Looking to purchase, any answers to my questions would be helpful!

[Shiinchan]

So I HAVE to buy through a dealership for 2 reasons. I do not have money saved up, just came off 3 years unemployed (I have a job that can pay for repairs but I am impatient and no car = not going to work half the time because I hate the bus)

I have been reading up some but have not had much time off so if some people are willing to answer some quick things would be great?

I know, again I am researching on my own too, this is part of it.

1. I love the way the 2001 looks, is SR5 a NEEDED package to do anything good?
2. Is SR5 ONLY manual? I want Automatic, I will blow clutches left and right if not Auto (Tried to look am just missing where it says if its auto or not)
3. How well are 4runners for offroading especially for people new to it? (to give you an idea of what I am up against, I live in Arizona, the desert and will be going to flag a lot)
4. What am I looking at year wise (remember dealerships wont get too old) for 4runners to be under like 8k? (KBB says 6.2k retail used exc. cond.) KBB usually takes into account demand. SO what is realistic? 7k should be good yea?
5. understanding of gens, 3rd gen any year is the same body style os 2001 so what year is good to get?

ok, optional, this is stuff that you guys as owners have experienced to help me out in the buying process and such. I would love to finally get off road (I am a hobbiest photographer and would love to get out there) also I only really like the look of 4runners, wranglers and older cherokees.

Also, as someone who is 6'4, body size of someone 250... I can fit into a 1991 3000gt comfortably, will I fit the 4runner?

any other tips for a newbie would be awesome, I will scower the forums also.

 

[UnderFire]

Sounds like you need to read up really good on the packages, there are a lot of differences between them, seats, interior, exterior, flares, etc are all different. You can get an auto in any package.

 

[Shiinchan]

Sounds like you need to read up really good on the packages, there are a lot of differences between them, seats, interior, exterior, flares, etc are all different. You can get an auto in any package.

Alright, sounds good then.

Do you have any reccomendation of good knowlegable places to look so I do not read up specious material?

Well, I just found this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html so I will start there!

Would love to hear opinions while I also read the forum, I still love to hear from owners too

 

[mooch91]

I negotiated a 2002 from a dealer at less than kbb private sale price (which is considerably less than retail). Give it s shot.

 

[archeryhunter1993]

I just recently bought a 99 4Runner, Limited Edition with 67,000 miles, from a dealership in Santa Barbara for around 12K. Before I bought it, I was constantly on Auto Trader, Car Gurus, looking for a decent 4Runner with low miles like the one I bought. You just got to be patient, thats what I learned from buying this 4Runner. Patience is the key and waiting for the right one that will come along!

 

[Brique]

That buyers guide is amazing! You'll read this in there, but the low down in 2001 was this: you had 3 trim options; SR5, Sr5 sport edition, and limited. SR5 is base, limited is luxury, sport ed. adds a few items from the limited and upgrades the brakes. Auto is the only trans available in 2001. 4x4s in that year were electronic and featured a multi mode transfer case that allows you to choose between awd and 4wd.

Vsc/trac is also included in all trims (4x4).

2001 was a very good year.

Whatever you do, don't buy at a tote the note, "buy here, pay here" type lot. Generally the trucks are going to be beat to shit, previously repoed several times, overpriced and the interest rate will be robbery.

 

[kernel.panik]

I would look into financing on your own instead of through a dealer. A dealer will "give" you a good price on a used auto and screw you over on financing to get the money they want. If your credit is good, look into a bank or credit union auto loan, interest rates are pretty low right now. Get pre-approved just like a home loan. This will open up a lot of opportunities for 4Runners that you may not get with a dealer.

As for 3rd gens in the later years, they only come in auto. I think 2000+.
...and avoid Bell Road Toyota...don't ask me how I know, I'll just get mad and rant up a storm.

 

[Shiinchan]

That buyers guide is amazing! You'll read this in there, but the low down in 2001 was this: you had 3 trim options; SR5, Sr5 sport edition, and limited. SR5 is base, limited is luxury, sport ed. adds a few items from the limited and upgrades the brakes. Auto is the only trans available in 2001. 4x4s in that year were electronic and featured a multi mode transfer case that allows you to choose between awd and 4wd.

Vsc/trac is also included in all trims (4x4).

2001 was a very good year.

Whatever you do, don't buy at a tote the note, "buy here, pay here" type lot. Generally the trucks are going to be beat to shit, previously repoed several times, overpriced and the interest rate will be robbery.

Awesome, ya no... I am snobby with things, I hate 3rd party stuff and so mainstay dealers is the way to go. Thanks man, 2001 is my target, any other good years as cars in Phoenix are kinda harder to find that else where.

I would look into financing on your own instead of through a dealer. A dealer will "give" you a good price on a used auto and screw you over on financing to get the money they want. If your credit is good, look into a bank or credit union auto loan, interest rates are pretty low right now. Get pre-approved just like a home loan. This will open up a lot of opportunities for 4Runners that you may not get with a dealer.

As for 3rd gens in the later years, they only come in auto. I think 2000+.
...and avoid Bell Road Toyota...don't ask me how I know, I'll just get mad and rant up a storm.

Oh trust me, I know. I was waiting for a call back from Autonation and the "expert" basically downtalked me, made fun of me in his way thinking he was being slick and basically treated me like shit.

Anyways, financing. I HAVE to go through a dealer and THIS is going to be hard enough to get as it is, 3 years unemployment had this job since October of last year. I drive a cab, we do not get hourly pay, the company does not pay us we actually pay the company, So I did talk to a bank, the one I was with for 10 years and they wont since I am self employed they need 2 yearly tax information, so 2 1099-k's and that only shows my credit card payments, so I am kinda blah and screwed either way.

I would love to go to a bank, with my credit score I could get less than 10% interest at my bank.