I am thinking of buying a 96 Toyota 4 Runner, pls help!?

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Courtney

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Ok so the question I have is when someone has a car and they have like 200, 000 miles on it, is that normally on the original engine and transmission? (especially if they say that they have only had minor maintenance?)

I am thinking of buying a 96 Toyota 4 runner with 150, 000 miles, is that a good deal? I am not sure who had it before or how it was taken care of but it looks and drives very well. I just dont want to buy it and have any major problems shortly after.

When I take it to the shop is there any thing in specific I should ask them to look at as far as inspecting it? I know they can do a engine diagnostic which I believe will tell me if anything is wrong with that but is there any way to check your transmission as well?? Sorry for the long question I am just trying to get as much info as I can!!

Thanks!!
 
Check the Kelley Blue Book value:
www.kbb.com
I did a check based on some guesses on the truck and this is what it said for a 4x4 version, 150,000 miles that year and make:

Excellent: $5,025
Good: $4,600
Fair: $4,100

Also see what other people are charging for similar 4 Runners. Here are 240 listings for 4 Runners between $4k and $10k with under 100,000 miles:
http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/searchresults.jsp?num_records=25&search_lang=en&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&search_type=used&distance=0&address=33606&marketZipError=false&style_flag=1&make=TOYOTA&model=4RUN&make2=&start_year=1981&end_year=2008&min_price=4000&max_price=10000&transmission=&engine=&drive=&doors=&fuel=&max_mileage=100000&color=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywords_display=&sort_type=priceDESC&body_code=0&certified=&advanced=y&default_sort=priceDESC&awsp=false&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&systime=

For example here is 1995 w/ only 42,624 miles for $7000.
http://usedcars.kbb.com/fyc_b/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=244533322&dealer_id=1369339&car_year=1995&num_records=25&model=4RUN&systime=&make2=&start_year=1981&engine=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&certified=&fuel=&body_code=0&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=0&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&make=TOYOTA&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=4000&drive=&default_sort=priceDESC&max_mileage=100000&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=33606&advanced=y&end_year=2008&transmission=&doors=&max_price=10000&cardist=921

You are right to be concerned about a car with that many miles. While Toyota's are known for their reliability, fewer miles would definitely be better. I would consider buying a car with fewer miles. If not, expect the unexpected.

When you take the car to the shop to have it inspected tell them you are considering buying the car and want their honest opinion about the condition of the car - they should be able to tell you the condition of the powertrain, brakes, tires etc.
 
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