I am finally almost done with my TDi, my buyback appointment is Jan 19th. So I will have my cash either the 20th or 23rd. Ideally, I get a 3rd gen 4runner to use as a DD. I can do maintenance and basic repairs of course as needed since I will no longer have a car payment. But I need the vehicle to be solid and reliable day 1.

I have seen threads on here where people find what appears to be good 4runners in that price range but I am not finding those on autotrader.

I will basically have a really small window to get a vehicle as I don't want to be stuck borrowing a car from friends/family or pay renting a car for an extended period. Dream scenario is I find one right before the VW goes back and they hold for me for a few days

But as I look around I am unsure if I will even find something of good quality that will work as a DD.

Is a 4runner realistic for me given my parameters? Seems like if I have $6k my options would be greatly expanded but I don't have that.

Thanks!

Where are you located?
$4000 should get you a well maintained rig with under 200k


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Columbia, SC

Driving 3ish hours would be worth it for me

I will have cash either 20th or 23rd, depends on VW

I finalized my divorce earlier this year so having no car payment is pretty important to me. I have a small jon boat, like to hunt and fish, camp, etc so having a car is not ideal. And I don't mind high mileage or old vehicles. I drove a 1994 Bronco for several years in my early 20s (31 now). I can do basic work myself.

I just want something clean, reliable, and that I will enjoy. 4runner hits all those boxes if I can find one I can pay cash for. Ideally I get 3-6 years out of it because at that point my savings will be replenished from the divorce.

I paid $4600 for a 1996 limited with leather and 199k miles in Tennessee last summer. I did a lot of research and this was the best option.


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Just a quick CL search

https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/5931446283.html

https://charleston.craigslist.org/cto/5928838024.html


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It's not super easy, and when you find one you have to be quick.

My current set up I got for $3,500. 1998 SR5 w/ 158k miles. Had lift, tires, locker, armor, etc. but it NEEDED work. LBJs, axle seals, CVs, engine tune up, you name it.

I converted it back to street friendly for the time being since it's a DD and I'm probably in it about $5,000 after all the maintenance and such.

So while it's not impossible, people in the south are awful proud of their 3rd gens and it shows in the asking price. I would say for $4k you could find a nice one with 190k+ miles. Good luck finding what you're looking for!

people in the south are awful proud of their 3rd gens. Man you should see the crazy prices they pay in the PNW.

i got a 99 with e locker, auto, 220k, 1 owner for $3k. It needed a u-joint and rear heater lines, and the A/C wasn't holding freon, but otherwise not too bad.

i paid 4600 for mine a couple of months ago down in birmingham al but it has 230k and has a couple of minor issues. mainly interior.

Chattanooga has several but they are extremely proud of them no matter condition.

I think knoxville does also but the ones i found were real clean and only had 150k ish miles but they were wanting something like 10k for them

Should be able to get a good one for $6k or less. Miles don't bother me as much as a mountain of parts that need to be replaced.

I just picked up a 99 Limited with 242K for 3700 this week, to be my new DD. In great mechanical shape, needs some cosmetic work and some wear and tear parts replaced, nothing critical though.

Divorce sucks, though in mine the wife made more money than I did.

I'd look further south in and around the Jacksonville to Orlando area, though that may be extending your search parameters.

They love their 4runners in Greenville.

I think you need to be a little more realistic on budget. Even if you found a rig for $4k or under, you are not factoring in any maintenance dollars which 99% of the time every used vehicle is going to need.

I would do purchase price +$1,500 or so in maintenance. That means on a $4k budget you'll need to get a $2,500 3rd gen.... damn near impossible unless you want to buy something wrecked, salvage, or 300k+ miles. Thus, I think you'll have to come up to that $6k level even if it means borrowing $2k from family and paying them back.

I paid $4500 for my 4Runner when it had 190k miles, one owner, and no rust or mechanical issues.

Feel lucky that you don't live in the PNW. Clean 4Runners are priced like gold up here. I test drove a bunch and they were either beat to shit or super expensive. In some cases... both. I ended up finding my '98 with 225k miles, but in really nice shape and payed 5500. It's a 5 speed with e locker though so I feel like I got a good deal. I'm in it about 6500 now due to buying new tires and a lift. I have a few more things I want to do but nothing it really "needs". I'm lucky the previous owner kept up on maintenance.