I think I found another 4runner to consider in my search. I just looked at a black 2004 4wd sport with the v8 and was wondering about the price. The truck has 65,000 miles and is pretty loaded up. It has the 100k warranty, and a good remote start. The seller is asking $20,000 for it. It drove nice and felt good, better than the 2002 we were looking at (50,000 miles for $18,000).
The seller said nothing has been done as far as warranty, one wheel sensor was replaced when it got new tires because it got broken in the tire change. He did replace the tranny fluid because he towed a bit with it and just did it for piece of mind. It was clean and seemed taken care of.
The research I have done so far seems to say this is a good deal.
Please let me know your opinions.
Thanks a lot.
neil.

2004 V8 was a non-VVTI engine, so you will lose a bit of power compared to the '05 to '08 V8 engines.

As far as the mileage: 65,000 is not bad, but I believe the V8's need a timing belt replaced around 60k - 70k miles (someone with a V8 can correct me on that). I think the damage to get this belt replaced is around $1500 (usually they replace the water pump too since they tear everything apart). I would check all of the diffs and shocks for leakage (some XREAS systems have failed already with leaks showing up on the shock itself).

Funny that he replaced the tranny fluid... I thought the 5 speed transmissions were sealed. Hopefully he changed the fluids in the diffs and transfer case with all that towing.

The timing belt should be good for 90,000 miles, according to my 2006 manual. I'm not sure if the interval was shorter for the 03-04 V8, but I don't think so.

The V8 got the sealed trans in 2004, and the V6 got it in 05. It's possible to change the fluid, but it's a big hassle, so it's best to have a dealer do it. There is no dipstick or drain plug; rather, it has a fill plug and an overflow plug. It's a complicated process of getting the trans fluid up to operating temp and then filling it until excess comes out the overflow. The maintenance manual recommends perpetual inspection of the fluid but does not call for replacement unless you're towing.

The fact that the owner towed with it scares me a bit. I always try to steer clear of vehicles that have towed. I still keep thinking about the 2002 sport we looked at with the low miles. I still am very undecided.
Keep up the opinions , thanks.
neil

What did he tow with it? If it were just a utility trailer or small camper, I would not worry one bit about it. Does it have a trailer brake controller? If not I would say he did not tow anything over a couple thousand pounds.

I have towed a 12 ft U-haul twice less than hundred miles total, a 12 ft utility trailer a couple hundred miles, a pop-up camper a couple hundred miles (2200lbs), and a 700lb jet ski maybe a dozen times over the 73000 miles I currently have on the 4Runner. I still would not say I have "TOWED" with it.

My Idea of "TOWING" involves a weight distributing hitch set up, a brake controller, and something over 5000lbs.

Small little utility/recreational items above in limited amounts don't even hurt the vehicle one bit. It is much tougher than that with proper maintenance.

The fact that he already changed the fluid as a precaution showes he has already gone above and beyond.

I would go with the 2004 V-8.

No, there is no brake controller and he towed snowmobile trailer and a boat with it. We are going to look at it again today if possible. Is there anything out of the norm that I should be looking for??? How about the price $20,000? The price seems on par with everything I found on Autotrader some are higher and some lower.
Thanks again.
neil

2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 4A)
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $18,279 $19,820 $21,081
Optional Equipment $681 $754 $904
5-Speed Automatic Transmission $423 $468 $561
Rear Spoiler $94 $104 $125
4.7L V8 DOHC 32V FI Engine $164 $182 $218
Color Adjustment
Black $-18 $-20 $-21
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 49269 $-64 $-69 $-74
Mileage Adjustment
65,000 miles $-1,029 $-1,029 $-1,029
Condition Adjustment
Clean $0 $0 $0
Total Trade-in- $17,849, Private-Party- $19,456, Retail- $20,861


Certified Used Vehicle $22,066

I got this from edmunds, I guessed on the optional equipment, I was probably on the low side, and used a southern MI Zip Code 49269 (My Folks Live there). Yes near the Prison!

$20k seems like he is right in the ballpark depending on the other options I may not have put in. After all the vehicle probably stickered around $33-35K new.

Good Luck.

We just looked at it again and my wife took it for a ride and could not believe how smooth it was. She thought it drove way better than the 2002 we borrowed. I am still a bit on the fence about the price and miles. The body does have a few scratches and you can tell it has been driven but not abused. The black paint will always show this. The few extras it has are new revos, premium stereo, remote start and the 100,000 mile warranty from Toyota that is transferable. I was thinking about offering $19,000 for it. Hopefully it won't offend the seller. The truck definitely needs a good cleaning.
I did ask about the tranny fluid change and he did have the shop put the toyota fluid in and has all recipts for the work. He seemed like he was big into having the maint. done early for piece of mind.
Hopefully by next week I will be a fellow 4runner owner.
thanks, neil.

BUY IT, BUY IT NOW! But first check carfax. I myself have an '04 but a V6. The paint, don't worry about it, the miles, don't worry about it, I have 62k currently, and nothing has ever gone wrong. Funny I have pretty much the same set-up as that guy, except the premium stereo and extended warranty. I tow, but I wouldn't say I "tow" because towing to me is regularly towing a large load, whereas I sporadicly carry small trailers and don't have a brake controller. Good luck, and 20k is almost a steal.

Go for it!!!

Just for comparo I am asking 20 for my 04 v6 4x4. But I only have 40K flat FL miles on it and keep it ultra clean. Local dealer has a limited 04, 50K for 22+?

Sounds like a good deal to me.

Unless you want to drive down to check out mine, great day at the beach - that little storm off the east coast has kicked up some nice waves!

Let us know what ya do and good luck!

Thanks for the advice everyone, I tried to offer lower but the guy would not budge on the price so I had to pay the full 20k for it. But thanks to everybody here I knew the price was fair. I will be giving him a deposit today and get the process rolling. We are very excited to drive it. It will be a big change from my wife's Cherokee.
It will be nice to put the two car seats back there and still have a bit of room to get the kids in and out. The Cherokee was very tight and our son got his head bumped on the top of the door opening almost everytime.
Thanks again.
neil

Good Luck with the New to You 4Runner. Now we will see how long it takes you to get the MOD Bug after reading through all the threads.

It is almost a fight between my wife and I about who it going to drive the 4Runner. Our other vehicle is a 05 Camry but it is just not as fun to drive.

It should be night and day between the Heep Cherokee and the 4Runner. You and your wife should be very happy with it.