Buying an 07

[Jimmer12]

Gang,

I am new to the 4Runner world. However, in looking for my next vehicle to tow my boat and provide a reliable car for my family I quickly realized not much really competes with the 4Runner. That being said, I am looking for a bit of advice.

It looks like, in my price range (< $25000) and considering I need the V8 to tow, I should be able to get into a 2007 or 2006 with less than 75,000 Miles. Right now I am comparing two vehicles a 2007 ltd. V8 with 68K for $24,500 or a 2007 ltd. with 79K for $23,500.

My main question is: Is it worth the extra $1,000 to have 10,000 less miles? Also, the 68K is from a small local dealer which makes me a bit nervous in that vehicle likely did not run through a good shop like it would at a larger dealership. Which is where the 79K 4Runner is coming from...

I'd also appreciate any other advice or things I should look out for when making the purchase.

Thanks!

Jim

 

[zachb_NW]

Both V8 models? If all things where the same I would take the 10k less mileage. What about colors and options?

Small dealers make me nervious to but try to search for some reviews of the dealer and see if there are any read flags.

Post up the links to the trucks for more input!

 

[jimithing]

Yeah, with everything else being equal I'd take the one with fewer miles. But make sure they know you're looking at another one that costs $1000 less. You should be able to bargain with them. One piece of advice that was very helpful to me - go register over at the Toyota Owners website and you can put the VIN's in like you own them. That will let you see the maintenance history of both vehicles. It only shows maintenance done at Toyota dealerships but sometimes it tells you very useful things. Like accidents that don't show on Carfax, electrical problems, etc.

Edit, also the quite a few of V8's have been popping up with cracks in the exhaust manifold. You might check it out to make sure neither of these have that issue. It's quite expensive to fix as the parts can only be bought through Toyota, there are no aftermarket parts available. Read more about it here:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/93178-exhaust-manifold-leak-tick.html

 

[Jimmer12]

Yes both are V8 models. Pics 1-4 are the 79K '07, and pics 5-7 are the 68K '07.

 

[zachb_NW]

I personally wouldn't get the black just because the ***** of cleaning. But I'm not sold on the wood interior on the grey one.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

I'd rather have to clean the outside of the black more often than look at the wood grain of the other every time I'm in it. But that is me, and I don't like the wood grain.
I'd also prefer fewer miles. It's only $1,000 dollars more and that could buy you a whole year's worth of miles (depending on how much you'll drive it).

 

[Jimmer12]

jimithing, great advice on the Toyota Owner's website. The 79K shows all service records done at Toyota in NJ since purchase. The 68K shows no records after about 1,000 miles. I am assuming any service work that was done was not at the dealership.

I don't know that the lack of service records should REALLY concern me on the 68K, but the fact that the 79K has always been serviced at the dealership is certainly reafirmming.

Am I realistic in expecting this vehicle to last upwards of 150K miles with mostly only regular maintainance needs?

I guess I am just hesitant (especially on the 79K) to spend close to $25K on a vehicle that is so close to 100,000K miles.

 

[ClockWork]

And.....what does underneath look like. Could be a deciding factor.

Don't forget about the timing belt and water pump + other associated maintenance items ~100k. Don't let that sway you from the V8 - it's a better engine and if the MPG means that much to you - drive a prius.

 

[jimithing]

After seeing the pics I'm picking the one that doesn't have the wood grain interior. That hurts my eyes just looking at it from here.

 

[jimithing]

Don't let that sway you from the V8 - it's a better engine and if the MPG means that much to you - drive a prius.

Is it just me or do you turn every thread into a V6 vs V8 thread? Nobody even suggested the V6. He's already stated he wants the V8 for it's towing capacity. You can't make a blanket statement that the V8 is better than the V6, each has it's pros and cons.

 

[zachb_NW]

Jimmer12, what area do you live in?

 

[Jimmer12]

North Carolina

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Black FTW! All other factors equal...black looks awesome when clean and will most likely have a better resale value. It took me a while, but last year I found my 07 LTD with v8, nav, factory entertainment system, skid, etc... During my search, I came across all other colors. It just seems that black is harder to come across.

 

[zachb_NW]

Black FTW! All other factors equal...black looks awesome when clean and will most likely have a better resale value. It took me a while, but last year I found my 07 LTD with v8, nav, factory entertainment system, skid, etc... During my search, I came across all other colors. It just seems that black is harder to come across.

Hard to find means its not popular which means resale would be less. White and silver are the most pop. Any car I buy the first thing that makes me not buy are car if its black.

Don't get me wrong black look great when clean, and I clean my car usually weekly. But it shows every single little imperfection in the paint drives me nuts.

 

[Snesley Wipes]

Hard to find means its not popular which means resale would be less. White and silver are the most pop. Any car I buy the first thing that makes me not buy are car if its black.

Don't get me wrong black look great when clean, and I clean my car usually weekly. But it shows every single little imperfection in the paint drives me nuts.

Hard to find means people don't sell them as often and are also snatched up very quick!

 

[empty403]

Gang,

I am new to the 4Runner world. However, in looking for my next vehicle to tow my boat and provide a reliable car for my family I quickly realized not much really competes with the 4Runner. That being said, I am looking for a bit of advice.

It looks like, in my price range (< $25000) and considering I need the V8 to tow, I should be able to get into a 2007 or 2006 with less than 75,000 Miles. Right now I am comparing two vehicles a 2007 ltd. V8 with 68K for $24,500 or a 2007 ltd. with 79K for $23,500.

My main question is: Is it worth the extra $1,000 to have 10,000 less miles? Also, the 68K is from a small local dealer which makes me a bit nervous in that vehicle likely did not run through a good shop like it would at a larger dealership. Which is where the 79K 4Runner is coming from...

I'd also appreciate any other advice or things I should look out for when making the purchase.

Thanks!

Jim

+1 for the black. I have the 07 Black Limited V8 and black was the only one I was looking for. Mileage doesn't bother me. I bought mine last year with 80k. You should be able to knock off another $1000 or $2000 from the asking price from either one.

 

[Jimmer12]

New Wrinkle

So I wAs just looking around and found another that caught my eye for 19,500. It's a V8 also with 68K the catch is it's a 2003. Also a limited but being 4 years older lacks the nav and a few other frills.

This price is more inline with what I am looking for... I would really appreciate some advice on this one...

2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Charlotte, NC- 7801592 at carmax.com

 

[Snesley Wipes]

So I wAs just looking around and found another that caught my eye for 19,500. It's a V8 also with 68K the catch is it's a 2003. Also a limited but being 4 years older lacks the nav and a few other frills.

This price is more inline with what I am looking for... I would really appreciate some advice on this one...

2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Charlotte, NC- 7801592 at carmax.com

It looks clean and has very low mileage. Check the "carflaps" and see if it's legit. Not a bad color either.