Looking for my third 4Runner

[Marks 4Runner]

Hey guys as the title states Im looking into getting my third 4Runner. I had two 1997 SR5 V6 5MT 4Runners a couple years back. Had to get rid of the manual transmission when I got married as we were going to be sharing a car. Now we are looking back into 4Runners but this time we are looking into 4th gens. I have a limited budget so will be looking into some older ones. Here is one I am considering and wanted some opinions

2003 Toyota 4runner Limited

I have done a lot of reading on the 4th gens including the pre-purchase sticky, cracked dash issues, sulfur smell etc. This one here in the link also shares the same V8 4.7L engine as my moms 2002 Sequoia and she has almost 300k on it with minimal issues. But to get a better perspective I wanted to reach out and see what you guys thought about this since you guys own this or close to this particular vehicle. I will try to get this checked out at a garage before making the purchase if I move forward with this. Thanks!

 

[koalaballa]

Lots of miles, should have 2 timing belts done by now. Did the 2003 limited not have the hyper silver 18" rims?

She looks pretty clean. No VVTi, so you're looking at slightly less power than a newer v8 (but probably not noticeable unless you go to redline often).

At that price, are you willing to gamble that the car may only have 50,000 miles left in it? (Yes, I know it could go much longer, but I use the word gamble because there is a chance that it will break).

At some point, if your heart tells you that you have to have it, you'll overlook all of the little things that tend to come with high-mileage used cars.

I bought my 2006 SR5 V8 4wd with 100000 miles and its been pretty much perfect so far. She does drink a lot of gas though.

Good luck!

Hey guys as the title states Im looking into getting my third 4Runner. I had two 1997 SR5 V6 5MT 4Runners a couple years back. Had to get rid of the manual transmission when I got married as we were going to be sharing a car. Now we are looking back into 4Runners but this time we are looking into 4th gens. I have a limited budget so will be looking into some older ones. Here is one I am considering and wanted some opinions

2003 Toyota 4runner Limited

I have done a lot of reading on the 4th gens including the pre-purchase sticky, cracked dash issues, sulfur smell etc. This one here in the link also shares the same V8 4.7L engine as my moms 2002 Sequoia and she has almost 300k on it with minimal issues. But to get a better perspective I wanted to reach out and see what you guys thought about this since you guys own this or close to this particular vehicle. I will try to get this checked out at a garage before making the purchase if I move forward with this. Thanks!

 

[Marks 4Runner]

I wont be redlining that much if at all. As for the mileage I will be negotiating with the owner on price though the price is low for a 4th gen. I am not dead set on this particular vehicle but wasn't sure if the price was off compared to the vehicles mileage and quality of the 2003 being the first year they produced it.

 

[Drak]

I looked up most of the Greenville listings offered right now.
For what's available right now, that's a pretty reasonable choice.
Not great, not suck...reasonable.
Those kinds of deals will always be there, this week, next week, next month.
But if you're not too pressed for time, watch the CL's for several weeks or a month, you'll get a much better perspective of what's out and probably wind up with a better deal than that.
They come and go in waves, and if you've only been looking for a few days, your perception is limited to only whats up on the block right now.
When you give yourself several weeks/a month, your perspective will start to change, your focus will start to tighten up, and your standards of what you'll accept will rise to levels that will work for you.
I'd take notes, and keep looking.

 

[Marks 4Runner]

Thanks for the reply Drak. I have been scanning Craigslist and other local areas all summer and have seen many "deals" come and go. I understand your thought process on this and have been taking notes all summer and doing research. I have not been able to make a purchase decision due to lack of financing but I now have the ability to get a loan. We are looking at selling our current car as the repairs (Volvo catalytic converter) far outweigh the worth of the car. And thats if replacing the CAT will solve the issue. Not to get off track but for the last two years I have replaced sensors, gaskets, exhaust parts, etc on the Volvo to get rid of the P0420 code without success.

I looked up most of the Greenville listings offered right now.
For what's available right now, that's a pretty reasonable choice.
Not great, not suck...reasonable.
Those kinds of deals will always be there, this week, next week, next month.
But if you're not too pressed for time, watch the CL's for several weeks or a month, you'll get a much better perspective of what's out and probably wind up with a better deal than that.
They come and go in waves, and if you've only been looking for a few days, your perception is limited to only whats up on the block right now.
When you give yourself several weeks/a month, your perspective will start to change, your focus will start to tighten up, and your standards of what you'll accept will rise to levels that will work for you.
I'd take notes, and keep looking.