Crazy Decision to Buy a 4Runner...used?

[cmj685]

My first post ever! I have wanted a 4Runner for a long, long time but various practicalities and circumstances always dictated a different vehicle when it actually came time to buy. I am in my young 50's now, that famous mid-life crisis time, and don't know how many more chances I will get at my age! This very morning I happened to notice a 2004 4Runner SR5 from a rental car agency for sale in my area with a price low enough to almost make me pull the trigger without thinking much more. We tow a little pop-up and will be putting on about 10,000 miles this summer towing so that is my rationale (at least for my wife--you know, the little Ford compact SUV we currently own doesn't have the muscle...potential transmission problems, etc. If you have any more arguments along that line, let me know!). But before I did anything dumb on the spot, sanity prevailed for a few minutes and I thought I might ask you guys who are experts before I did anything dumb. Some questions that I don't know the answer to:

1) Is it a good choice generally to buy from a rental car agency? Do they generally take good care of their vehicles? (I have never bought used due to the great unknown of how the former owner treated the vehicle, much less from a rental car agency! I love my vehicles and try to take outstanding care of them, and just could never bring myself to buy someone else's problem. Don't have the slightest idea about any of that.)
2) How does the 2004 4Runner shape up mechanically--do you guys love it unqualifiedly? Any odd maintenance issues or eccentricities I should be aware of?
3) The vehicle is going for about $24000 with 26000 miles on it? Do you like that? Would I be better served to try to talk my wife into a new 2005 (maybe not much chance!).
4) Any other editions of the 4Runner I should consider?
5) Any other comments would greatly delight an old guy whose sand in the egg timer is rapidly running out! Thanks.

 

[peter78]

1) Is it a good choice generally to buy from a rental car agency? Do they generally take good care of their vehicles?

Welcome to the forum. I remember renting a car from Alamo and the car had 15,000 miles on it and the oil was a quart low and black as tar. I am sure it was never changed. Plus the car was well worn, not exactly a well maintianed car.

I heard a joke once: A rental car is driven by a lot of people who tend to drive it hard and not care about the vehicle, if that was a women would you marry her?:arrow:

 

[ToolmanJohn]

SR5 , $24,000 ??

That price seems high, especially if it has 26,000 miles already. Although the reliability of the Toyota's is very good, I would be wary about the vehicle unless they can document the service it has had, and also allow you to take it to a local Toyota mechanic for a thorough inspection, especially brakes and oil.


If it is a V6 SR5 4WD, then dealer price is about $24,800 (in my area according to Edmunds.com) . I wouldn't pay it. Closer to $21k-23K is better. If the truck is not 4WD, it's worth about $1200 less than the 4WD.

 

[EDGE]

Re: Re: Crazy Decision to Buy a 4Runner...used?

Welcome to the forum. I remember renting a car from Alamo and the car had 15,000 miles on it and the oil was a quart low and black as tar. I am sure it was never changed. Plus the car was well worn, not exactly a well maintianed car.

I heard a joke once: A rental car is driven by a lot of people who tend to drive it hard and not care about the vehicle, if that was a women would you marry her?:arrow:

You check the oil:arrow:

My friend rented a TrailBlazer, I don't know what happened but suddenly smoke was pouring out the hood, so we walk 100 feet away watch the weird colors and waited for them to bring a new TrailBlazer

Rental are driven hard, depends on the Company and independant branch but they should all have up to date maintenance records, some will some won't, no different then buying a car from a single owner, who's to say you don't buy a 4Runner from a guy who never lets it properly warm up but has all the maintenance records up to date, they say an engine that is not warmed up when you take off you prematurely cause an extra 500 miles of wear:

Rentals should come with an extended warranty just because of their unknown history, but it depends on the car, I've seen Corollas & Camrys get beat from day 1 as rentals get sold and still not have 1 single problem and go over 200k, then I've seen Ford and GM stuff look like it has been through hell and the vehicles only have 8000 miles on them, really shows you the difference in quality between the imports and domestics.

I'd check the local paper, always 4Runners for sale, 26 should get you a loaded V8 Limited or Sport mileage will vary, but test drive a few make sure their in good condition, get it checked out by a tech.

 

[EDGE]

Come to think of it, I've heard some rental places use reformulated oil, reconditioned stuff, it's cheap and popular in the south, as far as protection, I've seen a few failed engines in pretty new cars, under 100k:

 

[Mark86]

1) I don't know if buying a rental car is a good idea. You know what people do when they have a rental because it is not theirs. For example, experiment with it in a parking lot, eat in it and spill things, bang it up because they don't care, put in the crappiest gas they can find, etc.

2) The 2004 4Runner is a great vehicle. I think all of the quirks from 2003 were worked out. The only issue I have heard here is something with the tire pressure monitor, but that is it.

3) That sounds very high, especially because it has 26,000 miles on it and I am sure it was not babied. A vehicle that is a year old should have around 12,000-15,000 miles on it. Personally, I don't like the sound of that. You could probably walk out with a 2005 SR5 for 4K more depending on what you get on it. I highly recommend presuading your wife to at least go to the dealer and get some prices. Tell her you are only curious, and then you have to do some smooth talking!!

4) All generations of the 4Runner are great. I love the 3rd generation 4Runners too (1996-2002) if you would like to look at one of those. The main difference is that 3rd generation look and feel more rugged and no V8 is offered (not sure if you are interested in a V8).

5) Go to the dealer and get some prices today and then compare. Maybe even see if you could find another listing for a used 4Runner.

 

[Hitman]

I think a rental vehicle from a big name rental agency would be properly maintained by the company, however the people that rented the vehicle probably don't care too much about taking care of it as if it were their own.

Personally, I'd avoid it and look for a low-mileage 4Runner for sale from a private owner.

 

[mikes4runner]

Rental cars are beat on that is a well known fact/ stay away, you are better off going to a dealership.

Toyota has one of the best reliability wise cars/trucks ever made.

Good luck