3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer...Need Advice

[airopsfletch]

Hey Guys,

I've been shopping around for the past month looking for a clean 4x4 3rd Gen. I found one locally and wanted your opinion. The truck is a 2001 SR5. The owner recently changed the timing belt, water pump, clutch, and plugs. I love that its a 5 Speed, haven't driven a manual in years! The truck has over 199K and owner is asking $6500. Seems a little high. If he can produce maintenance logs I'm thinking $5000 is more than a fair offer. Comparable rigs in the area with lower miles are going for $4700 - $5000

Here is the CL ad. Thanks for your input!

4WD TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 V6 3.4L 5 SPEED 4X4

 

[turbo8]

I wonder if that has the E-locker.

 

[4-Ripcord]

OP, read this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

I agree the closer you can get to $5k, the better.

However, the fact that it is listed as an 01' makes me suspicious as it clearly is not an 01'.

 

[Scramble]

Looks like a 99 or 2000 sport edition & the running boards look like they're from a Limited. The rear hatch panel is painted too. It should be dark grey.

 

[T4R2014]

100% sure it is a 2000. Body color fender flares are original to this SR5. Someone added the scooped hood and painted the rear hatch license plate bezel. Could these have been added on by a shady body shop after an accident? Maybe. But, they also could have been added by a previous owner.

 

[gamefreakgc]

That 4Runner doesn't make much sense, it looks like a limited on the outside, is a SR5 on the inside? But is a manual? Maybe they swapped it in at one point?

If whoever is selling it doesn't even know what year it is I'd be careful. Just take your time and inspect it well.

 

[T4R2014]

That 4Runner doesn't make much sense, it looks like a limited on the outside, is a SR5 on the inside? But is a manual? Maybe they swapped it in at one point?

If whoever is selling it doesn't even know what year it is I'd be careful. Just take your time and inspect it well.

Aside from the hood, rims, and rear license plate bezel color, that is a configuration which could be ordered from factory. Look close, Limited's have door cladding. This does not. The 2000-02 factory-installed fender flares are terribly misunderstood.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Yeah I noticed the door cladding was missing. I've never seen anyone try and make a 4Runner look like a Limited though, usually it's the other way around!

 

[Supermoney]

This thing was pieced back together. I'd skip

 

[BrianSD_42]

you can take the VIN# to Toyota and they should bea able to tell you what model it is.

 

[jeremyc74]

That 4Runner doesn't make much sense, it looks like a limited on the outside, is a SR5 on the inside? But is a manual? Maybe they swapped it in at one point?

If whoever is selling it doesn't even know what year it is I'd be careful. Just take your time and inspect it well.

It looks just like mine on the outside. The flares aren't the same as the Limiteds. Those are more molded into the running boards, and look funny when you remove them. But it has definitely had some paint work done.

See the slight differences where the running boards meet the flares?

OP, there are some pretty nice ones for sale in the Orlando area right now if you're open to an automatic. They popped up on my CL search this morning (I'm always looking for a deal).

Here's a STEAL on a 2001 with 130k on it (assuming it checks out)
2001 Toyota 4Runner limited

Here's a 2002 with 145k on it under $5k.
2002 toyota 4runner 4x4

Here's a very tasty Limited with only 124k on it, but it's a little pricey IMO.
2002 toyota 4runner

 

[96LTDrus]

This thing was pieced back together. I'd skip

Yeah I'd be suspect and check for any signs of an accident by looking underneath the truck and looking for wrinkled sheetmetal, etc. I get very suspicious when I see all of this swapped over and changed stuff. The back hatch being replaced/repainted makes me think 100% accident repair. They even resprayed the rear spoiler.

Honestly, I'd walk away. Or else be very careful and negotiate it down to no more than $5k.

 

[cek77]

Punch the VIN in HERE (Toyota owners website). It'll let you know what maintenance was done at the dealership and tell you some info about the 4Runner and where it was sold.

Found that site when I had my '06 4Runner. Punched in my recent buy '97 and it gave me some great info about it history.

Keep looking if it sounds like a messy deal. There is always another one that will pop up. I bought and sold quite a few cars over the last 15 years. I always check Craigslist a week or two later and there is almost always a better deal/car out there.

 

[jeremyc74]

Yeah I'd be suspect and check for any signs of an accident by looking underneath the truck and looking for wrinkled sheetmetal, etc. I get very suspicious when I see all of this swapped over and changed stuff. The back hatch being replaced/repainted makes me think 100% accident repair. They even resprayed the rear spoiler.

Honestly, I'd walk away. Or else be very careful and negotiate it down to no more than $5k.

What "swapped stuff" are you talking about? Those flares came from the factory just like they did on mine. The back hatch may have been repainted, or it may just be the trim panel that's been painted. There's absolutely nothing in those pictures that indicate this thing has been "pieced together".

 

[gamefreakgc]

What "swapped stuff" are you talking about? Those flares came from the factory just like they did on mine. The back hatch may have been repainted, or it may just be the trim panel that's been painted. There's absolutely nothing in those pictures that indicate this thing has been "pieced together".

I think he is referencing the hood, and manual transmission. Although I think that the wording is a bit off, I'd say it was "modified" rather than "pieced together".

However, the "pieces" might be hiding the effects of an accident or something else.

 

[jeremyc74]

I think he is referencing the hood, and manual transmission. Although I think that the wording is a bit off, I'd say it was "modified" rather than "pieced together".

However, the "pieces" might be hiding the effects of an accident or something else.

Based on the transmission availability I suspect the year is wrong (2000 instead of 2001), rather than it being swapped. The sport hood is such a common addition I wouldn't worry too much about that. Certainly warrants a thorough investigation though.

 

[Brveagle]

Punch the VIN in HERE (Toyota owners website). It'll let you know what maintenance was done at the dealership and tell you some info about the 4Runner and where it was sold.

Found that site when I had my '06 4Runner. Punched in my recent buy '97 and it gave me some great info about it history.

Keep looking if it sounds like a messy deal. There is always another one that will pop up. I bought and sold quite a few cars over the last 15 years. I always check Craigslist a week or two later and there is almost always a better deal/car out there.

What a great site. Thank you very much.

 

[Scramble]

It looks just like mine on the outside. The flares aren't the same as the Limiteds. Those are more molded into the running boards, and look funny when you remove them. But it has definitely had some paint work done.

See the slight differences where the running boards meet the flares?

OP, there are some pretty nice ones for sale in the Orlando area right now if you're open to an automatic. They popped up on my CL search this morning (I'm always looking for a deal).

Here's a STEAL on a 2001 with 130k on it (assuming it checks out)
2001 Toyota 4Runner limited

Here's a 2002 with 145k on it under $5k.
2002 toyota 4runner 4x4

Here's a very tasty Limited with only 124k on it, but it's a little pricey IMO.
2002 toyota 4runner

The last one is not a Limited but I bet it's so expensive because it has the front SR5 mud flaps! :wink2:

I would buy the Black one.

 

[airopsfletch]

You guys are awesome. I'm going to pass on this one...too many red flags. The search continues!

 

[jeremyc74]

The last one is not a Limited but I bet it's so expensive because it has the front SR5 mud flaps! :wink2:

I would buy the Black one.

Doh! I had a Limited I was going to post, and mixed the two up.

That black one is a steal if everything checks out. I'd almost go buy it myself, then list it here and make a couple of hundred bucks. :high5:
It bothers me a little that the seats are in such bad shape with that mileage though. I'd want to see a Carfax on it for sure, to make sure there's no OD fraud going on.