Could use some advice on buying a 3rd Gen...

P

pack66

New member
Hi all,

I've lurked here for a while and am starting to seriously look for a 3rd gen. I've always wanted a 4runner ever since I saw one in Hawaii in 1997. I don't do a lot of offroading, but like the capability as I hit the beaches in Texas from time to time. I'm currently in DC for a couple months and have been looking around, as it's tough to find a 4runner with 4wd in Texas. Most buy 2wd because of the mild winters, I guess.

Anyway, I'm looking at 3rd gens because I like the body style more and hope to get a 5spd as opposed to an automatic if possible. I'm also capping my price at around $5k or less, hopefully. For the next couple of months it would be a daily driver, but after I get back to Texas, it will be a toy for weekends.

I've read the buyer's advice post (which was extremely helpful) but I'd like a bit more advice on specific listings online.

This 4runner has just about everything I want, but being a d(st)ealer, I think his price is way high.

1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4 5-Speed Manual Limted w/Leahter

This 4runner's price is great and it seems like they've done some maintenance, but 200k is really high in mileage...

1997 Toyota 4runner

thoughts?
 
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Most people this forum (myself included) will tell you that 200k is not really high mileage for one of these trucks. For $2800, the 1997 would be my choice. Or if you're set on a 5-speed, the 2000.

There is an OEM timing belt/water pump kit on ebay for around $300. If you can do the work yourself, its a great kit. Shop prices vary from $700 to $1200 depending on who's trying to rob you. :D
 
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My litmus test after a carfax report and visual inspection and test drive is whether or not the radiator was done at the same time as the transmission flush. A hallmark sign of a strawberry milkshake. That one repair will cost you the price you paid to buy it or close to it.
 
For the mileage on the 1999, $6,000 isn't crazy IMO. On the 2000, 200k isn't high miles if it's been maintained well. If the engine is solid (You don't have a head gasket problem, cracked heads, any leaks, etc) and it hasn't been through pink milkshake etc etc, $2,800 is a steal IMO.

These engines go to 400-500k with proper routine and preventative maintenance.

A few threads below yours -- http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/13529-how-many-miles-your-4runner-67.html
 
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I don't think any of those prices are too bad, to be honest. The green one might be a touch high and that 4Runner has a rough around the edges look, however.

I'd pursue the silver 5-speed if you're after a stick shift. It's a private party (it looks like), so you should be able to get a pretty good feel for the way it was maintained.

I looked all over for a good 4WD in Texas - they're nearly impossible to find. What few we once had have probably made their way north by now. The ones you do find here are usually people who have moved their vehicles south to Texas. They're generally from Midwestern states, so they're pretty rusty underneath. VA/DC isn't nearly as bad as, say, IL or WI, but you should still look closely for rust.
 
I went through 3 4Runners last month before I finally settled on the 1997 Limited with 174k miles.

The first one I looked at was a 91 SR5 that I was absolutely in love with. I took all three trucks to the same mechanic (who I trust). I was CERTAIN he would agree with me that the 91, with 244k mi, was a very well maintained steal. Turns out the dealer had done an excellent job of steam cleaning the entire engine, concealing the massive head gasket leak in the V6. I called Toyota to see if any factory recalls were still pending (specifically the one with that model year concerning the head gaskets), but found out there were no outstanding factory recalls on the truck. Was sad to not get that one, but a clue bird pooped in my corner when the mechanic said "I wouldn't buy this one for myself."

Second 4Runner I brought to him was an 02 with 98k miles. The interior was more than lightly used, and it had some algae growing in strange spots in the front end lights. I thought possibly water damage, but turns out the mechanic discovered a failed rear axle seal that had been opened up so long it had bled fluid all over the back brakes, essentially ruining them. There were countless nickel/dime repairs with that one... it had obviously been treating like shit by previous owners. When I confronted the dealer about this, he told me my mechanic was full of shit and there was no problem. That was the last time I've seen that dealer.

Then I happened upon the 97. 174k mi, Limited, prior owner had installed a Flowmaster muffler, K&N cold air intake, grill guard, and some extensive wiring mods for audio (he took all the audio equipment when he sold it, but left the wiring, so I can still work with that later). Same mechanic looked that over... said I had minor leaks in the valve cover gasket and transfer case... that was it. We also decided the timing belt/water pump were ready for routine maintenance, and while doing that he said the radiator was just about shot. No pink milkshake because the radiator hadn't failed, it was just in the condition you'd expect from being 16 years old on OEM.

I got those couple things fixed, and the truck is performing well. Zero fluids dripping, no burning oil, looking good so far. My basic premise (as a non-mechanic) was to have the car be mechanically sound and try to get a steal on a 4runner with possibly higher miles.

Good luck with your purchase... I have much more distrust of used car dealers now than I ever have. Don't let the sexy 4Runner fog your judgement when the dealer will inevitably try to tell you nothing is wrong. Make sure you take it to someone (mechanic) you trust. There are plenty out there, just bide your time. It will make your eventual truck that much more valuable to you knowing you took your time and didn't get taken to the cleaners.
 
And just for a data point for you... the 97 I bought had a windshield sticker of $5999. I looked online and discovered that in excellent shape (which this one was not), is was going for $5300. I subtracted the known parts/labor from my mechanic and we settled on $4700. I look back and think I might have been able to get him lower, but hindsight is a dirty girl.
 
2002tii said:
I looked all over for a good 4WD in Texas - they're nearly impossible to find. What few we once had have probably made their way north by now. The ones you do find here are usually people who have moved their vehicles south to Texas. They're generally from Midwestern states, so they're pretty rusty underneath. VA/DC isn't nearly as bad as, say, IL or WI, but you should still look closely for rust.
Click to expand...

I twice flew out to southern California and brought two 4WD 4Runners back with me to northern Texas...
 
Thanks for all the fast replies. Hopefully I'll get a chance to do a few test drives this weekend to post up later.
 
fwiw I like the 1999 limited. Assuming it's good with the test drive, smell test, mechanic, etc. I like it best. Personally I don't care for the grey/blue interior. No offense to anyone who has/likes it, it seems dingy to me even when it's clean.

Manual trans? Yes, please! I like auto too, but manual is pretty damn cool, imo.

Too bad that 1999 doesn't have the locker, tho.
 
When I was looking I was interested in 2 models, the 1999 Highlander 5 Speed which at least in NC was like looking for a winning lottery ticket just laying around.
and the one I ended up with which frankly now I am glad I did, that is a 2002 Sport Edition. IMO those are the best 2 models.
If you have a trusted mechanic take it to him for a full going over, that will tell far more than any Carfax ever will.
Carfax is wrong just as much as its right so do NOT rely solely on that.
 
FYI - the '99 is not a limited, it is an SR5. Limiteds were not offered with a manual transmission & have body cladding along each side. It could be a highlander though, which is much preferred. Check to see if it has an elocker.
 
@SMR: Yep, caught the Limited mistake too, but nothing surprises me with used car lots and today was no different.

Quite the adventure today. The green 5spd Sport (Highlander?) model was there. 164k and they had just dropped the price to $6598. The interior seats looked rough as per the photos, but workable. The underside was rusty, but I didn't get a chance to get underneath to see if it was surface rust or worse. Looked the belts were all new on the engine, but no sticker for the timing belt. Couple dents in the rear liftgate and bumper, but I was thinking of changing those anyway.

They were supposed to have a 1999 lack Limited there as well, but the guy said it was at the other lot about 3 miles away. The dealer brought the green one around and said it needed gas, so might as well take it to the other lot and while it was being filled up, I could test drive the black Limited.

First impressions of the Green 4R...it drove nice. Clutch was good, no slippage. Engine seemed a little underpowered, but I had read from the forums that 3rd Gen V6s were a little like that, but not too bad. Drove like a truck, reminding me of what SUVs used to be like. I have a 2012 Highlander for a family vehicle and the 4R couldn't be more different...but that's the point :) . Overall, everything worked and I really liked driving the manual. Hopefully I can find a suitable one to buy.

So I get to the other lot and the dealer said that the other one was returned to the auction. I didn't think you could do that once you had the title, but he said there were certain cases where it was acceptable to do so. I shudder to think what was wrong with it and how he was going to hide it and sell it to some unsuspecting soul. He did say he had an 07 Sport in back that I could test drive while they were filling up the Green 5spd. So I took that out, went about a 1/2 mile down the road and it started rumbling like hell had broken loose. I thought it might have been a blown tire, but when I pulled over, tires were fine. I thought, to hell with this, and brought it right back. Funny thing, it was fine until about 30mph when the rumble got progressively worse to the point I thought something was going to go. Dealer and his mechanic heard it when I pulled in, so hopefully they fix before they sell.

Luckily when I got back, the 5spd was ready. I had a very enjoyable drive through the Northern Virginia countryside and then headed back to the original lot. Liked the car, but it wasn't worth $6500. Dealer wouldn't even consider coming down, saying that, "They didn't haggle as they were already low auction prices." I said good luck with that and walked out.

I did notice one thing in my little adventure today...the 4th gen reminded me of my highlander, quieter, more refined, more car-like...a nicer interior. But I enjoyed driving the 3rd gen stick better...at least for the short time I had her.

And thus begins my search in earnest for something worthwhile.

Any T4R folks in the NoVA area, please keep your eyes out if you see anything for me to take a look at...

thanks, J.
 
I'm selling my 96 Limited for $5000 , its got 135000 on it, great condition, everything works, runs and drives great. color is sandstone with tan interior, sun roof, 4 wheel drive
 
Well...I'm still looking. I test drove another 5spd last weekend. I know these trucks aren't 'burners', but it seemed a little sluggish and the engine sounded a lot louder than the automatic I drove a day or two earlier. I missed out on another 5spd which had had the TB/WP done, but also had about 225k. He was asking $3295. Looked like a good deal, but he sold before I could test drive it. The automatic I drove was ok, but shimmied while on the interstate at about 65-70. It needed new shocks and the guy had them in the back (Bilsteins), but I wasn't so sure it was the shocks only or maybe something to do with the steering. Regardless, he wasn't willing to come down more than $200 or $300 and I think he's asking too much. My concern is that maybe I'm being too picky. I've test drove quite a few 4th gens, but not many 3rd gens, so I'm wondering if I'm either just not used to driving BoF or if I just haven't ran across a good example yet. I wish I could drive a "sorted" 3rd gen to compare with the ones I'm looking at.
 
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