Considering a used 4runner

[fredimac]

I'm considering a 4th Gen used 4runner. My research indicates that these are the best used SUV's out there.

My budget is about 12K and I'm in Northern Cal.

I want to be able to tow and go in the snow so 4WD is great.

What should I look for?

Is, for example, $11, 600 for a 2004 Limited with 167K a reasonable price, presuming a clean title?

Thanks;
Fred

 

[LTDSC]

seems pretty reasonable. I just bought my 03 Limited with 95k for 14,700. Which i felt was fair.

 

[kev03]

I bought a 2003 v8 4x4 for $13k with 119,000 about 8 months ago and it came with a year and a half extended warranty (15,000 miles) on it that has covered replacing both front axles as well as some A/C parts (overall about $1000) worth of work... But I also found a kid that bought it and couldnt make the payments anymore so he had to get rid of it. Got it for $1500 less than he originally wanted

 

[4rs]

I bought a 2003 v8 4x4 for $13k with 119,000 about 8 months ago and it came with a year and a half extended warranty (15,000 miles) on it that has covered replacing both front axles as well as some A/C parts (overall about $1000) worth of work... But I also found a kid that bought it and couldnt make the payments anymore so he had to get rid of it. Got it for $1500 less than he originally wanted

You've been saving up for months for a noteworthy first post.:wink2:

 

[talonjade]

the best savings your are gonna get is from (supply and demand), **i know nothing about Cali but here in CO, I got my 03 V8 Sporty 100K for $10K flat. There are lots of 4X4's here and lots of Toyota's.I can drive to Cali for less than $4,000 (maybe $1,500 MAX) just a thought...

 

[Erich_121]

$11,600 is a high price for a truck with 167k. I paid 11 for my V8 with 110k. And if you plan on towing quite often get the V8.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I bought my 03 SR5 V8 2WD in October 2011 with 55,777 miles for $15,7 at CarMax and they shipped it from NC to Georgia for free. Bought it 3 days later after thinking log and hard about if I could live with 2WD, the pros, cons and ins and outs of the truck. Over a year later, still loving it and never looked back at my purchase!

 

[kev03]

You've been saving up for months for a noteworthy first post.:wink2:

Had to be able to know what I was talking about!

 

[fredimac]

Thanks for all your input thusfar! Glad I got on here.

At present I'm considering some vehicles with the following basic specs / price. Any an obviously better deal, or too good to be true, assuming the vehciles are generally equally cared for?

2005 SR5 Sport v6 4WD 94K $12,900

2004 SR5 Sport v6 4WD 125K $9900

2004 Limited v8 4WD 162k $1650

Also, @20034RunnerV84x2, what made you decide for 2WD over 4WD? I will be towing a boat 2x a year to the mountains and heading up to the snow annually.

Thanks
Fred

 

[4rs]

Thanks for all your input thusfar! Glad I got on here.

At present I'm considering some vehicles with the following basic specs / price. Any an obviously better deal, or too good to be true, assuming the vehciles are generally equally cared for?

2005 SR5 Sport v6 4WD 94K $12,900

2004 SR5 Sport v6 4WD 125K $9900

2004 Limited v8 4WD 162k $1650

Also, @20034RunnerV84x2, what made you decide for 2WD over 4WD? I will be towing a boat 2x a year to the mountains and heading up to the snow annually.

Thanks
Fred

I would take the 04. That's a steal at $1650.

 

[fredimac]

Corrrection :

2004 Limited v8 4WD 162k $11650

 

[jzme]

2003 sr5 bought a month ago one owner full service records 60k miles $14k

 

[Redstone8]

Thanks for all your input thusfar! Glad I got on here.

At present I'm considering some vehicles with the following basic specs / price. Any an obviously better deal, or too good to be true, assuming the vehciles are generally equally cared for?

2005 SR5 Sport v6 4WD 94K $12,900

2004 SR5 Sport v6 4WD 125K $9900

2004 Limited v8 4WD 162k $1650

Also, @20034RunnerV84x2, what made you decide for 2WD over 4WD? I will be towing a boat 2x a year to the mountains and heading up to the snow annually.

Thanks
Fred

The 2005 Sport is not a bad price. I saw an ad yesterday for a 2005 Sport for 11,000 with 106k on the odometer.

 

[fredimac]

It turns out that the 2005 isn't a 4WD.

Also, the blue book on the 2004 Limited is $14.3K if it's in excellent condition. Does that sound like the best deal. I'm not used to thinking of vehicles that get 250K in their lifetime if cared for.

Also, am I silly being a stickler for 4WD if I'm only going to benefit from it a few times a year?

Thanks,
Fred

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That's hard to answer as its really up to you. If you feel like you can live without 4WD then go for it, but it seems a lot of peopel often regret not getting the 4WD when they had the option.

In my opinion, if you're gonna go for something like a 4Runner, do it right and get it in 4WD.

 

[NJshadow93]

If you need 4WD even once, then you need 4WD. I'd go with the V8. If properly maintained it will make it past 300k. Make sure the timing belt is/was done every 90-100k miles.

 

[GMZ]

Try and find a V8 4WD

 

[fredimac]

Thanks for everyone's help here, I'm now the proud owner of a 2004 4WD Limited v8 with 162K and very clean indeed.

Got it checked out by a mechanic, a few minor issues lead to a discount. Out the door for $12,300

 

[NJshadow93]

Let the mods begin! Enjoy

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

I chose 2WD because its less maintenance, less gas, more towing capacity, cheaper to buy & own, plus I live in GA I don't have many choices to offroad and 2WD with stability control and traction control does the job for me. Occasionally I wish I had 4WD but I would only get my use 3 times a year max.