Debating buying a 4th gen 4Runner. Help!

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Brobertson300

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New to the forum. I've worked for Toyota as a sales consultant for a few years now and always wanted a 4Runner. I took a 4th gen on trade yesterday and fell in love! I'm debating on buying it but want some input from people that have experience! It's a 2007 sport 4WD with 179,000 miles. It is in fantastic condition and the guy has ALL the service records(it's like a book). It rides nice and looks awesome. Mileage scares me. I would be purchasing it for around 8 or 9 thousand. Any input would be great! Basically the mileage is the only thing holding me back. What do you all think? And is there anything specific I should look for before buying? Thanks in advance!
 
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You're asking in the 4th gen forum, so I'll be up front: most everyone here will say "go for it!".

That said, 179k isn't too much if it's been cared for (sounds like it has). I think there's a few members on here with mileage of 300k+ at this point, seach for a thread title "high mileage" or something similar.

Does it have the V6 or the V8? The 8 needs a timing belt replacement every 90k (so check the service records to see if that's been done @ 180k yet).

Common things to look out for are the V8 timing belt service (already mentioned), V6 head gasket leak at #6 cylinder (pull the spark plug and see if there's any sign of coolant leaking, but that wasn't really a problem after 2005), and transfer case actuators (make sure it shifts into 4WD hi/lo and the center diff locks, the actuators can get stuck from non-use). Also, more rare is brake accumulator failure (I don't know a good way to pre-diagnose that though). Cracking dashboards were common enough that there's now a replacement plan from Toyota, so don't worry about that if it's cracking. V8s also have exhaust manifolds that tend to crack, so listen for any exhaust ticking. Finally, frame rust can be a problem if it's seen salted roads, so check underneath carefully.

Hope that helps, and good luck!
 
^^thank you! It is a v6 so it's a chain not a belt. I've heard they can become a little loose and may need to be changed around 200k miles. Again I'm not sure it's that's true or not. I work for Toyota and see high mileage cars all the time but there isn't a lot of 4runners that Coke through my doors so I figured I'd ask the experts ;)
 
I also am not sure if 8.5k is a bad investment for this particular car or if I should look around and spend a few thousand more for less miles?
 
That price seems very reasonable if it's in the condition you say it is, I wouldn't worry about the dollars. Even though it's a Toyota, it will still need typical maintenance for a higher mileage vehicle and you should expect to be replacing wear items like cv's and bearings and suspension bits and pieces.
I say get it then see how you feel in 6 months.
 
Brobertson300 said:
^^thank you! It is a v6 so it's a chain not a belt. I've heard they can become a little loose and may need to be changed around 200k miles. Again I'm not sure it's that's true or not. I work for Toyota and see high mileage cars all the time but there isn't a lot of 4runners that Coke through my doors so I figured I'd ask the experts ;)
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rarely do the loosen up, but if they do you will hear it before it is loose enough to do any damage.
 
being a sport edition, it most def has xreas suspension system..they tend to fail about 180k miles.......its an expensive fix, though folks around here simply replace with conventional shocks, cheaper ,usually billies
 
Also, take a peek here: Toyota 4Runner Reliability

Take it with a grain of salt, but it might help ease your mind a bit.
After a lot of research, including the website above, I pulled the trigger on a used 2006 V8 Sport.

Couldn't be happier. Hope to keep this thing for another 200K.
 
Just do it

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These rigs go 300-400K miles (cared for), so I wouldn't worry about it. I've also seen well cared-for runners dwindling in population. At least that's my experience. Back when I bought mine, there were TONS (low mileage) out there. I don't see much of them anymore, doesn't mean they are not out there, it's just you have to look harder.
 
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If i had read your post 18 months ago I would have said, "If you don't buy it, I will." I looked forever because they can't keep 4WD 'Runners on the lot in Atlanta. We were so frustrated trying to find one locally that we decided to call every Toyota dealer along the way on our drive home from an Outer Banks vacation in late 2014. The one in Greenville, SC, had a beautiful '07 Sport 4WD and we bought it. This was late 2014 and we paid 19K (it had about half the mileage, 96K) so I think the price is definitely reasonable.

Took it to my mechanic before the sale. He looked it over and said, "Ninety-six thousand? That's just warming up for one of these." I've put 18K on mine since and love everything about it.

One note - be sure the 4WD works properly in all modes before you buy. The actuator on mine had failed so the dealer had to replace it before we bought the truck. It's very expensive. The dealer showed their internal invoice of $1300+ and said the retail price on that repair is usually $2K.

The lights on the dash usually blink for a bit before 4WD engages but if they just keep blinking and nothing happens for a minute or so, could be trouble.
 
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Alright, I looked over the 4Runner today and decided to pull the trigger! I'll post pictures within the next couple of days. Thanks everyone!!
 
Congrats!

Everything I've read points to this being one of the more reliable vehicles in the last fifteen years or so....
 
So this is it! Not in love with the wheels but those will be changed. Not a huge fan of red either but it's in great shape! What do you all think?
 

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I think it looks great. I love the red - unfortunately I never was able to find one that color that met my other criteria.

Does it have a slight lift in the front? Looks about 1" higher than mine.

Enjoy!
 
Thanks guys! The dealership just took in a 2008 silver limited v6 with 69k miles. I can get it for $16k. It's in great shape also. Ugh now I have a decision to make. Double the price. Is it worth it?!
 

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