Looking for my first 4Runner (What do you think?)

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Barrie4Runner

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New member here and my first post. Just found out today my '93 Pathfinder is rotted beyond repair and have always drooled over the 3rd Gen 'Runners. I need something soon and have found a couple leads.

I've read through the 3rd Gen buying guide stickied on here. What a great read! Love this forum!

In terms of use for the truck, it would be a daily driver and very minimal off-road use such as navigating forestry roads for camping/fishing; nothing too intense!

This one HERE is 5 minutes from me.

This one HERE is about an hour drive away.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.
 
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The second one almost seems like a steal being supercharged and 4wd. But I don't know if that 5800 is in american dollars. But I would imagine its pretty close. I like the look of the first one better but you can't beat a supercharged 4runner that's for sure. I drove over an hour and a half to get my 4runner so I think driving out to get that one is a very worth while drive. Just make sure the truck has service records, carfax history, and check the radiator to make sure it hasn't suffered the pink milkshake.
 
Bigmikelakers said:
The second one almost seems like a steal being supercharged and 4wd. But I don't know if that 5800 is in american dollars. But I would imagine its pretty close. I like the look of the first one better but you can't beat a supercharged 4runner that's for sure. I drove over an hour and a half to get my 4runner so I think driving out to get that one is a very worth while drive. Just make sure the truck has service records, carfax history, and check the radiator to make sure it hasn't suffered the pink milkshake.
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Thanks for the reply. Would there be much difference in mileage (fuel economy) between the supercharged vs. non-supercharged?

And the US to CND exchange is almost even as of today.
 
Yeah I'm pretty much certain a supercharger will drink more gas. By how much I don't know. Also consider the fact that superchargers require premium fuel as well.
 
No problem man. I was in the same situation as you when I was trying to find my 4runner. I really like that 02 limited...
 
Supercharged guys often see better mileage than the N/A guys.. if you can keep your foot out of it.
Also, after about 100k miles, the S/C will need a rebuild. Research superchargers before you buy a runner that has one.

Dont let the distance scare you. I drove 500 miles away to find mine.
 
4-Ripcord said:
Supercharged guys often see better mileage than the N/A guys.. if you can keep your foot out of it.
Also, after about 100k miles, the S/C will need a rebuild. Research superchargers before you buy a runner that has one.

Dont let the distance scare you. I drove 500 miles away to find mine.
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IF you can keep your foot out of it being the key. Lol. He's right though. I'm actually looking to S/C mine at the moment to get back some of the mpg's I've lost in the hills due to the added weight.

The price of the S/C'd one does kind of scare me a bit though.
 
4-Ripcord said:
Supercharged guys often see better mileage than the N/A guys.. if you can keep your foot out of it.
Also, after about 100k miles, the S/C will need a rebuild. Research superchargers before you buy a runner that has one.

Dont let the distance scare you. I drove 500 miles away to find mine.
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Thanks for the reply and also for the great Buyer's Guide Ripcord.

Should I be worried about high mileage on a 2002 4Runner SR5 with 377000 km (234256 miles) for $5500? It says all highway miles...but...
 
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Barrie4Runner said:
Thanks for the reply and also for the great Buyer's Guide Ripcord.

Should I be worried about high mileage on a 2002 4Runner SR5 with 377000 km (234256 miles) for $5500?
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How it's maintained plays a large part of it. And it shouldn't worry you as long as you are willing to make sure the little things are well taken care of. Road miles effect more than the engine.
 
Depends on maintenance. But personally Id pass on anything over 150k miles.

It could still be fine, could be on its last leg. Too much to gamble at that mileage.
 
I like the Supercharged one....decent Km's and a good price! It's hard to find a 4Runner around here with less then 200 000km's on it....so at 206 000kms that's pretty good! Actually....it's the lowest mileage I've seen on one in a while...aside from mine.

I'd still go look at the others....take into account overall condition and maintenance records....but at a glimpse....the Supercharged unit looks good!
 
I just went through the process of selling a FJ62 and a Scion xB and am replacing them both with 3rd Gen 4Runners.

I was planning on buying a 3rd Gen for me, and a Honda Pilot for wife, but my wife loved the 4Runner and so now we have one 2002 and another 2002 on the way :)

I think key things to check on would be the following:

1. Obviously this is the bible: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html
2. I think that 4-Rip's last section's pricing guide is still valid even though it is a few months old - if anything prices have "settled" a bit around those rates vs sometimes going higher probably early in his post.
3. Check on the dates of standard service big $$ items: 1. Timing belt and water pump; 2. lower ball joint replacement 3. Transmission filter and flush and Strawberry Milkshake issues - - - if you had to do all three immediately, the price tag really changes your total cost of purchase.
4. Ask for pics or just get under the car and look for rust. These things can still have considerable frame rust even through the 2002 period.
 
4-Ripcord said:
Depends on maintenance. But personally Id pass on anything over 150k miles.

It could still be fine, could be on its last leg. Too much to gamble at that mileage.
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I couldn't agree more - unless this is some kind of near-term, third car, off road rig.
 
That's a really good price on the supercharged Runner - that would be first on my list assuming it all checked out.

I saw this one earlier on Kijiji - it's in Scarborough.

Good luck.

PS - there's a guy just west of Barrie who has tons of 2nd and 3rd Gen parts if you ever need them.
 
Here's what I ended up buying

1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited (w/ e-locker option).
239000 km (148500 miles)
Paid: $5300 CND ($5335 USD)

Only issue was timing belt being due in 18000km. Otherwise, I am very happy with this purchase.

4Runner.jpg~original


Blanco: Do you have any other info on that guy west of Barrie with the 2nd/3rd Gen parts?

Thanks again to all who replied!
 
Don't know if you got one yet or not...but I almost drove six hours to buy a 3rd gen, ran the VIN with toyota.com and came back 'engine minor' so I called the Toyota dealership, he told me that 'engine minor' was actually a "blown engine", "customer reported oil poured out of engine", "engine not replaced here"
I purchased a '97 this month, with immaculate records, and took my mechanic. And ran the vin. Didn't get one with a rr locker, but I'll install that later. Great t4r's are out there, I'm glad I took my time and talked to a lot of sellers. It was worth it.
 
Barrie4Runner said:
1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited (w/ e-locker option).
239000 km (148500 miles)
Paid: $5300 CND ($5335 USD)

Only issue was timing belt being due in 18000km. Otherwise, I am very happy with this purchase.

4Runner.jpg~original


Blanco: Do you have any other info on that guy west of Barrie with the 2nd/3rd Gen parts?

Thanks again to all who replied!
Click to expand...

You must have posted while I was writing my last reply Anyway, congrats, enjoy the vehicle!
 
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