98WhiteT4R
New member
Wish I had known about this sight before I bought mine... Live and learn:doh:
How patient were you when you were tying to find your 4Runner?
- Thread starter Road Bull
- Start date
pluton
Senior Member
I looked on Auto Trader and CL about seven months; in that time , I went and looked at three or four. They all looked good, but had leaks, or something else wrong, or my favorite: CV boots that had obviously been shredded for at least a year. Well-maintained? Riiiiigghht...
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I browsed Autotrader and craigs list once a week for a year before I was in any position to buy one just too stay current with what was out there and how much they were going for, I had two requirements and a few would be nice's (Had to be a black, manual, and 4x4 no exceptions. Tan interior, leather and 99+ would be preferred and a locker and a supercharger would have been a dream.) I knew it would be a challenge as here in FL a 4Runner is the exact opposite of the local #slammed #fitted #Stanced #convertible #ID10T crowd so 4Runners are not all too common especially the Manual 4x4 combo let alone black.
Well by the grace of god as soon as I was nearing a position to buy one I found one. It was perfect Black Manual 4x4 Tan Leather 2000 but I feared it would be snatched up by the time I could get everything in order especially considering it had already been on the market for a few weeks. The Seller worked with me and sent me all the pictures I asked of it as it was a 5hr drive to even check it out. I couldn't believe it had been for sale as long as it had with practically no rust and only 98k miles for $4k
Until I got there that is.
First thing I noticed is the mileage was the last reported mileage the actual mileage was 187k, then I found out they tried to hide the check engine light (P0171 MAF came on while test driving) plus the tires were B A L D and belts showing, slight valve cover oil leak, oil was BLACK the brakes were worn into the backer plate and the interior carpet was quite a bit dirty and stained with some hastily hidden disconnected sub woofer wires poking through the rear carpet.
But it shifted smooth, the clutch held well and the body was great. I knew I could easily rectify all other issues so I bought it, the day I brought it home I ordered the MAF and Tundra 199mm's through my connection at Toyota and installed those and then went and had 265 75 R16 BFG A/T's thrown on then did an Oil change. A couple weeks later I changed ALL fluids and the Valve cover gaskets and to my relief the engine was quite clean inside. Plus I found a Sub that mounted up to the wires and it worked fantastically.
All in all I was very blessed or lucky however you look at it to find it.
So Ultimately it may take you a while to find the one for you and you'll probably have to accept a few mechanical issues as opportunities to upgrade, but I recommend not compromising.
Well by the grace of god as soon as I was nearing a position to buy one I found one. It was perfect Black Manual 4x4 Tan Leather 2000 but I feared it would be snatched up by the time I could get everything in order especially considering it had already been on the market for a few weeks. The Seller worked with me and sent me all the pictures I asked of it as it was a 5hr drive to even check it out. I couldn't believe it had been for sale as long as it had with practically no rust and only 98k miles for $4k
Until I got there that is.
First thing I noticed is the mileage was the last reported mileage the actual mileage was 187k, then I found out they tried to hide the check engine light (P0171 MAF came on while test driving) plus the tires were B A L D and belts showing, slight valve cover oil leak, oil was BLACK the brakes were worn into the backer plate and the interior carpet was quite a bit dirty and stained with some hastily hidden disconnected sub woofer wires poking through the rear carpet.
But it shifted smooth, the clutch held well and the body was great. I knew I could easily rectify all other issues so I bought it, the day I brought it home I ordered the MAF and Tundra 199mm's through my connection at Toyota and installed those and then went and had 265 75 R16 BFG A/T's thrown on then did an Oil change. A couple weeks later I changed ALL fluids and the Valve cover gaskets and to my relief the engine was quite clean inside. Plus I found a Sub that mounted up to the wires and it worked fantastically.
All in all I was very blessed or lucky however you look at it to find it.
So Ultimately it may take you a while to find the one for you and you'll probably have to accept a few mechanical issues as opportunities to upgrade, but I recommend not compromising.
Brique
New member
It took a while here, too. I knew what i wanted and was told repeatedly by dealers that i was looking for a unicorn. I found mine at a little hole in the wall dealer who didn't even post online. So, another place you can look is to go to the part of town where all the dealers are and look at the little mom-and-pop places. Stay away from the tote-the-note ones, though. Those are the places with "buy here, pay here" signs. Their inventory is garbage, been repoed several times, mistreated and smoked in. On top of that, it's overpriced and they have no incentive to come down on price because they don't want to sell unless you're financing with them at 20-25% (Not exaggerating).
Smokey McPot
New member
I spent a month looking until I was seeing them in my sleep. I sold my wife's car in the mean time after we both agreed it (2004 RSX) wasn't meeting our needs. It sold faster than expected so we had Cash-In-Hand from the beginning.
There was one that popped up on Whidbey Island another island up here but by the time I called (within hours of posting to CL) I was 4th in line. So, after searching locally and being dissatisfied with the Seattle/Tacoma area inventory I expanded my search to the NW.
I should mention that i'm more than a bit of a perfectionist and have to have a particular combination of price point and condition to make me part with my $$.
When I expanded the search again to the west coast there were a few that caught my eye but inevitably, as they were vetted, one thing or another always seem to pop up. (prior accident, too many owners, too many miles, too many years in winter salt road conditions, etc...)
Not being one to give up I then expanded the search to 1500 miles (the limit that I can drive in 2 days). And i'm looking at CL, Auto Trader, CarGuru, etc... NO luck!? I felt as if I had turned every stone at that point. As bad as I wanted a 3rd gen 4runner, i'll admit it, I was even looking Land Cruisers.
I had all but given up when... I was up late watching Jon Stewart and as if by some sadistic habit opened the laptop and refreshed the CL listings and THERE IT WAS!
A local listing (Tacoma) right across there ferry from me, hum. A Millenium Silver 2000 T4R, humm. A one owner, hummm. 114000 miles, hummmm. For $7,000, HUMMMM! So I emailed thinking to my self that this sounds too good to be true, and you know what they say.
I woke up the next day and there was no reply :/ so I sent another. Finally he replied, "I have had more than 20 offers" he says. I then sent what he would later say was the clincher. I simply said that "I'll take it. Let me know and i'll be on the next ferry, with cash-in-hand. The only thing I need is to see in the day light because, my Grandpa told me to never buy a used car in the dark". He later told me it was the words of wisdom from dear old Grandpa that prompted him to call.
I hope your story is as good as mine, best of luck. Here's a pic from the original posting...
There was one that popped up on Whidbey Island another island up here but by the time I called (within hours of posting to CL) I was 4th in line. So, after searching locally and being dissatisfied with the Seattle/Tacoma area inventory I expanded my search to the NW.
I should mention that i'm more than a bit of a perfectionist and have to have a particular combination of price point and condition to make me part with my $$.
When I expanded the search again to the west coast there were a few that caught my eye but inevitably, as they were vetted, one thing or another always seem to pop up. (prior accident, too many owners, too many miles, too many years in winter salt road conditions, etc...)
Not being one to give up I then expanded the search to 1500 miles (the limit that I can drive in 2 days). And i'm looking at CL, Auto Trader, CarGuru, etc... NO luck!? I felt as if I had turned every stone at that point. As bad as I wanted a 3rd gen 4runner, i'll admit it, I was even looking Land Cruisers.
I had all but given up when... I was up late watching Jon Stewart and as if by some sadistic habit opened the laptop and refreshed the CL listings and THERE IT WAS!
A local listing (Tacoma) right across there ferry from me, hum. A Millenium Silver 2000 T4R, humm. A one owner, hummm. 114000 miles, hummmm. For $7,000, HUMMMM! So I emailed thinking to my self that this sounds too good to be true, and you know what they say.
I woke up the next day and there was no reply :/ so I sent another. Finally he replied, "I have had more than 20 offers" he says. I then sent what he would later say was the clincher. I simply said that "I'll take it. Let me know and i'll be on the next ferry, with cash-in-hand. The only thing I need is to see in the day light because, my Grandpa told me to never buy a used car in the dark". He later told me it was the words of wisdom from dear old Grandpa that prompted him to call.
I hope your story is as good as mine, best of luck. Here's a pic from the original posting...
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OBTDean
New member
Hell, I wasnt looking for one at all, I posted a bike I had 2004 CBR 1100 XX and I got a reply from a guy that had a 97 he wanted to trade, the Runner looked a bit beat up, 270k miles, but the turn of the key convinced me, the bike blue book was $2200.00 and Im happier than Pigs in Shit....
Road Bull
Senior Member
This one looks pretty nice. 1999 Toyota 4Runner I would rather spend a bit less though.
Itsnotajeep
New member
hawaiian05
New member
I browsed on and off (mainly on) for about a year and a half. When I first started looking, I had a 1st gen Tacoma double cab, so I already had a great rig. But since I was in high school I've always liked the 3rd gens, therefore I kept an eye out. In the process of finding the perfect one, I sold the Tacoma, bought a 4th gen and another 3rd gen 4runner. I wasn't satisfied with either. It wasn't until out of nowhere I got a random text from a guy on craigslist that was replying to my "WTB" ad and had an '02 sport that he was selling. Just so happen he was local and gave me first dibs on buying it. I checked it out the next day and made the purchase.
During my search, I've realized a couple things. First, be patient, yet aggressive. If you find one you like, buy it, or else the next guy will. Also, have funds available at any moments notice. Some sellers will sell it to the first guy who brings funds to the table, rather than agreeing to a sale and waiting a few days for funds to show. Lastly, expand your search. I would regularly browse craigslist, cars.com, autotrader, and searchtempest.com with a 500 mile radius.
In addition to those search websites, create search notifications. These will allow you to receive an email or app notification that alerts you when an item matching your pops up. This way you're not having to constantly refresh your webpage, only to find out that someone already beat you to the ad that was only posted 30 mins ago. The alert will let you know almost instantly the ad gets posted.
Here's a few of my previous (& current ride: '02 sport). At one recent point, I had three runners in my possession.
During my search, I've realized a couple things. First, be patient, yet aggressive. If you find one you like, buy it, or else the next guy will. Also, have funds available at any moments notice. Some sellers will sell it to the first guy who brings funds to the table, rather than agreeing to a sale and waiting a few days for funds to show. Lastly, expand your search. I would regularly browse craigslist, cars.com, autotrader, and searchtempest.com with a 500 mile radius.
In addition to those search websites, create search notifications. These will allow you to receive an email or app notification that alerts you when an item matching your pops up. This way you're not having to constantly refresh your webpage, only to find out that someone already beat you to the ad that was only posted 30 mins ago. The alert will let you know almost instantly the ad gets posted.
Here's a few of my previous (& current ride: '02 sport). At one recent point, I had three runners in my possession.
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AssBurns
New member
I was looking on and off for about six months for something that is 4WD and got decent gas mileage since i drove about 70 miles everyday for work. I was looking between CR-Vs, Rav-4s, Jeep Cherokee, Subaru, and 4Runners.
I decided between the cherokees and 2nd gen 4runners because I like to go offroading and camping alot and they were in my price range. I realized I didm't want a 3.0 v6 because the head gasket issue so I decided on 3rd gen or Cherokee. Ended up finding exactly what I was really hoping to find. 2000 3rd gen 4Runner Limited w/ E-Locker. Ended up buying mine in San Diego for $4,800 at 160,000 Miles and no mechanical issues. I'm pretty damn happy with my 4Runner.
I decided between the cherokees and 2nd gen 4runners because I like to go offroading and camping alot and they were in my price range. I realized I didm't want a 3.0 v6 because the head gasket issue so I decided on 3rd gen or Cherokee. Ended up finding exactly what I was really hoping to find. 2000 3rd gen 4Runner Limited w/ E-Locker. Ended up buying mine in San Diego for $4,800 at 160,000 Miles and no mechanical issues. I'm pretty damn happy with my 4Runner.
I started looking thursday, found one on a friday and drove to buy it on saturday. I wish i hadent baught mine though i do love it and how it has low millage (110,xxx) but if i had the same intentions back then as i do now i would have gotten a highmillage(200,xxx) one with all the add ons that i want. I didnt realized how long these 4runners last.
jrm
New member
carless 3 to 4 months
traveled 300 miles to pioneer ca for a single owner 00' 4x4 limited with 112k, garaged all its life, all records and a e locker. When i was about to leave the older woman i bought it from kissed her hand and patted the drivers seat of the truck while softly saying "thanks you" to my truck.
traveled 300 miles to pioneer ca for a single owner 00' 4x4 limited with 112k, garaged all its life, all records and a e locker. When i was about to leave the older woman i bought it from kissed her hand and patted the drivers seat of the truck while softly saying "thanks you" to my truck.
Road Bull
Senior Member
I am trying to be a bit flexible in the vehicle to milage ratio. Everyone wants a 4Runner with next to no milage, in excellent condition, but these 3rd gens are getting up there in age to expect all that from. I wouldn't mind finding a great deal on one that had a little over 200,000 miles, but we will see.
Boconnor303
New member
I lucked out, the first day my parents and I began looking my dad found a 2000 limited with elocker, with 100k that was spotless. Only thing was the TB needed to be done (buddy is a mechanic so it wasn't a big deal), got it for just over 9.5k. The posting on craigslist wasn't supposed to be up yet and when I called the dealer at 10:30p he was shocked, but let us set up a meeting. The next morning by 9am there were already 6 other callers... pulled the trigger.
:roll:
:roll:
Reasonably patient...
When my wife said, "you need to buy a truck" after she turned her Prius around on a forest service road on Mt. Rainier, I was commuting to work on my bike and we only had one car. I didn't want another car and had just ditched one before we rocketed out of South Florida in late 2013, so we played the "which truck" game for a bit, and we decided that an old T4R would be proper. I stalled for 8 months or so, researched, obsessed over which generation T4R, decided on 3rd gen, 2001-02, Limited, fancy as possible, lowest mileage possible, well-maintained. After we decided on which one, it took about 3 weeks for "the one" to appear on Craigslist in the Washington, Oregon, Idaho zone we were watching. Fortunately, the owner works in the city we're in, so having a look was easy. It seemed right, and we bought it. We wanted an old truck and got one. I like the fact that it's too old to be too smart and that the build quality is so high. That and the fact that it fits our cash-only rule. We compromised on color, but expected we would. It had 5 prior owners including a used car dealer, but enough lineage was available to make me feel comfortable that it was well-cared for. Ideally, we would have bought it from the original owner who was insanely OCD about maintaining it, but when does that ever happen?
When my wife said, "you need to buy a truck" after she turned her Prius around on a forest service road on Mt. Rainier, I was commuting to work on my bike and we only had one car. I didn't want another car and had just ditched one before we rocketed out of South Florida in late 2013, so we played the "which truck" game for a bit, and we decided that an old T4R would be proper. I stalled for 8 months or so, researched, obsessed over which generation T4R, decided on 3rd gen, 2001-02, Limited, fancy as possible, lowest mileage possible, well-maintained. After we decided on which one, it took about 3 weeks for "the one" to appear on Craigslist in the Washington, Oregon, Idaho zone we were watching. Fortunately, the owner works in the city we're in, so having a look was easy. It seemed right, and we bought it. We wanted an old truck and got one. I like the fact that it's too old to be too smart and that the build quality is so high. That and the fact that it fits our cash-only rule. We compromised on color, but expected we would. It had 5 prior owners including a used car dealer, but enough lineage was available to make me feel comfortable that it was well-cared for. Ideally, we would have bought it from the original owner who was insanely OCD about maintaining it, but when does that ever happen?
Road Bull
Senior Member
What do you guys think about this one?2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4X4
If everything looks good, what would you offer?
If everything looks good, what would you offer?
skcolb
New member
I'd wouldn't offer much under $7000. Given the area, I think if he waits long enough he'll get his asking price for it.
I had been searching for about two months - I had decided on a 3rd gen (based on reading on this forum). I wanted something reliable, yet rugged. I had found one in Indiana for $5,000: a 1999 with 210,000, front and rear bumpers, lift, etc. It had some undercarriage rust, but I decided to go look at it. Only thing I was compromising on was the e-locker. On the way there, I checked my phone and saw a new post on YotaTech for a 1998 with 160,000 and an e-locker. There were no pictures up, so I emailed the guy for pictures. About halfway through the drive to Indiana, I received the pictures for the '98. It looked CLEAN - the only time it had been offroad was for trips to the beach. I made arrangements to see it the next day. This was on a Friday night; I was driving from Atlanta to Indianapolis. After I got to Indianapolis, I turned around and headed to Concord, NC (where I bought the '98) and then back to Atlanta.
Couldn't be happier! He was asking $6,000, but came down to $5,000 after seeing how far I had to drive. I even made a "which one should I buy" thread.
My criteria was: 4x4, 5-speed, e-locker, and white OR gray color
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/162659-advice-choosing-between-two-3rd-gens-98-99-a.html
Couldn't be happier! He was asking $6,000, but came down to $5,000 after seeing how far I had to drive. I even made a "which one should I buy" thread.
My criteria was: 4x4, 5-speed, e-locker, and white OR gray color
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/162659-advice-choosing-between-two-3rd-gens-98-99-a.html
