Opinions on a used 4th Gen

[boostedka]

I didn't want to keep adding to the Carfax thread I started, so I though I'd try to get some opinions through a new one...

Anyhow, I'm going to look at a 4th Gen Runner FSBO this afternoon and was hoping to get a little feedback from some of you. It's an '04 SR5 4wd V6 with 104k on it. Owner is a 2nd owner that his wife is selling for him because the man is very sick. They are asking 11k for it. IT's completely stock with roof rack and tow pkg. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

 

[Synister]

The '04 in particular seems to be THE year for head gasket problems on the V6's. Other wise, check the 4WD actuator engagement in both 4HI and 4LO if you do take a look at it. I have no idea if that is a good price or not based on your area.

 

[Shoey]

Timing belt, water pump, and plugs are all due between 90k and 110k if my memory is correct. iIf you have the cash to get the work done, these can be a good deal. 11k sounds like a pretty good price.

Do yourself a favor, take it to a mechanic to have a pre-purchase inspection done. Know what you are getting into and what it will cost you to get everything right.

 

[jreask]

Timing belt, water pump, and plugs are all due between 90k and 110k if my memory is correct. iIf you have the cash to get the work done, these can be a good deal. 11k sounds like a pretty good price.

Do yourself a favor, take it to a mechanic to have a pre-purchase inspection done. Know what you are getting into and what it will cost you to get everything right.

The V6 has a timing chain. Only the V8 has a belt.

 

[JEL]

To be honest I would just avoid 03-05 all together. While the head gasket problem certainly isn't an epidemic during those years, the re-design for the 06-09 years still gives a lot of peace of mind IMO. Also, the 03-05 V8's seemed to suffer from the occasional t-case actuator leak, which can be a $3k+ repair. I know the 06+ tend to command a stiff premium for sale, partially for those reason I assume, and the rest due to the face lift, but when I was looking I decided to spend a little more and go with an 06+ just for those aforementioned reason. Of course condition and prior maintenance are everything, and I'd take a cherry 03-05 v6 or v8 with a stack of records over an 06+ that looks like it ran through the ringer.

 

[bcolts]

To be honest I would just avoid 03-05 all together. While the head gasket problem certainly isn't an epidemic during those years, the re-design for the 06-09 years still gives a lot of peace of mind IMO. Also, the 03-05 V8's seemed to suffer from the occasional t-case actuator leak, which can be a $3k+ repair. I know the 06+ tend to command a stiff premium for sale, partially for those reason I assume, and the rest due to the face lift, but when I was looking I decided to spend a little more and go with an 06+ just for those aforementioned reason. Of course condition and prior maintenance are everything, and I'd take a cherry 03-05 v6 or v8 with a stack of records over an 06+ that looks like it ran through the ringer.

Not doubting you at all, but had not heard about those years being problematic. I have an '03 Sport with 234,000 miles that is my daily driver. Got it with 59,000 miles and have since done timing belt twice, water pump once, calipers and rotors for all 4 wheels twice, and left wheel bearing. Changed the original plugs 2 years ago and the original Panasonic battery at the end of last summer. Other than that it's just been tires, fluids (Mobil 1) and an occasional AC charge. Still on the original XREAS shocks. I wish the mileage was better but this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. ( I have probably just jinxed myself...)

 

[ebg18t]

I didn't want to keep adding to the Carfax thread I started, so I though I'd try to get some opinions through a new one...

Anyhow, I'm going to look at a 4th Gen Runner FSBO this afternoon and was hoping to get a little feedback from some of you. It's an '04 SR5 4wd V6 with 104k on it. Owner is a 2nd owner that his wife is selling for him because the man is very sick. They are asking 11k for it. IT's completely stock with roof rack and tow pkg. Any comments are appreciated. Thanks

Do they have any service records? Price is a tad high IMHO. But we are coming into winter so demand might raise the price. My 04 ran like a top, never a bit of issue that wasn't caused by me. Get it inspected by a mechanic, cycle thru 4-Lo and look for any coolant leaks, also check the color of the coolant..

 

[ASUMTNEER]

sounds like a good price to me with those miles.

 

[boostedka]

Thanks for all of the input everyone. I checked out the runner late yesterday. Got take it on a decent test drive. Everything seemed pretty good all around. 4hi and lo worked well, undercarriage looked good as did the oil and coolant. Seller has a maintenance record with his mechanic and carfax looks clean as well. Mostly just needs to be cleaned and detailed so I'm going to go ahead and buy it. I'll see if I can post up some pics once the transaction is complete.

Thanks again for everyone's input.