Looking to buy a used 4th gen!

offshorebear

offshorebear

New member
Hello, I'm looking to replace my current car with a 4Runner. My budget is around 16,000, so that means 03 - 04 V8s and slightly newer V6's.

What common things are there to look for in a used 4runner? I see things on here about leaky transfer cases, V8 timing belts, and rear axle seals, but is there anything else to look for? Any common problems for these earlier T4R's?



Just some I'm looking at on autotrader

06 V6 sport with 110k
04 V8 with 90k

Do you think its worth spending more money to get a car with fewer miles? I know Toyota's reputation for quality, but it seems some people question that with these newer cars. Would a warranty be worth it? Is the sport suspension a liability at higher miles?

I find myself going back and forth between a 6 and an 8. It seems like the 8 does 1 mpg less than the 6, and it has the timing belt, but it sounds like a more proven engine. And its an 8! The V6 sounds like it doesn't underpower the car, but is there a big difference in performance between the two? I'd probably get the 6 with the newer 5 speed transmission, should I shy away from the 4 speed? I don't want to start an engine debate but its hard to search for the old topics on this.

This site has lots of information on it, I'm sure I'll stick around after I find my 4Runner :) Thanks for the help!
 
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04 looks like a better deal...less money way less milage and more power.... I'd go with the 04. or if you don't care having a 2wd I'll give you mine for 14k even ...it has 81,000 ..and the past 12 months I just put seven thousand miles on her...btw..she is certified and has 6 year warranty still.......lol....

just kidding...im not getting rid of my baby yet....
 
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Thanks for the tips. So what milage is too high for these? There are some 6s with around 50k miles, they are asking around 17k, but I imagine they will take less for them.

Every V8 I can find is right around 90,000 miles. So I am figuring another 1000 to get the timing belt and water pump changed. Is 90,000 a lot on the 8?


I need the 4wd, otherwise I wouldn't be looking at the 4Runner :)
 
It's just getting broke in at 90K!

The last Toyota motor I heard concerns about were the old 3.slows that ended production with the 95 2nd Gen. I've heard very few problems with any of the motors since regardless of mileage.
 
I would recommend to look for 05 model.
V8 or V6 is up to you to decide, a lots of threads on that here... drive both and see.
With 05 models you will get 5 speed trany if it has V6, or you will get VVT-I if it has V8.
I do not believe there are common issues on 4th generation, but there are some weak spots, two comes to my mind:
1) Some earlier V8 models my have cracked exhaust manifold (but it is not common on 4Runners you will see it on Tundra
 
Welcome! :bigok:

Yeah, plenty of threads on the V6 vs. V8 debate so I won't start that again, but both are great engines IMO. I wouldn't consider the timing belt a huge drawback since you only change it every 80k and even timing chains need to be tightened/adjusted over time. My sig tells you which engine I decided to go with. ;):

Whichever year, model, options, etc. you decide to go with, just make sure you're getting a good deal. 4Runners aren't exactly rare and while they hold their resale value well, there are still bargains to be had. Take your time and do your research. This forum is a great place to start. I spent a lot of time here before I took delivery of my '07. :)
 
offshorebear said:
I'd probably get the 6 with the newer 5 speed transmission, should I shy away from the 4 speed?
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From what I've seen both transmissions are basically bulletproof. Very rarely do you hear any complain about having a problem with either of them.

I believe all 4Runners were using the 5speed automatic by the '05 model year. So unless you end up with an '03 or '04 V6, then you'll have the 5-speed auto
 
Lots of good advice so far for you. Good luck with your pick.

offshorebear said:
. . It seems like the 8 does 1 mpg less than the 6 . .
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Ah, no - the V8 eats about 20% more fuel than the V6 according to the gas consumption threads I've read in this forum. For long distance commuters and budget minders, this is significant; for those who have to tow and don't care about an extra $1000-$2000 in gas per year, the point is irrelevant.
 
Re: Re: Looking to buy a used 4th gen!

SLED said:
Lots of good advice so far for you. Good luck with your pick.


Ah, no - the V8 eats about 20% more fuel than the V6 according to the gas consumption threads I've read in this forum. For long distance commuters and budget minders, this is significant; for those who have to tow and don't care about an extra $1000-$2000 in gas per year, the point is irrelevant.
Click to expand...

Not to start another fuel consumption thread
 
I've been looking at the government mpg site. It might not be the best but you can do a side by side of the different models.

V8 gets 15 combined, V6 gets 17 combined.

There's also user submissions that have the V8 at 17.1, V6 with 4sp at 18.6, and V6 with 5sp at 20.7

According to the EPA numbers to drive 15,000 miles combined highway and city, its $2441 for the V8 and $2152 for the 6. Not a big difference really. The government site is pretty slick, its too bad I can't link directly to the comparison page. http://www.fueleconomy.gov

I'm going today to look at the white 2004 V8 and a white 2005 V6. I'm not crazy about the white color but I will be able to see both side by side. There aren't as many 4Runners listed on the internet in my area (south east PA) as I would have thought.

Thanks for all the advise!
 
Mine is a V8 and I get roughly 16.5 to 18.5 miles to the gallon. It has 72k miles on it now with no issues other than brakes. The lower inboard piston was frozen so I had to buy two new front calipers. This I hear, is a common problem. I would possibly take $16500 for it. I know that may sound a little high, but I love the truck and it is in excellent shape. Good luck and enjoy your new ride.
 
I bought an 03 V6 with 58k miles and 4x4 for 13,500. Keep looking. I spent about 3 months and found two really nice low mileage vehicles at good prices. I bought one of them. I found tons with decent mileage but at higher prices. I didn't really care whether it was V6 or V8, but really preferred the V6 due to gas mileage, but it really doesn't make a big difference.

As far as all the comments regarding 4speed or 5speed automatics, here is my observation. My previous vehicle was an 06 Tundra 4x4 DoubleCab, V8, 5speed automatic. My 4runner is a V6 with 4speed automatic. The final drive ratio seems to be close because the RPM of the engine is the same at driving speed of 60-65 which is just below 2000rpm. All I got with the extra gear was an extra shift. To me, it isn't that big a deal unless one of the other has a reputation of being problematic, which they don't. The only thing I notice is it has the problem that my Lexus RX330 had and that is a slight slip during a rolling stop. This is hard to explain, but it's like the transmission "hunts", trying to determine if it needs to downshift to 1st gear or not so it stays in 2nd during the rolling stop. Then when you get back in the throttle, it will downshift into 1st creating a "slipping" or "jerking" feeling.

Don't be afraid of the 03s and 04s. They are excellent vehicles too. I first bought a 2000, which I loved, but couldn't stand the way it rode, so I sold it and bought the 03 and am very happy with it. I don't miss the Tundra at all, except when I need to haul something that won't fit in the back of the 4runner, which hasn't happened yet!

BTW, white is the best color, it's very forgiving! :-)
 
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Keep looking

You can do better than either of those, unless they are willing to move on the prices. Those are high prices for such high miles, keep looking.

It took me 3 months of shopping to find mine.

I bought her about 6 months ago so the deals should only be better now.

One owner 2005 SR5 V8 with heated leather seats, Moonroof, Rear DVD and 17" wheels. She had 51,000 miles when I picked her up from the dealership.

Paid $17,000


The only things I dont like are:

No telescoping steering wheel (I think only the Limited gets that)

No steering wheel stereo controls.

Try to be patient, the deals are out there. Just keep checking Craigslist, Cars.com, Carsoup.com and Autotrader and wait for the right deal to come along.
:cool:

Oh yeah and if you are an auto performance enthusiast, get the V8. The V6 is no slouch but the low end torque of the V8 is pretty unreal and puts a smile on my face daily.

MPG I get 15 if its 100% city driving and I get 19 if its 100% highway. The only mod I have done is removed the hydrocarbon filter. I run a Toyota OEM air filter and use Mobil 1 5W-30.
 
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I couldn't see the original cars I wanted to so I stopped at a Toyota dealer and test drove a 2007 V8 with 16k miles. They wanted way too much for it but I loved the way it drove.

I found a 2004 Limited V8 with 48k miles for $18,500. It was a corporate fleet lease vehicle but its also Toyota Certified Preowned with a warranty until 2011. Here's the car fax I don't think the fleet thing is a big deal with 48k miles and a warranty.

I am going tomorrow to work the numbers with my trade in. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.
 
Just keep working the dealer. I offered 2k less than what they were asking and kept to my price. They finally caved because they knew I had another deal in the works. I had made an offer on another one as well and was waiting to hear back. The competition was an out of town dealer. But the local dealer finally accepted my offer after a couple hours of them trying to counter my offer. My advantage was I didn't have a trade because I had already sold my other vehicle. That gives a lot more negotiation room when you are talking a straight buy.

Just remember it's a buyers market right now which is very rare. Most dealers are hurting because their sales are down. I have several friends in the business.
 
offshorebear said:
I found a 2004 Limited V8 with 48k miles for $18,500. It was a corporate fleet lease vehicle but its also Toyota Certified Preowned with a warranty until 2011. Here's the car fax I don't think the fleet thing is a big deal with 48k miles and a warranty.
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That's a good deal. I looked for a long time and the best I could find was a 2006 Limited with 40k for $22.5k, bought it a month ago.

I think a lot of those fleet lease vehicles are rentals.

I've owned both the SR5 and the limited in the Gen 4 and the limited is well worth the extra money IMO.
 
offshorebear said:
I couldn't see the original cars I wanted to so I stopped at a Toyota dealer and test drove a 2007 V8 with 16k miles. They wanted way too much for it but I loved the way it drove.

I found a 2004 Limited V8 with 48k miles for $18,500. It was a corporate fleet lease vehicle but its also Toyota Certified Preowned with a warranty until 2011. Here's the car fax I don't think the fleet thing is a big deal with 48k miles and a warranty.

I am going tomorrow to work the numbers with my trade in. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed.
Click to expand...



I think it is a good deal...when i bought my 04 SR5 2wd almost 2 years ago I paid 17,000 and it had 65k miles on 17" wheels but basic...no extra features no sunroof ,nav nor leather . I think I paid a Little too much...but it was just 1 Owner , certified and warranty.....plus I just fell in love with her as soon as I got behind the steering wheel. I had the choice of a brand new Kia Sorento..... but a 4Runner is a 4Runner....new or used....lol.
 
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I got it :D

04 Limited V8 with 48k miles. Silver.

When I started looking I wasn't looking for such a well equipped vehicle, but this one was at the right place at the right time and at the right price. I probably won't be modding this soon, I'm going to see what having a luxury car is like for a while :)

In a few days I'm probably going to have a bunch of "noob" questions, but for now is there any place I can get an owners manual?
 
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