Ever since my '86 1st Gen went to the great 4Runner graveyard in the sky two years ago (after 400K miles and 25 years) I've been jonesin' for another. Being an old guy now, though, I wanted some of the comfort and bells/whistles of a newer Runner. Problem is - being an old cheapskate I didn't feel like paying the way-over-KBB prices that seem so common for these vehicles.
So I looked around, and waited - then looked around and waited some more. Looking on CL in some of the larger markets it seemed a decent deal would pop up every 4-6 weeks, but I'd usually be a bit slow on the draw and miss out. Finally, while being a tourist bum 2000 miles from home I checked out the local ads and got lucky: '04 V6-4WD with 116K miles for $8800. Not without some minor fixable issues, but in pretty decent shape. Assuming the dreaded V6 head gasket problem doesn't pop up in the next few 10s of K miles I'll be a happy guy. Now I just have to drive it home.
So I looked around, and waited - then looked around and waited some more. Looking on CL in some of the larger markets it seemed a decent deal would pop up every 4-6 weeks, but I'd usually be a bit slow on the draw and miss out. Finally, while being a tourist bum 2000 miles from home I checked out the local ads and got lucky: '04 V6-4WD with 116K miles for $8800. Not without some minor fixable issues, but in pretty decent shape. Assuming the dreaded V6 head gasket problem doesn't pop up in the next few 10s of K miles I'll be a happy guy. Now I just have to drive it home.
