New member looking to buy 1st 4runner

[814runner]

Driving 4 Hours to look at a 2000 Limited with 108k on it Friday and just wondering if anyone has any tips for me. I've read the buyers guide and done a lot of research i'm just trying to be as prepared as humanly possible to determine if this is a good purchase or not.

mainly what i'm looking for is some clear things to do on the road test that would indicate typical 4runner problems. I will obviously be checking the 4wd and all the electronics but maybe if anyone has some go do moves on the test drive that could weed out some problems that would be handy.

I currently drive an 08 ford escape with 142k on it. I'm looking for something more reliable and capable off road.

It will be daily driven and also i plan on doing some modifications to it for mild off roading and overland camping.

It does have the E-locker and has had the wp/tb done at 90k. as far as pink milkshake i have no idea and i'm also not sure the level of rust if any underneath.

I won't flood with all the pictures but it looks to be in great shape. no tears in the leather and very clean with as far as i can tell all the options available.


any help or tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NoLight]

Welcome!!

 

[Nervo19]

At 108k miles I would expect it to be owned by an elderly person who never drives. But there are aftermarket wheels on it. I would be very skeptical about the mileage. Spend the money and get a CarFax to see if the report is consistent with the claimed mileage. You can also check the Toyota owner website to see what factory maintenance was done. It will show the mileage as well. If the seller won't provide the Vin#, walk away. Odometers are easy to change in these trucks.

I have two 2000 Toyota vehicles that are in excellent shape and have high mileage. I'd just hate to see you pay a premium price for lower mileage to find out later it is a scam.

 

[814runner]

At 108k miles I would expect it to be owned by an elderly person who never drives. But there are aftermarket wheels on it. I would be very skeptical about the mileage. Spend the money and get a CarFax to see if the report is consistent with the claimed mileage. You can also check the Toyota owner website to see what factory maintenance was done. It will show the mileage as well. If the seller won't provide the Vin#, walk away. Odometers are easy to change in these trucks.

I have two 2000 Toyota vehicles that are in excellent shape and have high mileage. I'd just hate to see you pay a premium price for lower mileage to find out later it is a scam.

here is the carfax

Doesn't look like it was messed with to me. but i may be niave. let me know what you think. heading out in a couple hours to go look at it actually.. starting to think it might be to good to be true? View attachment CARFAX Vehicle History Report for this 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LTD_ JT3HN87R6Y9036536 (1).pdf

 

[814runner]

Well here she is

Looks like i'll be starting a build thread tomorrow

 

[Nervo19]

The mileage is low because the first owner only drove 8k miles per year for ten years so that's a good explanation. Why did the last owner only keep it for six months? The timing belt service doesn't show on the Carfax. If it was done you should have a sticker under the hood saying what mileage it was done. Consider doing it soon. It looks really good. Congrats.

 

[814runner]

The mileage is low because the first owner only drove 8k miles per year for ten years so that's a good explanation. Why did the last owner only keep it for six months? The timing belt service doesn't show on the Carfax. If it was done you should have a sticker under the hood saying what mileage it was done. Consider doing it soon. It looks really good. Congrats.

Dealer said he needed to get a truck and he really didn't want to part with it.. probably some truth to that i could imagine.

and sticker under the hood says it was done at 90K

also Radiator looks to be new. no signs of pink milkshake but also no trans cooler. so thats in the amazon cart just waiting to see if need anything else to make an order first.

I tried doing some research but having trouble searching if there are any other brands worth looking into. seems as though everyone says to get the B&M cooler and its 40 bucs.. well its now 75 bucs but Napa has one that looks identical for 50. just wondering if thats something i can save a few bucs on or if everyone here has one of those for a reason because well they are the best.

 

[LOBO79]

Look at the frame good

 

[filoufil]

Nice truck!

I like the contrast of the black wheels and windows!

 

[Vultradamus]

As long as that back window goes down the whole way, purchase it right away!

 

[814runner]

As long as that back window goes down the whole way, purchase it right away!

Purchased.

After I'm done with the boring stuff I'll be making a build thread.

 

[Teamsloan]

Nice truck, I need to get TRD stickers.

 

[MrMagic]

I've read the buyers guide and done a lot of research i'm just trying to be as prepared as humanly possible to determine if this is a good purchase or not.

I hope I don't come across as Daft but I didn't see a buyers guide. I must be overlooking something obvious. Could you link a noob?

 

[3_kel]

Congrats

Looks like a great find. Can't find anything like that around here for less than 10k.

 

[814runner]

I hope I don't come across as Daft but I didn't see a buyers guide. I must be overlooking something obvious. Could you link a noob?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

 

[jsdugan]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

This will be helpful.

 

[jdm843]

leather's always nice!

 

[qhorse13]

dont always beleive a carfax. i dont trust carfax to be honest. i had a car that was damn near totaled and later after all was said and done ( 2 years later ) i ran it thru carfax and it came thru with a clean bill of health. no wrecks no nothing.

 

[CA417PC]

Most people don't actually report that stuff to the DMV. Most of the time the insurance company sends the forms to the owner to fill out, and they "forget."

Honestly, I've never once purchased a Carfax. I spend and hour and half going through everything to make sure it's legit. You might miss a small thing or two, but as long as you hit the big ones (timing belt, trans, radiator) the 3rd Gens are pretty bulletproof.

I've owned 3 3rd Gens, and regret selling every one of them, even that stupid 2wd I had with 250k miles. The 5th gen keeps my wife happier, but it's not the same.

 

[Matts05runner]

Truck looks great. I flew up to Virginia to look at an 05. Bought it and drove it 8 hours home. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it!