biederboat
New member
Well I did a newbie intro almost 2 years ago; thinking I'd be an imminent owner of a 4th gen 4Runner. It took until this week but we finally got 'er done. Most of the delay was due to the headroom issue (I'm 6' 5" with a slight proportion to the legs) but we finally drove an 08 SR5 with leather & V6 that, overall was a really good deal. We left thinking that "Okay, this will work". We were eventually (not the same day) going to look at an 05 with V8 and leather (Limited) but another guy had an 03 with a V6, cloth interior & sunroof that was supposed to be meeting another guy in 30 minutes. We were able to meet up just before that (right after we test drove the 08). I literally had about 10 minutes to size up the car and say "yay or nay" and we said "yay" (I'm sure the next guy would have bought it).
2003 SR5, V6, not a single door ding, never towed, 2nd owner, all maintenance done by dealer, really, really really nice shape. Does have 203K but we got it for only $7500. I am really pleased with it. I am really hard on rigs and I like the fact that we got the unpainted side panels & bumpers since I do go on some nasty/brushy roads to reach my hunting areas.
Well, let's say it didn't tow until today when I hauled my 3000 lb. boat from Portland to the coast & back. Couldn't have been more pleased; except for the issue with the brakes that I'll describe below. Didn't check milage yet but it looks like it used less of a % of the fuel in the tank than my 95 Bronco did with a smaller tank capacity. Chugged up the hills quite nicely; just had to drop to 2nd on some really steep grades but, overall, it felt quite unrestrained. For this boat, I didn't need a V-8 afterall.
So, couple pics below of how it looked when I bought it. Washed & waxed, cleaned interior and it looks really great. Polished out a bit of headlight lens yellowing and used "Mothers" plastic treatment on the trim. Did I say I was pleased? I am really, really pleased! If I could change anything it would be the color; not really into the sliver/beige things but the wife is happy with it (she'll mostly be driving it a short distance to work and shopping, etc.) so that's just fine with me.
A few things I need to look into:
1. Braking is unacceptable at the moment. Local brake shop installed new front rotors & pads but too much travel and effort required. This is the most pressing issue by far.
2. Ditto for emergency brake, too much travel.
3. Need to get another remote since the "eye" on one is wore out.
4. Really need to upgrade the stereo system to a Bluetooth and some better speakers.
5. Guy put on new 4Runner "takeoffs" (wheels & tires) that appear to be a tad big; need to check into that and possibly sell these. I don't need any lift or oversize tires for my annual hunting trek. The takeoffs are Bridgestone Duelers H/T so I wouldn't mind a more aggressive tread (my Bronco had Goodyear Wrangle Duratracs that I absolutely loved). Also need chains front & back.
Oh what a feeling!
BB
2003 SR5, V6, not a single door ding, never towed, 2nd owner, all maintenance done by dealer, really, really really nice shape. Does have 203K but we got it for only $7500. I am really pleased with it. I am really hard on rigs and I like the fact that we got the unpainted side panels & bumpers since I do go on some nasty/brushy roads to reach my hunting areas.
Well, let's say it didn't tow until today when I hauled my 3000 lb. boat from Portland to the coast & back. Couldn't have been more pleased; except for the issue with the brakes that I'll describe below. Didn't check milage yet but it looks like it used less of a % of the fuel in the tank than my 95 Bronco did with a smaller tank capacity. Chugged up the hills quite nicely; just had to drop to 2nd on some really steep grades but, overall, it felt quite unrestrained. For this boat, I didn't need a V-8 afterall.
So, couple pics below of how it looked when I bought it. Washed & waxed, cleaned interior and it looks really great. Polished out a bit of headlight lens yellowing and used "Mothers" plastic treatment on the trim. Did I say I was pleased? I am really, really pleased! If I could change anything it would be the color; not really into the sliver/beige things but the wife is happy with it (she'll mostly be driving it a short distance to work and shopping, etc.) so that's just fine with me.
A few things I need to look into:
1. Braking is unacceptable at the moment. Local brake shop installed new front rotors & pads but too much travel and effort required. This is the most pressing issue by far.
2. Ditto for emergency brake, too much travel.
3. Need to get another remote since the "eye" on one is wore out.
4. Really need to upgrade the stereo system to a Bluetooth and some better speakers.
5. Guy put on new 4Runner "takeoffs" (wheels & tires) that appear to be a tad big; need to check into that and possibly sell these. I don't need any lift or oversize tires for my annual hunting trek. The takeoffs are Bridgestone Duelers H/T so I wouldn't mind a more aggressive tread (my Bronco had Goodyear Wrangle Duratracs that I absolutely loved). Also need chains front & back.
Oh what a feeling!
BB
