How long did it take for you to find your 4Runner?

[Kung]

It took me right around 6 months - with about a month being 'serious.'

My requirements were:

- under $9000
- RELIABLE
- less than about 130K
- 4x4
- automatic
- V6

Everything else was arguable. I ran across a lot of 'good deals' but nothing came out and grabbed me.

Then, I have to admit, my wife found an ad on Craigslist; one of those ads that had two somewhat cruddy pictures, and said "2000 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4, 130K miles, perfect condition, etc." Wife really wanted to see it, and I was essentially thinking "meh." But I agreed.

So we drive to Springfield, MO, and the guy works at a dealership, and also has a detailing business on the side. He was closing a deal on a car sale to an elderly couple that ran THREE HOURS past closing time, so you can probably understand how I was just a LITTLE bit steamed at the time, when he finally got free.

But THEN he drove the thing around. Other than it needing a WICKED alignment job and a 'valve cover gasket replacement' (read: tightened bolts LOL), it truly WAS in perfect condition. I mean, I found a scratch here and there, but other than that, it was great.

Reviewed the records, and it had perfect records between 0 and 100K - owned by a college professor couple who had all maintenance done at every interval. I ended up getting it for $7200, and it's been fantastic ever since. It really sucked having to wait for it but am SO glad I did.

The only thing that upsets me about it is actually something to do with ANOTHER vehicle; I missed one in Mechanicville, VA, in perfect condition, same as mine, with 63K miles on it. I almost literally shed tears when I called the dealership and they had JUST sold it not 5 minutes earlier. LOL

 

[farmerjon]

Took me a while...

I love this thread - it's really cool to hear different people's stories about how they "met" and got their 4Runner...

My 4Runner found me actually... I have always loved 4Runners for quite some time, particularly the 3rd gens. I started wondering what the 3rd Gen 4Runners were going for nowadays, since they were at least 10 years old - perhaps I could afford one... I found one and bought it several days later. Never looked back.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Took me about 4 months... search wasn't narrowed down to only 4Runners, but I did choose one after all.

Happy with the choice.

 

[highcountry]

When I started looking, I actually found my T4r the first day, but kept looking for another week, then decided it was the right one and bought it.

 

[02SE]

It took about half-hour of looking at the various colors and options on the 4Runners that were on the lot, to decide. I knew I wanted a manual trans, V6, 4wd, the rear-diff locker, the premium sound system, power windows, the larger optional brakes, wheels and tires, and a moonroof.

I decided to go with the factory Oak Leather interior, because it seemed to go the best with the Anthracite Metallic paint.

I'm still happy with the decision, nearly fifteen years later.

 

[mswscco]

Took me about 2 months of obsessively checking CL and Autotrader. Last Wednesday I threw out my net, not really expecting to get a catch (who sells cars Wednesday mornings?) Fortunately, one gentleman was. Showed up at his doorstep 2 hours later and brought home a black 2000 SR5, 5-speed, with factory locker. Looking forward to some good times with the new toy.

 

[chimpy]

Well I was an employee of GM for 21 yrs so that should tell you what I always bought. I always liked the 4runners but my whole family including the in-laws owned GM products. I had been a "closet" Toyota fan since the old solid axle hi-lux days. My wife's cousin has a 3rd gen 4runner that she bought new and from time to time we would all get together for family get togethers at which time I would see her 4runner and think how cool they looked.
Fast forward to May of 2011. I was casually car shopping on the internet one evening and came across a 2001 Millenium Silver Sport SR5 4x4 at a dealership that was 40-50 miles away from my house. I called the next day about it and found that the original owner had bought it from this same dealer and traded it in on a new 4runner. I had to go look at it and at least drive it.:jaw drop: After driving it, I told the wife about it and with her knowing how dependable her cousin's 4runner had been ,she said buy it.
I have owned it for 1 year now and absolutely love this 4runner and just wish I had swallowed that GM pride and bought a 4runner sooner. :thumb3:

 

[Kanger328]

Not an owner yet, but been looking for about 10 months now. Wasn't really set on a 4runner until about 6 months ago. Pickings are slim in SoCal.

Friend has a '96 Limited 4x4 with less than 130k miles he might let go in the next few months for about $2,500. Keeping my fingers crossed...

 

[JadatheRottweiler]

Took me 8 months almost 9.

Here is what I was looking for:
1. Black Sport Edition
2. 4WD
3. Under near 100k
4. 3rd Gen only

What made it tough:
1. Living in Southern California 99% of 4Runners are 2wd
2. Black Sport Edition is least produced color I have been told
3. 4Runners like everyone knows can be a DD and vacation car, so most had high miles.

Found mine in Northern California randomly the day I was going to by 2006 4Runner 2WD V8 Black. 06 was a steal, the guy was moving out of the country had warranty and it was dirt cheap. Instead went to visit my parents for July 4th weekend and found my 02 on craigslist. 06 was purchased by my friend after I told him about the killer deal.

Tips on how I found mine:
1. Search all of craigslist on websites like Ad Hunt'r - Search ALL of Craigslist™ and more!
2. On the iPhone and Droid there are apps for notifications. You can have a notification text sent for keywords like "4Runner" on craigslist.
3. I searched like every 2 hours...lol thats what happens when you work on your computer

Hope that helps.

 

[rebelbowtie]

Autotempest is the single most useful tool when looking for a used vehicle.

It took me several months to find my 4Runner but I wasn't even looking for a 4Runner. Just looking for a midsize SUV with a v8.

 

[jonwilly2]

3 hours at the dealer then 8 years till I got it. Thanks dad, considering the day Happy Fathers day. Not just to mine but to all you dads out there.

If it wasn't for my dad I would never have gotten a 4Runner or be here.

sorry for getting a little off topic

 

[etc.]

Iirc, a 1 1/2 years.

 

[Kenjan]

bought it new in thanks giving of 1996 in Cali ---

just had to pick a color ---had a tacoma and wanted room so it was simple and easy
2hours tops

 

[cRhack]

Found mine on my first search on KSL (utah and Idaho CL basically). My dad called me and told me to keep an eye out for one that I wanted and I knew i wanted a 5 spd with 4wd so i could go on trail runs- and the first one that popped up is now mine. Couldn't be happier with it. Let the mods begin :tongue:

 

[1985taylor1925]

I lived close to Denver (where 4runner are plentyful) when I got mine. I probably looked at several hundred online, looked at 6 in person, and drove 3 of those 6. The moment I saw the black one sitting in that driveway, I knew it was mine. They had it listed at $7K. I offered the exact blue book value which was like $5400. They countered at $6000 and wouldnt go any lower. I was afraid someone would take it quick for that price, so two days after my offer I went back to Ft Collins and took it home.

 

[NorthWestManiac]

im lovin all these stories! thanks guys!

 

[KYMUDD]

2001 t4r

I looked for over a year and finally found what I was looking for! I bought a 2001 sr5 4x4 with sports package and green 93000 miles excellent condition!

 

[rayjay]

It probably took us about 4 months of serious looking, and maybe another month before that of just browsing seeing what was out there and figuring out what we could afford.

I test drove probably 5-6 that were potentials and looked good in pictures but ended up being piles of crap. I missed a perfect one by about a day, and thanks to joining this forum I found the one we liked and it ended up being local.

We came home with a Silver '99 SR5, 5spd, leather, sunroof, elocker, alarm system and a bunch of extras.

 

[cRhack]

im lovin all these stories! thanks guys!

where in WA are you? I've spent the last 2 years in Bremerton playing baseball in college- been looking for a place to do some real light off-roading around here. I don't know the area that well because I'm from Utah.

 

[NorthWestManiac]

where in WA are you? I've spent the last 2 years in Bremerton playing baseball in college- been looking for a place to do some real light off-roading around here. I don't know the area that well because I'm from Utah.

I live in Kirkland, Wa its like 10 minutes from seattle