New Owner, good deal?

[razzyrazz]

Hey all! New 4runner owner here. After looking for a couple weeks and trying to decide between a 3rd generation and 4th generation 4x4. We decided to go with the best deal we could find, whatever year that turned out to be. We'd planned on today going back and buying a 99 sr5 with locker that we drove yesterday with 170k for $6k. Last night I did one last check on autotrader and saw a brand new listing for a 2006 sr5 with 170k miles for $9k. It was at a Aston Martin Jaguar dealership in Newport Beach so i figured they got it for a trade in and were just trying to get it off their lot. So long story short I helped them get rid of it. It seemed like it was too good a deal to pass up. All the service records were on the toyota site. Just wanted to thank everyone in this forum for being a valuable resource to aid in my shopping. Not too familiar with the features of the 06 as most of my research was on the 3rd gens. If any of you have any input on whether I got a good deal or got screwed (you wont hurt my feelings) or any features to check for I'd appreciate it. I will search the forums tomorrow to learn more about our truck. Pics attached. Thanks and I look forward to participating and enjoying my 4runner.

 

[preacher35]

Hey all! New 4runner owner here. After looking for a couple weeks and trying to decide between a 3rd generation and 4th generation 4x4. We decided to go with the best deal we could find, whatever year that turned out to be. We'd planned on today going back and buying a 99 sr5 with locker that we drove yesterday with 170k for $6k. Last night I did one last check on autotrader and saw a brand new listing for a 2006 sr5 with 170k miles for $9k. It was at a Aston Martin Jaguar dealership in Newport Beach so i figured they got it for a trade in and were just trying to get it off their lot. So long story short I helped them get rid of it. It seemed like it was too good a deal to pass up. All the service records were on the toyota site. Just wanted to thank everyone in this forum for being a valuable resource to aid in my shopping. Not too familiar with the features of the 06 as most of my research was on the 3rd gens. If any of you have any input on whether I got a good deal or got screwed (you wont hurt my feelings) or any features to check for I'd appreciate it. I will search the forums tomorrow to learn more about our truck. Pics attached. Thanks and I look forward to participating and enjoying my 4runner.

Well, if it runs and drives as good as it looks, I'd say you did good, Grasshopper! You will be able to put another 150k on it, no problem. Not bad for $9k. Anyway, what mods are you planning on doing?

 

[Minnesota Yota]

I agree with the Padre, you did well! I have the exact same runner you do with 120,xxx miles. i put the last 30k on it with zero problems. Yours looks very clean and you should be happy with your new ride!:reddance:

 

[awdjunkies]

Glad you opted for the Sport model.. Yes, I am being Biased :rockon: lol

great place to start: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-g...modifications-write-ups-quick-links-faqs.html

Make sure your XREAS is not leaking, center diff + 4wd Low functions properly. As Preacher said, it looks good/clean...

 

[razzyrazz]

Well, if it runs and drives as good as it looks, I'd say you did good, Grasshopper! You will be able to put another 150k on it, no problem. Not bad for $9k. Anyway, what mods are you planning on doing?

Thanks! I just couldn't believe how clean it looked and how smooth it drove and after our 90 mile drive home from the dealer we felt really good about our purchase. Drives like a new truck. Our first Toyota and we see what all the reliability talk is about now. Knock on wood... Gonna get a thorough inspection at our local mechanic this week as they couldn't verify if the timing belt has been done recently. As for mods I'm not too sure. Gonna leave it stock for now and research here to see what to do first down the road. First thing first though. Polish, seal, wax and buy floormats!!

 

[hearno]

Thanks! I just couldn't believe how clean it looked and how smooth it drove and after our 90 mile drive home from the dealer we felt really good about our purchase. Drives like a new truck. Our first Toyota and we see what all the reliability talk is about now. Knock on wood... Gonna get a thorough inspection at our local mechanic this week as they couldn't verify if the timing belt has been done recently. As for mods I'm not too sure. Gonna leave it stock for now and research here to see what to do first down the road. First thing first though. Polish, seal, wax and buy floormats!!

That is a clean truck. Short of the known 4th gen minor issues (calipers, wheel bearings), you have a solid platform that should last you a long time. It appears you have a V6, if that's the case - you DON'T have a timing belt, you have a chain which doesn't require replacement at a certain interval. If you do have a V8, then yes, the belt should be addressed if needed.

Since it's a sport, you have x-reas. It's rare that anyone repairs/replaces the system due to the cost. You should check the suspension to see what's down there and at 170k, if it's original, it's definitely time to let it go. The good news is that you can put a mild lift on it with decent shocks for well under $1k.

One last thing, I just reread your original post. You don't have an SR5, you have a Sport Edition. It's between the SR5 and the limited. Google/search to find out what you've got. The dealer you bought it from probably didn't realize it was a sport or what that meant which was helpful to you pricewise. I had the same kind of luck when I got my 4th gen sport. They priced it as an SR5 and didn't know the difference. When I traded it in on my 5th, I went back a few weeks later to see the price they had on my old truck. it was priced higher than I had paid for it a year and a half earlier for it and it sold within a week.

 

[razzyrazz]

That is a clean truck. Short of the known 4th gen minor issues (calipers, wheel bearings), you have a solid platform that should last you a long time. It appears you have a V6, if that's the case - you DON'T have a timing belt, you have a chain which doesn't require replacement at a certain interval. If you do have a V8, then yes, the belt should be addressed if needed.

Since it's a sport, you have x-reas. It's rare that anyone repairs/replaces the system due to the cost. You should check the suspension to see what's down there and at 170k, if it's original, it's definitely time to let it go. The good news is that you can put a mild lift on it with decent shocks for well under $1k.

One last thing, I just reread your original post. You don't have an SR5, you have a Sport Edition. It's between the SR5 and the limited. Google/search to find out what you've got. The dealer you bought it from probably didn't realize it was a sport or what that meant which was helpful to you pricewise. I had the same kind of luck when I got my 4th gen sport. They priced it as an SR5 and didn't know the difference. When I traded it in on my 5th, I went back a few weeks later to see the price they had on my old truck. it was priced higher than I had paid for it a year and a half earlier for it and it sold within a week.

We have the v8. We didn't really care which one we bought v6 vs. v8 since we don't tow anything. Just went for the best deal and it sounds like we got an even better deal since you say it's a sport. They listed/priced it as sr5. Being Aston Martin dealer it was very apparent just in my few questions that they knew nothing about 4runners. I will get it inspected and check the suspension as you suggested. If it is original I will reference the forums for lift suggestions. Thanks for all the replies it is great to see how active this forum is.