Buying a 4th Gen tomorrow

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Hey guys.

While I was looking for a 3rd gen to buy my mom, it was just a little too difficult to find one in great condition and low enough miles (she mainly disliked their age, no matter what i told her), I decided that a 4th gen would be fine, and I've located an 04 Sport 2wd for her (her van was totaled outside our home).

I've carfaxed it and it's clean, I'll be seeing it tomorrow.

what should I look for? It has 88k on it, so I figure timing belt is due for a change, etc.

Any specifics? Thanks!

 

[DC Dude]

Hey guys.

While I was looking for a 3rd gen to buy my mom, it was just a little too difficult to find one in great condition and low enough miles (she mainly disliked their age, no matter what i told her), I decided that a 4th gen would be fine, and I've located an 04 Sport 2wd for her (her van was totaled outside our home).

I've carfaxed it and it's clean, I'll be seeing it tomorrow.

what should I look for? It has 88k on it, so I figure timing belt is due for a change, etc.

Any specifics? Thanks!

Supposedly the V6 has a timing chain, and FWIT, I would only buy a 4Runner with 4WD capability.

 

[Jeff M]

Supposedly the V6 has a timing chain, and FWIT, I would only buy a 4Runner with 4WD capability.

Since its for his mom and she live in SoCal, I'm sure she will be okay with a 2WD. :biggrin2:

To the OP: I was born and raised in Mission Viejo.:thumb3:

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Supposedly the V6 has a timing chain, and FWIT, I would only buy a 4Runner with 4WD capability.

My mother is a 56 year old woman who enjoys driving to the store. She put 38k miles on her 95 Previa in 10 years. While I would buy a 4WD, she isn't mall crawling too hard.

The timing chain info-- That's great, that takes away a large expense, thanks!

Since its for his mom and she live in SoCal, I'm sure she will be okay with a 2WD. :biggrin2:

To the OP: I was born and raised in Mission Viejo.:thumb3:

:bigok:

What part of MV might I ask? I've lived here for 13 years near Alicia and Jeronimo.

See, the story goes, a girl lost control of her Accord on Alicia parkway. She went over the median, took out a sign, dodged 3 lanes of opposing traffic, hit a wall, mailbox, cablebox, and smashed the back of my mom's Previa to bits.

She needs a new car, and I was looking for an 02 4Runner or anything more luxurious in comparison to her previous cars (1995 Previa LE S/C, 1988 Civic, 1980 BMW 745i), after all, she deserves a nice car. I wasn't too impressed by the 4th gen at first in all honesty, the 08 SR5 I was looking at was a real POS, but this 04 isn't too shabby.

I'll post pics tomorrow when I see, hopefully let you know whether I've brought it home or not.

 

[Pilotmatt]

Have a mechanic check the brakes, specifically the calipers to see if they free or seizing. Check for even wear of the brake pads. This is a common money sore specific to the 4th gens. (Generally speaking - when braking if you have a vibration in the steering wheel its the front brakes, if theres a vibration in the brake pedal its the rears.)

Accessory belt is due around 90k miles.

Flaking wheels. The clear coat on many of our factory wheels is horrible and visibly flakes off after varied amounts of time.

Spark plug replacement (I think I read the V6 needs them often - someone verify that)

Open the sunroof. There have been issues of bad seals and water getting into the roof area and eventually causing rust from the inside. You should be able to notice it.

2004 v6 2wd 90k miles? Around $12,000-$13,000 if the tires and everything are good to go.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Have a mechanic check the brakes, specifically the calipers to see if they free or seizing. Check for even wear of the brake pads. This is a common money sore specific to the 4th gens. (Generally speaking - when braking if you have a vibration in the steering wheel its the front brakes, if theres a vibration in the brake pedal its the rears.)

Accessory belt is due around 90k miles.

Flaking wheels. The clear coat on many of our factory wheels is horrible and visibly flakes off after varied amounts of time.

Spark plug replacement (I think I read the V6 needs them often - someone verify that)

Open the sunroof. There have been issues of bad seals and water getting into the roof area and eventually causing rust from the inside. You should be able to notice it.

2004 v6 2wd 90k miles? Around $12,000-$13,000 if the tires and everything are good to go.

I can check the brakes, no problem. I ain't need no mechanic!

Okay, accessory belts are cheap and I can do that, no problem. Spark plugs, too.

I will check the rest while I am there and I will take photos.

Thanks!

 

[NCSCOTT]

Have a mechanic check the brakes, specifically the calipers to see if they free or seizing. Check for even wear of the brake pads. This is a common money sore specific to the 4th gens. (Generally speaking - when braking if you have a vibration in the steering wheel its the front brakes, if theres a vibration in the brake pedal its the rears.)

Accessory belt is due around 90k miles.

Flaking wheels. The clear coat on many of our factory wheels is horrible and visibly flakes off after varied amounts of time.

Spark plug replacement (I think I read the V6 needs them often - someone verify that)

Open the sunroof. There have been issues of bad seals and water getting into the roof area and eventually causing rust from the inside. You should be able to notice it.

2004 v6 2wd 90k miles? Around $12,000-$13,000 if the tires and everything are good to go.

:iagree:

My 04 has had a few brake issues, nothing you can't fix yourself. It has Warpped a rotor or 2. Usually rears?? 108k miles now. I currently have a bad left front wheel bearing. Its on order now. I would say it was caused by driving habits. I have alot of hard right hand turns (on ramps, transitions from one hwy to another) on my way to work and I tend to throw it into the curves/turns pretty hard, so putting alot of stain on the left front. Yes V6 has a timing chain so no Belt to replace. Acc belt is easy like you said. Yes spark plugs are "required" to be changed every 30k miles to maintain your emmissions warranty. But after 80k there is no more warranty anyway so????? There are no grease points on a 2wd (on my 04 there are not) so reduced maint. I don't know if you have lifted the hood on a 4th gen V6, oil filter is a dream to get to. I use the OEM V8 filter on both of mine. Tranny fluid is supposed to be lifetime (I have not changed mine) I have had no issues. 03-04 V6 has a 4speed Tranny & 3.91 (Actual 3.909) rearend gear, V8s have always had the 5speed, all 05s and up have a 5speed tranny and a 3.73 (Actual 3.727) rearend gear.

If it were me I would look for an 05 to get the 5speed. The headlights & most trim are the same from 04-05 (06 was the refresh year) 05 lose the silver accents on the front and rear bumpers.

And if you can find one at a good price the 06 and up sports have tube side steps and roof racks.

Check out J.A.'s site for more specifics on various years.
Top4Runners.com - Toyota 4Runner Informational Website

Good luck, I don't think you can go wrong.

 

[MikesToy]

Take it out for a spin. Drive it like you stole it. When you get back, ask for maintenance records or which dealer the previous owner takes it to for maintenance. Pop up the hood and check the air filter and all fluids. If they're black or close to black then it's due for maintenance. Then haggle for price. Offer him/her $7K and work your way up. I personally would not pay more than $11K. But if you and your mom like it, then price doesn't matter. Good Luck!

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

KBB on it was about 15,500.

I bought it. It looks and drives great. Always maintained at the dealer. Never driven offroad, never used beyond commuting.

Hell, the backseats look untouched.

Thanks guys!