4Runner noob, good deal?
- Thread starter ZGSON
- Start date
peter78
Super Moderator
Others should chime in, but they had some fuel delivery problem. There was a recall. Consumer Reports gave it a worse than average rating on the first year, but later the 03 got a much better than avg rating. Really, if I saw a 03 at a good price, I wouldn't be opposed to getting one.RickC said:
peter78
Super Moderator
One thing about the 03, some of the SR5's in the beginning had plastic molding, kind of black / gray plastic. It didn't sell well and Toyota changed it to what we see in the 08's, molding on the wheel wells that are the same color as the car. There is nothing wrong with the plastic side, except maybe for looks. It you see one of these, sometimes they are marked down a bit due to the siding. If you want a better than avg. deal, that might be the way to go. I know a lot of members here have them and like them, so I don't want to step on their toes, so to speak. For me, I am not too fond of the plastic sides.RickC said:
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/ctd/1012980455.html
RickC
New member
Yep, I have a couple silver ones like that bookmarked on Autotrader like that. The Silver is about the only one I like with the "Avalanche" plastic. I found a really good deal on an 03 with 55k miles for 13,995. Its a V8 though, which the motor would be fine with me, I just don't like the idea of full time 4wd. But this particular vehicle has had the factory radio replaced with something else and I don't like that. I would just as soon have the stock radio. Am I showing my age?
RickC
New member
Here is one of them I found: http://tinyurl.com/dehyad
Wow I just called them to see if they could work with me, and they would only come down a couple hundred bucks. I even told them Id cut them a check right on the spot. Told them I see an SR5 with 72k miles for only $11,400 thats closer to me, but he still wouldn't do much. Glad I didn't drive down there without calling first.
T4RBoarder
New member
That sucks man!
Ohio dealers are really being awful with trying to sell used ones. It took me about two months to find one that would make a deal.
Ohio dealers are really being awful with trying to sell used ones. It took me about two months to find one that would make a deal.
peter78
Super Moderator
Yeah, the limited is nice and that blue is so cool. Well, if you really need a car and you like it, you might want to do it. Just because some of us say try to go lower. It is hard to know, some cars are in better shape than others. And sometimes it is hard to just get that super deal. Once I got this super deal on a TV, it was a demo, lasted about 18 months, it was a super deal though.ZGSON said:
Huskey4Runner
New member
New to the forum, but just wanted to encourage you to talk them down. I just bought an '03 SR5 V8 4WD for 9,353 out the door. Granted, b/c I bought it in Arizona and I traded in an '06 Acura TSX (higher value than the 4Runner) I didn't have to pay any sales Tax. The car was in perfect condition less one ding in the passenger door. It had 89,000 mi. It was listed at 11,999 and I ended up with a $3,000 down payment. All that to say this, talk em' down. Never pay what they're asking for it. I sold cars for almost a year and though I'm no expert, never pay the asking price on a car. Ask to see the invoice, and if they say no, walk away from the deal. Check AutoTrader too. Good luck.
Huskey4Runner
New member
Ha, I didn't, but the wife and I are looking to buy a house and I needed to get rid of some car payment to qualify for a decent house in Southern California. But, I must say, I'm much more of a truck/suv guy anyway, so it wasn't too bad. Still though, the TSX was sick! All in all, it was a good deal. I got an amazing, long-lasting, and mucho fun 4Runner. Get the V8 too, it was designed by Lexus.
T4RBoarder
New member
how far are you wanting to look from cleveland?
T4RBoarder
New member
well here are some choices I had seen in my search.
2003 Sport Edition 4WD V8...but has cladding
2004 Sport Edition 4WD V6...looks nice but I don't know if you want a V6 or not.
2003 LTD 4WD V6...over priced and has an accident on the carfax but may be able to work them down.
2003 LTD 4WD w/ V8...priced high too
the sports are really nice and are not that different from a limited except for a few things (leather, dual-zone climate control, gauge differences, and some rare options). I was originally looking for a sport but I just happened, by luck, to find a LTD with X-REAS so I couldn't turn it down.
2003 Sport Edition 4WD V8...but has cladding
2004 Sport Edition 4WD V6...looks nice but I don't know if you want a V6 or not.
2003 LTD 4WD V6...over priced and has an accident on the carfax but may be able to work them down.
2003 LTD 4WD w/ V8...priced high too
the sports are really nice and are not that different from a limited except for a few things (leather, dual-zone climate control, gauge differences, and some rare options). I was originally looking for a sport but I just happened, by luck, to find a LTD with X-REAS so I couldn't turn it down.
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