Possible purchase on 3rd gen. Need help

[Samm25]

Hey guys,

So I’m looking to possibly purchase a 2002 4Runner. It’s a one owner, all maintenance done with only 84k miles on it. It was locally owned by an older couple who kept up with everything on it but barely drove it.

My question is: do I have anything to worry about or should I check for any common issues?

I currently own an ‘05 V8 4th gen with 190K miles on it and she runs like a gem. But I’ve always loved the 3rd gen body style, so I’m looking to get another one

 

[Mark_BC]

Look for rust underneath, especially on the frame. Check where it lived most its life, if it was in the salt states. Low miles doesn't necessarily mean good condition if they drove it in winter then parked it with salt underneath it for ages.

Check for the pink milkshake. Google it. If there was suspicious work done on the radiator and transmission at the same time it should be a red flag.

Nothing else to note out of the ordinary as long as it runs fine, except maybe head gasket issues since they are susceptible to overheating damage.

 

[Kanoe]

Trucks with a story like that are getting hard to find. Lucky sod.

Has it always been a Texas truck? Very little rust I assume?

You don't often see such low mileage anymore. Keep in mind lower ball joints and timing belt will be the next major service items, as they have not likely been done with that mileage. If they have then big bonus!

If the price is fair, I'd say run really fast to secure it. I would think it'll go really fast once advertised.

Good luck.

 

[Samm25]

Thanks for the help! As far as rust goes, none at all. It’s been in San Marcos, Texas it’s whole life. Purchased from the same dealership that’s selling it. So no rust issues here.

As for service, they did the timing belt at 75k miles so just about 9k miles ago. But that was also about 4 years ago so I know it should be replaced every 6 years whether it’s at the mileage or not.

I’ll check out the milkshake issue, so thanks for that. Otherwise with the mileage, I know it’ll be gone this week for sure.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Definitely do the carfax, if that isn't already covered.

Also use the Toyota website to insert the VIN and check all oil changes that were logged. Trust but verify. There are a lot more odometer roll-backs out there than folks see.

 

[Ifirefight]

9000 miles in 4 years.. wow. I will throw my hat in the ring on this. I bought my daughter a Honda Civic from original owner, old lady, lots of service records also.. just like this car, super low mileage for the year. Everything was great, but almost every rubber part on that vehicle was so dried out that we have had a few issues with it. The Honda was a South Florida car so no rust, but sitting in the heat and not being driven sometimes is not a good thing. Kind of like a boat, the worst thing you can do is not use it. With that being said, most of what I did have to do was simple. I would check all the rubber parts, especially under the hood. The civic dip stick rubber was so dry it was flopping around in the tube, the wipers were so dry it literally scratched the windshield and had to be replaced, a few seals were dried up and had to be replaced also. Just something to check. Good luck.


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[Hepar]

Everything was great, but almost every rubber part on that vehicle was so dried out that we have had a few issues with it.

That was my first thought as I saw the rig is from Texas. Every region seems to have its effect on something. Hot areas destroy rubber and paint. That being said, if its in good shape and not a crazy price, I'd jump on it!

 

[Samm25]

9000 miles in 4 years.. wow. I will throw my hat in the ring on this. I bought my daughter a Honda Civic from original owner, old lady, lots of service records also.. just like this car, super low mileage for the year. Everything was great, but almost every rubber part on that vehicle was so dried out that we have had a few issues with it. The Honda was a South Florida car so no rust, but sitting in the heat and not being driven sometimes is not a good thing. Kind of like a boat, the worst thing you can do is not use it. With that being said, most of what I did have to do was simple. I would check all the rubber parts, especially under the hood. The civic dip stick rubber was so dry it was flopping around in the tube, the wipers were so dry it literally scratched the windshield and had to be replaced, a few seals were dried up and had to be replaced also. Just something to check. Good luck.


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Agreed! I know all too well how much the heat down here destroys things, not even just cars haha. In fact, this week alone the lowest temperature we’re getting to here is 103. I’m heading out to the dealership to check it out in a bit and I will definitely check those rubber molding/the roof for paint issues, etc.

 

[Samm25]

Also, they’re asking $9k for it. Any suggestions on negotiating price or does that seem reasonable to y’all?

NADA is pricing it at $7900 even as a clean retail price.

 

[whyzee125]

Also, they’re asking $9k for it. Any suggestions on negotiating price or does that seem reasonable to y’all?

NADA is pricing it at $7900 even as a clean retail price.

That's a reasonable price. That would be a steal in my area. Just the usual things! Check for axle seal leaks, rust, pink milkshake (new rad is sometimes suspect), etc. Should be pretty solid if that mileage is legit. GOod luck!

 

[Hepar]

Also, they’re asking $9k for it. Any suggestions on negotiating price or does that seem reasonable to y’all?

NADA is pricing it at $7900 even as a clean retail price.

If it’s 4wd, it would go for $13-14k around here.

 

[Ifirefight]

If it’s 4wd, it would go for $13-14k around here.

Really?? Wow, I guess location is everything. When the OP mentioned 9k I was thinking that’s high. You would never get that much for it here... but it is harder to find 4WD down here.. majority are 2WD in my experience.


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[Hepar]

Really?? Wow, I guess location is everything. When the OP mentioned 9k I was thinking that’s high. You would never get that much for it here... but it is harder to find 4WD down here.. majority are 2WD in my experience.

It's crazy. Here's an example. And keep in mind that the prices at this place are non-negotiable. Yes, crazy low miles at 42k, but it's also a 2.7l and 2wd.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54400273@N03/27545908497/in/dateposted-public/" title="Screen Shot 2018-05-28 at 1.18.39 PM"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1752/27545908497_9a82195a2b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="571" alt="Screen Shot 2018-05-28 at 1.18.39 PM"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Samm25]

Dang. That is a high price, at least I feel like it is. It’s only a 2wd, but that’s fine with me since I don’t do much off roading and even when I do it’s nothing crazy that requires all 4 wheels haha

I still feel like at $9k it’s a little high. Was thinking of asking them $8k drive out

 

[beefsix]

I wouldn't pay anything more than $3k on that thing lol. It's 2wd too? Nah man, not worth the 4wd tax. Look elsewhere or talk him way, way, way down.

 

[theesotericone]

I still feel like at $9k it’s a little high. Was thinking of asking them $8k drive out

If it's at a dealer I'd bet they would have a lot of room to negotiate on the price. It all comes down to supply and demand. It's worth what your willing to pay for it and what they're willing to let it go for. If there's not other people already looking at it start low. When they so no, walk out. They'll stop you before you get to the door.

8K for that mileage and maintenance would be a damn good price though.

 

[Ida4runner]

It's crazy. Here's an example. And keep in mind that the prices at this place are non-negotiable. Yes, crazy low miles at 42k, but it's also a 2.7l and 2wd.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/54400273@N03/27545908497/in/dateposted-public/" title="Screen Shot 2018-05-28 at 1.18.39 PM"><img src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1752/27545908497_9a82195a2b_b.jpg" width="1024" height="571" alt="Screen Shot 2018-05-28 at 1.18.39 PM"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

That's insane

 

[Ida4runner]

Also, they’re asking $9k for it. Any suggestions on negotiating price or does that seem reasonable to y’all?

NADA is pricing it at $7900 even as a clean retail price.

Is it a limited with mint interior or a SR5?
Maybe I would do it for a limited with a E=locker and mint interior but no way for an SR5.

My opinion is for that much money or slightly more you could find a very nice 4th gen with around 100k on the odometer,have a V8 and leather interior.
I have both a 3rd and 4th gen 4runners and while I absolutely love the looks of the 3rd gen when I get back in it after driving the V8 it feels like a tomato cart with no power so it's now for sale.

 

[Samm25]

Is it a limited with mint interior or a SR5?

Maybe I would do it for a limited with a E=locker and mint interior but no way for an SR5.



My opinion is for that much money or slightly more you could find a very nice 4th gen with around 100k on the odometer,have a V8 and leather interior.

I have both a 3rd and 4th gen 4runners and while I absolutely love the looks of the 3rd gen when I get back in it after driving the V8 it feels like a tomato cart with no power so it's now for sale.

I have an 4th gen V8 with 190k on it. Paid 6k for it with 180k miles back in October. I’m keeping that one but I wanted a 3rd gen as a project and a daily driver so I don’t put a ton of miles on my 4th gen.

It’s also a mint condition SR5, not limited. But has leather, moon roof, etc.

 

[Samm25]

I wouldn't pay anything more than $3k on that thing lol. It's 2wd too? Nah man, not worth the 4wd tax. Look elsewhere or talk him way, way, way down.

It’s from a dealer. So of course they stretch the price to begin with. But I was looking for some negotiation in there.