Potential 2002 buyer... Neep input fast!

R

runrunner

New member
Just signed up and my first post. I have been a member of Yotatech for years when I had my 85' 4x4, but that has since been sold.

Anyway, long story short I stumbled across a 2002 4Runner SR5 4x4 at a Toyota dealership this weekend. Its an auto with 110k on it. Its the dark green with tan interior, power stuff, sunroof, tow pkg, etc. It looked pretty clean considering it hadnt been through detail yet. Vin tags were present on all panels and it didnt appear to have had any paint work done on it. Sales guy advised that the timing belt was recently replaced at another dealer.

I currently partially own an 09' Frontier CC 4x4. Its pretty much new with only 8k miles on it, bought it new in May of last year. I like it, but it has never really grown on me. Before I purchased it I was looking into a first gen taco or 3rd gen runner but didnt give it enoght time.

They will give me $21k trade on my Frontier. I paid $22,200 for it almost a year ago. I am sure they will want retail for the runner which is around $12k. I only owe $12,600 on my Frontier so I would basically cut a check for the difference and be debt free. That is part of the reason why I am considering.

I tried to look around on CL for comparables in my area and there are not many. The only other 02' I saw had 100k and asking price was $13k. There were a few older ones with 150k and were going for around $9k or so.

The 4runner I am looking at is in the process of going through inspection and detail and the sales guy asked for a $500 refundable deposit to hold it for me before going on the lot. If I dont like it for whatever reason the money will be refunded.


Any comments would be appreciated. Keep in mind that with trade-ins, specifically on Toyotas its harder to wheel and deal in my area.

Thanks!
 
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I can understand wanting to get totally out of debt and still have a great truck (better IMO) and walk away free and clear! $12K is actually less than retail price on kbb.com so I'd say go for it if you really like it and if it's in great condition. If you're not in too much of a hurry, you can find the same truck out there for $8-10K privately but you'll have to be patient.
 
JohnsD90 said:
Get an older 4ruuner 99 or older, you should try to make some money, and then you have some for mods.
Click to expand...

Is there something wrong with the 2002 molder year? I did a little research and it didnt appear that much changed between 96-02 aside from suspension heights, trim, and some eletronic doodads that came out on the 2002.

Its sounds like they are really good rigs and 2002 was the last year of the 3rd gen and last year built in Japan.

My truck would be difficult to sell as you can get brand new ones with 0 miles and no ass/buger seat for $1k more.

As far as mods I would keep it pretty simple, probably the OME lift, maybe a front bumper, and some bigger meats (265/75 or 255/85 or 285/75...) This one does have the better wheels in my opinion, they are the 5 spoke aluminum style that seem to be somewhat sought after. It doesnt however have any fender flares, just the cheesy chrome trim (believe it has the chrome package).
 
I think it is a good decision

I have a 2002 4Runner 4x4 SR5. I got it last year with 100,000 miles on it and have another 8,000 on it now. It is rock solid, drives great, and still looks great. I think the best part of this deal is what they are offering you on your trade. 1 year old and only losing $1,000, that's amazing. They offered us $7,000 less than what we bought our Mazda for a year ago. So you may take a hit on dealing with the price of the 4Runner, but it certainly seems offset by that great trade in value.
There is a whole thread on "what did you pay for your 4Runner," but I paid $11,900 from a dealership with a Carfax that was so thorough it had brake light bulb replacements on it.
I personally like the '02 4Runner because it has the all time 4x4 and vehicle stability control VSC (good for rainy days. '01 has it too)
Year to year differences
2002 brochure
 
sounds like a pretty good deal to me, but I would still try and negotiate it.

Just keep in mind that just because you are trading in something worth more than their car doesn't mean you have to pay asking price. The deal you make should be no different than if you just walked in off the street and wanted to buy their 4runner.
 
I havent actually gotten a firm asking price on it so I assume it will be around $12k, but being a Toyota dealer it may be more, maybe more like $12k - $13k, the sales guy assumed asking price would be $12,995 and we would work from there. Retail is $12,300.

I was originally looking at an 03' double cab taco TRD 4x4 they were going to sell me for retail, but somehow they sold it before I had a chance to get back to them (1.5 hrs) so I think they are willing to work somewhat. It was actually a fluke that I saw this one, I was leaving the lot after they told me the taco was sold and saw the 4runner. I asked if somone just bought it and he said no that it was in the process of being traded in. Kinda weird as I had a second to talk to the actual owner, an older lady (70ish) and her significant other. She said she needed more room, that was why she was upgrading to a 4th gen.

Problem is the dealer knows what they have and that the older runners are in demand so we will see. The truck is actually waiting to still pass the whole sales process deal. The person that traded it in bought a 4th gen and it sounds like she was way upside down in this 3rd gen (still owed $15k) so they are waiting on the final paperwork to go through.

And someone asked about leather, nope.

I'm going to run down and read the fine print on the hold deposit deal. If it looks legit I will put the deposit down and I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the quick responses and positive feedback.
 
Last edited:
runrunner said:
Is there something wrong with the 2002 molder year? I did a little research and it didnt appear that much changed between 96-02 aside from suspension heights, trim, and some eletronic doodads that came out on the 2002.

Its sounds like they are really good rigs and 2002 was the last year of the 3rd gen and last year built in Japan.

My truck would be difficult to sell as you can get brand new ones with 0 miles and no ass/buger seat for $1k more.

As far as mods I would keep it pretty simple, probably the OME lift, maybe a front bumper, and some bigger meats (265/75 or 255/85 or 285/75...) This one does have the better wheels in my opinion, they are the 5 spoke aluminum style that seem to be somewhat sought after. It doesnt however have any fender flares, just the cheesy chrome trim (believe it has the chrome package).
Click to expand...
There is nothing wrong with the 02 model, i was just sayin a earlier 3rd gen would give you some extra cash for mods.
 
I'd definitely go with the 4runner. I got mine in October and already put 10k miles on it and it hasn't caused me any troubles yet. I would suggest a 4runner to anyone looking for a vehicle though lol.
 
Good luck, and there is nothing wrong with the '02 model year. All 3rd gens are great, some years just have more features than other years.
 
I think everyone on this forum would tell you they love their 4Runner and you should go for it. I traded in my '07 Lexus IS for an '02 4Runner because I was tired of making car payments. I haven't regretted it once.

If you can wait, you should be able to find a better price. I got my '02 Sport 2wd w/ leather, sunroof, and 53K on the dial in May '08 for $12,500, and I think I overpaid a little, but it was the exact truck I wanted. If this is the truck you want, keep in mind jsmarine is right. It's 2 separate transactions. You're buying their truck and they're buying yours. You shouldn't get hosed on either one.
 
Hey guys, very new here....like 1st post new.
don't mean to hijack thread but i am also about to pull the trigger on an 3rd gen 4runner. My question is im running into a financing issue. I looked at an 01 at a dealer with 124k, one owner, VERY clean, sr5, leather, the usual amenities. I got the dealer down to $8500 but then they told me that none of their banks would touch a 9 yr old truck. Not even toyota credit. So besides going to a buy here/pay here, or getting a personal loan. any ideas? Does that seem like a good deal for the mileage or should i keep looking. thanx for any input
 
runrunner said:
I havent actually gotten a firm asking price on it so I assume it will be around $12k, but being a Toyota dealer it may be more, maybe more like $12k - $13k, the sales guy assumed asking price would be $12,995 and we would work from there. Retail is $12,300.

I was originally looking at an 03' double cab taco TRD 4x4 they were going to sell me for retail, but somehow they sold it before I had a chance to get back to them (1.5 hrs) so I think they are willing to work somewhat. It was actually a fluke that I saw this one, I was leaving the lot after they told me the taco was sold and saw the 4runner. I asked if somone just bought it and he said no that it was in the process of being traded in. Kinda weird as I had a second to talk to the actual owner, an older lady (70ish) and her significant other. She said she needed more room, that was why she was upgrading to a 4th gen.

Problem is the dealer knows what they have and that the older runners are in demand so we will see. The truck is actually waiting to still pass the whole sales process deal. The person that traded it in bought a 4th gen and it sounds like she was way upside down in this 3rd gen (still owed $15k) so they are waiting on the final paperwork to go through.

And someone asked about leather, nope.

I'm going to run down and read the fine print on the hold deposit deal. If it looks legit I will put the deposit down and I'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the quick responses and positive feedback.
Click to expand...



Welcome-Take a "trip" around this site and I think you will see you are making a good choice! I'm on year 8 with my '02 Sport-other than normal maintenance, new sneakers, and some character building during light off road trips, my Runner has been excellent for 200K. I'm biased against the Nissans-bad experience with one that I traded in on my Runner. I made out like a bandit on that deal....and still reaping the benefits. There is something to be said for debt free in this time. :thumb3:
 
If the numbers in the OP work out that way, Id jump on it without a moments hesitation. I hate credit, if I cant pay cash for something, I dont buy it, period. Once you get out from car payments, its an addictive feeling. Add to that theyre giving you ridiculous trade in on a vehicle you dont e ven enjoy, and end up in one you will.

Win win, go for it.
 
I'd go for the 4Runner. I currently have a 4th gen that the wife and I love. Our last vehicle was a 1995.5 Taco (a little similar to a 3rd gen 4Runner) and it ran like new at 12 years of age when we sold it.

I also agree with the post about being free from a car payment. I also have an 08 GTI that I just paid off. It is a great feeling hold a title in your hands.
 
Well, I placed the deposit but am not sure if the orginal sale will go thru. Sounds like there is some debt to income issues with the person that is trading it in so they may be getting it back.

Did receive a copy of the Carfax and showed that it is currently a 3 owner. The first was CA for 4 years (Lease) the second TX for 3 years (Lease) and the current owner is less than a year, but put 20k on it.

While I was back placing the deposit on it and getting the not so positive news, I noticed an 03 Tundra extcab 4x4 TRD that was getting prepped for sale. It was a 2 owner local truck loaded with fiberglass canopy and spray in bedlinder with 95k for around the same price. Kinda caught my eye too.
 
No luck yet. I guess the loan has not been bought yet or something so truck is still sitting there.

Did look at another 4runner today at a local dealer, sat down and discussed some #'s but it didnt pan out.

It was a black 2001 SR5 with flares and leather. Had 107k and was a one local owner. However, it had the following issues:

-Tear in drivers seat near adjuster
-pwr anntena was stuck halfway
-power locks wouldnt work from either of the buttons, however it would work with key.
-timing belt was not done yet.

They only wanted to give me $20k for my truck and wanted $12,995 for the 4runner. I said I would pay $12k for the runner and take $21k for my truck. No deal.

Would it be worth meeting them half way? Other than the few issues it is really nice and has all the books, window sticker, and some service history.

What do you all think?
 
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