Looking at 2 different 99's

[Fastphin]

Steered away from gen 2 and will focus on searching for a gen3, for the 3.4l motor. Need daily driver and capable offroad hunting and straight getting lost.

99 ltd auto 150k miles, temp gauge not working properly, brake light on and the pedal is soft, oil leaking onto lower driver control arm maybe from oil cap. Asking $7400. Body ok, interior is good, tires ok but will need replaced in a year. No info on maintenance records.

99ltd auto 240k miles, everything is working, leaking below oil filter and back on the ifs. Interior showing its age. Tires need replaced shocks and cv boots look like they need replaced. Unknown on timing belt replacement, radiator flush. Some rust it came from Colorado Asking $5000.

Keep looking or is this par for the course on the older ones?

About 150miles away is a 2000 with 220k miles with new head gasket, rings, water pump, timing belt, their asking $7000. Have not driven this one yet as I need time to make the trip.

 

[Unner]

I'd say keep looking. Get the nicest one in the best shape that you can afford.

 

[NBBAZ]

I'm in the process of looking for a 3rd gen also. I say be patient and get what you want. It's out there. Vehicles with major leaks and missing, broken, or excessively worn parts shows a lack of care and maintenance from previous owner, IMO.

Good luck!

 

[Rogue090]

They are out there, just a matter of finding that diamond in the rough.

New addition to the 4runner family myself. After much searching and tire kicking, ended up with a 98 SR5 w/ 94k on it.

Best of luck in your search and hope you find one that makes you happy.

 

[mxer]

How in the world can we judge which one to buy?

That being said, they both sound like major rip offs.

 

[MrRoo]

I say keep looking also. I jumped on mine because of the price and ended up having a nice runner with a little work. The two you are looking at seem very high priced. My brother just got his 2001 limited with 180,000 for $5000. One owner not a scratch on it. Still smells new. All records and receipts from day one. Took a lot of looking and being able to have cash to buy right away. The nice ones get grabbed up very quick.

 

[Brveagle]

I'd pass on both of those.

Both sound like they have major issues just waiting to be discovered.

 

[Granada7]

Definitely keep looking. I got mine although only 2wd with 167k and no problems except for it needed new tires for 3500$

 

[Scramble]

Steered away from gen 2 and will focus on searching for a gen3, for the 3.4l motor. Need daily driver and capable offroad hunting and straight getting lost.

99 ltd auto 150k miles, temp gauge not working properly, brake light on and the pedal is soft, oil leaking onto lower driver control arm maybe from oil cap. Asking $7400. Body ok, interior is good, tires ok but will need replaced in a year. No info on maintenance records.

99ltd auto 240k miles, everything is working, leaking below oil filter and back on the ifs. Interior showing its age. Tires need replaced shocks and cv boots look like they need replaced. Unknown on timing belt replacement, radiator flush. Some rust it came from Colorado Asking $5000.

Keep looking or is this par for the course on the older ones?

About 150miles away is a 2000 with 220k miles with new head gasket, rings, water pump, timing belt, their asking $7000. Have not driven this one yet as I need time to make the trip.

I would wait.

 

[Fastphin]

I say keep looking also. I jumped on mine because of the price and ended up having a nice runner with a little work. The two you are looking at seem very high priced. My brother just got his 2001 limited with 180,000 for $5000. One owner not a scratch on it. Still smells new. All records and receipts from day one. Took a lot of looking and being able to have cash to buy right away. The nice ones get grabbed up very quick.

That sounds like a deal. Been looking 300 mile radius online. Pricing has been higher than 5k. May consider 2001 as we'll, thanks for the reality check.

 

[Rogue090]

Fastphin,

I know this is further than you are looking for (Dallas/Ft.Worth), but just using it as an example for ya. I found one last night, while looking for a friend of mine.

Its a one owner 02 2wd w/ 109k with an impeccable service record, all preventative maint done (timing belt, water pump, etc) and documented on toyota/carfax etc. they are asking $9k.

It's definitely a long way from ya, but an example of a better cared for 4runner with many less miles.

 

[MrRoo]

What blows my mind is the price difference on the 4runners. They are all over the place. West coast is crazy high priced compared to the Midwest. But rust and rot is not an issue there. Im not afraid to buy one with high mileage if its been maintained. Hell, mine has 235,000 on it now and I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere because it was maintained. Im looking for a sport SR5 with grey interior. Seems to be very hard to find. And when I do find one its west coast and $10K. As others have said, keep looking and don't be afraid to buy a plane ticket and drive one back. Thats my summer plan. Lots of nice runners in Cali.

 

[gamefreakgc]

That sounds like a deal. Been looking 300 mile radius online. Pricing has been higher than 5k. May consider 2001 as we'll, thanks for the reality check.

Are you looking for something specific in a 99? To be honest, 2000-2002 have some simple but nice improvements that are better, plus are newer so less issues with rubber and plastic components.

BTW, those prices are awful for Nevada. The ones in the Reno area run much cheaper then California and those prices you just quoted would be high even for out here. The reason why I know is because I compared prices with California for about 3 months as I was looking for mine. Almost drove out into the middle of the desert for a 5-speed but decided against it.

 

[omegatek]

I'd say pass.

Do a 300 mile radius search. Look at this 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 5SPEED Manual Trans. 4wd Locking differential with 144k one in San Diego for $7700: Toyota 4Runner SR5 | eBay

Don't know how far that is from you but looks clean.


Here's a 1999 4X4 in Vegas for $6700
1999 Toyota 4Runner Sr5 4WD In Excellent Condition


Keep looking and be willing to make a drive.

I just got mine, an '02 SR5 with 140K, no dents, accidents, paint in excellent condition, new duratracs, lift kit, clean leather, always dealer serviced for $6300.

You'll find one, be patient and have cash ready to go.

 

[Fastphin]

I'd say pass.

Do a 300 mile radius search. Look at this 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 5SPEED Manual Trans. 4wd Locking differential with 144k one in San Diego for $7700: Toyota 4Runner SR5 | eBay

Don't know how far that is from you but looks clean.


Here's a 1999 4X4 in Vegas for $6700
1999 Toyota 4Runner Sr5 4WD In Excellent Condition


Keep looking and be willing to make a drive.

I just got mine, an '02 SR5 with 140K, no dents, accidents, paint in excellent condition, new duratracs, lift kit, clean leather, always dealer serviced for $6300.

You'll find one, be patient and have cash ready to go.

Missed out on the Vegas one for 6700

found this oneUsed Toyota 4Runner For Sale Henderson, NV - CarGurus


Rather have the 99 or 2000 but could make this work

 

[omegatek]

Missed out on the Vegas one for 6700

found this oneUsed Toyota 4Runner For Sale Henderson, NV - CarGurus


Rather have the 99 or 2000 but could make this work

I know 4runners are tough trucks, but paying $7K plut TTL for a truck with 220K miles is not something I would do. I'd be concerned about the tranny and whether or not the truck has had consistent fluid flushes (tranny, oil, coolant, brakes, power steering, etc...) I'd have to do a very very thorough inspection done. I'd also want to see service records and number of owners and a carfax and even then I'd be nervous about the transmission going out and looking at a repair in the thousands. Maybe if it was a 1 owner with lots of service records, then I'd make an offer but yeah, that tranny ain't cheap to rebuild. Looks nice, but I'd keep looking if it were me.

 

[HammerHead]

This one has just about everything you'd need

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...late-bumpers-w-swingout-$9-400-denver-co.html

 

[Fastphin]

I know 4runners are tough trucks, but paying $7K plut TTL for a truck with 220K miles is not something I would do. I'd be concerned about the tranny and whether or not the truck has had consistent fluid flushes (tranny, oil, coolant, brakes, power steering, etc...) I'd have to do a very very thorough inspection done. I'd also want to see service records and number of owners and a carfax and even then I'd be nervous about the transmission going out and looking at a repair in the thousands. Maybe if it was a 1 owner with lots of service records, then I'd make an offer but yeah, that tranny ain't cheap to rebuild. Looks nice, but I'd keep looking if it were me.

How would I check on the transmission aside from dipstick and driving it? Most the 4runners I have come across have anywhere from 180k miles + more on the 210K mile range and over.

 

[omegatek]

How would I check on the transmission aside from dipstick and driving it? Most the 4runners I have come across have anywhere from 180k miles + more on the 210K mile range and over.

Ask for service records. Buying used is a risk. To minimize that risk, asking for maintenance records helps to reassure that the vehicle has been properly maintained. Get a carfax to check to see how many owners. Lots of owners could mean the truck was problematic and getting dumped off onto the next owner to deal with. Also knowing when the timing belt was done is important. That's an expensive maintenance cost if it's due soon.

Definitely checking the dipstick on clean paper towels is a must. Fluid should look pink/red. Also test drive and check for:

• delay in response when shifting between PRND2L
• when giving gas rpm's jump to red before shifting (slippage)
• car jerks when shifting between gears

Good luck in your search.

 

[Fastphin]

Ask for service records. Buying used is a risk. To minimize that risk, asking for maintenance records helps to reassure that the vehicle has been properly maintained. Get a carfax to check to see how many owners. Lots of owners could mean the truck was problematic and getting dumped off onto the next owner to deal with. Also knowing when the timing belt was done is important. That's an expensive maintenance cost if it's due soon.

Definitely checking the dipstick on clean paper towels is a must. Fluid should look pink/red. Also test drive and check for:

• delay in response when shifting between PRND2L
• when giving gas rpm's jump to red before shifting (slippage)
• car jerks when shifting between gears

Good luck in your search.

Drove that 220k fluids were all replaced as well as air filter. Timing belt was replaced in November. Appeared to have new ngk wires and shocks KYB appeared to have been replaced recently. Couldnt see any torn boots. Only thing I didnt know was carfax report or vin check

Appreciate the support in this endeavor.