Buying a 2006 4Runner need advice

[navywife620]

Hello all...

I am not a car person, but hoping for some of your more experienced input.

I am moving to Africa and have done some looking around on the kind of vehicle to get, and I am leaning towards an older 4Runner.

I will be looking at one this week it is a 1996 4WD 4Runner (automatic) with 175K miles on it which having looked around online that seems like that should leave plenty of life left in a 4Runner.
This would be my first automatic vehicle of any kind, so I am a little nervous in that area.

What kinds of problems should I be looking for on this car, are there some known areas that are problems ?

 

[amalik]

welcome to the forum

first things first, you can check out the 3rd gen buyer's guide written by one of our members here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

next, you need to realize you can't make a blanket statement such as "with 175k miles, it should have plenty of life left." -- it could have 200k miles left, or it could blow a head-gasket or have the timing belt break in the next 100 miles.

Does the seller have any maintenance records? The more you know about the history of the vehicle, you can then at least have some idea of how long it will 'last'. 175k isn't too bad for the 4runner, but it all depends on the owner, if it's 175k with no major/important maintenance done throughout the life of it, I would stay away.

I see you are in California, there are lots of 4runners for sale there, so I would take my time in finding one with maintenance records. Or are you looking at Craigslist Africa? (lol).

just a thought, since you are talking about the eastern hemisphere, have you seen any of the turbo diesel versions for sale? that might be a better option if you can find one in .... Africa.

 

[ARC]

Hello all...

I am not a car person, but hoping for some of your more experienced input.

I am moving to Africa and have done some looking around on the kind of vehicle to get, and I am leaning towards an older 4Runner.

I will be looking at one this week it is a 1996 4WD 4Runner (automatic) with 175K miles on it which having looked around online that seems like that should leave plenty of life left in a 4Runner.
This would be my first automatic vehicle of any kind, so I am a little nervous in that area.

What kinds of problems should I be looking for on this car, are there some known areas that are problems ?

Great info in the link provided, but just to be clear are looking at a 1996 or 2006? You mention both.

 

[BrianSD_42]

AFRICOM?

Just curious but why don't you and your husband buy a vehicle once you get there?

That seems like the most economical option. Considering the money I would suggest finding a nice $20k used 4th gen and putting a lift and tires on it. You would be much better off with a < 75k mile vehicle if you are going to be in a foreign country.

These third gens are awesome but they require real repairs due to their age and wouldn't be my choice for an Africa vehicle.

I would get a LandCruiser or Lexus and make sure it has < 100k miles, preferably 75k.

Spend the money. Your avatar says someone is an officer.

 

[T4R2014]

These third gens are awesome but they require real repairs due to their age and wouldn't be my choice for an Africa vehicle.

You would be surprised. Up here in the northeast there are guys scouring craigslist and similar sites for 3rd Gen's under 3 grand to ship off to Africa. One that was down the street from me got shipped to Liberia and another to Nigeria. They gather multiple and cram them into shipping containers. Parts are interchangeable with the 90/95 series Prado (a common vehicle there) as well.

I personally think that the OP is better off buying a diesel 80 series. Stronger drivetrain out of the box and diesel is easier and cheaper to get in Africa.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Assuming it is a better deal (or peace of mind) to buy in the US, I still would not buy a vehicle for Africa that has more than 100k miles.

 

[navywife620]

Great List !! Thanks for pointing that out. Yes it is a 1996 I am looking at

So a little more info, I have a much newer low miles 4WD Jeep that is our main "driver" car this is our "second. We have looked into buying a car over there and they are very expensive, including the cost of shipping it is a much better deal to ship over. I would love a diesel....have not seen one. Most of the US community there seems to have Tacoma's and 4Runners, so I that is why I was leaning towards a 4Runner. It sounds like cars get pretty beat up there, so I was looking for a reliable car with high clearance and a 4WD that doesn't really have to be perfect cosmetically.