New Member Shopping for used 4Runner.. Father In Law wants me to get Ford Explorer...

[stanleybb50]

Hello 4Runner owners that I hope to be getting to know in the near future!!!

To start things off, a little background that I currently drive an '01 Honda Accord, and have always traditionally liked driving sedans.. However, sometime recently, I came to a realization: I'm in love with 4Runners! I want to trade in the Accord for a 4R for daily driving, reliability, occasional off-roading, camping, piece of mind in the snow, and last but not least, the 4Runner should actually be faster than my current 4cyl Accord Sedan with all the previously mentioned wrapped up with it! Planning to make the purchase this summer.

So, anyway, I'd like to spend no more than $16-17k (after haggling). Preferably cheaper... Think I can find one with low miles (under 70k?) Or is that just not in the cards... OR if I do find one with like 90k, do you think I can find one that can be my daily driver for years and years to come (reliably)?

As mentioned, the father in law wants me to find an Explorer or Chevy/other American with less than like 50k for the same price (says that'd be the safer purchase in terms of reliability and what-not...)

So, what I need are selling points/advantages of the Runner. I realllllly want something that will be my "safest" investment overall, while still loving my vehicle.

I just thought I'd post this and let the sales pitches come in (hopefully) - I need them!

I look forward to many a posting on this website. I've been searching through your posts for the past couple weeks nearly to the point of addiction..lol You all have so much good information on here!

I also hope to join the 4Runner club in the near future!


- Written from the cold city of the Super Bowl Runner-Ups... PITTSBURGH!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

They don't call them Exploders for nothing if you are talking reliability but they have improved alot over the last several years bugt I'd still trust a 4Runner in the long run vs any domestic SUV plus the 4Runner is a true capable off road vehicle wheareas the Explorer is a glorified station wagon.

 

[gptoy96]

Non-Toyota beleivers typically find it hard to comprehend the costs of them compared to the domestics. For the same buck you're always looking at older and more miles when shopping Toyotas vs. domestic. What they don't see is less repair costs, lower maintenance, higher resale value and more reliability.

There's a reason domestics are less, do a search on Exploder transmissions, that'll keep an owner nervous about owning one of those....

 

[jay1981]

I just bought my first 4runner last week. went down the street to a dealer to look at a jeep grand cherokee that I saw on their website. ended up not liking it all that much and looked around at what else they had. Ended up getting a 2000 4runner limited, v6 4x4 with just over 105,000 miles for just under $10k (before financing costs) Knowing Toyotas reputation for reliability I felt much better buying the 4R than the jeep which had close to the same miles. I did get like 6 pages of carfax, most of which was maintenance and it showed no accidents, clean title, one owner, etc. I too typically try to buy lower mileage vehicles, but for a Toyota 100k is just gettin broken in. I drive about 70 miles round trip 5 days a week and I am confident that the 4R will last me a long time. I think they're great vehicles and would definitely be worth your time to look into.

 

[stanleybb50]

Good info.

I think I might try to buy sooner if I can find something in my price range with the right amount of miles. I'm hoping for an '05 or newer (4th gen), and at this point, I don't really care if it's the v6 or the v8 (pro's and con's to each that I've read on several other threads).

Well wish me luck on finding one with < 70k miles for less than like $16k.

I'll keep working on assuring the wife/father in law this is the safest bet for a long-lasting vehicle!

 

[stanleybb50]

Additionally, if anyone has any other thoughts on the subject, I certainly wouldn't object to hearing.

 

[Jeff4runner]

I have an 04 4runner SR5, 4x2 (I want a 4x4 really bad....lol). If you take care of it (oil changes when youre supposed to, but you can slack some, transmission flush, etc.), the 4runner will last forever. I just hit 110,000 and I just did the full synthetic oil change, and finally replaced the sparkplugs with autolite double plats. Those old plugs were factory, witl 110,000 and fouled beyond belief from 2 seafoam treatments. In all the years since it was handed down from my parents (they took pretty good care of it, Im OCD about it.), Ive only had one major thing ever need to be fixed. The front wheel bearings went out, and I luckily could do it in our shop at school. The bearings cost 150 total, but this is not a normal thing by any means for a 4Runner. I ran the 4Runner over washboard dirt roads beyond repair, and really rough mountain driving on Beech Mountain. It is an amazing car, and is worth youre money.

However, if you buy a used one with a few high miles (100K+), be sure to see that all the fluids are new. If not, do a simple radiator flush (not a full coolant flush), transmission flush, check spark plugs, and consider replacing the differential fluid. This is all routine maintenance and can make a Toyota go for a long time. Just experiences from having a 4runner for 7 years.

P.S., there is one issue about 4Runners, and there is a service bulliten published on 04's specifically. The TRAC/VSC (traction and stability control) can be annoying and go out sporadically. What usually happens is the yaw-rate sensor does something wierd, and doesnt work anymore. It acts like a giant resistor instead, so dont unplug it if you/anyone has a TRAC problem. It will stall the engine because its in conjunction with the electronic throttle.

 

[stanleybb50]

Very good info. Thanks!

I will tell you, I don't know if I can hold off on getting one til summer (my plan financially is to use my work bonus check for a healthy down payment, but I might need to dip into savings instead..) I've become OBSESSED with wanting one like NOW!!!

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[Cali4Runnea]

I would be too!! I definitely agree, the 4Runner is a much better and safer buy than an Explorer, no doubt about it! I just bought mine in December, it's a 2007 SR5 2wd, and I absolutly love it! I was actually in a toss up between a 2008 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition and the Runner I got. I was tempted to go for the the Explorer first because it was so pretty and had all the bells and whisles on it, and had 20,000 miles less than the runner had! But, as soon as I started reading consumer reviews on edmunds.com, I completly changed my mind about the Explorer, it had HORRIBLE reviews, and the Runner had absolutly AMAZING reviews! It took me two seonds to decide what vehicle I'd be buying. And my Runner has been awesome, it's already taken my whole family, myself, hubby, baby, two dogs, and towed a Volkswagen Jetta 3,000 miles across country and hasn't had a single complaint, or rattle. I love, love, love this truck and totally recommend it, I don't think I will ever give it up, I hope to have it for rest of it's long, long life! Good luck on finding your Runner, hope to see pics when you find it!

 

[Cali4Runnea]

Good info.

I think I might try to buy sooner if I can find something in my price range with the right amount of miles. I'm hoping for an '05 or newer (4th gen), and at this point, I don't really care if it's the v6 or the v8 (pro's and con's to each that I've read on several other threads).

Well wish me luck on finding one with < 70k miles for less than like $16k.

I'll keep working on assuring the wife/father in law this is the safest bet for a long-lasting vehicle!

Hehe, found this one that's pretty close to you! Low miles, and it's a 2006! Just thought I'd help out. I love car shopping...

Cars for Sale: 2006 Toyota 4Runner 2WD in Youngstown, OH 44512: Sport Utility Details - 282112544 - AutoTrader.com

 

[stanleybb50]

Excellent information!!! (I'm sharing all these posts with my wife). She's already pretty much on-board and in support of me getting the Runner now. These posts will further support what I've been saying all the more!

As for the one below, it is extremely temping... (and close!). But I think part of the SUV will be some off-roading (not sure how much yet) and piece of mind in the snow/hills of Pittsburgh.

I think I'll have to go with the 4WD. I appreciate the help though! If you find any others, don't be afraid to let me know! (For the record, I also love car shopping. It's about the only "shopping" I can really handle, besides like Lowes/HD type stuff).

Hehe, found this one that's pretty close to you! Low miles, and it's a 2006! Just thought I'd help out. I love car shopping...

Cars for Sale: 2006 Toyota 4Runner 2WD in Youngstown, OH 44512: Sport Utility Details - 282112544 - AutoTrader.com

 

[DocMT]

Well, you do have to consider that a used Explorer will be less expensive than a comparable 4Runner. And the older Explorers were body-on-frame, just like the 4Runner, if that's important to you.

In the end, I'd say to buy whichever one you can for the money you want to spend. I'm not biased against Explorers, so if it were my money and I could get a good deal on one, I'd most likely do it. At the same time, I'd do the same if the right 4Runner came along.

 

[Cali4Runnea]

Excellent information!!! (I'm sharing all these posts with my wife). She's already pretty much on-board and in support of me getting the Runner now. These posts will further support what I've been saying all the more!

As for the one below, it is extremely temping... (and close!). But I think part of the SUV will be some off-roading (not sure how much yet) and piece of mind in the snow/hills of Pittsburgh.

I think I'll have to go with the 4WD. I appreciate the help though! If you find any others, don't be afraid to let me know! (For the record, I also love car shopping. It's about the only "shopping" I can really handle, besides like Lowes/HD type stuff).

Ah, okay, so you're looking for at least a 4x4, I can search for those too! Hehe. My husband and I love car shopping, we've bought 6 cars in the last 5 years, but I think we have finally settled on the ones we want to keep for a long time, lol. Good luck searching! I found these ones yesterday too, but didn't post it, maybe it's more of what you're looking for...

Cars for Sale: 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 in Greensburg, PA 15601: Sport Utility Details - 294005135 - AutoTrader.com


2004 Toyota 4Runner Sport, $15,480 - Cars.com


2006 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 - Vehix

 

[stanleybb50]

Thanks! Guess I'm still a couple weeks from purchasing currently (unfortunately). Just gotta decide how much I wanna spend and how many miles/etc...

If I were to define the perfect ride id like to find, it'd be:

- 2006
- V8
- 2wd/4wd selectivity (which I know isn't an option...) so basically I'm still on the fence on the v6 to v8 thing because of this...
- < 60,000 miles
- < $17,500 after haggling and what not
- Silver or that dark gray (almost black. I think its shadow mica color)
- all service records listed on carfax in somewhat proper timeframes
- Don't really care of the trim... I'll prolly just go SR5.

Some lofty expectations!!!! Lol. Wish me luck...

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[fmixman]

Stan,
as a former Ford owner I can say GET THE YOTA!!

Unless you like the idea of someone comming to your home while you sleep and loosening every bolt on your ride, At least that's what it felt like happened at about 55k miles... :bravo:

 

[stanleybb50]

Stan,
as a former Ford owner I can say GET THE YOTA!!

Unless you like the idea of someone comming to your home while you sleep and loosening every bolt on your ride, At least that's what it felt like happened at about 55k miles... :bravo:

Haha. Well, my mind is now made up and I'm determined to find my ''new to me'' Runner!

Will be by far the nicest vehicle I've ever had... here's my resume of past cars for those who probably aren't interested anyway.. lol (29 yrs old now).

- 86 Civic Hatchback
- 86 Century
- 88 Accord 5 spd
- 95 Skylark
- 91 Accord
- 01 Accord 5 spd

Can't wait to make the purchase!



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[Cali4Runnea]

We'll keep trying to help, hope you find the perfect one!!

 

[stanleybb50]

Ok.. So quick update on my search/etc...

I found one that is a pretty far drive from me that has the following specs:


- 2005
- v8
- SR5
- 4wd
- Silver (with bug flector or whatever)
- Sunroof
- 60k miles
- New tires
- IMPECCABLE service records on both Carfax and the Toyota website. (I mean awesome. Every change was at a dealership like every 4-5k miles, and it looks like recently, the Cat(s) were changed due to TSB. The person looks like they really took it to the dealer for everything.

- Price - $18,500.

When i talked to the sales guy he said he spoke with his sales manager and said they do market research/etc to determine a good price for their cars. He said they could come down, but only "very slightly".

In Carfax, it looks like this dealer picked it up on 1/18/2011...

Think this is a fair price and I should jump on this thing before someone else does??? Or should I get him to come down some?

From what i mentioned above, this is "most" of my criteria... (Just sucks it's an '05 with the regular headlights/tailights/doesn't have the "freshened-up body; and it has about 10k miles more than I would ideally be looking for... but its pretty close!)

Hopefully some of you 4Runner shopping "experts" can offer some council?

Thanks in advance!

 

[stanleybb50]

Sorry to post again on this, but I'm driving there tomorrow and could use any advice ya'll might have.

Thanks!

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[DexTech]

when looking for a car I always check N A D A, Kelly Blue Book etc.

I also check Carmax, you can search the entire country for the same vehicle. Nice thing about Carmax is if they do have one you'll see their no haggle price. That will give you a good idea as to value.

Bottom line is the car is worth whatever you are willing to pay. Never underestimate the walk away, prices often come down before the door hits you in the butt.