Complete car noob, take it easy on me

[doofenshmirtz]

How would I find out about the XREAS? I pulled up the service records through Toyota and it also gives me vehicle specs, such as the towing package but I don't see anything there about it

Usually, for features on your car, no info means it doesn't have it. If you're on the Toyota Owners site with that car's vin in there and it doesn't have XREAS listed, then it's not on there.

As someone said, it shouldn't be a deal breaker, just an item to be aware of on the front end.

 

[AuSeeker]

Ummm...I believe all V8s had the 5sp auto from day one. The V6 didn't get the 5spd until 2005.

Yes you are correct, I was thinking about the 2003 V8 5 speed transmission has a dipstick and was sealed after that.

I said the same about the V6 getting the 5 speed in 2005....but in different words.

 

[C.Rocks]

I wouldn't make the XREAS a deal breaker. Replacing it with stock XREAS components is ridiculously expensive, I admit, but any decent 4wd shop will know how to disconnect it and replace it with aftermarket or stock non-Xreas shocks for $500 or so. It will drive and ride just fine that way, since most 4runners never had XREAS in the first place.

If you know enough about cars to find the shocks, look and see if there is a small (3/8 diameter or so) flexible hose coming out of the side of each one. If so, it has XREAS.

Given its location, rust is not too likely to be a problem, but should be checked for. Neither Florida or Oklahoma are high rust areas.

$500 seems manageable for a possible repair. While I don't find a lot of 4X4's for sale in Florida, I do see a lot go 4X4 shops!

 

[C.Rocks]

Usually, for features on your car, no info means it doesn't have it. If you're on the Toyota Owners site with that car's vin in there and it doesn't have XREAS listed, then it's not on there.

As someone said, it shouldn't be a deal breaker, just an item to be aware of on the front end.

That's where I checked, and I'm happy to hear that. I would rather have one less thing to worry about

 

[C.Rocks]

Got these pictures from the dealer today, and asked about the XREAS. Waiting for their reply just to confirm, but there’s a very good chance I’m driving down to go get it Friday

 

[doofenshmirtz]

Got these pictures from the dealer today, and asked about the XREAS. Waiting for their reply just to confirm, but there’s a very good chance I’m driving down to go get it Friday

This is XREAS if I’m not mistaken. Not a huge deal if it’s not leaking. If it starts to leak, most people just pull it out and then go with a standard suspension setup.

 

[C.Rocks]

This is XREAS if I’m not mistaken. Not a huge deal if it’s not leaking. If it starts to leak, most people just pull it out and then go with a standard suspension setup.

Sounds good to me! Thank you for all of your help, even if I don't end up with this car I have a very solid idea of what I want. This forum is incredible!

 

[C.Rocks]

Well I'm back on the hunt.

I drove out to check out the car and boy was it different in person. Nothing life changing, but they didn't even bother to vacuum it or wipe it down. Back seat and trunk area were gross, random paint splatter all over the passenger seat. Cracked front bumper, chips and dents all around, totally expected for a used car, but they hid it well online. The Carfax shows an accident report with damage to the front right portion of the car, the fender had been replaced. I wasn't too worried about that as the frame looked to not be damaged and sometimes Carfax over dramatizes things a bit (I know from experience). The sales manager was a total prick though when I brought it up and how it does and will depreciate the value of the car regardless of how good of condition it is in. He also didn't seem too keen on me asking about service records or the timing belt, which had not been replaced and they refused to address it before I took the car. The best they could do off the asking price was $500 and even with that, after all of their add-ons the car went from $13,700 asking price to over $18,000 out the door.

My fiancé had filled out a financing app on their website just to compare the interest rate between our joint loan and a loan on her own since her credit is better, they couldn't even find it after they had run her credit twice for whatever unnecessary reason. The place was a mess and they still keep contacting her about her credit approval and asking what car she might be interested in.

I was hoping to buy from a dealer so I can stretch the payments out, but I have found a few options locally from private sellers and I may just have to suck it up

 

[C.Rocks]

Looking at two cars

1. 2003 SR5 4X4 with 197k $3000

2. 2006 SR5 4X4 with 180K $6500

As far as I know both cars are stock and the 06 is a FL car, so no rust issues. I haven't inquired about the 03, just found it and I'm wondering if its worth the drive to check it out. The mileage isn't too different, and to be honest I don't know what VVT-I even is or what the alternative would be.

Pros and cons of the 4 or 5 speed?

I know it comes down to the condition of the actual car itself but if they're both in relatively similar condition and have both been maintained accordingly, is the 03 a good deal at half the price? or is the 06 worth the price difference?

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

Looking at two cars

1. 2003 SR5 4X4 with 197k $3000

2. 2006 SR5 4X4 with 180K $6500

As far as I know both cars are stock and the 06 is a FL car, so no rust issues. I haven't inquired about the 03, just found it and I'm wondering if its worth the drive to check it out. The mileage isn't too different, and to be honest I don't know what VVT-I even is or what the alternative would be.

Pros and cons of the 4 or 5 speed?

I know it comes down to the condition of the actual car itself but if they're both in relatively similar condition and have both been maintained accordingly, is the 03 a good deal at half the price? or is the 06 worth the price difference?

What engine do they both have? Im guessing v6 because of price.

 

[C.Rocks]

What engine do they both have? Im guessing v6 because of price.

Yes, both have a V6

 

[404NotFound]

So I found a semi-local 2008 V8 4WD Limited with 132k. I was able to pull up the service records through Toyota and it seems its been maintained and serviced regularly through the dealer it was purchased from. Service records from 0-115k show regular 5000/10,000 mile service, and no issues along the way. No mention of timing belt except for a "inspect belts, hoses, lights, fluids, etc" at a different dealer at 131K.

Seems like the car lived in Oklahoma from new(08) to 115k (18) then was seen by a dealer in FL at 131k this August. The car is for sale at a Toyota dealer and they are asking $13,800

The interior looks to be in great shape, the exterior looks clean, and I'm not at all upset that its dark gray with tan leather.

I've contacted the dealer for more pictures of the car, including the undercarriage and we'll see how that goes. The car is about 5 hours from me, but its not too far from my parents and I make the drive pretty often.

What's the deal with rust in Oklahoma? I've read that while they do get quite a bit of snow they don't salt the roads. Paint looks great which is a nice contrast to sun baked paint here in FL



This is the car:

Oklahoma resident here.

First, I don't know what dealer lot that came from here in OK but I'm kind of upset I didn't see it while it was here. I would've scooped it up.

With that said, first I will tell you I have an 05 V6 4WD and I also have a 20' boat. The V6 will do it but it doesn't like it. But when towing 8 cylinders is almost always better than 6.

We do get snow but not as much or often as you'd think. We had a couple of ice storms in 2007 and another in 11. and pretty much since 2011 our snow situation has been minimal. Heck, last November the temperature was in the mid 20s with an ice warning one week, and the next it was 70 and we had to take shelter because of a tornado warning. When we do get winter weather we typically use sand, not salt. Once the roads dry up everyone goes to the car wash to clean the undercarriage.

The rust situation isn't going to be as clean as say, a Texas, California, Arizona, etc. 4Runner, but it will be much better than if it was from up north or even a FL native.

 

[C.Rocks]

Oklahoma resident here.

First, I don't know what dealer lot that came from here in OK but I'm kind of upset I didn't see it while it was here. I would've scooped it up.

With that said, first I will tell you I have an 05 V6 4WD and I also have a 20' boat. The V6 will do it but it doesn't like it. But when towing 8 cylinders is almost always better than 6.

We do get snow but not as much or often as you'd think. We had a couple of ice storms in 2007 and another in 11. and pretty much since 2011 our snow situation has been minimal. Heck, last November the temperature was in the mid 20s with an ice warning one week, and the next it was 70 and we had to take shelter because of a tornado warning. When we do get winter weather we typically use sand, not salt. Once the roads dry up everyone goes to the car wash to clean the undercarriage.

The rust situation isn't going to be as clean as say, a Texas, California, Arizona, etc. 4Runner, but it will be much better than if it was from up north or even a FL native.

The car is in FL, for sale from a FL dealer. From the carfax/maintenance records it seems its lived in FL for a couple of years now.

If you're wanting to take the trip its for sale in Deerfield Beach :biggrin1:

 

[C.Rocks]

The hunt is over

The hunt is over! Picked up a one owner 2006 SR5 4WD With 43,000 miles. The car was babied by its previous owner, a retired old man in his 70’s who recently replaced it with a new 4Runner. Only damage on the car is a small crack in the rear bumper, and that will eventually be replaced anyway. Otherwise it just needs a good bath and detail!

Car is bone stock except for new tires and a recently replaced battery. Mods will be minimal and in good time but I’m excited to finally be able to tow the boat out of the driveway

 

[hinmo24t]

damn^ sweet

 

[AuSeeker]

The hunt is over! Picked up a one owner 2006 SR5 4WD With 43,000 miles. The car was babied by its previous owner, a retired old man in his 70’s who recently replaced it with a new 4Runner. Only damage on the car is a small crack in the rear bumper, and that will eventually be replaced anyway. Otherwise it just needs a good bath and detail!

Car is bone stock except for new tires and a recently replaced battery. Mods will be minimal and in good time but I’m excited to finally be able to tow the boat out of the driveway

Congratulations, looks very nice!!

Which engine, V6 or V8?

If you don't mind saying what did you pay for it?

If it's a V6 what's the build date?

 

[C.Rocks]

Congratulations, looks very nice!!

Which engine, V6 or V8?

If you don't mind saying what did you pay for it?

If it's a V6 what's the build date?

It’s a V6, I paid $11,300, and I’ll have to get back to you on the build date