My son wants a 4runner -hasn't really looked at much else and I am ok with it- so I am looking for one that'll last awhile-thru college etc... What year and how many miles do you recommend I look atlooking to spend about $20,000 -what about warranty etc... what's available when you buy a used one? I assume you can add stuff to it as you want...we look on cars. com, autotrader.com-=any other sites that are good- Thanks
looking for a used one for my soon to be 16 year old
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jetboy1975
New member
Dad, is that you?? :lol: Lucky kid. Narrow down the search a bit for us. What are you looking for options? 2x4, 4x4? V6 or V8? leather? nav etc...Does he plan on any mods in the future (lift etc) Certain models are easier to mod and price will obviously vary greatly based on options and even location.
galactic_04
New member
Lucky kid! I wish I had a nice truck when I was 16 to wreck
NickF
New member
Idk I'm going to be 20 in about a month and a half, and I would sure as hell love a low mileage 2002 4x4 from the south, I've never been a fan of the 4th gen. But if you do, get a V8 limited 2006. I wouldn't let a 16 year old drive a lifted truck, all he needs is to go around a corner a little too fast in the rain.
Also, your a heck of a dad.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
Also, your a heck of a dad.
Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk
I wouldn't call the OP's 16yr spoiled or knock him because most 16yrs can't drive (because they are new to it), I don't know the kid and I wouldn't fault the Dad if he wants to buy his son a used 4thGen.
My recommendation was just simply that a Civic or Corolla get much better MPG (the kid is going to pay for his fuel, right?), won't be as rough on his insurance, can be found for less, don't have a ton of power-so he can get used to driving, and most importantly... You can get a Civic or Corolla in a manual transmission, everyone (especially boys) should know how to drive a fricken' manual!
I do however remember exactly what I was doing with my 4x4 SUV when I was 16 and I remember what I was doing in the cargo area as well :frisky:
RickC
New member
I would call around regarding insurance before buying. I did and found it made only 100.00 difference a year for the list of cars I was looking at for my 16 year old. The list of cars included a Mazda RX8, and Mustang GT, a 2002 Ram Air Trans Am, and the Scion TC. The Scion is a 4 cyl, the GT and TA are V8s, and the RX8 is a rotary. I would up buying a V6 Mustang because of gas mileage, but still sporty. But of all these cars on the list, it was only 100.00 difference in insurance.
I have no problem calling him spoiled. He says his son wants a 4runner so he is getting one, dont no what other definition that would be.
eskimochaos
Banned
I got mine as a christmas present at 18.
ATB
New member
Oh wow, a internet bigot! /golfclap.
Spoiled - having the character or disposition harmed by pampering or oversolicitous attention; "a spoiled child"
So, for example, I can have the richest parents in the world. That dosent mean I am "spoiled". It's the disposition, not the materialistic things one has.
Your ignorance is showing.
Thanks-I plan to get him a safe car and I know for a fact the the 4 runner is a safe car-I may not spend that much I just had that figure in my head. I am able to pay that so I can get my kid what i want. some people buy their kids brand new cars around here-some are BMW's- we live in an upscale area so it is quite competitive. as long as he takes care of it and buys some of his gas I don't really see a problem with it. He makes all A's and must keep his grades up. I don't beleive in buying really old cars with alot of miles on them and don't have airbags that need repair !! He will keep it thru college so $20,000 for 6 years really isn't alot of money for a car.
MikesToy
Banned
Good Luck! Hope you don't run into those 2-4 yrs nearly new vehicles that have hidden probs in them. Go to the classified section and buy IronClad Lou's 4Runner. Your 16 yr old might like it.
nutcake852
New member
Don't call him spoiled, I'm 17 and my dad recently gave me the 4Runner.
Sure I drove a 99 Infiniti G20 for the first year I had my license, but not much of a difference.
It's a 4Runner, great car, but its no BMW to say he's spoiled.
Now you don't really have to worry about mileage with the 4Runner, its a Toyota, they can last anywhere from 250k-300k
Sure I drove a 99 Infiniti G20 for the first year I had my license, but not much of a difference.
It's a 4Runner, great car, but its no BMW to say he's spoiled.
Now you don't really have to worry about mileage with the 4Runner, its a Toyota, they can last anywhere from 250k-300k
4RnrFanatic
New member
I agree...
That was the same with me when I was in High School, all I "ended up with" was a '74 Mercedes 240D, but it WAS a manual. Slow as hell, though, which for my parents was a good thing. As for advice, I would get him a sweet '03 (or '05 - though that's a bit more than you want to spend) with around 70k miles, which is still being broken in. Spend the extra $1500 and get him a Limited. Most of them were produced with the 4.7L V8. But if you shop around and are willing to travel (I just did and was - I bought exactly that 3 weeks ago!) you can find the V6 Limited. Still alot of power for a 16 year old, I agree. But id he's a responsible kid, bright, he could handle it. Heck, it could even SAVE his life. Also the Limited's tend to have more (optional) airbags than the SR5 or Sport. Good Luck, sweet one are hard to find. Be prepared to act quickly...:driving:
Chef-j
New member
Toyota Certified Used, this is what i will look for. If you found a car from other dealer and you are planning to purchase warranty, make sure you can get thru toyota, NOT third party POS warranty.
Make sure check carfax and check all the vin numbers.
Milies wouldn't really matter IMO, my 03 4runner just about to hit 110k now and running strong without any issue, also there are ton of many owners has more milies/older than mine and still running strong.
Good luck finding one!!
4RnrFanatic
New member
MikesToy...btw, where did you get there V8 I-Force emblems?? I'd love to snag a couple for my 'Runner...thanks...
2DoorRunner
New member
Yep, your not a man untill you can drive a manual!
Ooh yeah, ive done more stuff in the yota than i have in my own bed haha
A safe car doesnt have to be a brand new 20k dollar car. Why not just a 2nd gen 4runner that has air bags? Its safe, DECENT on fuel, can have some fun in the back. AND you wont hate yourself for buying him a $20k suv when you get a call from him saying he wrecked it.
Or are you doing it just to compete with your neighbors buying their kids expensive cars?
You know whats better than a $20,000 car that he will drive for 6 years?
A 5,000 car that will last just as long.
Keep in mind, this is all coming from a 17 y/o. Got my 4runner a while before turning 16, and payed my parents back for it. I pay for everything, fuel, repairs, and i split the cost of insurence. I have a job, save my money. If i dont, and cant afford something for my 4runner, then i dont drive. My parents never give me money, its all earned.
I consider myself extreamly lucky to have what i do. So the kids driving new diesel fords and 4th gen 4runners are definatly considered spoiled in my book. Unless they EARNED it.
And i can just imagine how the kids driving the beater civics feel.
Make him earn his stuff, it builds character.
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