need maintenance suggestions - just bought 03 4runner

If any of you guys are still following this thread, I took your advice and a vehicle I might buy checked out on Toyota service site by VIN....feel free to run it as well there if you can, JTEBT17R840031489

According to this how I am reading it, he only changed the oil like at freaking 20k mile intervals?!?!?! He said all the servce was done at dealer, is there regular services they do as part of a plan if he bought it there that might not be recorded on that website for oil changes? I know Toyotas are awesome, but if he only changed the oil 5 times in 66k miles holy smokes...

Are you talking about that one you showed me?
 
So of course I took it to the dealer and it wasnt just the timing belt and waterpump..

timing belt
water pump
oil change
rear, front and transfer fluid change
spark plugs
front brakes

the damage will be $1100

I also recently got an 03 with 100k on the clock original owner stuck to just oil changes and air filters so I am doing everything you were planning on just for peace of mind except the brakes because my dealer replaced both calipers and pads and rotors the day before I bought it. And yeah you did good for what you paid I paid more for mine but it is super clean. Used 4th gens go for and arm and a leg where I live
 
No its a different one just showed up on Craigslist....a doctor from Colorado, and he said he was anal, but I called the dealer and they didnt have records but I imagine its true if the light came on they would be taking it in for sure....so ill keep it on the list...heading out right now to check out a certified 06 Limited V8 4x4 with 75k miles, listed at $23k but got them via phone to commit to $20k, gonna see it in person and offer $18k...I might be dreaming but thats kinda my limit....it would have a one year bumper to bumper full warranty, plus drivetrain to 100k, and 2.9% financing on Toyota Certified right now.....

Otherwise there are a handful of limited V8 4x4s private owner in the 65k mile range for $18-19k.....so Im thinking if the dealer comes down to even $19k its a good deal to have warranty, but going to see how my gut feels and what monthly payment works out to be....

As well, as Ive learned over many years of truck and Jeep shopping, and most recently 4Runners, I can show up and find out through clues its been crapped on the inside or wheeled by someone, and if so no dice for me...I want a soccer moms SUV or grandpa....they sent me carfax, it had tons of oil changes (every 3-5k), plus fuel injection services, brakes, etc...and if its Certified Toyota I think he said they do put new brake pads, tires, and shocks or something....
 
I have been turning wrenches on cars since the 70's but I read something here that I dont know what it is.

What is Seafoam treatment?

I also recently purchased an 03 lE, high milage but well cared for, for the most part. The owner did not know the car had a cabin air filter so that was Toyota 2003 original.
I am going through and changing all fluids that I know have not been changed in the last 10k miles. Changing to synthetic where possible.
There is a cost to doing all of this but my vehicles have never left me stranded so to me the cost is worth it.
 
I just bought an 03 Limited V8 with 96K for $10.5K. A Dr was selling it and said she would rather come down $2k than keep talking to people about it so she took my offer. She was going to replace the battery and that was all that was wrong with it. I said $10.5 as is and she said $10.8 and I said I'll think about it. She said but you'll take it for $10.5 and I said yes. She said sold.

I got the Service records from the dealer yesterday and it's had everything done by the dealer since new. Timing belt was just done a few months ago. Has practically brand new Michelin tires too.

I will start doing most of my own routine maintenance now. Especially oil changes. Not sure if it's had the plugs changed, so I might do that too.
 

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