3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide
- Thread starter 4-Ripcord
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T4Rfirefighter
New member
Already looked there and KBB, but I thought I'd ask here since this is where the experts are. Thanks for the friendly advice.
Hi, first post in here.
I work at a dealership and we just got in a 99 4runner a couple days ago. It's in okay condition, mechanic said it was good, just needs new plugs/wires, and lower ball joints soon. Seats are a little ruff, but I bet I can replace them pretty cheap.
Anyway, it's red, Limited edition, so it has the E-locker which looks like it's saught after. But anyway, i'm mostly a motorcycle rider and I ride one 75% of the year, but for the other 25% this is what i'm looking for, also something to tow a small trailer with a couple race motorcycles in it. Also looking to buy something with cash so I can pay off all my student debts and what not. So I would like it to last at least 2 years...
Rust under the body isn't bad, a little surface rust... But runs great, shifts great, trans fluid looks good, it's bright red, radiator fluid could probably be changed, brake fluid needs to be flushed. But with a little work I think it could be a pretty good truck.
Anyway, I can get it for about 3500 + tax so Just wondering if it's a good deal.
Here is the carfax
CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD
Guy sold it I guess because he wanted better gas millage.
I work at a dealership and we just got in a 99 4runner a couple days ago. It's in okay condition, mechanic said it was good, just needs new plugs/wires, and lower ball joints soon. Seats are a little ruff, but I bet I can replace them pretty cheap.
Anyway, it's red, Limited edition, so it has the E-locker which looks like it's saught after. But anyway, i'm mostly a motorcycle rider and I ride one 75% of the year, but for the other 25% this is what i'm looking for, also something to tow a small trailer with a couple race motorcycles in it. Also looking to buy something with cash so I can pay off all my student debts and what not. So I would like it to last at least 2 years...
Rust under the body isn't bad, a little surface rust... But runs great, shifts great, trans fluid looks good, it's bright red, radiator fluid could probably be changed, brake fluid needs to be flushed. But with a little work I think it could be a pretty good truck.
Anyway, I can get it for about 3500 + tax so Just wondering if it's a good deal.
Here is the carfax
CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 1999 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD
Guy sold it I guess because he wanted better gas millage.
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PeteOB
New member
oooeee. I paid 4K for my 96 Limited (North of Chicago), not that I am any standard by which to be measured, but the absence of rust in the midwest is KEY. If you work @ the Stealership make 'em eat the tax & doc fees & GET IT!!! If you have access to dealership mechanics that is GOLDEN, too.
pdx650
Member
Get it, now!:jaw:
Hacker
New member
I would buy that today, easy.
WesleeC
New member
Hey Guys! First real post. Im looking to join all of you and buy a 4runner. The one Im looking at is a 2000 with 163k v6 4x4 and timing belt was done at 140k. It seems to be in good condition besides the spot between the body and running boards looks a little off.
Im just hoping you guys can pick this apart and tell me if it looks like a good rig.
FYI i think I can get it for $4000.
2000 4runner 4x4
Im just hoping you guys can pick this apart and tell me if it looks like a good rig.
FYI i think I can get it for $4000.
2000 4runner 4x4
downpour11
New member
Not much I can tell from the pic, or the ad itself. Seems like a good truck from what you've told us. I'd go check it out. Why do you think you can get it for $4000? Good haggler?
bhove
New member
Very informative post, thanks!!
I am considering buying a 3rd gen 4Runner for my daily driver and of course so many of them have 175,000 plus miles, so it's great to be reassured that with a little digging and some knowledge from this site I can buy a 4Runner with around 200K miles and know it has a lot of life left. I have had an 84 4x4 pickup and a 2008 FJ Cruiser and really miss having a Toyota to go wheeling with.
I am considering buying a 3rd gen 4Runner for my daily driver and of course so many of them have 175,000 plus miles, so it's great to be reassured that with a little digging and some knowledge from this site I can buy a 4Runner with around 200K miles and know it has a lot of life left. I have had an 84 4x4 pickup and a 2008 FJ Cruiser and really miss having a Toyota to go wheeling with.
WesleeC
New member
What do you guys think of this?
Rare 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited SR5 W/ Differential Lock All Options
Rare 1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited SR5 W/ Differential Lock All Options
downpour11
New member
Looks good to me. And he's got a nice marketing spiel lol
He seems to know what he has, it's priced a tad high just how he wanted to price it. You could prob talk him down to $3500-4k for it. Look it up on KBB or Edwards, etc.
WesleeC
New member
alright thanks man! So I shouldnt be weary about the mileage?
downpour11
New member
I personally wouldn't be weary. Go look at it and drive it, see how it checks out.
awthorn
New member
Ladies and gents, first off, thank you all for the valuable information you have in this forum! I have been stalking the forums for a few months while in my search for my first 4runner. I have found one that i am thinking about buying and wanted to know what you all thought about it.
They are asking $2,500. KBB lists it for about $1,800. I am finding in my area (Tampa, FL) the 4cly and Manual tranny combo are really hard to find. Do I bite the bullet because of the rarity or should keep on searching. Thanks!
- 97 base trim
- 2.7 4cly
- 4x4
- Manual Tranny
- 220k miles
- Single owner
- New clutch, tires, stereo in the past 18 months.
They are asking $2,500. KBB lists it for about $1,800. I am finding in my area (Tampa, FL) the 4cly and Manual tranny combo are really hard to find. Do I bite the bullet because of the rarity or should keep on searching. Thanks!
pdx650
Member
Get it. I have the 3rz-fe 4 cyl in my auto transmissioned 4runner and enjoy it. Has a timing chain, not a belt. I towed a 1500 lb u-haul trailer from Virginia 2700 miles to Montana just fine. It having a manual transmission, you would not need to worry about the dreaded 'pink milkshake'.
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flatdarkmars
New member
I've been thinking about buying a 3rd Gen 4Runner. I have a car for daily commuting, but I've been wanting a truck for occasional access to poorly-maintained fire roads and possibly for towing a small storage trailer. I've found this one for sale in my local area, and thought I'd post it up here for opinions.
2002 Toyota 4Runner
It sometimes gets snowy/icy around here, so the multi-mode AWD is a plus for me. Part of me is hoping to find a 99-00 Limited with the rear locker, but honestly I probably wont do enough serious off-roading to need it.
It sounds like it had the leaking rear axle seal, but it's been fixed; is there anything in particular I should look out for when inspecting the vehicle? It had a new shift solenoid, ECU
twitch, and transmission in 2008; does this sound like a sign of abuse? What do you think of the seller's asking price? He says it needs a new windshield, I believe these run around $250?
2002 Toyota 4Runner
It sometimes gets snowy/icy around here, so the multi-mode AWD is a plus for me. Part of me is hoping to find a 99-00 Limited with the rear locker, but honestly I probably wont do enough serious off-roading to need it.
It sounds like it had the leaking rear axle seal, but it's been fixed; is there anything in particular I should look out for when inspecting the vehicle? It had a new shift solenoid, ECU
twitch, and transmission in 2008; does this sound like a sign of abuse? What do you think of the seller's asking price? He says it needs a new windshield, I believe these run around $250?
Cali_4Runner
New member
Hi All! I just want to say thanks because this guide helped me buy my 2000 sr5 v6 4x4. I also have a question my 4Runner has 188k and had been well taken care of. I plan on doing the o2 sensors, pcv valve, plugs and wires, and clean the maf and throttle body just for peace of mind. But I don't know if I should seafoam it. It runs perfectly fine, but I was just wondering if it was worth doing, I'm nervous it might loosen something up that shouldn't be and do more harm than good. Am I just being paranoid? And is it really going to do much good and be worth it?
