New buyer advice? Looking at two today

[19994Runner5spd]

Heading to go look at two 4th gen 4runners today. an 06 110k miles and an 08 with 88k. Both with the 4.0's and 4x4. I know the earlier V6's (02-04) had headgasket problems but I think the later ones were not affected.

Any one have anything specific to look out for when checking these over? Obviously rust, check fluids, check for leaks etc Thanks ahead of time

 

[AZ06SR5]

4th generation started in 03 model year. The head gasket was supposedly fixed, or at least improved, around November 2005 or during 06 production. You can check the production date of the 06 - but the issue may not justify eliminating an otherwise nice car.

 

[KBToys]

I hope you are still going to keep your extremely rare 5speed 4runner

 

[Brian3676]

Go for the one that the transfer case actuator works in and the least rust.

 

[Joseph_Conrad]

The norm; check out the 4wd modes, rust (check under body, sun roof frame, rear window frame), cv boots, how does it feel driving and stopping...

 

[19994Runner5spd]

Go for the one that the transfer case actuator works in and the least rust.

I'm assuming this is an issue with them? I'll be sure to check that out on the next one.

I hope you are still going to keep your extremely rare 5speed 4runner

Of course, I love my 99'. I'm looking for a 4th gen for my wife.

The norm; check out the 4wd modes, rust (check under body, sun roof frame, rear window frame), cv boots, how does it feel driving and stopping...

Thanks, those were on my list.

4th generation started in 03 model year. The head gasket was supposedly fixed, or at least improved, around November 2005 or during 06 production. You can check the production date of the 06 - but the issue may not justify eliminating an otherwise nice car.

Great to know about the head gasket. I was worried about that in earlier years and have passed on several because of this.


For anyone interested in the NC area I would advise staying away from

http://www.kosmicdealmakers.com/mobile/index.aspx

We drove 2.5 hours today to look at the 06 and 08 4runners they have on their lot. We should have known before we went that everything wasn't as good as it seemed after it took several phone calls and messages left to get in touch. I think this is a husband and wife dealership and I get the idea they don't do this full time. If so eh, they need to find new jobs. They were very friendly but their inventory was junk.

On to the 4runners. Both car faxes were clean and they looked like solid low mile NC rust free cars. Upon arrival we first saw the 06. The dealership haven't even bothered washing the car or even a 5 minute vacuum job on the inside. Two of the three switch blanks were missing on the center console. The front bumper had fairly major scratches/dents/dings on the passenger side. The leather was very worn on the drivers seat, the drivers side head rest leather was halfway falling off, the rear drivers side had major black stains on the tan leather, back bumper had paint peeling off of it.

Onto the 08 gold limited....it had major scratches and scrapes down to bar3 metal on pass front and rear doors and through back quarter panel to tail gate. Both Drovers and passengers side mirrors had significant scratches and paint loss. We didn't even get as far as driving them as they were just beat up. I wouldn't have paid 2/3 of what they were asking.

Again, nice people just junk inventory. What kind of dealer doesn't spend an hour or two cleaning up the car they are trying to sell? Very disappointed but the search continues.

 

[gshadow325]

I'm assuming this is an issue with them? I'll be sure to check that out on the next one.




Of course, I love my 99'. I'm looking for a 4th gen for my wife.





Thanks, those were on my list.





Great to know about the head gasket. I was worried about that in earlier years and have passed on several because of this.


For anyone interested in the NC area I would advise staying away from

Used car dealer in Charlotte Raleigh Columbia, NC | Kosmic Dealmakers LLC

We drove 2.5 hours today to look at the 06 and 08 4runners they have on their lot. We should have known before we went that everything wasn't as good as it seemed after it took several phone calls and messages left to get in touch. I think this is a husband and wife dealership and I get the idea they don't do this full time. If so eh, they need to find new jobs. They were very friendly but their inventory was junk.

On to the 4runners. Both car faxes were clean and they looked like solid low mile NC rust free cars. Upon arrival we first saw the 06. The dealership haven't even bothered washing the car or even a 5 minute vacuum job on the inside. Two of the three switch blanks were missing on the center console. The front bumper had fairly major scratches/dents/dings on the passenger side. The leather was very worn on the drivers seat, the drivers side head rest leather was halfway falling off, the rear drivers side had major black stains on the tan leather, back bumper had paint peeling off of it.

Onto the 08 gold limited....it had major scratches and scrapes down to bar3 metal on pass front and rear doors and through back quarter panel to tail gate. Both Drovers and passengers side mirrors had significant scratches and paint loss. We didn't even get as far as driving them as they were just beat up. I wouldn't have paid 2/3 of what they were asking.

Again, nice people just junk inventory. What kind of dealer doesn't spend an hour or two cleaning up the car they are trying to sell? Very disappointed but the search continues.

and you didnt buy either one?

did you even drive them?

you know you are looking for sought after vehicles right?

you know all the stuff you mentioned is just sweat equity and a good detail away right?

i dont like gold so i would have bidded on the other one. i would have at least check it out mechanically. then cut off $2000 to 2500 off the asking price if not more. I bought my 03 with 163k asking $8900 for $5850. why/how? low balled him and threw info at him that he knew yet fail to dislose that were on the carfax and dealer records. failed driveshaft and ac problems. dealer recommended replacement of both for $3500 estimate. both fixed at $0.00 because of T4R, lube driveshaft and relay in foglight spot for ac compressor !!

 

[19994Runner5spd]

and you didnt buy either one?



did you even drive them?



you know you are looking for sought after vehicles right?



you know all the stuff you mentioned is just sweat equity and a good detail away right?



i dont like gold so i would have bidded on the other one. i would have at least check it out mechanically. then cut off $2000 to 2500 off the asking price if not more. I bought my 03 with 163k asking $8900 for $5850. why/how? low balled him and threw info at him that he knew yet fail to dislose that were on the carfax and dealer records. failed driveshaft and ac problems. dealer recommended replacement of both for $3500 estimate. both fixed at $0.00 because of T4R, lube driveshaft and relay in foglight spot for ac compressor !!

Of course I know that these are sought after. They were not "sweat equity" in the condition they were in. A good detail and cleaning would have not made them in the condition I or most people would consider even good. Scratches down to bare metal is not something a little wax and rubbing compound will fix.

Maintenance and a detail can be performed but I'm not interested in something that had dents, scratches on every corner.

No it's not a new car but if you take care of a vehicle it wouldn't look like garbage in a few years.

 

[Gdmeadors]

Oh, by the way, the color people call "gold" is actually "Driftwood Pearl"! [emoji4] That is what I have. It was not my first choice in color but I needed a replacement vehicle after my 1997 4Runner was totaled. I purchased my 2006 Limited V8 two years ago and love it. And, the color kind of grows on you. Plus, it does not show the dirt as much as other colors.

 

[gshadow325]

Of course I know that these are sought after. They were not "sweat equity" in the condition they were in. A good detail and cleaning would have not made them in the condition I or most people would consider even good. Scratches down to bare metal is not something a little wax and rubbing compound will fix.

Maintenance and a detail can be performed but I'm not interested in something that had dents, scratches on every corner.

No it's not a new car but if you take care of a vehicle it wouldn't look like garbage in a few years.

I'd low ball the he'll out of them, better to try and see what happens. Anyone can polish a apple. Good luck in finding one. My buddy ended up paying 19500 for a 08 v8 with 109k with dealer serviced timing belt and water pump, bought the extended warranty for $1400 and had the axles, and hubs replaced by the dealer with new dealer parts. They replacing the drive shaft because of the clunk. This was bought at a Toyota dealership. You might want to look into that if that option is available to you.

We know the dealership so it was advised off the record to buy the extended warranty and have stuff warrantied after the purchase hehehe

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Heading to go look at two 4th gen 4runners today. an 06 110k miles and an 08 with 88k. Both with the 4.0's and 4x4. I know the earlier V6's (02-04) had headgasket problems but I think the later ones were not affected.

Any one have anything specific to look out for when checking these over? Obviously rust, check fluids, check for leaks etc Thanks ahead of time

I don't see too many V6 03 with head gasket issues. I do see a lot of the V6 2004, 05 and a few 06, and one 07, based on the this thread. Just make sure you check for any head gasket issues on them. It would be best to start the truck when the engine is cold (check for rough idle) and see if the battery was recently disconnected (disconnected battery resets the CEL and VSC lights). Car Fax would also help, check for rust in the sun roof and under the truck. Good luck and good hunting.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/188699-***-v6-head-gasket-action-request-***.html

 

[RoadDogT4R]

I know I have mentioned it before on other threads but check to see if the vehicle is equipped with the original brake calipers, and then make sure they are not seized. You can check by improper pad wear. It's not too expensive to replace them but it's something to keep in mind.