07 worth it ?

[3bears]

so I have been hunting for a replacement for my 3rd gen I totaled . So there has been a 4th gen, 2007, bone stock v6 4wd for sale for like 3 months. That is very unusual up here. Its bone stock, no sunroof, no leather, no rear spoiler. dead radio, cloth seats.
It needs a rear bumper and tires, front bumper has been kissed too. Both are usable as as it sits. It has 260k on it. Title is clean. Came out of Kentucky but been in alaska for 5 years . I would be 6th owner. Winterized ( meaning block heater) and remote start. Everything works. I offered 5k ( they wanted 7) . I was surprised that they might take it, as I also have an offer on a 99 3rd gen, not clean title with 290k for 4k. 4 runners are real hard to get up here.
Thoughts ?

 

[3bears]

guess my big concerns are...with little history and my lack of knowledge past 3rd gens...what can be the big issue. Other than me having to leave it in town for tires right away, cause the tires on it would not make it home ( has worn out summer tires, wont come close to making it in the hills and snow to get home) and thats nearly 1k right there.
And by the way, its not worth trying to com[are to what is for sale in your area... IM in bum frick alaska, and the minimum to get one from the lower 48 is about 3k in shipping, plus my time and money to come look...Guess Im asking...what kind of mechinaicall issues would I face...and ....to get to a dealer or independent for a pre sale inspection... 2+weeks and about 150 and thats not including compression or leak down, thats just throwing on a rack and looking for obvious....thats alaska for you.

 

[Syr4RinNC]

The 07drive train should be solid. I’d do a test drive and manually shift into all the gears to make sure the transmission is solid and no issues. Test that it goes into 4wd and lo 4 easily - the actuators haven’t frozen. Check the frame

I’d try to get routine maintenance history and make sure it was taken care of

If the drive train and frame are solid and you like it I’d go for it

 

[3bears]

The 07drive train should be solid. I’d do a test drive and manually shift into all the gears to make sure the transmission is solid and no issues. Test that it goes into 4wd and lo 4 easily - the actuators haven’t frozen. Check the frame

I’d try to get routine maintenance history and make sure it was taken care of

If the drive train and frame are solid and you like it I’d go for it

thanks, this time of year I can test the 4wd and tranny as best I can. But shit*y tires and our roads are now snow packed ( typical for here) its kind of hard to test or road test much in these conditions. The tires I am actually afraid to drive or test much. thats why im looking for a replacement for my 3rd gen. It was perfect with near new blizzaks, but I hit black ice..at speed...in a corner and totaled my 3rd gen. When you dirve up here, you see cars in the ditch all the time. So kind of relcutant to test drive and push things with a car I dont own and shi*y tires.
btw, same year tacos up here go for 13k+. Exception, a 2007 4cyl 4wd acess cab lasted 2 days for sale up here at 10k...a few up here still for sale at over 14k. A 2012 4 runner went for 15k and lasted a few days. A 2015 4runner local is over 25k

 

[3bears]

you can find it on facebook, fairbanks alaska, 2007 4runner. Pictures are 14 weeks old, I tried to link it, but it also tried to tie in my personal stuff so did not link it

 

[3bears]

so now I have been told that trannys were an issue on 4th gens, true ?

 

[Syr4RinNC]

In the 03s and 04s they were prone to the pink milkshake issues of the 3rd gens. The 05 and up they upgraded the transmission and it has less issues. I believe it’s the same transmission - 5 speed overdrive they are currently using so tried and true for 15 years

FYI on my 03 the transmission went and it was about $1000 to replace it

 

[Syr4RinNC]

Tough to tell from the pics, but might be worth a gamble at 5k.

There’s not much I can find that way. Depending on your budget there’s a 13 tundra for 20k, but didn’t find any Lexus gx, sequoias etc to give you more options

Good luck if you take a look at it and have questions we’ll do our best, but bottom line is an 07 should be about as reliable as there is at 260k as long as all maintenance is up to date