NorthWestManiac
New member
Just wondering how long it took people on here to find the right 3rd gen 4runner they were looking for
How long did it take for you to find your 4Runner?
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98OzarksRunner
New member
I looked for 6 months to find my 2002. There are a lot around but finding the right one at the right price can take some time.
the great him
Elite Member
two weeks, i had a good idea what i wanted and was looking for... the only things i didnt get was a 5spd and a rear locker(fixed the rear locker issue sorta). i would of waited it out, but the price was so low for the area, and i didnt have a big window of time to find one and buy either
TN_Soljah808
New member
Four months. I only took so long because I was out of country and had the time to do so.
GSPRunner
Senior Member
While I always liked the 3rd Gens, I wasnt exactly looking for one when I bought mine. It got traded into one of the dealerships the company I work for is contracted by, and I remember walking into our shop and seeing it and thinking, "damn thats a clean 4Runner!" Bought it later that day :cheers:
Stick Figure
New member
When I finally got serious about buying it took me a couple of months to get what I wanted. Still wasn't the pristine example I wanted, but it had enough on the plus side that the negatives could be easily fixed.
If you are in a hurry to find one I would be willing to travel to get it.
If you are in a hurry to find one I would be willing to travel to get it.
Millerad1651
New member
Less than 24 hours. I had thought about selling my truck to get one, but had to sell my truck first. Sold my truck on a Friday night, looked on CL, and found the runner that had just been posted. It was about 15 minutes away. Called the guy, he had someone coming at noon, so I said I'll be there at 11.
I didn't have too many specific things I wanted on it, just that it was clean and well taken care of, which it was and that it had a sunroof. I got lucky, especially since I was paying cash, and got it for $1000 less than what he was asking.
I didn't have too many specific things I wanted on it, just that it was clean and well taken care of, which it was and that it had a sunroof. I got lucky, especially since I was paying cash, and got it for $1000 less than what he was asking.
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KHoffRunner
Member
I was born into 4runners my dad had a 1st gen when he was in college, they later bought a 2nd gen, and after buying ans selling several 3rd gens, and when i got my license they gave me mine.
scottyb
New member
It took me about 6 months. My two requirements were the 5 speed and the 3.4L V6. I would have gone with a 2nd gen because of cost, but the 3.4L V6 is such a step up from the 2nd gen motors. A rear locker and sun roof would have been ideal, but it was hard enough to find a 5 speed. Automatics with the rear locker and sunroof were pretty easy to find and I almost caved a few times, but I'm happy I held out.
I finally got my 97 for 5500 w/ 168k on it. There were 4runners with the 5 speed, V6, rear locker, and sun roof but the sellers seemed to know what they had so they wanted like 10k for them. Good luck finding the right one!
I finally got my 97 for 5500 w/ 168k on it. There were 4runners with the 5 speed, V6, rear locker, and sun roof but the sellers seemed to know what they had so they wanted like 10k for them. Good luck finding the right one!
masphx
New member
About six months off and on. A lot of frustration with high prices, salvaged 4Rs and already sold ones with in a couple of hours. Got serious after taking a break from looking for them. Looked into CL Prescott (about 100 miles away) and noticed a 98 4runner with a vague description. Picture show 5speed but no mention of that in ad for example. Come Friday I leave work early to get up there fast before anyone else. Seller showed us the truck and I noticed it had the locker (also had sunroof and cloth seats which were on my want list) . From this forum I knew it was a good buy so I leaned over to my girlfriend and told her we are not walking out of this without the 4R. Got the guy down to $5200 and bought it the next day after Scott at the Prescott dealership gave us a green light. Also got to check out his monster 97 5speed w/ locker. Amazing truck Scott! Nine months later we have over 9,000 miles on her and are planing a 3000 mile two week trip this Summer.
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4R99JB
New member
I'd been looking for about a week to pick up a DD To keep the miles down on my other ride. Looked into a Jeep Limited but got scared off by the mass postings of electrical issues. I actually went out to look at a Ford escape... I know... and found this little lot w/dealer driving a 1999 SR5 ( not listed for sale) and I scooped it up. Note to all: The escape MUST have been photo-shopped, it was a hot mess. Good day for me! :reddance:
4-Ripcord
New member
Couple months. After i found it, I knew it was the one. Perfect records, low miles, everything on my list, and a respectable man as the previous owner (yeah I profile, i wont buy a car from some foreigner or idiot, no matter how nice it seems). Drove to denver and paid the man.
Be patient. Wait for your unicorn.
Be patient. Wait for your unicorn.
Millerad1651
New member
I'm with ya on that. I also take a look at their house and other vehicles. If those things are taken care of, then you can generally assume the 4Runner has been taken care of.
My 4Runner found me. A friend had this 2000 SR5 4WD that was in such good shape that his girlfriend called it the "Museum Piece". He asked if I would be willing to trade my Accord Coupe for it straight across. They were of equal value and I hardly used the Accord, so I agreed. When I took possession, I found that it had only 77K miles, a manual transmission, and every option except the locking diff. I've been really happy with the trade...
AZ4FNER
New member
Took six long months. Started off looking at 3rd Gens, then expanded search to LC80's and FJ's, but found "the one" just as I was about to give up. I tried to steal a 2010 FJ "Crawler" from a stealership, but they wouldn't budge...and neither would I. Stopped looking period for a couple weeks. Came around full circle, back to 3rd Gens, checked CL on a Saturday. Found it, drove to see it that afternoon and made a deposit on site. Bought it the following week when "online dealer" had title in hand. Took a risk as vehicle came with no previous history, but I was able to check the vin on Toyota owners for dealership maintenaice. Saved myself some good cash, and I was able to negotiate the price down for TB/WP...even though it had already been done...ha!
White 4x4runner
New member
took me 9 years! my mom bought it brand new from the dealership and i just had to wait until she was ready for a new car. when it was time she was it was almost perfect timing. my car broke down on my (i don't know how in the world it happened but the crank pulley fell off. didn't shear the bolt or anything it backed itself out of my 98 integera) and shed been looking at the new tacomas. the Vacaville dealership ordered one how she wanted it so we went down to check it out and hopefully drive it home and when we got there it was a joke!!! didn't have the package she requested has 200 somethin miles on it and was scratched!!! that is not a new car imo so we said f that and left. she ended up getting a new accord (she really regrets it) i ended up buying it from her with 147k and 95% highway miles and knowing ALL the service and everything about it. only 1 bad thing had ever happened to it and that was some lady in a denali backed up into it parked in a parking lot so the rear hatch was replaced.
My '86 Integra got hit/totaled so I had to shop for something that would haul my chocolate business to the market, make deliveries, etc. I didn't want to hassle with buy another vehicle but the woman who hit me may've done me a favor. She got me into a 4Runner.
I looked at all sorts of wagons, suvs, crossovers, then found this page, a magnificent board of talented and helpful people, and learned why so many other vehicles pale in comparison to 4Runners. I was sold.
It took me about 4-6 weeks of constant looking, every couple of hours, on Craigslist. My wife thought I'd gone catatonic. I had. I made a prioritized wish list and when one would crop up I'd ask questions on email. I soon learned while I was typing someone else was buying. The good ones go fast. So, I missed out on a few but when a black '99 Highlander 4x4 with locker came up I jumped on it within 30 minutes of being posted.
I'm in Austin and the seller was in Houston, three hours away. I got him to meet me halfway in Giddings the next day and handed over cash in the Walmart parking lot.
After all that research, I did basically all the things one is not supposed to do; I bought out of town, in the rain, without my mechanic looking at it, handed over cash in a parking lot, and get this; I accepted a title in someone else's name. Yeah, I'm still wiping the "Stupid" tattoo off my forehead. The seller said it was his wife's uncle's truck. But you know what? I must have an angel on my side (that, and a few friends around here) because the person on the title was actually the seller's father-in-law and we found his phone number, sent the title transfer papers, he signed them, and all is well. I've had a few mechanics and friends check it out and they all give thumbs up. Everything's cherry.
Now, I'm getting to like this machine. Drives like a champ and I'm making another list; what to fix and mod.
I looked at all sorts of wagons, suvs, crossovers, then found this page, a magnificent board of talented and helpful people, and learned why so many other vehicles pale in comparison to 4Runners. I was sold.
It took me about 4-6 weeks of constant looking, every couple of hours, on Craigslist. My wife thought I'd gone catatonic. I had. I made a prioritized wish list and when one would crop up I'd ask questions on email. I soon learned while I was typing someone else was buying. The good ones go fast. So, I missed out on a few but when a black '99 Highlander 4x4 with locker came up I jumped on it within 30 minutes of being posted.
I'm in Austin and the seller was in Houston, three hours away. I got him to meet me halfway in Giddings the next day and handed over cash in the Walmart parking lot.
After all that research, I did basically all the things one is not supposed to do; I bought out of town, in the rain, without my mechanic looking at it, handed over cash in a parking lot, and get this; I accepted a title in someone else's name. Yeah, I'm still wiping the "Stupid" tattoo off my forehead. The seller said it was his wife's uncle's truck. But you know what? I must have an angel on my side (that, and a few friends around here) because the person on the title was actually the seller's father-in-law and we found his phone number, sent the title transfer papers, he signed them, and all is well. I've had a few mechanics and friends check it out and they all give thumbs up. Everything's cherry.
Now, I'm getting to like this machine. Drives like a champ and I'm making another list; what to fix and mod.
