thirstyturtle
New member
Hey everyone, ex-4th generation owner here. I had a 2006 Sport 4WD V8 for a couple years but had to sell it because I couldn't afford the fuel after a new job and new city (~35k miles a year now). I'm now driving a Golf TDI and getting 48mpg which is awesome, although I miss the 4Runner all the time.
Anyways, my wife is about due for a new(er) car and she loved the 4Runner, plus we now live at the beach and for a few months before selling the 4th gen we LOVED driving right out on the beach and parking, not having to carry all our beach gear or find a parking spot was so amazing. So although a 4th gen is out of our price range, we're now in the market for a 3rd gen 4Runner.
Unfortunately, although I know a ton about the 4th gens, I know next to nothing about the 3rd gens aside from the fact that I like them. My only absolute criteria will be 4WD and we're probably 80/20 going to want an auto (manual if it was my choice but the wife prefers the auto).
So do you fellas have any tips for what to look for when buying a used 3rd Gen? In my price range (<$6k, preferably closer to $4k) I'm thinking close to or over 200k miles is going to be about standard, is that a concern? This vehicle will be used almost exclusively for in town driving and probably only see 5k-8k miles a year between my wife's work commute and going to the beach.
Thanks in advance! I can't wait to get back in the Toyota game!
Anyways, my wife is about due for a new(er) car and she loved the 4Runner, plus we now live at the beach and for a few months before selling the 4th gen we LOVED driving right out on the beach and parking, not having to carry all our beach gear or find a parking spot was so amazing. So although a 4th gen is out of our price range, we're now in the market for a 3rd gen 4Runner.
Unfortunately, although I know a ton about the 4th gens, I know next to nothing about the 3rd gens aside from the fact that I like them. My only absolute criteria will be 4WD and we're probably 80/20 going to want an auto (manual if it was my choice but the wife prefers the auto).
So do you fellas have any tips for what to look for when buying a used 3rd Gen? In my price range (<$6k, preferably closer to $4k) I'm thinking close to or over 200k miles is going to be about standard, is that a concern? This vehicle will be used almost exclusively for in town driving and probably only see 5k-8k miles a year between my wife's work commute and going to the beach.
Thanks in advance! I can't wait to get back in the Toyota game!
