Aloha - Advice Needed! Baby in a month!

[MokiBoy]

So this is where I'm at. Our trusty old Landcruiser is more or less not-so-trusty anymore. We loved it, spent too much money on it, spent countless days and night on it and I can't continue to be part time mechanic with this wagon any longer... and we have our first kid due to be born in a month.

What I like:

Low mileage 2000 to 2002 4Runner Limited or maybe SR5

OR

"New as possible" 4Runner with preferably under 40k miles, which I'm willing to spend $18,000 to $21,000 on.


Wife and I always really liked the fully loaded 2000 to 2002 4Runners with the Limited package. I seen that overpriced gem on eBay of course, the silver 2002 Limited with 24k miles for $19900 in Atlanta, GA:

Toyota : 4Runner - eBay (item 270723843194 end time Mar-28-11 13:18:17 PDT)

And then there's this SR5 in Valencia, CA with 46k miles for $12900obo at a BMW dealer:

2001 4runner low mileage

Jokingly, I been referring to both of these as "unicorns", since low mileage 3rd Gen 4Runners seem pretty rare these days.

I'm not opposed to picking up a 4th Gen 4Runner, preferably a Limited or Sport model, which I would like to spend $18000 to $21000 on it. What do you think of these as used, buying it with the Toyota Certified Warranty? Should I even worry about warranty?

I know I'll get a better deal from a private owner, but the warranty does come in handy if there's some small catastrophe, which I really don't expect. I guess it's hard for me to be spending $18000-$21000 on a used car from a private owner with no warranty to back it up, maybe aside from a Car Fax type of peace of mind.

So, yeah, I'm open reasonable opinions and suggestions. Thanks for taking the time out to read this!

Our 2002 Tacoma PreRunner Xtra Cab has 160,000 and runs like a clock! But it's a little too small in the back for a baby seat.

-MokiBoy

 

[SCRunner12]

Here are a few with around 80k. Really 80k is not that much and these 3rd gens run forever. Cars for Sale: 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited in San Diego, CA 92103: Sport Utility Details - 296501393 - AutoTrader.com
Cars for Sale: 2002 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Glendora, CA 91740: Sport Utility Details - 296475894 - AutoTrader.com

There were some changes after 2000 to the limiteds, just for reference. Heated seats were added starting in 2001 and the grill and tail lights were changed. Also the 01-02 have a different 4wd system than the 2000. The 2000 has the option of the rear diff locker and Awd.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Merlin]

congrats on the new baby!

just my .02 on the choice between the actual vehicles, rather than the new vs. used part -

we had a 3G T4R, and the infant carrier/seat combo fit perfectly in the middle of the back seat (we only have one kid). BUT... it leaves very little space on either side, if anyone wants to sit in the back seat. wife was fine w/ it, but i'm a bit fatter so it was squishy for me. cargo area in the back of the 3G is much larger, although it seems smaller from the outside. i can fit the combo stroller and all the baby stuff in the back, and still have room for beach stuff, etc...

we sold it and got a 4G, and immediately noticed two things:

1) cargo area was a LOT smaller (can't fit my weedwhacker and pressure washer in the back w/o either sticking it out the back window or hanging it over the rear seat) and

2) rear seat was much wider, even with the baby seat in the center, i can still sit comfortably in the back, with another person on the opposite side of the baby seat too.


personally - while i like the room and ride of the 4G, i liked the 3G because it was the bottom of the line SR5, paint was faded, etc... so i could take it to the beach, haul stuff in it, and park it anywhere because it was narrower (and not have to worry about it getting door dings).

way easier to park at the mall and in parking garages, etc...

 

[MokiBoy]

Thanks for the input you guys!

I appreciate any comments and insight!

 

[MokiBoy]

congrats on the new baby!

just my .02 on the choice between the actual vehicles, rather than the new vs. used part -

we had a 3G T4R, and the infant carrier/seat combo fit perfectly in the middle of the back seat (we only have one kid). BUT... it leaves very little space on either side, if anyone wants to sit in the back seat. wife was fine w/ it, but i'm a bit fatter so it was squishy for me. cargo area in the back of the 3G is much larger, although it seems smaller from the outside. i can fit the combo stroller and all the baby stuff in the back, and still have room for beach stuff, etc...

Merlin - did the baby seat have to be in the center in the 3G T4R?

 

[Merlin]

Merlin - did the baby seat have to be in the center in the 3G T4R?

no - didn't HAVE to be in the center, but i figured center of mass is the safest place for the baby to be in the event of an accident.

we only have one child, so we wanted to keep him as safe as possible.

aloha akua!

 

[SRSRunner]

Keep in mind that while a 3rd Gen may have a few more miles on it- they are everywhere, thus parts are usually easy to find and not overly expensive.