Audi to 4Runner

[TheDurk]

My first new car was an Audi--1973 100LS. Fun when it worked. High clearance for a sedan and the FWD was amazing. Chugged right past a Land Rover spinning all four wheels at a very muddy horse event. With a 5speed and 1.6 it had great fuel economy since I bought it the middle of the first oil crisis. Totalled her in 1979 at 160k--4th car in a seven car pile up in a rain storm. Idiot missed his exit on the Bruckner Expwy. and decided to back up.

But the 100's were plagued by just about every problem imaginable; bad electrics, poor brakes, overheating engines, poor fuel delivery, rust, you name it, it went wrong...well, no cat's, no o2 sensor, took leaded gas. All that stuff started in '74.

Replaced it with a 1980 Corolla and fell in love with Toyotas. Status be damned, I like reliable.

Yeah, I like green cars.

 

[TravisS4]

Welcome to the forum.

The 3rd Gen 4Runner is a great vehicle and (relatively) a very reliable truck. I have owned mine since 2002 @67k miles. I am now at 211k miles.

If you buy one just remember that any vehicle including 4Runners require a good amount of maintenance after about 175k miles. I can attest to this.

Between 175k - 225k miles it will surely need new:

Rotors and pads
Radiator
lower ball joints
Rear diff seals (if original)
Steering rack
Spark plug wires
Valve cover gaskets
Suspension (usually at 10 yrs or 125-150k)
And more...

Not trying to scare you but I have done it all and most guys with this kind of mileage have as well. My list includes only what will -likely- need replacing not odd ball problems like a wheel bearing.

If you are lucky then by 225k you will still be running strong without a rebuild and on the original trans. 200k miles is a very good life span for heads / head gasket on ANY vehicle.

So I would advise setting aside about $3k for maintenance if you want it to stay tip top. And understand that with high miles there is a reasonable risk of major engine issues which could cost an additional $1000 or more depending on your resources.

Good luck with the search.

Thanks for the input. That's not too bad. Im trying to get a hold of the seller but he hasn't contacted me back yet so I do not know what service has been done. Also I read that Toyota issued a recall/service update on some parts I think suspension maybe? Can anyone validate this?

Do you know what happened to that Audi 100 LS? There used to be one here in Louisville,Ky same color and everything.

 

[awdjunkies]

Thanks for the input. That's not too bad. Im trying to get a hold of the seller but he hasn't contacted me back yet so I do not know what service has been done. Also I read that Toyota issued a recall/service update on some parts I think suspension maybe? Can anyone validate this?

Do you know what happened to that Audi 100 LS? There used to be one here in Louisville,Ky same color and everything.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/48552-about-rear-sag.html


Also, IF you can get a hold of the seller and/or the VIN on that 4runner, you can go to Toyota Owners Official Website: Service Coupons, Owners Manuals, Service Scheduling and More and create an account to be able to check the service records for that particular 4runner (Or any 4runner you are looking to purchase for that matter) as long as the the vehicle was serviced at a Toyota dealership. Just plug the VIN number in the appropriate space.

 

[TravisS4]

I test drove my first 4Runner today. Overall the car was very clean inside and out but mechanically it was not up to par. The salesman said he had been told the engine had been replaced, bad wheel bearing and it did not accelerate quickly. Also there was no service records for the vehicle.

Overall I really liked the driving position and being up high. I'm so used to being down low in my Audi is not a nice change that I am looking forward to.

 

[rebelbowtie]

The right one will come along and honesty no 4Runner is going to accelerate quickly because you're coming from an S4!!!

 

[4R99JB]

I test drove my first 4Runner today. Overall the car was very clean inside and out but mechanically it was not up to par. The salesman said he had been told the engine had been replaced, bad wheel bearing and it did not accelerate quickly. Also there was no service records for the vehicle.

Overall I really liked the driving position and being up high. I'm so used to being down low in my Audi is not a nice change that I am looking forward to.

I can't grasp whether you liked the ride position of the 4Runner or not? I quite enjoy the difference between mine. The automatic -vs- the 6 speed manual is quite a change too. I can drink coffee while driving for a change.

As far as acceleration goes, you'll just have to get used to the lack thereof. As a comparison anyways.

I think that you will find the overall experience enjoyable. I sure do.

 

[TravisS4]

I reread my post and there is a typo. I enjoyed the the driving position and the ride height difference. I think the acceleration is combination of my car being quick and the 4Runner itself. It felt bogged down when I gave it gas. It took a minute for the car to realize that I'm pressing the gas pedal. Maybe this is normal?

I really just wanted to get behind the wheel of one. I can't wait to find a good one!

 

[Simplegreenvr6]

First post woohoo!

I'll be making the jump from an Audi to a T4R pretty soon as well. Within the coming months. Looking for a third gen, wouldn't say no to a 4th gen. I currently have a b5 Hibiscus Red A4 Quattro. Love it, but ready for something new. Like you said, maintenance and cost of ownership is outweighing the "status" of owning an Audi. Although, I don't look at it that way at all. I'm tired of people asking how I'm 21 and afford to drive an Audi.

 

[Brilliant]

First post woohoo!

I'll be making the jump from an Audi to a T4R pretty soon as well. Within the coming months. Looking for a third gen, wouldn't say no to a 4th gen. I currently have a b5 Hibiscus Red A4 Quattro. Love it, but ready for something new. Like you said, maintenance and cost of ownership is outweighing the "status" of owning an Audi. Although, I don't look at it that way at all. I'm tired of people asking how I'm 21 and afford to drive an Audi.

a lot of people lease cars nowadays, its not unusual to see 20 year olds driving new Audis or ultimate lease machines.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Because b5's are cheaper than most cars on the road that's how (in initial purchase) heck even my b7 was cheaper than most of my friends and co-workers trucks/SUV's yet because of the status thing they all looked at me like I was a drug dealer because I "shouldn't" be able to afford a car of that "status" at my pay grade

 

[Simplegreenvr6]

a lot of people lease cars nowadays, its not unusual to see 20 year olds driving new Audis or ultimate lease machines.

Yeah I know right; a few chumps in my neighborhood compete for who has the coolest car this summer. Last summer all three of these kids and JK Wranglers - this summer they all have Genesis Coupes...I wish my parents would buy me cool new cars /sarcasm.

 

[TravisS4]

I Found two Need Advice

I found 2 4Runner that are in really good condition. I have decided that I will just sale my S4. I can always get another. On to the good stuff.

1999 4Runner Limited w/ 158k miles
Cars for Sale: 1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Louisville, KY 40258: Sport Utility Details - 324270519 - AutoTrader.com

Pros: I feel its priced really well. The interior is almost in mint condition. It ran and drove really well.

Cons: Maintenance is really unknown. They provided a Carfax but its just real basic stuff oil change here and there no signifanct work or repairs such as lower ball joints, timing belt etc..

2002 4Runner SR5 w/138 miles
Cars for Sale: 2002 Toyota 4Runner SR5 in Louisville, KY 40222: Sport Utility Details - 323161687 - AutoTrader.com

Pros: The maintenance on the vehicle is all up to date. The Carfax shows all work done since 6 miles. New timing belt, lower ball joints, transmission flush done at 98k miles. Oil change every 3k. The vehicle is a 1 owner if you don't count the dealers as owners. Little to rust on the undercarriage or rear bumper.

Cons: Its priced relatively high. passenger rear window did not work but said they would fix it for me. Also VSC, TRAC and Check Engine Light were on. They said they would fix it before I bought it. No sunroof or leather.