natharward
New member
same
160k would also be my max. unless the car were going for <$2k. then I would do whatever
160k would also be my max. unless the car were going for <$2k. then I would do whatever
3rd Gen 4Runner Buyer's Guide
- Thread starter 4-Ripcord
- Start date
Looking to buy a 4runner unsure?
Hey Everyone!
I am a new member here, I am glad to be part of the community. I have always wanted a 4runner, last week I totaled my car, so I guess it is time! I am unsure of what to exactly get, and 4runners are hard to find witha pretty price, I was thinking of possibly getting a pathfinder but I've heard better things about the 4runners and I feel they look nicer and would be more reliable. I want something that can get me places, up mountains, back trails, through mud, and there is lots of ice and snow here in Alberta, Canada. I also live in the city so I wouldnt be driving it offroad all the time, but I do want it to be off-road capable all with a decent fuel efficiency and enough power to pass people. I have found this one on kijiji, and I am not too sure if it would be the right vehicle for me, I feel it would be great but I am still a bit hesitant as it has been upgraded quite a bit, and all the specs arent clear, I would go and look at it but it is out of town a good 3 hours and I am not really in the position to go and check it out now. Hopefully someone on here could help me out, look at the ad, and tell me what you think, thank you greatly it is much appreciated!!! Here is the ad: 2001 Toyota 4Runner supercharged | used cars & trucks | Calgary | Kijiji
Thanks again,
Taylor
Hey Everyone!
I am a new member here, I am glad to be part of the community. I have always wanted a 4runner, last week I totaled my car, so I guess it is time! I am unsure of what to exactly get, and 4runners are hard to find witha pretty price, I was thinking of possibly getting a pathfinder but I've heard better things about the 4runners and I feel they look nicer and would be more reliable. I want something that can get me places, up mountains, back trails, through mud, and there is lots of ice and snow here in Alberta, Canada. I also live in the city so I wouldnt be driving it offroad all the time, but I do want it to be off-road capable all with a decent fuel efficiency and enough power to pass people. I have found this one on kijiji, and I am not too sure if it would be the right vehicle for me, I feel it would be great but I am still a bit hesitant as it has been upgraded quite a bit, and all the specs arent clear, I would go and look at it but it is out of town a good 3 hours and I am not really in the position to go and check it out now. Hopefully someone on here could help me out, look at the ad, and tell me what you think, thank you greatly it is much appreciated!!! Here is the ad: 2001 Toyota 4Runner supercharged | used cars & trucks | Calgary | Kijiji
Thanks again,
Taylor
trovergraywilson
New member
2002 4Runner purchase
Hey everyone, new to the forum and have been looking for 6 mos for a 3rd-gen 4Runner. Lost a few and finally put a deposit on this one. It's in PA and I'm in IL, planning to fly out next week and check it out. 148k, 1-owner, no wrecks, clean title, all service records on Toyota and Carfax match. Timing belt/water pump done @ 85k, bone stock, ball joint replaced, undercarriage was rust-proofed on delivery back in 2002, minor surface rust on the trailer hitch. Exactly what I want. I don't do a lot of work myself but have a great guy here that I trust. Price looks alright, factoring in rear shocks, tune-up, etc. Thoughts? Wondering too about replacement of the radiator eventually - don't want to worry about the strawberry milkshake and seems like 150K is a good life for the rad. Thanks in advance.
Used 2002 Toyota 4Runner For Sale | New Holland PA
Hey everyone, new to the forum and have been looking for 6 mos for a 3rd-gen 4Runner. Lost a few and finally put a deposit on this one. It's in PA and I'm in IL, planning to fly out next week and check it out. 148k, 1-owner, no wrecks, clean title, all service records on Toyota and Carfax match. Timing belt/water pump done @ 85k, bone stock, ball joint replaced, undercarriage was rust-proofed on delivery back in 2002, minor surface rust on the trailer hitch. Exactly what I want. I don't do a lot of work myself but have a great guy here that I trust. Price looks alright, factoring in rear shocks, tune-up, etc. Thoughts? Wondering too about replacement of the radiator eventually - don't want to worry about the strawberry milkshake and seems like 150K is a good life for the rad. Thanks in advance.
Used 2002 Toyota 4Runner For Sale | New Holland PA
Beaumont67
New member
Great 3rd Gen thread 4-Ripcord - first thing I'm doing is reset EFI relay & check rear end vent.
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T4R was garaged its whole life & driven sparingly, up North by senior / via condition guide - Near Mint:
Just picked up my first 4Runner, few days ago - and love everything about it...it will be a long-time keeper.
- original owner averaged 11,000 Km/annually, the first 10 years & only 4,200 Km (aka 2,600 miles) over the next 4.5 yrs.
Typical Stuff:
2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 auto - Original 80,500 miles (Canadian one owner 129,600 Km = Kilometers)
Black with Tan Interior (factory original Black Thunder Cloud paint a 9.5-10 / fabric interior & OEM carpet a +9 out of 10)
- has new 16" BFG tires & timing best was done on June 2010, at 110,500 Km.
- light-little to rust free / very exciting find (hours drive), for a Northern climate vehicle (in S/W Ontario, snow belt)
Now sitting in a heated garage, all weekend / getting DuraShield wax-oil rust inhibitor-undercoat spray, on Monday.
Original owner traded SR5 (always dealer maintained) into his local Lexus/Toyota dealer.
The senior purchased a brand new Highlander, in late 2015.
- rather rare find up here (in the winter salt belt), considering overall condition & under 100K miles, wearing perfect paint
Next my garage buddy, purchased 4Runner at dealer2dealer online auction.
- he had a new 2000 4Runner Limited once & these older full frame 4x4 Toyota's, still impress him to this day
- this SUV was purchased for me, otherwise dealer was keeping it for himself
- vehicle sat in his used car lot pre-sold, for a month (waiting for safety check mechanical work)
- dealer probably has invested $2,500 (parts & labor) in certification / Provincial drive clean E-test, was an easy pass
- walker muffler, front end (Moog ball joints/tie rods/alignment), plus rear axle work (oil seals & Koyo bearings, ABS, shoes)
Note - every week, he had another serious buyer - but "early bird gets the worm", I purchased SUV day1 on used car lot.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T4R was garaged its whole life & driven sparingly, up North by senior / via condition guide - Near Mint:
Just picked up my first 4Runner, few days ago - and love everything about it...it will be a long-time keeper.
- original owner averaged 11,000 Km/annually, the first 10 years & only 4,200 Km (aka 2,600 miles) over the next 4.5 yrs.
Typical Stuff:
2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4x4 auto - Original 80,500 miles (Canadian one owner 129,600 Km = Kilometers)
Black with Tan Interior (factory original Black Thunder Cloud paint a 9.5-10 / fabric interior & OEM carpet a +9 out of 10)
- has new 16" BFG tires & timing best was done on June 2010, at 110,500 Km.
- light-little to rust free / very exciting find (hours drive), for a Northern climate vehicle (in S/W Ontario, snow belt)
Now sitting in a heated garage, all weekend / getting DuraShield wax-oil rust inhibitor-undercoat spray, on Monday.
Original owner traded SR5 (always dealer maintained) into his local Lexus/Toyota dealer.
The senior purchased a brand new Highlander, in late 2015.
- rather rare find up here (in the winter salt belt), considering overall condition & under 100K miles, wearing perfect paint
Next my garage buddy, purchased 4Runner at dealer2dealer online auction.
- he had a new 2000 4Runner Limited once & these older full frame 4x4 Toyota's, still impress him to this day
- this SUV was purchased for me, otherwise dealer was keeping it for himself
- vehicle sat in his used car lot pre-sold, for a month (waiting for safety check mechanical work)
- dealer probably has invested $2,500 (parts & labor) in certification / Provincial drive clean E-test, was an easy pass
- walker muffler, front end (Moog ball joints/tie rods/alignment), plus rear axle work (oil seals & Koyo bearings, ABS, shoes)
Note - every week, he had another serious buyer - but "early bird gets the worm", I purchased SUV day1 on used car lot.
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Bstrom
New member
Finding a clean 4R up north must be tough, much less one in good shape with all the cold weather you see up there. Come on down south and find a peach. My '99 was rustfree and in awesome physical condition at a decent price for 184k mileage. Low wear and tear is a big factor on these rigs if we want to get 300k+ miles out of them. I've got to do a TB in 20k miles and LBJs about the same time. The rest of expected maintenance should be typical costs.
For a northern vehicle, 150k is high enough. Down here in TN and points south 180-200k+ mile vehicles are becoming common 3rd gens and well worth considering if condition is above average. Either way, paying the very least you can is your only real insurance toward total cost of ownership.
For a northern vehicle, 150k is high enough. Down here in TN and points south 180-200k+ mile vehicles are becoming common 3rd gens and well worth considering if condition is above average. Either way, paying the very least you can is your only real insurance toward total cost of ownership.
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planomateo
New member
Great thread, I'm looking at a 2000 Limited 2WD. I will definitely be reading this thread to make sure I'm up to speed on a 4R.
I've had a few Toyota's. My daily driver is a 2010 Tundra with a TRD S/C. Love this truck
I've had a few Toyota's. My daily driver is a 2010 Tundra with a TRD S/C. Love this truck
stanleybb50
New member
So jealous of that supercharger! Dang! Thing probably HAULSGreat thread, I'm looking at a 2000 Limited 2WD. I will definitely be reading this thread to make sure I'm up to speed on a 4R.
I've had a few Toyota's. My daily driver is a 2010 Tundra with a TRD S/C. Love this truck
Probably not, look at the weight. Tundras are elephants.
SurfAndSand
New member
Is $7000 too much to pay for a 99 with 112k mi on the clock? It's a 5spd and in good mechanical condition, although cosmetically it's a little rough. Only small surface rust on roof; it should sand out easily.
Every single U.S. state is really its own market.... so you'll have to check with locals or check out Craig's list to use as a baseline.
For Colorado, that price is completely fair because of the Low mileage and 9 out of 10 3rd gens for sale are not 5spd.
If the maintenance is solid on that rig, you can take it for hundreds of more thousands of miles.
7k sounds good to me for that.
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SurfAndSand
New member
Thanks for the response - so I shouldn't worry about minor cosmetics (missing badges) or a tiny spot of rust or two on the roof (size of a quarter), right?
That's a pretty fair price in my book given mileage and 5 speed.
I'm not too knowledgeable about rust spots and how to deal with them. If you think it's for sure just surface rust, then don't worry. If a lot deeper, then that can be a huge problem. Someone else has to comment who is more familiar with dealing with rust consistently.
dirtandvert
New member
Great thread! Thanks for posting. Out of all the resources online for buying a used 3rd Gen, this one was by far the best. I had to pass on three different 4Runners due to issues listed on this post that I would have not have known to look for otherwise. Additionally, the information for new owners to tune their purchase up is great. While I'm looking forward to building her up, this post has ensured I have a solid and reliable foundation. Thanks again!
Bstrom
New member
Low miles isn't always a guarantee. With a vehicle of that vintage (I bought one 6 months ago), you need to do a super thorough inspection and check for status on major maintenance items. Seven grand is too much if it needs the TB changed, has any suspension or 4WD issues (test, test!), brakes are toast, etc. These items are pricey if you aren't a DIYer.
Also, if it'll just need tires or complete lube replacements, I'd push for a lower price to compensate for those expenses somewhat. All that said, it could be a great find - proceed slowly and be sure to know the vehicle before buying.
