It's amazing how hard it is to find a low mileage 4Runner 4WD

[philskeeter]

It would be nice to find a low mileage(Under 12k-15k miles a year) but it isn't necessary as others have pointed out. The biggest concern for me was buying it from a one owner who actually took care of it. Most of the first owners have their maintenance done at the dealer and it's all logged on carfax. Taking care of it is what helps it last long. If you buy one that wasn't well maintained then who knows if anything major will go out. Sometimes it's just luck of the draw too.

 

[ddnww]

It took me months to find a 4x4 4runner, but it was worth the wait. I ended up with better than I hoped for. And like others said, don't be afraid of 100k. That's barely broken in with proper maintenance. I bought mine with 70k and now have 107k. Engine runs like brand spanking new.

 

[rattlesnake]

I agree.... low mileage is hard to find. And when you do it ain't cheap. I looked for over a year for a V8 with 4wd and eventually bought my 2006 with 70k miles a little over a month ago. They're out there, but it does take patience.

 

[doubleA]

It took me about 6 months to find my 08, V8, 4WD, 65k miles. Do not give up!

 

[Sporin]

As others have mentioned, these trucks are all at least 6 years old now (7 for V8's) and production numbers got lower as the run ran along.

Resale value on these trucks is fantastic, particularly ones with lower miles. I'd love to replace my 2005 V6 with a 2008 V8 in four years but I have to wonder if I'll be willing to part with what could be twenty grand at that point for a truck that's a decade old already.

Only time will tell. lane:

 

[scw1991]

I agree. I purchased my 07' Limited 4x4 V6 with 50,000 miles on it last December and spent $21K from a Toyota dealership. While it wasn't a steal, I feel I paid a fair market price for it at the time and didn't haggle too much because it's exactly what I wanted and the galactic grey color scheme that doesn't pop up often around here. Most 07' to 08's were in the 65-80k mile range and being listed for $22-$24K.

From time to time this past year just for giggles, it seems the market value has actually gone up. If you can find one with 50-75k miles on it, the dealers are asking more than what I paid a year earlier.

 

[rich045]

I agree. I purchased my 07' Limited 4x4 V6 with 50,000 miles on it last December and spent $21K from a Toyota dealership. While it wasn't a steal, I feel I paid a fair market price for it at the time and didn't haggle too much because it's exactly what I wanted and the galactic grey color scheme that doesn't pop up often around here. Most 07' to 08's were in the 65-80k mile range and being listed for $22-$24K.

From time to time this past year just for giggles, it seems the market value has actually gone up. If you can find one with 50-75k miles on it, the dealers are asking more than what I paid a year earlier.

Mine wasn't that hard to find, i searched carguru, sold my audi a week after i found the one i wanted, went to the toyota dealer the day after i got the $$ for my audi and bought the 07 sr5 4x4 V6 with 51k for 14200, one owner too lol
I think i got a great deal on it, i just had to travel 30 miles from NYC into NJ for it. no big deal.

 

[Darwalk]

I bought mine a few months ago from a Honda dealer in San Diego. It was a 1 owner with 112,000 miles and in very good shape. Got it from them for $14,500 because the 4lo wouldn't engage during my test drive. Talked them down quite a bit from sticker because of that, came home and did some searching on the forum, and had it working in about 2 hours.

 

[Martinjmpr]

From time to time this past year just for giggles, it seems the market value has actually gone up. If you can find one with 50-75k miles on it, the dealers are asking more than what I paid a year earlier.

My guess is that falling gas prices have made vehicles like the 4runner more attractive to a wider range of buyers.

 

[fdbyrne]

I bought my 04 SR5 4x4 V6 in December. It had 120k on it with a perfect body and interior and a flawless Carfax. It was a trade-in at a Dodge dealership. I only paid $8100 for it. It was listed for a higher amount but after I pointed out that one of the bearings was shot and a CV shaft needed to be replaced they came down. It also had a squealing idler bearing which I think scared the prior owner and caused him to trade it in. Knowing I could fix these things for less than $350 I was happy that I could use these minor things as a bargaining chip. It took me one weekend to fix everything and I couldn't be happier.

I think that if the head gasket were to blow tomorrow I could have both of them replaced and still feel that I got a good deal.

It also came with brand new tires, new Toyota battery, and new outer tie rods (which of course lead to a fresh alignment).

 

[tH1e swiN1e]

I searched for almost 2 years before finding mine here on the forum. It all worked out for the better, I got exactly what I wanted because as time passed my budget kept growing so I didnt have to settle for less.

 

[AZ07Runner]

When I was searching, I couldn't find many, either. I had decided to get one and over the next two months, only two fit the bill: one was already sold when I went to see it and the other I couldn't get to it for a few days and it sold.
I expanded my search area in Autotrader and had a hit in Las Vegas. I flew up there after discussing it over the phone with the dealer. That was May of 2013 and the 4R had 46700 on the odo...it had a couple mini-dents and scratches...still under Toyotas warranty for one year, too (which I used a few times). Otherwise in great condition.

I drove it home...with a smile.

 

[jonesmw10]

I searched for just about a year for mine. Looked at a bunch of runners. Lowest mileage one was a 08 Sr5 with 28k, but was too much money. Highest mileage one I looked at was 85k, and that's the one I bought. It was in the best condition while the others were already starting to rot out. Don't let mileage scare you. I traded a not even 1 year old vehicle with 11k miles for a 6 year old vehicle with almost 8x's that lol.

But even at the mileage I'm at now, 93k, the runner has way less issues than the car I traded in.

 

[RyanCocolin]

The same dealer where I found my '07 w/ 40k on it now has an '04 with 72k. I'm all the way in MD, but they're out there - maybe if you found one somewhere else your dealer could work a swap?

Toyota Pre-Owned Vehicle Inventory Search - Hagerstown MD area Toyota dealer serving Hagerstown MD - New and Used Toyota dealership Chambersburg PA Winchester Frederick MD - year=, make=toyota, model=4runner, bodystyle=Sport Utility, price1=, price2=

 

[rich045]

no facelift, also if you buy a 03-04 v6, they come with a 4 speed automatic tranny, 05+ have 5 speed. that was one of the factors that pushed me towards the 06+, facelift and better tranny.

 

[Sporin]

06+ also has the radio aux-in for your iPod which is deceptively difficult to add to the older stereos (basically easier to swap the whole head unit).

A small thing but it's something that bugs me on my 05.

 

[Atlanta_man]

I did my '05 many years ago (a small box that lives behind the headunit and a pigtail to the dash). Comes in as CD2 on the display. Well, I exaggerate some - it is not full iApple two way control and display.

06+ also has the radio aux-in for your iPod which is deceptively difficult to add to the older stereos (basically easier to swap the whole head unit).

A small thing but it's something that bugs me on my 05.

 

[Sporin]

I did my '05 many years ago (a small box that lives behind the headunit and a pigtail to the dash). Comes in as CD2 on the display. Well, I exaggerate some - it is not full iApple two way control and display.

Thank you, I appreciate that there are methods but after reading most every thread on the subject, it seems like it's just easier to swap in a whole new head unit and get all the modern features; bluetooth calling, etc. (particularly with a JBL system)

 

[GTOchris]

Mine is always forsale. I bought it 2 years ago from a GM dealer- 2005 with 64K.
Currently have 82K, they are out there. I wanted to buy low enough miles so things like transmission flush/ fluids/ weren't too far past their point of changing if they hadn't been done already.

 

[seekerIV]

In december closed on a 52k 2004 sr5 with remote starter and factory leather/heated seats, well maintained by soccer mom.

14.2k

Above book, but they were real firm, knew they had a gem, and were perfectly willing to wait it out.

So far so good. I realized after the first big snowstorm of the year tires can look fine but still be expired.