I'm going to buy a 2002 SR5. I could use some of your wisdom.

[RonMAIDEN]

if your plan is to use it moslty for a street truck with an occasional mild trail ride then don't go nuts with a crazy suspension and steel bumpers and such since all that will hurt daily driveability.

Keep it simple with a nice shock/coil package that gives you a couple of inches but still maintains a decent streetable ride.
Also with tires go with one that will last and suit your needs;in other words don't throw mudders on a truck that's going to see pavement 99% of the time. Consider the daily conditions you drive in.

 

[g2go1818]

I think I found my truck!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ngine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=2480

What do you guys think about that?

 

[polvadis]

I think I found my truck!

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.j...ngine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=2480

What do you guys think about that?

Looks a bit pricey to me, not to mention it's in New York.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

has a nice look and some upgrades

that one looks nice and I don't see anything to scare me-

Price seems just about right to me due to the low mileage, condition of paint/interior seems pampered and accessories/lights/grill guard.

Compare to blue book I really have not seen one lately. Price does not seem to be your number one concern. I am sure you could always find one for less-but the condition seems to be way above normal for a 7 year old vehicle.

Like any used vehicle it can look great in pictures but have some troubles-let's see if someone in NY can step up and help you evaluate it more closely.

That is a beauty with the hood scoop look many of us covet. You are aware the hood scoop is non functional yes?

 

[g2go1818]

Re: has a nice look and some upgrades

that one looks nice and I don't see anything to scare me-

Price seems just about right to me due to the low mileage, condition of paint/interior seems pampered and accessories/lights/grill guard.

Compare to blue book I really have not seen one lately. Price does not seem to be your number one concern. I am sure you could always find one for less-but the condition seems to be way above normal for a 7 year old vehicle.

Like any used vehicle it can look great in pictures but have some troubles-let's see if someone in NY can step up and help you evaluate it more closely.

That is a beauty with the hood scoop look many of us covet. You are aware the hood scoop is non functional yes?

Yeah I know the hoodscoop isn't functional, because I drove my sister's SR5 sport for about 5 months when she was studying abroad in Chile. That is when I decided that I wanted to sell my car and get one of these bad boys.

If anyone in New York would be willing to help me out, that would be awesome!

 

[g2go1818]

If I wanted to take off the front and rear bumper guards would it cause exterior damage to the vehicle? IE.. are the bumper protectors attached to the vehicle in such a way that removal will cause visible holes in the bumpers/body of the vehicle?

 

[YotaFun]

Re: Re: has a nice look and some upgrades

If anyone in New York would be willing to help me out, that would be awesome!

The 25th and the 31st I will be heading up to NYC, I can try for the 25th but I have a few other things I am doing that day, the 31st I am free and will be there all day, I just don't know how long it will last there....

EDIT: My only concern about buying a vehicle from NYC is thats a lot of city driving, and that can be hard on a transmission, New Yorkers are tough drivers, I know this because I have family there and I drive there and have seen how they drive.... not fun...

I am still skeptical about my own 4Runner that I bought in northern New Jersey.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

it will be gone by then

g2 I have no knowledge of those bumper guard/grill guards-I really have not heard good things about the limited protection they offer-mostly for looks-I prefer the stouter bumpers offered by ARB or TJM.


You are going to have the vehicle trucked out to you from NY?


If it is still available and this is the one you want....I would submit it will be gone by next week-personally this is not the way I would recommend trying to find one...

Really no one out in So Cal can find you one just like that one in NY? buy out your sister?

But it's fun trying to help ya out dude

 

[p nut]

I almost bought an 02 Sport Edition (ones with the hood scoop) in New York a few months ago. I decided against it, because it was so far away for me to personally check it out, and honestly, I don't trust anyone from NYC, especially dealers. Be vary careful when buying out of state. There is something to be said about being able to sit in and driving the rig before you decide on whether to purchase it. The dealership will know you've traveled a long ways, and will use that to their advantage.

But, if you do buy that one in NYC, you really should take off the brush guards, as they typically do more damage if you happen to hit something.

Luckily, I found my one-owner, clean carfax 02 Sport Edition locally. All services done at a local Toyota dealership, too. Keep looking. One will come along soon enough.

Oh, BTW, I've shaved my head and thanked buddha that you're not going the "bling" route with your 4Runner. (no offense to Fo Sheez) :bigok:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I just don't like how far down the 4Runner brackets place the factory "rice" skidplate on the '02s but when off road it's usually removed anyway by most people but there's a few who show they didn't do that.

 

[p nut]

I just don't like how far down the 4Runner brackets place the factory "rice" skidplate on the '02s but when off road it's usually removed anyway by most people but there's a few who show they didn't do that.

Mine's already mangled and sitting in the corner of my garage.

Not even worthy to be called a skidplate. More like a tin foil spatula, since it scooped up dirt, then crumbled.