New to forum, but not 4runners. I've owned a 3rd and 4th gen years ago. No longer have our work vehicle and since then have been in the market for a 4runner the past few months and boy do I have a story on a run of bad luck…
First, I was looking for a 3rd Gen 4runner 4x4 Limited and a 10K budget for one. Needles to say, finding a clean one with no rust and low miles is quite the feat. But after some time, came across what I thought was the one.
Car #1: Buyback #1
2001 Limited black with 126K miles. Bought it from a Toyota dealer in IL nonetheless and was assured there were no issues and the photos sent to me of underneath showed surface rust, but not bad. However, we get it delivered a few days later and viola, major rust, MAJOR. there was a hole in the frame even. It looked as if it had been sitting in water. Which sucked, because the other than that the car was so clean. Luckily the dealer did a buyback that included our shipping costs with no problems and said their service dept. "must of missed it" hard to believe that but hey, I wasn't left with it in my driveway or out money.
After more time and either coming up on potential ones and them being sold they day they were posted, man they go FAST, and needing the car more and more I opened the search to 4th Gens. I initially just really wanted a 3rd GEN for the body style but there wasn't much option and again, they either had tons of rust or sold before I could even call on them. Upped our budget to 18K.
Car #2: Washed Salvage Title #1
Found a 2006 toyota 4runner limited 4x4 3 hours away from us. Tons of maintenance history, photos, etc and clean title, or so we thought. Took the day off, drove down and had been waiting on car fax history but given the service records and pic of title I wasn't too concerned. Had money in hand, 5 minutes from meeting up and car fax finally showed up - boom Total Loss. awesome. Car was in AR which is a notorious state for salvage vehicles getting registered in other states and repaired with clean titles even though they aren't. turned around and empty handed once again.
Now I'm frustrated. I'm spanning my search up to 800 miles out from us for either a limited or sport edition 3rd GEN or 4th GEN with lower miles and they just aren't there. Guess it's cause we want a limited or sport edition. There are ton of SR5s, but it wasn't what we wanted. Upped budge again to 25K.
Car #3: Buyback #2
I have alerts set up and finally another 2004 4runner limited with 120K pops up. I call immediately, the dealership assures this is solid and only needed to repair the ABS actuator part and was not an "auction" car. They send us the inspection report and photos along with a 3 month warranty and we are on our way to finally having a a T4R… or not..
It gets here and I immediately notice how difficult it is to push the brake pedal in. I peer underneath and yet again rust ridden, but not my biggest concern. I have a toyota tech friend and all of a sudden I'm staring at 5K of parts that need to be replaced, not including labor. Yes I know dealership are high, but the parts at cost through my friend were sitting at 5K. Ultimately, we sent that inspection report with over 40 photos to this dealership that once again stated their inspection must have "overlooked" all the leaks and brake issues with the car. Unbelievable. Buyback round two initiate.
Well, we tried private party, we tried dealership, I'm done with it. I can't believe this entire last few months of roller coasters. So, we start looking at 5th GENs, well the thing about that is they hold their value so well it's pointless buying used when you can get a new one at invoice or below even. So we found a 2015 Magnetic Gray Trail Premium that we will be picking up this week. If it wasn't for my love of Toyota and 4runners, I'd be leaving this truck in the dust with these experiences.
Car #4: Washed Salvage Title #2
Oh, and one last kicker. Today, I saw a 98 Anthracite 4x4 Limited pop up with 104K miles on it locally. Too good to be true? Yes. Went to see it today and it was so clean. I was actually excited and thinking this could be our lucky break. Not even surface rust, no leaks, no buildup anywhere even. Timing belt was done at 80K, it drove great until we get on the highway. over 60 MPH it starts to shake and I think no big deal it's probably the alignment. I will just have my toyo tech buddy come check it out in person tomorrow before I buy it. Set that up, I'm pumped figuring out how I am going to let my salesman down about the new one. One last chat with the owner, I asked where he got it and he says Arkansas. I immediately think, "I bet this is a total loss and title was washed". I leave with a sinking feeling hoping the car fax will tell me all is well. Fingers crossed guys, this is an anthracite! I can't wait to show it off to all my supra friends. Please, let it be. No… salvage title in AR, washed the title clean in the transfer to Missouri. I have never been more sure about getting my own T4R that no one has touched but me.
Here are some pics of how clean it is
So that is how it came to be that we decided to buy a new 15" Trail Premium.
For the Toyota fans, I also have a 98 Supra Turbo w/ 70K miles undergoing a full build at the moment. Can't wait to introduce them.
First, I was looking for a 3rd Gen 4runner 4x4 Limited and a 10K budget for one. Needles to say, finding a clean one with no rust and low miles is quite the feat. But after some time, came across what I thought was the one.
Car #1: Buyback #1
2001 Limited black with 126K miles. Bought it from a Toyota dealer in IL nonetheless and was assured there were no issues and the photos sent to me of underneath showed surface rust, but not bad. However, we get it delivered a few days later and viola, major rust, MAJOR. there was a hole in the frame even. It looked as if it had been sitting in water. Which sucked, because the other than that the car was so clean. Luckily the dealer did a buyback that included our shipping costs with no problems and said their service dept. "must of missed it" hard to believe that but hey, I wasn't left with it in my driveway or out money.
After more time and either coming up on potential ones and them being sold they day they were posted, man they go FAST, and needing the car more and more I opened the search to 4th Gens. I initially just really wanted a 3rd GEN for the body style but there wasn't much option and again, they either had tons of rust or sold before I could even call on them. Upped our budget to 18K.
Car #2: Washed Salvage Title #1
Found a 2006 toyota 4runner limited 4x4 3 hours away from us. Tons of maintenance history, photos, etc and clean title, or so we thought. Took the day off, drove down and had been waiting on car fax history but given the service records and pic of title I wasn't too concerned. Had money in hand, 5 minutes from meeting up and car fax finally showed up - boom Total Loss. awesome. Car was in AR which is a notorious state for salvage vehicles getting registered in other states and repaired with clean titles even though they aren't. turned around and empty handed once again.
Now I'm frustrated. I'm spanning my search up to 800 miles out from us for either a limited or sport edition 3rd GEN or 4th GEN with lower miles and they just aren't there. Guess it's cause we want a limited or sport edition. There are ton of SR5s, but it wasn't what we wanted. Upped budge again to 25K.
Car #3: Buyback #2
I have alerts set up and finally another 2004 4runner limited with 120K pops up. I call immediately, the dealership assures this is solid and only needed to repair the ABS actuator part and was not an "auction" car. They send us the inspection report and photos along with a 3 month warranty and we are on our way to finally having a a T4R… or not..
It gets here and I immediately notice how difficult it is to push the brake pedal in. I peer underneath and yet again rust ridden, but not my biggest concern. I have a toyota tech friend and all of a sudden I'm staring at 5K of parts that need to be replaced, not including labor. Yes I know dealership are high, but the parts at cost through my friend were sitting at 5K. Ultimately, we sent that inspection report with over 40 photos to this dealership that once again stated their inspection must have "overlooked" all the leaks and brake issues with the car. Unbelievable. Buyback round two initiate.
Well, we tried private party, we tried dealership, I'm done with it. I can't believe this entire last few months of roller coasters. So, we start looking at 5th GENs, well the thing about that is they hold their value so well it's pointless buying used when you can get a new one at invoice or below even. So we found a 2015 Magnetic Gray Trail Premium that we will be picking up this week. If it wasn't for my love of Toyota and 4runners, I'd be leaving this truck in the dust with these experiences.
Car #4: Washed Salvage Title #2
Oh, and one last kicker. Today, I saw a 98 Anthracite 4x4 Limited pop up with 104K miles on it locally. Too good to be true? Yes. Went to see it today and it was so clean. I was actually excited and thinking this could be our lucky break. Not even surface rust, no leaks, no buildup anywhere even. Timing belt was done at 80K, it drove great until we get on the highway. over 60 MPH it starts to shake and I think no big deal it's probably the alignment. I will just have my toyo tech buddy come check it out in person tomorrow before I buy it. Set that up, I'm pumped figuring out how I am going to let my salesman down about the new one. One last chat with the owner, I asked where he got it and he says Arkansas. I immediately think, "I bet this is a total loss and title was washed". I leave with a sinking feeling hoping the car fax will tell me all is well. Fingers crossed guys, this is an anthracite! I can't wait to show it off to all my supra friends. Please, let it be. No… salvage title in AR, washed the title clean in the transfer to Missouri. I have never been more sure about getting my own T4R that no one has touched but me.
Here are some pics of how clean it is
So that is how it came to be that we decided to buy a new 15" Trail Premium.
For the Toyota fans, I also have a 98 Supra Turbo w/ 70K miles undergoing a full build at the moment. Can't wait to introduce them.
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