3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide

Looking to buy '97 4TR Limited

Hey all, visited this forum many times in the last 2 months as I've been looking for a '97 - '02 4TR and wanted to thank everybody for all of the great info. here, especially 4-Ripcord! Wanted some opinions on a '97 Limited auto 4WD 1 owner from Utah with 131k miles from local used car dealer asking $8,995. Has heated leather seats, moonroof, towhitch. In very good, not excellent condition overall inside and out with a few scratches here and there; although clock doesn't work (will fix myself from thread on this forum), aftermarket kenwood stereo with cheap amp and subwoofer. Missing tonneau cover until later in the negotiation when they just "happened to have one lying around." All new belts, including timing at 120k but tires are 60% worn. Took to mechanic yesterday- very little rust surprised me since Utah owner, really only found driver side inner tie rod and fuel filter needing replaced, cant tell if radiator is original but looks good with no visible corrosion. Dealer would only come down to $8,350 with no repairs or tires, as we started down that path and didn't like where it was headed. I was thinking fair price from dealer was more like $7,500. Any comments as to fair price on this would be greatly appreciated, thanks much.
 
thoughts?

Im considering buying this 4runner, what are everyones thoughts?

We are selling our 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5. We purchased it new in 2002 and have never had any problems. It has almost 92,000 miles and has been regularly serviced.

Some of the details are:
Exterior color: Millennium Silver
Interior: Leather - Oak color
Engine: 3.4L V6 DOHC EFI Engine
Transmission: 4-speed automatic ECT
Additional options include: rear heater w/dual cupholders, leather package, large painted overfenders, 16" aluminum wheels, power tilt/slide moonroof, convenience package with towing hitch, running boards and wheel locks.

Feel free to contact me if you have additional questions or would like to take a look at it. It's a great vehicle but we needed something with third row seating. The first $8,500 gets it.
 
cool

Emailed the guy waiting to hear back. I'll keep ya posted.

Thanks for all your advice on the forums, you've been very helpful.
 
@ Ripcord - sellers response

Thanks for the interest in the 4Runner. We purchased the car new from Koons Toyota of Tyson's Corner in May of 2002. I only kept maintenance records for the past 3 or so years. But I had all of the required services done and the big ones at 30k and 60k miles. After the warranty expired, I soley took the vehicle to Japanese Auto Clinic on Lee Highway in Arlington for all servicing. Those guys are great and I'm happy to take it to them if you'd like for an inspection. I think they charge about $25 to look over a vehicle. We are selling the car because we had our 3rd child and needed a vehicle with 3rd row. Otherwise, I would not be selling it.

The interior of the car is decent. It's leather, so its a little more durable than cloth. The drivers side seat is starting to crack a little on the outside part nearest the door. The floormats have normal stains that occur over 10 years. The back seats we in surpisingly good shape when I took out the car seats. I used a carpet cleaner on the back space and most of the stains came out.

The only accident the car has experienced is that my wife hit a deer but it wasn't a direct hit. She swerved to miss it, but hit the back end of the deer with the front left fender. It bent it above the wheel fender and that place was replaced along with replacing the headlight. No damage was done to the frame.

We've had no issues with the car whatsoever. It's been great and I still enjoy driving it but we don't need 3 SUV's. It has 91,971 miles. It does need a new battery, but I ran out of time last weekend before I could get it. I will replace this before it is sold. The body shows normal wear from being 10 years old. A small scrape on the passenger side front wheel well from a parking lot attendant. We received a check from them, but didn't have it repaired as it wasn't that bad. That's about all I can think of. But if you think of anything else, let me know. I have also attached all of the pictures. I took a few more of the interior last night, but for some reason, I didn't think to take the back seat. I'll send you those if needed.

Let me know if you are interested and would like to take a look at it.

@ Ripcord - This looks like a decent deal, but its my first time buying a 4runner. Im gonna run the VIN through carfax. Penny for your thoughts?
 
brothesda said:
Thanks for the interest in the 4Runner. We purchased the car new from Koons Toyota of Tyson's Corner in May of 2002. I only kept maintenance records for the past 3 or so years. But I had all of the required services done and the big ones at 30k and 60k miles. After the warranty expired, I soley took the vehicle to Japanese Auto Clinic on Lee Highway in Arlington for all servicing. Those guys are great and I'm happy to take it to them if you'd like for an inspection. I think they charge about $25 to look over a vehicle. We are selling the car because we had our 3rd child and needed a vehicle with 3rd row. Otherwise, I would not be selling it.

The interior of the car is decent. It's leather, so its a little more durable than cloth. The drivers side seat is starting to crack a little on the outside part nearest the door. The floormats have normal stains that occur over 10 years. The back seats we in surpisingly good shape when I took out the car seats. I used a carpet cleaner on the back space and most of the stains came out.

The only accident the car has experienced is that my wife hit a deer but it wasn't a direct hit. She swerved to miss it, but hit the back end of the deer with the front left fender. It bent it above the wheel fender and that place was replaced along with replacing the headlight. No damage was done to the frame.

We've had no issues with the car whatsoever. It's been great and I still enjoy driving it but we don't need 3 SUV's. It has 91,971 miles. It does need a new battery, but I ran out of time last weekend before I could get it. I will replace this before it is sold. The body shows normal wear from being 10 years old. A small scrape on the passenger side front wheel well from a parking lot attendant. We received a check from them, but didn't have it repaired as it wasn't that bad. That's about all I can think of. But if you think of anything else, let me know. I have also attached all of the pictures. I took a few more of the interior last night, but for some reason, I didn't think to take the back seat. I'll send you those if needed.

Let me know if you are interested and would like to take a look at it.

@ Ripcord - This looks like a decent deal, but its my first time buying a 4runner. Im gonna run the VIN through carfax. Penny for your thoughts?
Click to expand...

Still doesn't say much. Sounds like he cared for the truck well, and he is not some hick trying to get rid of it. But, I would never buy a car that was used as a baby hauler.

The main thing I want to see is service records. Did it have the ball joint recall done? (should have been done in the year 2005 or 2006) Fluids changed regularly? (diffs, coolant, trans, etc..). The 30k and 60k services include this kind of stuff, so its probably good. Timing belt done at 90k? That's important, becuase its a $600 service at the dealer.

I would highly doubt there's anything wrong with it, and I would be fairly confident buying it. But you always want to check the numbers.
 
Hey all is it just me or is the Toyota owner website's national data feed been offline for 5 or 6 days now? Been accessing service history on T4Rs for sale with VINs but unable to in the last week, says "national data feed offline" and "manage vehicles is temporarily unavailable." Anyone else experience same?
 
@ Ripcord

Carfax checks out, he didnt say anything about the timing belt being fixed soooo thats a no. Im gonna check out the car tonight and ask the right questions. Thanks for your help.
 
damn

Drove the '02 SR5 last night and its great. Had him drop it off at the japanese auto clinic (which he said did all his work and he recommended.

Just got off the phone with the mechanic and he said it needs the following..

Rack and Pinion is leaking - $1000
Rear shocks are leaking - $440
Transmission Pan Gasket is leaking - $250
car needs alignment - $100
battery is getting weak - $127
all fluids are getting a little dirty - $250
timing belt has not been replaced - $800
Total = $3k

sonofa*****.
 
Take those numbers to the buyer, and work on a deal reflective of them. Then when you get it, take the money you save and fix that stuff yourself on the cheap.
 
ummmmm yeah

Welcome to DC (everything here is twice as expensive). Seller wanted $8500 for the 4runner. Im thinking about emailing him the faxed quote (again he reccomended this place) and telling him I'd take it off his hands for $5k cash. You guys think thats a good plan?
 
Yes, but be expected to pay a little more than that. If he trusts that place, then he should have no problem negotiating some of that. If it were me, I wouldn't pay more than $6500 for it.
 
no dice

Offered the guy 6k cash and he said Carmax offered him 7k. Likr the earlier poster said, I dont want to pay more than $6500.

Again thanks for all your help. To be continued...
 
I don't believe that Carmax would give him that much...he'll be lucky to get $5k from them. If a shop found all that stuff wrong, so will Carmax. I guarantee he filled out the form online, and thats what was quoted. As soon as he takes it there, they'll laugh at him.
 
Hello all,

I'm new to the site and just wanted to say what a refreshing breath it was to find you all. I looked at a few others and I'll be honest when I say that this site is more "newb" friendly.

This particular thread has given me much inspiration and day dreams (and soon empty pockets!). Thank you Ripcord and all that contributed to making this thread what it is today. I'm sure I'll be using this site for years to come and most likely my boys will as well.

You guys & gals are a great bunch and I hope to meet some of you on a trail one day.

v/r
Ironback
 
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