03 4Runner Sport V8 4x4 worth the 6 hour drive?

[blindloser1080]

A dealership found an 03 4runner sport that they are holding for me until this weekend. It's a 1 owner with 104k on it. I'm just curious to the rust on here, if it's normal for a 10 year old vehicle? They are asking less than 14k for it. Looks good outside, just no clue underneath. I know it's dirty but it had just came in on trade-in. Thanks again in advance!! You guys are awesome!!

 

[SR587]

doesnt look bad to me, although i am def not a fan of all the plastic on the exterior

 

[V8.]

You can paint the cladding black or whatever if you desire. Really does help with rock chips.

Anyways... I always figured for a vehicle you will have for the next so many years driving x hours to get it is no big deal. Im in Canada and looked at about a 1000km (625 mile) radius of my home city.

 

[HappyMac]

It is tough to tell from the pictures but the rust doesn't look too bad, especially since it was just traded in and hadn't been cleaned up yet. I've seen far worse images of rust on 4th gens on this forum. Maybe someone on this forum is near the dealership and can inspect if for you.

Does the dealer know you are driving 6 hours? I doubt the price will go much lower if they know that.

 

[blindloser1080]

Yes, the dealer knows I'm driving the 6 hours to go there. My family has worked with this dealership in the past, buying their Camry from there. The closest relative is my father, which is still 2 1/2 hours away. I'm looking at leaving tonight, staying at his place, and heading up first thing in the morning with him. It doesn't look too rough, and much better than an 04 I looked at locally last week where they tried to cover it up with an undercoating.

 

[jimithing]

Make sure you check the XREAS to see if it's leaking at all. If it's leaking you'll need to replace the whole system. You can replace with XREAS again but that's really expensive or you can take XREAS off and get Bilstein 5100's.

Also, 4th gen 4Runners tend to get frozen brake calipers and that one in the picture with the wheel off looks pretty rusted. Not a guarantee it's frozen but it's something else to look for.

Lastly check to see if the timing belt has been changed. It was due at 90k miles.

 

[blindloser1080]

Yea, they are currently unknown about the timing belt. If I do pick it up, I'm making them do it before I take the vehicle.

Also the caliper did send a warning off, but I don't know if they are going to be replacing those or not since I agree, they do look a bit rusted.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

doesnt look bad to me, although i am def not a fan of all the plastic on the exterior

I love my cladding. If someone bumps the door into it it won't dent or scratch the paint.

 

[Sungod]

$14K is way too much. Here is one much cleaner for $10K in the DC area 2003 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition! 4WD! V8! Financing Available!. You could buy a plane ticket and drive it back and still have $3k in your pocket.

 

[Presta24]

$14K is way too much. Here is one much cleaner for $10K in the DC area 2003 Toyota 4Runner Sport Edition! 4WD! V8! Financing Available!. You could buy a plane ticket and drive it back and still have $3k in your pocket.

I agree! I paid 14k for mine 4 yrs ago with 70k on it. The post this guy has is more in line. KBB on mine now with 113k is like just under 10k

 

[Cali4Runnea]

I agree as well. They are asking way too much for it! I bet if you waited around, you could find a newer one with less miles, for the same price. Good luck hunting!

 

[SR587]

I love my cladding. If someone bumps the door into it it won't dent or scratch the paint.

thats a good point

 

[Mark86]

Doesn't look bad from the pics. Just check the service records because if the timing belt and water pump were not changed at 90k, they must be. Also see if the spark plugs were changed- I think on the 03 V8's they have to be changed at 90k. 14K is a bit high for that vehicle, especially since you are driving so far to purchase it.

 

[blindloser1080]

Sorry guys, forgot to post this...

They sold it yesterday. It was on the lot for 5 minutes right before they closed, and some guy points it out and says "I want that..." I was irritated at first, but it's a business and I understand they have to run it and make money. Besides, if it wasn't meant to be then it wasn't meant to be.