buying used

[historyteacher]

So I'll be getting a new car in the next few months to make more room our new little girl. I'd pretty much decided on a new 4Runner, but have recently been thinking about a used 4th gen to save money, probably '06-'09, although if I could find a low mileage early year that might work. My hope is to find a 4wd that was driven pretty much around town and on highways, basically not abused or taken off road.
It seems like a number of members bought their 4Runners used, so I was wondering if ya'll could give me some ideas of what to be on the lookout for. Are there any known issues from those years or even that generation, that I should look for or ask about? What kind of mileage should I look for, or should I put a limit on mileage? (eg: don't get one that is over 75k, etc.) I know there are three trim levels, but is one better than the others? (I've heard the SR5 suspension is kind of soft.) What are the major differences between trims? I know one has XREAS, but I'm not sure which one.
It'll be used as a daily driver with yearly road trips out west into the mountains. I may do a little bit of off roading, but nothing too serious.
Thanks for any info.

 

[historyteacher]

One time bump.

 

[rockwall]

Re: used Runners

Hey History Teacher:

I'm a Special Ed teacher in Illinois. I bought my 2003 Limited 4WD V8 two years ago from Carmax, with 32,000 miles on it. I like the Limited because it is loaded. It was lightly used and I got a great buy. No off road miles were on her (not anymore). I did a lot of mods and I absolutely love my truck. It is, without question, the best vehicle that I have ever owned.

Stick with a clean, low miles (under 50,000) unit. You won't be sorry. Welcome to the forum and visit often!

 

[techmen17]

Hey teach, only thing I might add is when looking for a used car of course be sure they have all maint. records with them, of course....
But one thing that may be overlooked is know the scheduled maint of the car before you buy...Like buying a v6 that has 30k miles plus, then the plugs should have been changed along with other things. And if those things haven't been done than factor that into the bottom line price. And don't make the mistake I did of getting so caught up in the excitement of getting a 4runner, and overlook that the tires needed to be replaced in about 500 miles :redbrick:....Good luck

 

[historyteacher]

Ah, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks.

Hey teach, only thing I might add is when looking for a used car of course be sure they have all maint. records with them, of course....
But one thing that may be overlooked is know the scheduled maint of the car before you buy...Like buying a v6 that has 30k miles plus, then the plugs should have been changed along with other things. And if those things haven't been done than factor that into the bottom line price. And don't make the mistake I did of getting so caught up in the excitement of getting a 4runner, and overlook that the tires needed to be replaced in about 500 miles :redbrick:....Good luck

 

[howieb]

I went through the same logic and ended up buying an 07 with 32K miles this past January, I paid $22K. I had my eye on a new one but figured used was a better deal. My prior vehicle was a 98 4R which now has 235K miles. I gave it to my son. The new one is an SR5, very nice. One thing to keep in mind is if you buy one that is less than 3 years old and under 36K miles, the factory warranty will still be in place. Mine just squeezed in and I had a complete brake job done by the dealer for N/C and it was not the place where I bought it.

 

[historyteacher]

Wow, that was a good deal. I'm hoping to find something like that, but I also know I can only choose from what's around here. I'd like to keep this next car for 8-10 years, as the last one and my current one I've only kept for 5 years.

I went through the same logic and ended up buying an 07 with 32K miles this past January, I paid $22K. I had my eye on a new one but figured used was a better deal. My prior vehicle was a 98 4R which now has 235K miles. I gave it to my son. The new one is an SR5, very nice. One thing to keep in mind is if you buy one that is less than 3 years old and under 36K miles, the factory warranty will still be in place. Mine just squeezed in and I had a complete brake job done by the dealer for N/C and it was not the place where I bought it.

 

[Asmara]

Wow, that was a good deal. I'm hoping to find something like that, but I also know I can only choose from what's around here. I'd like to keep this next car for 8-10 years, as the last one and my current one I've only kept for 5 years.

You're in luck being in Texas. It seems that there are a ton of 4Runners for sale there at decent prices. I was overseas searching for my recently purchased used 4Runner so I did most of my search on the internet and Houston seemed to have a ton of used 4Runners.

I found that Edmunds has the best pricing data. They claim to show the actual transaction price (vice Kelly Blue Books suggested retail price - from which you negotiate down). When I looked at past sales, it seemed pretty accurate.

This is the second 4Runner I purchased from a dealer by finding it on the internet. The internet sales managers are on a different salary scheme so they just need to move cars. If you see a listing on eBay that doesn't meet the reserve price, call or email the sales manager and ask what the reserve price is. They will normally tell you and you can just buy the car outright for that price (they don't usually negotiate down from the reserve). In both my purchases, I ended up calling the dealer and buying the car for the reserve price. Same thing if you see one on a dealer lot. Call the dealership and ask for internet sales or the fleet manager if they don't have an internet sales guy. It's amazing to hear the difference in price between what they have on the windshield of the car and what you can actually get it for from the internet sales guy.

These are the sites I used to look for the vehicles. You can put in your search parameters and save the results in your bookmarks (favorites if you use IE) and just follow that link to see if there is anything new.

eBay Motors - Autos, Used Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Trucks, Parts, Accessories, RVs and Other Vehicles
Craiglook: Craigslist Search
Used Cars for Sale, Buy New and Used Cars at Every Car Listed | EveryCarListed.com
Used Cars for Sale, Used Car Dealers, Buy Used Autos & Vehicles Online - UsedCars.com
New Cars, Used Cars - Find Cars at AutoTrader.com
New & Used Cars for Sale, Auto Dealers, Car Reviews and Car Finance Advice

Finally you'll need to know a bit about the VIN numbers. For some reason, not every dealer/individual lists whether the 4Runner is 4X4 or not. You can tell by the VIN number which most listings provide so you can run Autocheck or Carfax reports. This thread has a discussion on the VIN with some extra details but basically if you want the 4x4 V6 you're looking for a VIN that starts JTEBU. If you want the 4x4 V8 you're looking for a VIN that starts JTEBT.

Good luck.

 

[historyteacher]

Cool, thanks for all of the info.
I've done a little bit of hunting, but I've found mostly 2wd listed, although I have found some Limited models that are 4wd. Of course checking the VIN could show something different and maybe they just listed it wrong.
I think I've used most of those websites, but there were a few I hadn't found.
The only downside to buying used it seems is that I need to go in with much more information than buying new, where I seem to know more than the sales person.

You're in luck being in Texas. It seems that there are a ton of 4Runners for sale there at decent prices. I was overseas searching for my recently purchased used 4Runner so I did most of my search on the internet and Houston seemed to have a ton of used 4Runners.

I found that Edmunds has the best pricing data. They claim to show the actual transaction price (vice Kelly Blue Books suggested retail price - from which you negotiate down). When I looked at past sales, it seemed pretty accurate.

This is the second 4Runner I purchased from a dealer by finding it on the internet. The internet sales managers are on a different salary scheme so they just need to move cars. If you see a listing on eBay that doesn't meet the reserve price, call or email the sales manager and ask what the reserve price is. They will normally tell you and you can just buy the car outright for that price (they don't usually negotiate down from the reserve). In both my purchases, I ended up calling the dealer and buying the car for the reserve price. Same thing if you see one on a dealer lot. Call the dealership and ask for internet sales or the fleet manager if they don't have an internet sales guy. It's amazing to hear the difference in price between what they have on the windshield of the car and what you can actually get it for from the internet sales guy.

These are the sites I used to look for the vehicles. You can put in your search parameters and save the results in your bookmarks (favorites if you use IE) and just follow that link to see if there is anything new.

eBay Motors - Autos, Used Cars, Motorcycles, Boats, Trucks, Parts, Accessories, RVs and Other Vehicles
Craiglook: Craigslist Search
Used Cars for Sale, Buy New and Used Cars at Every Car Listed | EveryCarListed.com
Used Cars for Sale, Used Car Dealers, Buy Used Autos & Vehicles Online - UsedCars.com
New Cars, Used Cars - Find Cars at AutoTrader.com
New & Used Cars for Sale, Auto Dealers, Car Reviews and Car Finance Advice

Finally you'll need to know a bit about the VIN numbers. For some reason, not every dealer/individual lists whether the 4Runner is 4X4 or not. You can tell by the VIN number which most listings provide so you can run Autocheck or Carfax reports. This thread has a discussion on the VIN with some extra details but basically if you want the 4x4 V6 you're looking for a VIN that starts JTEBU. If you want the 4x4 V8 you're looking for a VIN that starts JTEBT.

Good luck.

 

[Giskarded]

Used 4Runner

Make sure to have it checked out at a good mechanic before purchasing. I bought mine from Chicago and live in Milwaukee, but did the extra work and drove down and had a well reputed mechanic (as per Yelp) have a inspection for about 30 dollars.

Last December ('09) I bought a '07 4Runner with 19K miles on it from Chicago for $29K. Limited Edition V8, loaded with everything except XREAS and lift rear suspension.

Now at 26K miles on it, just purchased the extended 7 yr 75K warranty on it for $595 earlier today since I'm out of the 3 yr 36K time frame starting aug 15th.

However, I'm going to be selling the vehicle soon since I will be going back to school soon and cant afford a vehicle this expensive when I'm not getting a paycheck. So if you were in SE Wisconsin/Chicago area, you could definitely look mine over.

All I can tell you is, dont rush the decision and make sure to have it checked out.

 

[rockwall]

Re: Used 4Runner

My 4Runner is the 4th vehicle that I have purchased from Carmax. I have always received great service and no tricks. They offer top dollar for trade-ins too. When you are looking for a particular used vehicle, you can search their website and find what you want. They will then transfer it into your local dealer and you still have a right to say no if you don't like it. Transfer is free within the district and something like $299 outside of it. I paid $23,000 for mine with 32,000 miles. I have had it for two years and apart from a few minor scratches, etc., it is showroom perfect at seven years old and 46,000 miles. I would never pay $43,000 for a new Runner when a late model used one is so much less.

Oh ya, I did replace my tires. The stock Dunlop were terrible and my Michelin Cross Terrains have been awesome.

 

[FourEyedWilly]

Just throwing this out there, but if you go through a Toyota dealer you can get Certified. I have a 7/100K drivetrain warranty. With money saved buying used, I bought the extended bumper to bumper warranty to 100K for $1200. Better than new warranty. Just a thought.

Cheers! I suggest the V8. Not for the power, but for the smoothness of the entire drivetrain, shifting and all. Of course, I'm bias. My buddy has the V6 and says EVERY time, I should have gotten the V8, it's so much more smooth. I do tow a 4,500lbs boat so I "lucked" into the V8. It's awesome.

 

[historyteacher]

I've looked at Carmax to purchase, but I'm leery about selling to them. My parents brought their Pilot in and the guy tried to tell them that it had been in an accident even though my parents were the only owners and it had never been involved in an accident. So I'm a little standoffish about them.

My 4Runner is the 4th vehicle that I have purchased from Carmax. I have always received great service and no tricks. They offer top dollar for trade-ins too. When you are looking for a particular used vehicle, you can search their website and find what you want. They will then transfer it into your local dealer and you still have a right to say no if you don't like it. Transfer is free within the district and something like $299 outside of it. I paid $23,000 for mine with 32,000 miles. I have had it for two years and apart from a few minor scratches, etc., it is showroom perfect at seven years old and 46,000 miles. I would never pay $43,000 for a new Runner when a late model used one is so much less.

Oh ya, I did replace my tires. The stock Dunlop were terrible and my Michelin Cross Terrains have been awesome.

 

[BRK]

I bought an '08 SR5 with 50,000 miles on it last October for $19,500 or $19,900, don't remember which. It came from a "high end" used car place and was cleaned up to look like a new car. Have put about 17,000 miles on it so far and it's been perfect in every respect, uses no oil whatsoever. Just had a 60k inspection done with new plugs and put Mobile 1 in the transfer case and axles. Brakes were described as 80% rear, 40% front. I had Daystar lift shims installed and removed the running boards as I live 8 miles off the pavement and 1.5 miles off any road whatsoever.

I put new tires on it at around 60,000 something miles. In the mud, snow and slop, I couldn't really tell any difference in the traction from the nearly bald original Michelins and the brand new Dunlops, the clay mud seems to pack up on any tire tread and turn them into a greased slick anyway.

Especially neat on the Gen 1V's is the location of the oil filter, unbelievably convenient. A friend just bought a new 2010 and for some reason they've removed the filter from the ideal top front location of the Gen 1V's, don't know why they would do such a thing. They also seemed to have added some superfluous plastic low on the front end which looks to me to be a step backwards for offroading. He's one of the super mileage guys and get 26 mpg; I get about 21 mpg on mine.

 

[historyteacher]

Yeah, I have to agree with you on the last point. With the exception of the Trail Edition, I'd be a little nervous taking the new one off road. Despite being bigger, it looks like it would get messed up easily; and I'm not a huge fan of messing up my car, much less one that I paid $33k for. It does look pretty nice though.
It will be nice having a car that's higher off the ground and that I can get under. It's a little tight under my '06 Outback Sport. I've also never changed my own oil (I know, I know), so it'll be cool to do that now.

 

[howieb]

While Toyota certification is worthwhile and available with a dealer purchase, they will also get more for the vehicle than a non-Toyota dealer. I bought mine at a Chevy dealer, seems odd but they bought it at the auction at a good price. Regarding oil changes, there is much less room than under my 98. For my first oil change I had to put it up on ramps and I installed a fumoto valve. Second oil change was easy, no ramps, just reached under, removed the plastic panel, opened the valve and that was it. The valve is well worth the $25, there are various posts on the forum on this topic.

 

[historyteacher]

I'm finding a good number of 4Runners, unfortunately, 90% seem to be 2wd. I'll probably have to expand my search outside of the Houston area. Oh well, I just have to keep telling myself that I'm still saving a boatload of money over buying new.

You're in luck being in Texas. It seems that there are a ton of 4Runners for sale there at decent prices. I was overseas searching for my recently purchased used 4Runner so I did most of my search on the internet and Houston seemed to have a ton of used 4Runners.

 

[Ruffian]

Knowing a lot about what you want to buy is the key. I must of driven 8 various used 4th gen. 4Runners. And I did this in a matter of a month. You're ahead of the game by being a member here and reading up on things. By knowing what to look for in a used vehicle, where the rattles and thumps are, I was able to tell my 03 was used, but not abused. They had put 20" rims, and they had NEVER put it in 4Lo. So the 4Lo actuator was locked up, and of course she refused to shift into 4Lo. I'm glad I made a stink about that, as I wound up with a new 4WD system. I also made them replace the leaking passenger side head lamp. Boy was I a brat....but I knew what I wanted and what I wasn't going to put up with. They had already seen me several times show up, test drive various vehicles (including FJ's and Tacoma's etc). If you have any friends that own a 4Runner, have them come with you when you test drive one that you like. They can help you compare things. The only mistake I made this time, was I let them bicker about the monthly payment. I just learned you need to bicker about the out the door price. So reading up on "What not to do at the dealership" articles is a good start.

 

[historyteacher]

This will be my first 4wd vehicle, so I need to make sure I check EVERYTHING out.
It looks like the Limited model has a dial that used to go to 4wd, so it it won't shift into 4Lo, or any other option for that matter, will the dial not turn to let me know, or is it something you feel when driving?

 

[chaz]

u need to exercise the switch every now & then so it doesnt lock, & yes u will feel the difference.