Looking to buy a 4th Gen 4 runner

[veloken]

New to the forum but wanted to know if the newer 4th generation 4runner is just as reliable as the 3rd Gen. Having had a 1997 4runner and had no real major problems... well the darn cup holder broke and the antenna whip. But we have 180k miles on the thing and it still drives well and pulls a boat no problem. I am looking on buying a 2004-2006 4 runner but in the $15k price range. So most of them already have 80-120k miles on them. Would you turn away or for the most part still a good vehicle? The reason is I don't want to spend more because I will not be able to garage the 4runner. And it will be used as a daily driver and to go fishing/surfing etc. Looking for white but silver is okay to. Is there anything I should be aware of (besides the 90k belt service)? Or should I not be so cheap and try to get in a less milage car? I will be putting about 7-10k miles a year on it.
Thanks!

 

[toto]

I would check the usual things on a used car. The 4Runner is fine with the mileage as long as it has been maintained well. Only the V8 has a timing belt, but the V6's quirk is that it has spark plugs that need changing every 30K miles.

This thread has a quick summary of what changed from year to year to help you decide which years to look at.

 

[purrfactor]

not sure where you are located but I got my 2006 SR5 with 37k miles on it for $19,500 on a used car dealer lot.. and right now if you dont mind a few dings from hail they are having a hail sale

 

[Will816]

Its a good vehicle, consumer reports recommends all years of the 4th gen in their used car reviews. I bought my 03 with 100,000 miles on it, I'm at 120,000 now and could not be any happier. These cars last, just like the older ones. I had a 98 with 200,000 miles and an 85 with 310,000 and they had never had any problems.

As with any used car, you can always get one that was abused and have problems, but the 4Runner is a solid car.

I believe the 90,000 mile belt change is only on the V8, I think the V6 has a chain. My V8's belt was changed just a few thousand miles before I got it