3rd gen. buying advice

[paulbruno]

Okay, this is my second posting to the 3rd gen. forums, asking for advice. Found a really, really, really nice condition 2001 green 2WD 3.4L V6, with sunroof that works. Read the 3rd gen. buyers guide here, and the frame rust is nonexistent. 186K miles, which for its age is pretty good. They're asking $6500. Tow package. One owner, and the best cosmetic condition for a vehicle of its age that I've ever seen. Water pump and timing belt replaced right at 90K (actually, a little before).

One thing I did one to ask, as far as specifics... lower ball joint failure. As for ways to test it, when I test drove this vehicle, I feel anything, except for a little humming that wasn't too noticeable when "punching it" and getting above 75-80. But steering didn't feel rough at all, as far as I could tell. Is the manual test for this issue, as described in the PDF linked from the buyers guide, and how do I check if this was one of the 4Runners in the recall?

Thoughts?

 

[kball]

It's due for a timing belt again and I don't care what kind of pampered life it's lived at 186K change the ball joints! It's a couple hours of your time and $150. That said at 186K I'd offer $5500 unless the market there demands higher.

 

[Trekerjohn]

I paid $5,700 for a 96 Limited 4x4 with 250k on it a few months ago. It was cosmetically excellent, leather, sunroof, everything works, and has that great white paint. Since buying it, I have put about $4,000 into it, doing most of the work myself. But now it runs like a top, rides like a dream, and is a thing of beauty to look at. I may be naive, but I don't think I got ripped off at all. I'm happy with my 4Runner for the price I ultimately paid for it. Sounds like you may be in a similar situation.

 

[4-Ripcord]

sign up for the toyoa owners website and input tye vehicle's VIN.

 

[S Brake]

Price seems high for a 2WD with that many miles.

 

[paulbruno]

thanks

Well, thanks guys, for the input. I'm probably going to make a move on it, though at a lower price, probably $800 less than what they're asking. Really, it's condition was what attracted me to it. The only thing that I'd want on it that it doesn't have is the 4x4. But for 2000-2002, they're hard to find in Dallas, with the V6, sunroof and tow package.

Also, the sunroof seemed to work fine... but, when rolling it back, it would stop half way, while still holding the button down. I released the button, and then hit it again, and it rolled right back to the closed position. Is this a part of the design of the sunroof? Or some sort of hitch/issue/malfunctioning with the sunroof?

 

[BlackCat914]

Well, thanks guys, for the input. I'm probably going to make a move on it, though at a lower price, probably $800 less than what they're asking. Really, it's condition was what attracted me to it. The only thing that I'd want on it that it doesn't have is the 4x4. But for 2000-2002, they're hard to find in Dallas, with the V6, sunroof and tow package.

Also, the sunroof seemed to work fine... but, when rolling it back, it would stop half way, while still holding the button down. I released the button, and then hit it again, and it rolled right back to the closed position. Is this a part of the design of the sunroof? Or some sort of hitch/issue/malfunctioning with the sunroof?

Normal. I think Toyota istalled that as an option to make your butt pucker.