Advice for a first time 4Runner owner

[Twhdvm]

Hi, folks I am new to these forums. I've been lurking/researching for the past few weeks. Some great info on here. I'm hoping to buy a used 3rd or 4th generation 4Runner in the next few months and was hoping to get a little advice as 4Runners that fall in my budget range (hence the 3rd or 4th gen) typically have pretty high mileage. I honestly have never purchased a high mileage vehicle before so I'm a little hesitant. Just curious, how many miles is too many and how do I judge that against a fair asking price?

That being said: I recently discovered a 2000 SR5 4WD with only 100K on it, but the asking price is about $13k, which is a lot higher than the ~$7000 KBB value. I do realize these vehicles are popular, so KBB doesn't paint the whole picture, but still... I definitely won't pay that price. The truck is very clean. No rust. The BIG problem is there are no service records on Carfax or on the Toyota site. The dealer has nothing. Huge red flag, considering the preventive work that needs to be done (assuming everything is in good working order) - new radiator, service timing belt and water pump, differential and transmission fluid. I hope to test drive next week, but I am wondering what a fair offer would be? I'm certainly not worried about passing up on this one. If someone else grabs it, so be it.

I appreciate all the feedback.

 

[Bad Company]

From what I understand in order for a service record to be recorded and posted on the Toyota website the vehicle has to be serviced by a dealer who then reports whatever maintenance or whatever else was done to Toyota.

Say for example someone got their 4runner serviced at Pep Boys, or Firestone or the Mom and Pop repair place on the corner then it most likely would NOT appear on the Toyota website. It would NOT mean that the work was not actually done or that someone is being untruthful saying the work was done but is not showing up on the Toyota website. If someone has paperwork, a receipt or other documentation saying the work was done then that should be good enough.

Carfax should be taken with a grain of salt. My neighbor was rear ended in his two year old car while he was stopped at a stop light. The damage total was $16,000 and the damage was repaired at a dealer. This NEVER EVER showed up on a Carfax. Plenty of people have mentioned damage or accidents that never even shows up on a Carfax. Just saying.

 

[Twhdvm]

Those are good points, and ones I did consider. A good pre-purchase inspection would be key.

 

[wanderMT]

KBB takes into account the popularity etc. so if they say 7k retail, that is a lot closer than 13k. Since you said you'd pass, offer them wholesale and go from there. Service records are not big deal and usually not available on used cars - few people use dealership for service and private records are usually lost during trade-in. Find a local independent Toyota mech. and have them inspect.

 

[PWD4R]

I would rather buy a 200k $7k one than that. That's way high and getting 300-400k on that engine isn't uncommon. I bought mine with 221k and it didn't bother me.


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[Twhdvm]

Well, I offered $7000 and the dealer said he could never sell it for $7000 so I walked.

 

[Nervo19]

Did you verify that it only had 100k? I found a lot of discrepancies via Carfax a couple of years when I was looking at 4Runners and Tacomas for my son. I think $7k was a good offer. I don't know where you are in VA but I'm in Richmond. A lot of nice 4Runners seem to pop up for sale in Fredericksburg. I keep seeing decent 4Runners for about $6k. But they generally have 200k.

 

[Twhdvm]

I'm in Williamsburg. I do see lots of 4Runners coming on the market. The more I look, the more I am honing in on what I want. I'm in no hurry.

Is there a link to what the scheduled maintenance is for 4th gen? I found one for 3rd gen, but can't seem to find it for the 4th gen. Trying to read up as much as I can so I know what to expect and what to ask about.

 

[SavedbyHim]

I am just throwing this out there. I ended up with another 4Runner purely by accident. I have been watching CL forever wanting a nice used 4X4 Toyota truck in about the same price range as you. Just never came to be and I have even watched CL since.

That being said I am sorry I limited my search. I have had 2 4Runners in the past, both 87's and loved them, probably more so than I do the 95 Limited but that was at another time in my life when I used a 4X4 much more off road. At this point in my life I just need a reliable 4X4 for snow and not beating in the woods.

So again, that being said, I wish since I settled for an SUV that I would have gone with my favorite, the FJ Cruiser. I just love how it looks and has the same dash instrumentation options as did my 87's. Like said, just throwing this out there and don't want to get bashed on a 4Runner forum for my thoughts. Just keep your options open but hopefully keep them Toyota. :yield:

 

[03v8raleigh]

The prices some people want for their 15+ year old trucks are absurd. Sure it's a good truck but not $13,000 good. That dealer needs a reality check.

No need to spend over $10k for a ~150,000 miles 4th gen or $6k for a nice 3rd gen. You'll just have to wait a while for the right one. I'd recommend looking for 4th gens because you can generally find ones that aren't beat to shit like most of the 3rd gens, for roughly the same price.. I'm in the same general market area as you and surf Craigslist for time to time just to laugh at some of the used car dealer postings.. people thinking their truck with 200,000 miles is worth $4k over KBB are just as bad as the dudes trying to sell their beat up Silverado for 2x KBB just because it has a lift kit and 35s.

And yes the Fj is a great option but they all seem to sell for quite a lot too.

 

[oljedi11950]

That's absurd for a 3rd damn can find 4th gens for that much !! But yes rust is the BIG one on east coast ! Look out west worth the trip & probably better selection for you . If I had the funds would find a 2nd gen & throw a 3rd gen V6 in it , love having a tailgate !

 

[GangsterOfLove]

I think you have to look around for a while and figure out the market in your area. What I tell you about the market here will have no impact on a fair price where you are.

I also suggest driving as many as you can. See if you can find some low mileage rigs to drive to give you a better idea of what everything is supposed to feel/sound like. If you are looking at high mile units you can compare them to the lower mile ones you drove and get an idea of condition.

Look at enough of them and the one will come up that stands out as a good value. Check it out carefully and buy it.