Potential 4Runner Buyer - Need help evaluating deal on 2006 SR5 V6 4x4!

[mewsephine]

Hi all,

I'd really appreciate some help evaluating a potential purchase I am considering.

The seller is willing to part with a 2006 4Runner for $13,000

I am looking for a car that will enable let me get all of the places I want to go (into the mountains, camping, etc - nothing too crazy but I would like 4 wheel or all wheel drive). I'm confident that a 4Runner would do the job. I was originally looking for a smaller SUV (forester, CRV, Rav4), but have just been made aware of a potentially very good deal on a used 2006 4 Runner.

Here is what I know about the car:

• 2006 SR5 V6, 4x4
• 149,986 miles
• Tow package, sunroof, power doors, cruise control, running boards
• Very well taken care off. No dents, dings or scratches. Never in any accident
• Just replaced front brakes - says the rear brakes have another ~10K miles
• Newish tires
• Never any mechanical problems

I know and trust the person selling it and am certain beyond any shadow of a doubt that it has been meticulously maintained, inside and out (the interior looks like it was just driven off the lot). The mileage is a little higher than I'd like, but I know the type of miles he's put on and they are as tame as they come. To and from work every day, but in a small city (no stop-and-go; basically low-speed highway miles).

I was originally looking to spend 10K or slightly under on a smaller car. This would be a lot more car and a bit out of my original price range. From the market research I've done, it seems like a good price for the region (WA state). I am also willing to pay a bit more for a car that I am 100% sure has been well taken care of.

Any help in evaluating this deal would be appreciated. Would this 4Runner likely last me for some time if I continue to take good care of it? Would I drop 13K for a car that is only going to last me another ~50K miles?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Brianc5477]

IMO, I wouldnt make the purchase. I had a 2005 that I bought with right at 107k, and I also am very meticulous about maintaining my vehicles, i.e. all synthetic fluids etc. At 170k, the head gasket blew, I was disapointed that it blew at 170k. Look through the threads on here, theres a rather lengthy one with this as the subject. I bought another one a few years later but opted for the V8, since the V8 has the more time tested steel block instead of aluminum as with the V6. Just my opinion, take for what you want.

 

[ASUMTNEER]

Most of the head gasket issues are from the 03-05 model V6's, FWIW. I've got an 04 with 162k and no sign of head gasket failure yet (knock on wood), The price seems a little steep for the mileage though.

 

[fdbyrne]

Don't be deterred by the V6 head gasket issue. It's a good engine. The head gasket issue is real but only effects a small portion of all of the units sold. It's certainly possible that you would have a head gasket fail, but it's statistically unlikely.

The biggest factor is going to be price. I don't know your area but that does seem high. I got my SR5 V6 4x4 with 120k on it for $8500. At that price I really don't care if the head gasket fails. There's plenty in my budget to replace it if that day comes. If you pay $13k for it, that might be a different story.

Any time you buy an older high mileage vehicle, even a Toyota, plan on spending an additional $1000 fixing all the little things that are wrong with it that you didn't notice during the inspection. If you blow past your budget and things are tight there won't be enough to address those issues and there are always going to be issues.

 

[P3Bubba]

Just for a reference point, I bought a 2006 V8 Sport Edition 4wd with 120,000 on it for 12,750 from a dealer.

It needed a timing belt, water pump, pulleys, and serpentine, and has a wonky seat motor, so I'm right at about a grand worth of maintenance.

It'll need tires within 10000 miles, but I'm looking to put something more aggressive on it anyways, so I'm not really counting that as anything other than a sunk cost.

With a timing chain, a big regular item goes away, but that still seems on the high side for a 10 year old car with 150K on the ticker.

 

[StL-T4R]

Another reference point - I bought a 2007 SR5 V6 with ~121K miles last month for $12K from a dealer. But, I also agree if you know the maintenance history and trust the seller, buy it...

 

[verman84]

Talk them down to 11ish and it's a better deal. I paid 14,000 for a 2008 v6 4x4 Sr5 with all the same options and only 110k miles in immaculate shape and band new tires, pads and rotors

Also, later year 4th gen v6's (06-09) don't see the head gasket issues that the earlier models do (03-05). That was one of the fixes they addressed in the mid generation update.

 

[Gatafly]

Over priced by $1500-2000

 

[delz05]

My 2 cents worth.... I have purchased 2 04 4Runners within the past 12 months for my 2 children, the first was a Sport Edition V6, 92000 miles, full maintenance records, original owner, Vg to Ex over all condition. He was asking 12k, made the purchase for 9500.00

The other, an 04 SR5 w/3rd row, tow and no sunroof. Typical city vehicle, banged and scratched, had been repainted, but "Clean Car-Fax" one owner, pretty good service records from dealer, being sold by the dealer (owner trade towards a RAV4). It was a V6 with 48k. Dealer asking price was 12995.00

We spent about 30 minutes going back and forth, as I pointed out the obvious repaint, fair tires and lack of options. out the door buy price was 10,000.00 with an oil service and detail.

Even with the confidence of knowing the vehicle history, I am certain that you can do better on pricing. Give your local Autotrader.com and Cars.com a look to get comparative pricing.

 

[mace4runner]

as the other people have said --- over priced....

I have them with less miles for 10,000 or less.

There is one for sale at a dealer near me right now, asking 13K.

amazing shape, 1 owner, etc. 120K.

 

[mewsephine]

Thanks for your input everyone I really appreciate it.

Quick follow-up: What does everyone predict in terms of the mileage I would be able to squeeze out of this 4Runner? Assuming I take very good care of it, is it reasonable to 250K without crazy expensive repairs along the way? 300K?

Thanks!

 

[fdbyrne]

Without a crystal ball it's hard to tell. Even well cared for Toyotas can develop problems. Those mileage figures aren't unreasonable, however.

There is a thread in this forum somewhere where people post their current high mileage. You'll see some really high numbers there if you can track down that thread.

 

[LTDSC]

wow and i cant even get 13,000 for mine as is.