Adding a new "used" truck to the family - My first 4Runner

[happysmp]

We were in need of another vehicle this winter and our requirements were pretty simple;

1. Reliable
2. 4WD or AWD

The 4Runner was top of our charts and we purchased one 2 weeks ago.
Now the story,

We found that any 3rd gen priced around $2000 - $3000 was in pretty poor condition. Rust on the body (common spots and various other spots), Interiors were a disaster (leather didn't hold up well), very dirty (not sure a professional detailing would help), owners only had the truck for short time, lack of service history or proof of maintenance, etc.

So we bumped the budget to $4000 and found a 1996 SR5 with 320,000KM.
Original owner, little rust, brakes were very soft, generally clean, and had service history records that showed he replaced the rear seals and suspension (As per the recall), also had it serviced regularly. Took the truck for a spin, felt good and despite my reservations of not getting it checked out by a mechanic, we ended up buying as-is.

Took the truck to my mechanic and etest passed with no issues, but after their look found,

1. Lower ball joints needed to be replaced (was going to do this anyways based on what I've read on the forums) $525
2. front right tie rod needs to be replaced $100
3. Front calipers, rotors and pads were aftermarket (said these were poor quality parts and the reason for the soft braking) $780 -> going with the Tundra brake upgrade
4. Replace both valve cover gaskets $275
5. Replace the radiator to avoid the Strawberry milkshake fiasco
*** decided to go with a transmission cooler at $240 and keep the radiator
6. Some kind of coolant leak that relates to the rear seat heaters; need to replace the flex hose $100

Other things I knew going into it but not paying to get done.
- Antennae motor broken
- rust on the inside drivers door
- dent in the front bumper
- driver side door key lock doesn't actually lock any doors, just opens
- tailgate key lock is in the tailgate (guess mounting tabs broke)
- rust on the rear bumper chrome corner piece (Exhaust side)

Adding it all up... $3700 + $1920 in repairs/preventative maintenance = $5620 CDN

How did I do??? Cause I'm feeling kind shitty

Pictures below

 

[hrt4me]

$525 is way too much to replace both LBJs

 

[Dirtyfingers]

I'd snap to getting some DIY experience you can do most the stuff you listed for a 1/4 the price yourself as opposed to someone else charging you. Invest in some tools and a repair manual and some time into reading the forum on personal experiences. Trust me. It's better to save money than to throw it at some mechanic.

 

[JMunn55]

Yeah, a lot of the stuff you listed isn't that difficult. Most of it can be done yourself, there's a lot of helpful threads on here that will help you as well

 

[happysmp]

Thanks guys
Wish I had the time... I have a temporary registration and it expires in 10 days. Need to get all those fixes in so I can safety and register the truck

But looking forward to my first job on it afterwards...got the service manual , just gotta read it

So was the truck a decent deal?

 

[JimG]

I don't think you got hosed too bad. Rule of thumb with inflation is anytime you buy a used vehicle budget at least $2 grand to toss into it.

 

[bpowa]

Just be happy with it the deal was already done.. I think its an OK deal.

However take account. CND money is worth more than the US dollar. Also take into account the market in your area.

Here in CA its worth about 3500-4k. I got mines around 4k with 205k miles.

Timing belt, waterpump and radiator was new. I just did the rest of the tuneup, and lift and tires..

So i put in another 2k.. But I know the truck is now solid and everything is installed correctly by me. I think any car over 10 years.. if there are no maint. records. The new owner should have 1-2k in case there are hidden issues.

However I just sold my x5, and it had 0 issues and everything was addressed by me before I sold.

 

[happysmp]

Right on
Evaluating the owner is almost as important as the car
Thanks guys... Repairs are done minus the brakes...picking it up Friday

 

[Schargedtaco]

I'd say you did okay considering the budget you had to start with. These trucks can go forever no doubt but can drain your wallet doing it. I've found where most make/models need any repairs it puts them out of commission so most owners have to fix as they go where 3rd gens with the same issues just keep driving so the repairs stack up and get put in the back burner by owners. Then they finally decide to sell and pass all that crap onto you. I dropped 2k on mine before even getting it registered? And I still passed on $800 more work that needs to be done. 4runners do keep going but I hate the feeling after owning 3 3rd gens there's always something needing repair. Had a 99 tacoma trd 3.4 with 220k on the same timing belt and never had misc problems, much better truck imo. For what these trucks retail for new I'd say there money pits.

 

[wc11]

Very Nice. Love the white!
Welcome aboard & hope to see ya around town.
Just be diligent with the maintenance and it'll just keep on going.

 

[happysmp]

Very Nice. Love the white!
Welcome aboard & hope to see ya around town.
Just be diligent with the maintenance and it'll just keep on going.

It's amazing how many 4Runners are still on our roads? I must see 2-3 every day! Not bad for an 18 year old truck. If you're anywhere near Toronto then for sure.


Finally addressed the brakes and indeed; crappy remanufactured 4runner calipers that came with the truck were the culprit. Spent a little more than the $780 quote to replace for stock/oem and went with the Tundra brake upgrade at $980. Also spend some money on a new center console, detailing, alignment, and add in all the costs of registration/permits;

The new total for all repairs is about $2700 which takes my truck cost to $6400 to-date.

The newest thing on the list. Garage found and showed me,

1. Seems there is some kind of slight leak on the prop shaft which is spitting fluid on to the O2 sensor under the passenger seat

2. Rack seems to be leaking slightly by the boots

3. See some residue around the headgaskets; but I'm hoping that was old since I had the valve gaskets replaced (These are the same right?!)


I sure am loving this truck! *urgh*