Toyota 4Runner
by Toyota
6 endorsements on r/BuyItForLife first recommended in Jun 2025
A body-on-frame midsize SUV built on Toyota's truck platform, known for reaching very high mileage with only routine maintenance.
Added Jul 5, 2026, Updated Jul 7, 2026
Why it's buy-it-for-life
Multiple long-term owners on r/BuyItForLife report their 4Runners still running on the original engine past 200k-550k+ miles with nothing but oil changes and regular maintenance. The tradeoffs are poor fuel economy, a firm ride, and frame rust risk on older models if untreated.
What redditors say
Recommended on reddit as recently as June 2025
Show 5 more mentions
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
It's pricey but if it's a good maintained engine it could probably get you to 250k miles before anything major.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I've got a 97 with 556,456 miles on it. Original owner, original motor. 4Runners slay! Buy for life!
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I've got a 2000 that's nearly at 400k miles. It will outlive us all.
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
Gas guzzler
- 1r/BuyItForLife comment
I have a '17 4Runner SR5 Premium clocking in at 96K on the odometer with a laundry list of small modifications.
My local dealership has a 2016 SR5 with 100k miles priced at 25k. Seems high for the miles, but I also know Toyota is known for reliability.
No car is buy for life unless you either never drive it or put the equivalent of the cost of a new car in repairs into it. That's also way too much.
my 2015 is still working like the day I bought it with 100k+ miles and nothing but oil changes and regular maintenance
it was very reliable but the ride on road is not great
zero regrets, plan to drive it until the wheels fall off which should be at least 20-30 years
I had a 2008 4Runner that went well over 210,000 miles before the repairs started outweighing a down payment on another vehicle.