Hello 4Runner enthusiasts! I am in the process of acquiring a 4Runner and thought I'd go ahead and introduce myself. Last weekend I finally retired my good friend and companion, a 1999 Saab 9-3, after its fuel pump broke. I had it repaired so that I can have a second vehicle if needed, but I'm now ready to get the 4x4 I've always wanted.
I've had my eye on 4Runners for about five years for all the obvious reasons (sturdiness, off-road capability, safety, reliability, awesomeness). I must admit that I first became interested in 4Runners after seeing just about every third-world militia group driving around Tacomas, Hiluxes and 4Runners across remote, barren areas. I figure they probably don't have a Jiffy Lube nearby and probably don't need one very often.
I'm planning on getting a 2012 or 2013 certified pre-owned. I've got three local dealers looking for me and I told them that they're all competing for my business, so make a good offer. 4Runners (and large 4x4s generally) are far from the most popular vehicles in my area, so it may take a couple weeks to find one, which also doesn't put me in the greatest bargaining position. I test drove a 2011 Limited yesterday and loved it.
What are some things to look for when I get a call that one is available? Any likely tricks/fees/BS I'll need to put up with? I'm planning to put $5k down. This is my first time buying a car (my father helped me with the Saab).
So far I've asked them to locate:
2012 or 2013 Limited
~50k miles
Black or Gray color
It seems like a fair asking price will be somewhere around 30k or a little more.
I live in a dense suburban area but my hobby and passion is hunting, hiking, fishing and generally anything else in the outdoors. I love driving the unimproved roads of the National Forests in Virginia and West Virginia, and taking camping road trips with my wife. For the past few years I've borrowed my brother's Subaru Forester to access the back roads when necessary, or just not been able to go as deep into the woods as I'd like. I can't wait to explore the world that the 4Runner will open up for me!
Cheers
I've had my eye on 4Runners for about five years for all the obvious reasons (sturdiness, off-road capability, safety, reliability, awesomeness). I must admit that I first became interested in 4Runners after seeing just about every third-world militia group driving around Tacomas, Hiluxes and 4Runners across remote, barren areas. I figure they probably don't have a Jiffy Lube nearby and probably don't need one very often.
I'm planning on getting a 2012 or 2013 certified pre-owned. I've got three local dealers looking for me and I told them that they're all competing for my business, so make a good offer. 4Runners (and large 4x4s generally) are far from the most popular vehicles in my area, so it may take a couple weeks to find one, which also doesn't put me in the greatest bargaining position. I test drove a 2011 Limited yesterday and loved it.
What are some things to look for when I get a call that one is available? Any likely tricks/fees/BS I'll need to put up with? I'm planning to put $5k down. This is my first time buying a car (my father helped me with the Saab).
So far I've asked them to locate:
2012 or 2013 Limited
~50k miles
Black or Gray color
It seems like a fair asking price will be somewhere around 30k or a little more.
I live in a dense suburban area but my hobby and passion is hunting, hiking, fishing and generally anything else in the outdoors. I love driving the unimproved roads of the National Forests in Virginia and West Virginia, and taking camping road trips with my wife. For the past few years I've borrowed my brother's Subaru Forester to access the back roads when necessary, or just not been able to go as deep into the woods as I'd like. I can't wait to explore the world that the 4Runner will open up for me!
Cheers
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