New Member Looking for T4R!

[Kanger328]

Hello everyone, new to the forum here. I just sold my '08 Nissan Titan 4x4 w/ Procomp 6" lift. Trying to conserve $$$ because I'm going back to school and won't have an income for about 7 years. I've been debating between very fuel efficient cars to compact trucks/SUVs. Leaning toward SUV because I love off roading.

Found this 4Runner online. Priced below kbb (wondering if there's a catch). What you all think? Anything I should worry about besides the "pink milkshake" I've read about on here? Only concern is that this one has almost 150k miles on it. That and the Carfax says it was bought at an auction before going to this dealership. I'm hoping for a reliable car that will get me through the next 7 years. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

1999 Toyota 4Runner Limited, $7,750 - Cars.com

 

[96743runner]

It seems like a nice runner. Based on what 4Runners go for in my area, I'd try to talk them down to $7k since it does have 150k miles. Aside from the milkshake, the first thing I'd look for is undercarriage rust. Also, check the maintenance records to make sure that the fluids have been changed at the recommended mileage, timing belt should have been done at 90k miles and check that the rear axle seals are not leaking as they seem to like to leak after 100k miles.

 

[Kanger328]

Thanks. The Carfax report shows a period of about 50k miles before first servicing record, then intermittent servicing between 6-10k miles. I'm guessing that's not complete history. Dealer says 1 owner, no accidents. I'm hoping to get a vehicle that will last me about 80,000 more miles. If I got this, it would put it at 150k + 80k = 230,000 miles. Too much of a stretch? (of course depending on how it was maintained, etc.)

 

[Bamf_CT2004]

Since you are new to off roading and not going to have any income for the next 7 years, I say just get a civic or something and find a way less exspensive 4runner. That way you have a beater/gas saver to drive around 95% of the time and then when you break something on the 4runner off road, you dont have to worry about not having a DD and having spending money to fix it since you dont have any income. You could easily find an SR5 with 150 to 175k for about 5-6k and could probably find a good civic for 2-3k. Its alot more fun to wheel with a $5000 truck than an $8000.

 

[Nunyabiz]

In your particular situation Bamf makes a good point worth considering.

I also would not put too much faith in what Carfax says about any vehicle, Carfax is notoriously wrong and gives bad info.
Some cars it does pretty good, others the car could have been virtually totaled and nothing shows up on Carfax, others the car could have absolutely nothing wrong with it and Carfax claims it was in a wreck when it wasn't.

If you can get the Carfax for free, fine, use it just to get a slight idea but don't ever go solely on what Carfax says, find a good mechanic you trust and have him go over it thoroughly.

 

[Kanger328]

Dangit Bamf. Way to be the steady head, ha. Yeah, it actually makes much more sense for me to just get an efficient DD and call it quits. It's just the off road side of me that's making me throw all sense out the window. I also have a motorcycle I use mostly for daily commutes. Off road-wise, I've done quite a bit of wheelin in my Titan.

Where can I find a T4R for around that price? I've been looking on Autotrader, Cars.com, Carmax, CL for awhile now and the one I linked above is the best price I've found. Most of the more decent priced ones are 2wd. 4wd not too common here in Cali. You think the Limited will have more issues than Sr5 since it has more electrical stuff (i.e. auto AC, etc.)?

Here's a link to some off road vids of my Titan. I still kept most of my recovery gear (i.e. CO2 tank, Hi Lift, snatch straps, etc):
‪Cleghorn Off Road Trail Run‬‏ - YouTube

Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

[Bamf_CT2004]

Dangit Bamf. Way to be the steady head, ha. Yeah, it actually makes much more sense for me to just get an efficient DD and call it quits. It's just the off road side of me that's making me throw all sense out the window. I also have a motorcycle I use mostly for daily commutes. Off road-wise, I've done quite a bit of wheelin in my Titan.

Where can I find a T4R for around that price? I've been looking on Autotrader, Cars.com, Carmax, CL for awhile now and the one I linked above is the best price I've found. Most of the more decent priced ones are 2wd. 4wd not too common here in Cali. You think the Limited will have more issues than Sr5 since it has more electrical stuff (i.e. auto AC, etc.)?

Here's a link to some off road vids of my Titan. I still kept most of my recovery gear (i.e. CO2 tank, Hi Lift, snatch straps, etc):
‪Cleghorn Off Road Trail Run‬‏ - YouTube

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Ah. My bad. Not use to hearing about people wheeling a titan with a 6in lift off-road. I see them at the mall alot though. Here in the midwest your titan wouldnt last 100ft on the trail

Welcome to the wheeling of the midwest.
‪2nd ATJ @ The Cliffs‬‏ - YouTube

Mud really sucks. Be glad you dont have it. There are easier trails but for a fullsize here in the midwest, it is garranteed that you will come out with damage of some sort.

In the midwest this isnt such a bad deal.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/nch/cto/2497304903.html

 

[Kanger328]

Ha, yeah. Most full size trucks don't hit any kind of dirt. I was one of the few. That particular trail was pretty difficult because of the many tight squeeze spots. Mainly Jeep drivers there. And about the parts breaking, yep, I broke my CV axle on that one. Ha!

 

[MAD 69]

A co-worker of mine is selling her 2002 Thunder Cloud Metallic 4R that is loaded, 126K miles, I forget if it's a Sport or Lmtd. but the asking price is $8300 - sure she would take a lot less though. I doubt this truck has ever even been in 4 wheel drive and the roughest trails it sees are the mean streets of Atlantic city. I would jump on this deal but I just got my Runner in February and am more than happy with it.

If anyone is interested I can check it out or you can probably check the ads for it online, select Atlantic city and do a radius search of 75 miles and it should come up...

 

[awdjunkies]

Kanger, it just goes to show area/demographics has a lot do with prices. Here in NV., that's a good price for that '99 especially since it has an E-Locker.