a better buy.

I dont think theres anything to hide in the engine bay with their overuse of the gloss crap. Just some young buck getting carried away.

Of course getting on the ground and really checking out the frame would be a MUST.

 

Get the VIN and run a history on it. Look at the mileage and date/time stamp. Make sure the mileage matches what they are showing. For example:

May 2006 purchase - 0 miles
Jan 2007 oil change - 5000 miles
Dec 2007 oil change - 10,000 miles
Feb 2009 oil change tire rotation - 20,000 miles
August 2010 oil change new tires - 40,000 miles
March 2015 oil change brakes - 75,000 miles
May 2020 oil change tire rotation - 100,000 miles
August 2023 oil change new tires - 120,000 miles
September 2024 sale to dealer - 135,000 miles

You need to be able to see the time stamps, and mileage look like they match up. If it looks like this run:

May 2006 purchase - 0 miles
Jan 2007 oil change - 5000 miles
Dec 2007 oil change - 10,000 miles
Feb 2009 oil change tire rotation - 25,000 miles
August 2010 oil change new tires - 50,000 miles
March 2015 oil change brakes - 95,000 miles
May 2020 oil change tire rotation - 145,000 miles
August 2023 oil change new tires - 185,000 miles
September 2024 sale to dealer - 207,000 miles
<> Now for sale at small stealership for $18,999 with 138,000 miles

 

$18k for an 06 LOL.

Look at the description. The dealer made all the modifications to try and sell it for more. Sounds like they added a lot of lipstick for an older vehicle.

 

Its in cali, and yes most likely the dealer sent it over to the local offroad shop for the leveling kit and tires and wheels to spice it up. Dealer probably got it for $7500 and put $2500 in it and is looking to make next months rent.

 

I live in Hawaii I'm used to getting it without lube on the regular. Still doesn't justify 18K no matter where in the US.

 

I agree, that condition is $10,500 pretty much anywhere else in the US. If the mileage is wrong and its 200,000+ like normal, its an $8,500 car.

 

There are owners of 4WD 4runners & Lexus who do engine oil changes timely like it was a Camry. Completely ignoring Diffs, Tranny, TC, drive shaft zerks. I bought a 2019 SR5 50,000 miles for daughter. My mechanic and I examined these fluids and concluded ours was first service!
It had a documented maint. history of timely oil changes. It apparently was a mall cruiser.

 

Damn! For 18k you should be able to get a 100 Series Land Cruiser or Lexus GX470.

18k for a 19 year old 2wd is crack pipe, V8 or not.

 

My opinion too on long period fluid changes, especially since it was like new outside, inside & under. Figured lightly used and probably never saw dirt or salted road.
We have had it 11 months and all seems okay.
Daughter and young family are enjoying it a lot.

 

I plan to go test drive it, and here a couple of pictures i was able to take. I did look at carfax, spent majority of the in florida, and new mexico, and a little bit of time in Wisconsin too.

 

To answer, someone else's question, it is not a salvage title.

 

Good luck OP

 

I picked up my '03 V8 2WD early this year. It had 130k on the clock with a clean history, and consistent documented maintenance I could trace on the CarFax all the way back to when it was new. Oil changes were on time, timing belt and other maintenance had been done. Rust-free southern truck all its life (I should mention I also looked at one before it, which had spent time in the Northeast, and it was a rust-bucket...with about the same asking price). I paid $6500 for mine from a small but very well respected local dealership.

Granted, it's a few years older and I think the year you're looking at probably had the updated V8 with a little more power, but almost 3 times the price still doesn't seem right. And also, the older 4.7 V8 has plenty of power for a 4Runner so I'd focus more on the maintenance history, title status and vehicle condition than the year, if mileage is similar.

To actually answer your question about how much mileage is too much...on a well-maintained one with that engine, 100k is barely broken in. It's not uncommon for them to see 300 to 400k and beyond with the right maintenance.

 

Seems it can recover nicely. The frame rust needs agressive mediation now. Treat all external with a rust lock product then brush ( thicker coating) a good anti rust paint. With paint dry spray an anti rust coating into frame rails.
PS & BF fluid can be refreshed with suction & refill techniques. Plan on all diffs, TC, Tranny & grease propeller shaft zerks with new lubes.