Picking a 4th Gen T4R: milage vs trim package

[SnookRunner]

I just went through your dilemma

I drove every 4wd 4th Gen in the Tampa Area for 2 months trying to find the right truck. I finally found an 03 SR5 V8 4WD with 125k miles and pounced. The truck is awesome and I've already started the upgrades. IMO go drive a bunch and pay a reputable mechanic to look under the hood and undercarriage, my mechanic steered me away from 2 trucks in the process. Good luck and keep searching!

 

[poser]

OK, get ready for a rant:
If you're going to sell a car, please:
1. Post actual pics of the car YOU'RE SELLING, and not pics of a car like yours you found on the internet.
2. If you tell someone over the phone something about the vehicle, for example:
"Is it 4wd?"
"Oh yes, it's 4wd."
It dang well better be 4wd!
3. PLease be able to coherently speak on the phone
4. Please be able to get intelligible directions to your location
5. Oh, it also helps if the vehicle will start.

Struck out today. Looked at 3 different 4 runners. All complete pieces of sh--- I mean poo!
Was told on the phone that one of them was 4wd, it wasn't.
Looked at another, that was (based on the pics) really clean, though high miles. It was 4wd (again, based on the pics, as it had the 4wd selector know), and it had a brake controller. I got there and it wasn't even the same vehicle. It was not 4wd, no brake controller, and a ton of body damage that was clearly not in the pic.
the last was a complete turd.

A little discouraging, as those were the only 4wd (or so I thought, in my area, in my price range)
I'm either going to have to:
a. up my budget (more difficult than it sounds right now)
b. increase my search radius (easy)
c. settle for 2wd (not a HUGE deal, but I'd like to try and find 4wd)
d. start looking at 3rd gen.

 

[poser]

I drove a 2003 V8 4wd Saturday. I gotta say, the V8 is super smooth! I was really impressed by the truck. I've looked at a few others, and I'm going to go back tomorrow morning and see about getting the one I drove. It's a 2003 limited V8 4wd, in really good condition, though it's got a bunch of miles - 165k. Body is in good shape, interior is really clean and the underside has very little rust. I've looked at some that had TONS of rust on the underside.

Hopefully soon I'll be posting pics of my first T4R.

 

[jeremy1usc]

I drove a 2003 V8 4wd Saturday. I gotta say, the V8 is super smooth! I was really impressed by the truck. I've looked at a few others, and I'm going to go back tomorrow morning and see about getting the one I drove. It's a 2003 limited V8 4wd, in really good condition, though it's got a bunch of miles - 165k. Body is in good shape, interior is really clean and the underside has very little rust. I've looked at some that had TONS of rust on the underside.

Hopefully soon I'll be posting pics of my first T4R.

What were they asking?

 

[JEL]

Although I'm a bit paranoid about the *possible* HG issues (although from my research I've seen it isolated to the 03-05, new design in 06-09 perhaps?), I still love my v6 and have been pleased with the MPGs overall. Sure, it's not that great in the city, but I got a hand-calculated 23.1mpg on a long highway drive the other day, my truck is OCD maintained since new; and I recently did the plugs, new M1 5w30, drain and fill of the WS ATF, new coolant, new diff/t-case fluids, new PCV, new air filter, etc., but I consider that good mileage out of a truck of this size. Of course I was running in 2hi, but I can't imagine being in 4hi unlocked would have killed it much more.

It took me ages to find the right truck, but I'm glad I didn't settle, I think you'd be a bit disappointed with a 2wd if you've been looking for a 4x4, I know you probably don't use it too often down in TX, but it's sure nice to have the security of that little switch for day-to-day stuff, as well as road trips and ski/off-road trips. I like being able to pull into a muddy field or parking lot, even in the middle of the dry summer, in 4hi unlocked and know I'll not get stuck, whereas in a 2wd getting stuck would be a real possibility.

 

[poser]

What were they asking?

2003 Limited 4x4 V8 (so all the stuff that comes with the limited) 165,000 miles
body, interior and under side all looked great for it's age
asking $8600 said they'd take $8400.

As good of a deal as that is, it's more cash than i have set aside to spend. I may settle for 2wd or go to a 3rd gen.
I'm going to look at a 2001 v6 4wd in the next few days. I drove a 2000 V6 and didn't hate it, but compared to that V8 it feels like an old dog LOL

 

[jeremy1usc]

2003 Limited 4x4 V8 (so all the stuff that comes with the limited) 165,000 miles
body, interior and under side all looked great for it's age
asking $8600 said they'd take $8400.

As good of a deal as that is, it's more cash than i have set aside to spend. I may settle for 2wd or go to a 3rd gen.
I'm going to look at a 2001 v6 4wd in the next few days. I drove a 2000 V6 and didn't hate it, but compared to that V8 it feels like an old dog LOL

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm selling my 2010 tacoma because for one it's a prerunner, but 2 I'm tired of the payment. I'd really like to spend around 6-8 cash, but the more I think about it I want a fourth gen. That puts you in the really high mileage range which makes me nervous since it would be my only vehicle and I do a lot of driving. (GF going to grad school
3 hours away)

 

[SnookRunner]

I Paid 8500 for my 03 with 125k(he was asking 9500), it could really use a paint job but my mechanic said it was one of the cleanest truck he'd seen. I had to endure lots of bs also and a couple long road trips to find right ride. Did end up having to replace shocks and front tie-rod, but after 2 weeks no other gremlins have showed. IMO stick to your guns and find the right one without compromising too much.

Good luck

 

[thebitz1]

I just bought my 2003 Limited with 41K, body and interior in great shape. Paid 14900 for it, but I feel I will be able to drive this beast for 10 yrs. I hope!

I had the previous 1999 for only 6 weeks. I hated the suspension "roll" I was getting which I hear is somewhat common for the 2d Gen.

As said above, keep searching and wait for the right vehicle. You will unfortunately have to deal with higher miles with that price range.

 

[dadigab]

If you do look at V6's check that center differential and 4LO engage properly and smooth. They tend to either stick or seize. Just FYI

 

[poser]

I ended up with a really clean 2001 v6 4x4. 165k miles, and timing belt was done at 90k miles.
So far I love it.
This will get me thru the next few years of daycare costs and then I can get a 2014

 

[montijo505]

3rd gens are nice!

 

[robtmc]

If my wife's 2001 was a 4WD, I would never sell it. Since it was not, I hunted the slim pickings on our island for what I wanted: a low mileage V8 4WD. No one was selling the few that seem to be here. 2WD is the most popular, so no thanks. "Electronic LSD" seemed to be a marketing ploy to rename ATRAC for the gullible.

I don't need to drive far, so MPG was not a huge deal. Did want towing capacity. Heck, even a low mileage 4WD V6 was hard to find, so I ended up with a 07 V6 Sport Edition.

Until Toyota regains their sanity and includes 4WD in other than the full zoot suit editions, no new 4Runners for me. Nothing beyond 2009 in fact.

You did good with that 2001 4WD. We are having a hard time trying to decide when or if to sell our 2WD 01.