Need advice on used 4runners

[T4R_Finally]

My daughter is starting her senior year in high school so we are already researching colleges. She is very interested in one that is in the mountains. She currently drives a Mazda RX-8 but we have it up for sale. We bought our first 4runner a few months ago and we all still love it. So, we are thinking of a used one for my daughter. But, wow, I can't seem to find any in my price range with less than 6 digits on the odometer. And I'm seeing many with over 150k still asking 5 figures for them. I'm glad to know they hold their value and that they will go a lot of miles.

But, if I'm looking for something that will be reliable for the next few years, where do I set my limits? What years should I stay away from? How many miles is too many to start off with? I know I don't want to feed a V8, so that's already crossed off my list. So far, it looks like I can just forget about anything newer than 05 and not many of those. I'm trying to stay under 13k.

I had a chance to buy my nephew's immaculate SR5 4x4 for $5k just before we bought our 2011, but it had right at 200k on the odometer and I was busy trying to make a deal on our new one. Someone else scooped it up. Now I'm wondering if I missed out on a bargain compared to what I'm seeing out there for sale.

 

[RHP4R]

my 99 4runner sr5 just crossed 260,000 miles while cruisin at 70 right on down the highway. ive seen these things last 400,000 miles when taken care of properly.

i bought mine a while ago for 4k and i absolutely love it! as far as miles go, its kind of up to you. i was a little sketchy about getting a t4r with 200k plus miles, but after test driving it and seeing how nice and tight the suspension and steering column was, i was sold.

you should be able to find a nice 4runner for under 10k with less than 150k miles on craigslist or similar sites.

GOODLUCK!!

 

[Dylan]

Not to hate on early 4Runners like mine, but I would look for a 3rd gen, 1996 or later for your daughter. You should be able to find some on craigslist, whether local or reasonably nearby, with the mileage you're looking for.

 

[CraigRoberts]

If you check Consumers Reports the ratings for used 4Runners are virtually flawless. I think used with high odometer readings are still pricey for a reason (and why a lot of people avoid used Japanese cars and make the mistake of buying a cheap used American-made).

 

[ogden8]

Rating of top ten used cars and trucks
with importance to customer reports.
a Toyota 4Runner and then decide to go for a used Nissan pathfinder you have to know.
Selling advice - where to shop for a used car, where to get a buyer.....

??

You mentioned the Pathfinder, if I couldn't find the 4runner I was looking for I was going to look into these. I am not sure if they are as reliable, but I know the Sentry was a VERY reliable vehicle.

 

[T4R_Finally]

I'm not looking for a Pathfinder or anything American made that is used. I'm not anti-American. I drive a Dodge truck, have had it 7 years and have no intention of getting rid of it anytime soon. I really don't want anything too old, either. I've been seeing some 03 - 05 4runners in my price range but they all have 100k or more on them. I guess it just doesn't sit right in my head, given past experiences, to think that I'd have to pay 11 to 13k for something that is already past the 100k mark. Maybe with the 4runner, I need to adjust my thinking. If I can buy something at 100k+ and know I should get to 200k+ without a lot of expensive work being done along the way, I don't mind it.

 

[photograjockey]

I'm currently looking for my first 4runner for myself, and I have the same worry about the high mileage as you have had too. Talking with many people on here and seeing the reliability of them makes me understand why they cost so much over 150k.

Many people have taught me it's more about making sure the person or place you buy it from can verify the maintenance that has been done. With that being said, I think you are always taking any kind of a chance with any used car. You can get something with 100k and put a transmission it in, and get something with 160k on it that will run another 100k with almost no issues. It's usually just a roll of the dice :/

 

[Geolander]

I'm not looking for a Pathfinder or anything American made that is used. I'm not anti-American. I drive a Dodge truck, have had it 7 years and have no intention of getting rid of it anytime soon. I really don't want anything too old, either. I've been seeing some 03 - 05 4runners in my price range but they all have 100k or more on them. I guess it just doesn't sit right in my head, given past experiences, to think that I'd have to pay 11 to 13k for something that is already past the 100k mark. Maybe with the 4runner, I need to adjust my thinking. If I can buy something at 100k+ and know I should get to 200k+ without a lot of expensive work being done along the way, I don't mind it.

Unless you buy from a dealer, you shouldn't have to pay over 10k for a 3rd gen with 150k miles. A 4th gen, maybe, but the 3rds go for about 4-8k private party.

Oh, and Pathfinders are Nissan - not quite as reliable as a 4runner, but still a good vehicle.

 

[JohnsD90]

Still wondering why she needs an SUV? Im sure you would feel better if she wasnt on the roads at all in hazardous conditions, the Rx-8 is a fine car man, slap some snow's on it and some bags of sand or pellets in the back and it has traction. But yes to answer your question with looking at your price range of $5-8k estimated you will probably be looking at 96-00 4runners, but might i suggest you get her a 5 speed manual, if you want her safe, nothing is safer than being fully in control of the vehicle, plus some people have trouble texting and driving in a manual, so i suppose its less of a distraction. But IMO, it seems she has a car, and i bet more than half the kids at the school in which you are refering to have cars, as we get some wicked storms here and last winter i survived driving a tdi jetta with bald summer tires, i just didnt go out in bad storms.