250,000 miles on a Sequoia

[bigfj62]

I have been looking for a used Sequoia for the wife. One just came up for sale locally and I am going to go take a look at it. Now I would buy a Cruiser with 250,000 if had been taken care of but what about the Sequoia? I know the drivetrain is similar to the 100 series but what about axles and such. The current owners live in a very wealthy part of our town. From the pictures the leather isn't shot and there are Toyota rubber floor mats. It is an 02 and supposedly has new brakes and tires.

The reason I am considering this is because we could pick it up for pennies on the dollar. I could put some money into freshening up suspension, bearings, and whatever else may need to be addressed. Drive it for another 50000 miles and save for the next purchase.

What parts should I look into being replaced. I know we should be on out third timing belt but what else do you think I should have addressed. Opinions appreciated. Thanks

 

[BILT4ME]

My neighbor has the 2001 sequoia like you are looking at with 265K. He bought it new, has had all dealer service done to it, has had excellent service with it. He has replaced the timing belt once, did the major engine service (plugs, coils, tbelt, etc at approx 150K). He has had problems with one window that fell down, and an armrest, and the leather is showing some wear.

The only thing he has said is maybe he should have waited one or two years because he got the first year model and has had a couple of annoying issues, but nothing major. He did have one time of something they couldn't figure out for a week (something computer related I think) but they got through it. They take this truck on all trips and it has been across the USA at LEAST 3 times.

He has had no driveline, transmission, or suspension issues at all. Only interior and the few minor standard service engine things.

 

[iwashmycar]

That could be one thing to find out. Running across the US a couple times is a lot of miles at once...IMO much easier on the vehicle than if it were running a bazillion trips across town everyday.

 

[Big Ed]

 

[bigfj62]

That could be one thing to find out. Running across the US a couple times is a lot of miles at once...IMO much easier on the vehicle than if it were running a bazillion trips across town everyday.

Yes, I will be asking what kind of miles were put on the truck.

Log train?????

 

[landcrshr]

Giant Sequoia

 

[lowenbrau]

I bought an 02 with 230,000 miles this winter. They were all over the place for as little as $3000USD before the fuel prices dropped. I paid little over $4000 for ours. It is a limited with the leather but no DVD player. Seemed too good to pass up. The timing belt hasn't been changed since 60,000 miles though so I bought a complete Aisin set online for a couple hundred and will do that swap soon.

A Sequoia makes trails awfully tight though.

 

[JOFS]

I had an 02 sequoia and it was the worst toyota I ever had. Gave me a great excuse to get a code reader as I always had some check engine light or vsc light etc coming on.
Others love them my my 02 was bad.
Consumer reports I think gave some pretty bad marks on the early years.

Make sure the brake upgrade has been done, the trucks were too big for the brakes and I warped many a rotor on that truck no matter what I used. Many had issues with the VSC computers. Then also there is the frame rust issue which might not be an issue for you.

Good luck.
John

 

[bigfj62]

Giant Sequoia

ahhh got it..

I bought an 02 with 230,000 miles this winter. They were all over the place for as little as $3000USD before the fuel prices dropped. I paid little over $4000 for ours. It is a limited with the leather but no DVD player. Seemed too good to pass up. The timing belt hasn't been changed since 60,000 miles though so I bought a complete Aisin set online for a couple hundred and will do that swap soon.

A Sequoia makes trails awfully tight though.

Not going to be a trail rig. Just a family hauler. But yes a giant on the trail.

I had an 02 sequoia and it was the worst toyota I ever had. Gave me a great excuse to get a code reader as I always had some check engine light or vsc light etc coming on.
Others love them my my 02 was bad.
Consumer reports I think gave some pretty bad marks on the early years.

Make sure the brake upgrade has been done, the trucks were too big for the brakes and I warped many a rotor on that truck no matter what I used. Many had issues with the VSC computers. Then also there is the frame rust issue which might not be an issue for you.

Good luck.
John

All great thing to look into. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[1911]

Mine is still a good and reliable family car for one of my sons, at well over 250,000 miles. Only cosmetic repairs ever done to it. I maintained it well though.

 

[Teddy]

I know you're looking at an 02, but we have 2010 with the 5.7 and 6 speed, 2WD, I tow a good bit with it though. Almost 100000 miles and never skipped a beat. It has had very good maintenance though.

 

[Shahram]

I have a '05 2WD and I had a '00 Tundra 4x4, both with 4.7 iForce V8s. Both were great, but not near that many miles.

However, some of the companies I work with have fleet 2WD Tundras with 4.7s, and I consistently see them hit 400k or 500k without needing full rebuilds or replacements. These are company-owned flatbeds that are employee driven and consistently overloaded, with shoddy maintenance at best. They're very tough trucks.

 

[bigfj62]

I know you're looking at an 02, but we have 2010 with the 5.7 and 6 speed, 2WD, I tow a good bit with it though. Almost 100000 miles and never skipped a beat. It has had very good maintenance though.

I have a '05 2WD and I had a '00 Tundra 4x4, both with 4.7 iForce V8s. Both were great, but not near that many miles.

However, some of the companies I work with have fleet 2WD Tundras with 4.7s, and I consistently see them hit 400k or 500k without needing full rebuilds or replacements. These are company-owned flatbeds that are employee driven and consistently overloaded, with shoddy maintenance at best. They're very tough trucks.

Sorry guys in these parts 4 wheel Drive is essential. Thanks for the offer.

 

[bigfj62]

I test drove it this morning. Everything look likes I thought it should. Cosmetic dings scratches as a family car should. They bought it new and serviced it at the local Toyota. Mechanically it seems pretty tip top shape. Timing belt was done at 200,000 miles. Not seeing any glaring problems. The only thing that I was trying to figure out was a slight High pitched noise coming from behind the dash after pushing on the brakes. Sounds to me maybe a leak in the brake booster. It starts while you push the brakes and goes away a few seconds after you let off the brake. Probably needs shocks and rear brakes too. Talked to my Toyota tech friend and he says a booster is $1200. He said he has not heard on many of them going though. What do you guys think?

 

[CruiserHappy]

I test drove it this morning. Everything look likes I thought it should. Cosmetic dings scratches as a family car should. They bought it new and serviced it at the local Toyota. Mechanically it seems pretty tip top shape. Timing belt was done at 200,000 miles. Not seeing any glaring problems. The only thing that I was trying to figure out was a slight High pitched noise coming from behind the dash after pushing on the brakes. Sounds to me maybe a leak in the brake booster. It starts while you push the brakes and goes away a few seconds after you let off the brake. Probably needs shocks and rear brakes too. Talked to my Toyota tech friend and he says a booster is $1200. He said he has not heard on many of them going though. What do you guys think?

Is there a aftermarket tow package on it? Brake assist can make some noise as well

 

[bigfj62]

No. It was an OEM tow package.