Just put a deposit on a 4runner

[LimitedSR5]

Hey I just put a $1000 deposit on a 1998 Toyota 4runner SR5 w/ 79k miles. The vehicle only has 1 owner and has never been into an accident and has a clean title according to carfax. Its automatic 4x4 with a 6 cylinder engine. Just have a few questions and at the same time feel skeptical about this. The vehicle is located at a dealer which I'm getting it from. Tomorrow I will be paying $9k of the balance for the total of $10k owe. This includes taxes, registration, inspection, and dealer fees. The vehicle comes with a 60 day bumper to bumper warranty which includes engine and transmission. The dealer will pay 100% for parts and labor if anything goes wrong.

I was wondering if this is a good deal? Or is there a better deal out there?
I checked the vehicle inside out and did not notice any accidents or any leaks in the engine or underneath the vehicle. My only concern is what if the headgasket has a small leak and I can't find it on the spot. Or any other minor leaks that can't be found on the spot?

 

[broncosi]

Id say its a good deal, i bought my 98 sr5 with 160,000 for $9,000 because he had every single record of matinence and it was very well kept, and he was a good fam friend, to this day, it hasnt been in the shop a single time(except when i got in an accident). 60 days is a somewhat decent trial period as well. What kind of condition is the car in? interior? exterior? under the hood?

 

[jpless]

I say it's a good deal. I have a 98 sr5 that currently has 77k on it. I got it 2 junes ago when my dad got a grand cherokee. We took it to carmax and they offered us $10k. At the time, it had about 67k miles on it but it wasnt in perfect shape, my dad had a nice accident that messed up the passenger side and running boards and everything. It also had some noticable wear and tear (dings in bumpers, chip in mirror housing, scratches on roof). They offered us 7,500 for the camry I had at the time so we sold that and I got the 4runner, never happier. These trucks last forever. I'm expecting to keep mine until it dies, which shouldn't happen for a while. On this site, I saw someone parting out their 98 sr5 only because he got into a big accident, but the car had been running fine even with the nearly 260,000 miles on it.

I love my 98, the only thing i don't particularly like about it which would lean me towards the 99 would be the darn cupholders (toyota engineers must have been stoned). I also like the nicer headlights/tailights but im going to get those for mine.

Since I've had the car, I've had 2 accidents on the ice. One was at about 5-10mph and damaged the front right corner, needed new bumper, valence, lights and a couple other little things. Second was at like 35-40 on the highway (gotta love the ice) where i fishtailed, hit the guard rail and spun across the highway (without getting hit!) That had similar damage but a lot more of it, cost about 4 grand to fix it (so many little things right behind the bumper that cost a lot). We almost junked the car instead of fixing it but we havent had ANY serious (come to think of it, i dont even remember any non-serious) mechanical damage. All the problems have been visual and therefore the toyota built engine is running strong and was definately worth fixing the visual damage.

I love my t4r. If you want a little showier look to it and want to modify it, the 99+ might be fore you (a lot easier to find accessories for those than for the 96-98s). However, i tightened the throttle cable and did the deckplate mod (best thing ive ever done) and now i'm going to get the amsoil drop-in air filter, the clear corner and bumper lenses and hopefully the 99+ style head/tail lights.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

That truck would easily go for over $12k or even $13k with that low of miles so you did get a deal. Does it have the e-locker?

 

[97RUNNERltd]

I bought my 97 Limited in Oct. 2004 w/ 50,000 miles on it. No damage. Vehicle was spotless inside and out, and yes it had the diff lock. I paid $14,999 for mine. However in my area that was a fair price I found some 98-99 that were around $20,000. with less options and not as clean.

 

[LimitedSR5]

Just picked up the 4runner a few hrs ago. So far it looks great in and out and all around. Runs and drives perfectly, hopefully it will stay that away. I don't really care about modding this SUV. As for modding goes I was thinking about picking up a SC300 for a 1jz swap, but I guess that may have to wait or it may come soon depends on my budget. I bought a SUV to do errands and stuff like that. As far as the rear diff lock, how can I tell if I have one?? Pics could be helpful, so let me know.