Pre-Purchase Info, Modifications, Write-Ups, Quick Links, and FAQ's
- Thread starter iBison
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Supersonic
New member
Not sure, but looked up a couple 2008's for comparison, SR5 149k at 11k -dealer ad say's priced to move, and a Limited 102k at 19k. Your price seems good, but of course we all want better. Go drive it for a couple of hours if you can, and then trust what your gut instinct/expense tolerance tells you.
I tell you, the salesman went with on my test drive and seemed to have to get permission for a 20 minute drive, I made it last for an extra 10 or 15 minutes, but at 2k for 2005 SR5 295k, my gut was OK and the expense was tolerable. Ran good and now much better after getting the service issues up to date. But I was also aware of some of the service history and it wasn't from the rust-belt.
I tell you, the salesman went with on my test drive and seemed to have to get permission for a 20 minute drive, I made it last for an extra 10 or 15 minutes, but at 2k for 2005 SR5 295k, my gut was OK and the expense was tolerable. Ran good and now much better after getting the service issues up to date. But I was also aware of some of the service history and it wasn't from the rust-belt.
Check on cars.com or CarGurus for comparable.
Hi everyone - a 2005 4runner with 165K miles on it just popped up with an asking price of $5K. The guy was in Wisconsin until recently and he used it significantly for towing, but the price seems almost too good to pass up. I'm sure he's going to get a lot of offers, so I'm wondering if I should just tell him I'll take it. Have any of you guys ever bought a car sight unseen? Anything specific you'd suggest asking?
YetiX
New member
Seems like a very low price. I'd be concerned that something's wrong with it. I wouldn't buy it sight unseen, although at $5k it's not too much money if it turns out to have issues. So . . .
Supersonic
New member
Sight and sound unseen is high risk territory, maybe ask if you can have your money back if it isn't as described, and hope and pray seller would be generous in that case, they don't have to give your money back.
You are also not able to judge the rust issue, and because of the frame rust on early 2000's (can't remember exact details) I would be cautious.
That said, you are buying into a well built vehicle, and even if it had a head gasket issue, you likely only have to fix it once. I paid 2k for 2005 with 294k that I drove and looked at, I think that was as low risk as one could ask for.
I am 3 weeks into ownership and happy I took the risk, although I seen one of my cv boots is torn, that'll be a job for next summer, as I don't have rust and not driving this in the winter anyhow. Catching up on all the service work has been the only issue, I drove it almost everyday with no problems.
You are also not able to judge the rust issue, and because of the frame rust on early 2000's (can't remember exact details) I would be cautious.
That said, you are buying into a well built vehicle, and even if it had a head gasket issue, you likely only have to fix it once. I paid 2k for 2005 with 294k that I drove and looked at, I think that was as low risk as one could ask for.
I am 3 weeks into ownership and happy I took the risk, although I seen one of my cv boots is torn, that'll be a job for next summer, as I don't have rust and not driving this in the winter anyhow. Catching up on all the service work has been the only issue, I drove it almost everyday with no problems.
edit: 4WD version
edit 2: checked service history, owners were on point and did everything. Timing belt and water pump replaced, and just recently replaced front and rear brakes. "MISC REPAIRS" is listed also though...
Can't start a new thread so thought I would ask here...
In CO, 4runners go really fast especially the V8 4th gens. I've been looking for the perfect 4th gen on carmax and autotrader, set up alerts etc... The only one that came close was a 16k 4runner with 130k miles but it had an accident on record and they couldn't tell me much about it, so I passed.
These things go insanely fast on carmax and at dealerships unless something is off about them (Rust, accidents, etc). The other thing is that in CO the prices are naturally inflated a bit but judging by distance removal in autotrader, not enough of a drop worth flying to the east coast over.
Question: I just asked for the transfer of a 4runner from VA to a CO carmax on a V8 4th gen limited 2008 that popped up. 110k miles, but they are asking 19k for it. I have seen similar prices at dealerships for lower miles (60k one went for 20 recently) but I still don't know if I should get it, even assuming the thing is in perfect condition. It has had 3 owners, no accidents(KNOWN at least), and spent most all of its life in VA and NC.
I've been camping and looking for months, is it worth it or am I getting ripped here?
Thanks
edit 2: checked service history, owners were on point and did everything. Timing belt and water pump replaced, and just recently replaced front and rear brakes. "MISC REPAIRS" is listed also though...
Can't start a new thread so thought I would ask here...
In CO, 4runners go really fast especially the V8 4th gens. I've been looking for the perfect 4th gen on carmax and autotrader, set up alerts etc... The only one that came close was a 16k 4runner with 130k miles but it had an accident on record and they couldn't tell me much about it, so I passed.
These things go insanely fast on carmax and at dealerships unless something is off about them (Rust, accidents, etc). The other thing is that in CO the prices are naturally inflated a bit but judging by distance removal in autotrader, not enough of a drop worth flying to the east coast over.
Question: I just asked for the transfer of a 4runner from VA to a CO carmax on a V8 4th gen limited 2008 that popped up. 110k miles, but they are asking 19k for it. I have seen similar prices at dealerships for lower miles (60k one went for 20 recently) but I still don't know if I should get it, even assuming the thing is in perfect condition. It has had 3 owners, no accidents(KNOWN at least), and spent most all of its life in VA and NC.
I've been camping and looking for months, is it worth it or am I getting ripped here?
Thanks
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ZebRuaj
New member
Ahh .. the CO tax. Like the drift tax on 240sx's.
If you really want one and that price is attainable to you, I would rethink your mentality about traveling. You can find a good T4R + plane ticket and fuel for under the price of the ones that have the CO tax.
Personally, I wouldn't get a vehicle I couldn't lay my own eyes on. Just like doing my own physical inspections.
And CarMax as its pluses and negatives depending how you are as a buyer.
Therein lies the problem, carmax will transfer for free with no commitment(and I already started this process) because it has 4wd. If I travel, and dislike what I see, I'm losing money guaranteed...
ZebRuaj
New member
Well, sounds like you have nothing to lose with this CarMax transfer other than time and patience for it to cross the country. If it pans out, congrats!
If you haven't tried yet, you can sign up on the Toyota owner's site and run the VIN. It'll show anything serviced through a Toyota dealer. Maybe it'll give details on those MISC REPAIRS.
Just don't jump the gun because you've been wanting and searching for so long. Values are crazy for these rigs. Deals can be found.
Hey guys, I found 2 decent 4runners for sale in my area. Both are 2007 4WD V8s, and both are somehow selling for the exact same price. Vehicle 1 passes the gut check in terms of vehicle and owner history, while vehicle 2 (while in many ways the "better" vehicle) was gifted to a college grad about 10 years ago. I'll definitely check them out in person, but I haven't bought a car in about 15 years. Just looking for feedback on what to look for/ask about before making any purchases:
Vehicle 1:
140K miles
Driven in California and Reno (more time in the snow)
Detailed vehicle history
Older owner (a doctor - she is the 2nd owner)
Vehicle 2:
100K miles
Driven primarily in Norther California
Much less detailed vehicle history
Much younger driver
Also, this is possibly a dumb question, but they state it has a "Flow master exhaust" - what exactly is that?
Thanks in advance!
Vehicle 1:
140K miles
Driven in California and Reno (more time in the snow)
Detailed vehicle history
Older owner (a doctor - she is the 2nd owner)
Vehicle 2:
100K miles
Driven primarily in Norther California
Much less detailed vehicle history
Much younger driver
Also, this is possibly a dumb question, but they state it has a "Flow master exhaust" - what exactly is that?
Thanks in advance!
Supersonic
New member
My thought is look for a rusty frame, if it's good you'll have a lot to work with even if there is problems, and there will be some. Next question is "can I over come each issue with my abilities?", be it cash or sweat equity.
Go look at both if you can, otherwise my choice is the one that isn't driven in the snow(salt(rust)). Though it was likely driven a little harder, 4Runners are consistently well built and likely will not be damaged beyond a rear u-joint and some put-off repairs and maintenance that likely is easily updated.
I'd like to qualify the previous statements to reflect I am a 45 day new owner of a V6 4Runner, now hopefully I can defer to a more experienced/enlightened V8 owner. Oh, and new car smell to me is cigarettes or dog, which neither has deterred me, just had to overlook that sense of smell for a while...
Go look at both if you can, otherwise my choice is the one that isn't driven in the snow(salt(rust)). Though it was likely driven a little harder, 4Runners are consistently well built and likely will not be damaged beyond a rear u-joint and some put-off repairs and maintenance that likely is easily updated.
I'd like to qualify the previous statements to reflect I am a 45 day new owner of a V6 4Runner, now hopefully I can defer to a more experienced/enlightened V8 owner. Oh, and new car smell to me is cigarettes or dog, which neither has deterred me, just had to overlook that sense of smell for a while...
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YetiX
New member
Flow Master is a brand of exhaust. They're a bit louder than stock and highlight the V8 sound. For some that's a good thing, for some it's annoying AF.
My suspicion is that vehicle 2 has had a harder life. Most kids that age are not exactly sticklers when it comes to maintenance. 4Runners are great but do need maintenance.
I'd look for rust on both, especially vehicle #1.
Both sound like good vehicles. Good luck!!
My suspicion is that vehicle 2 has had a harder life. Most kids that age are not exactly sticklers when it comes to maintenance. 4Runners are great but do need maintenance.
I'd look for rust on both, especially vehicle #1.
Both sound like good vehicles. Good luck!!
JayberCrow
New member
This thread has been a huge help as I've shopped for a 4th gen 4Runner.
Thanks for putting in the work to this!
Thanks for putting in the work to this!
What would you guys say is a fair price for either of these? Thanks so much for all the help!
YetiX
New member
Timing belt replacement (per my research here in San Diego) ranges from $600 to $1,100 so factor that in.
What the fair price is depends on where you are located. There was a guy in Colorado saying that a V8 4WD would go for $17k. Here in San Diego, probably closer to $13k.
Look on Craigslist in your area and see what they're going for. That should at least give you an idea.
Schamattack
New member
Hello everyone, great sticky. I can not activate my account on the toyota website to check the history of my gen4. Anyone else having issues like this? I want to see if a dealer did a trans/dif flush at 100k as I bought my truck with 105k. The dealer I bought it from claims they inspected the fluid via the stick and it looked brand new so they decided not to change it. (I forgot to ask about dif).
Supersonic
New member
You can also go to vehiclehistory.com or get the free account at mycarfax.com to find out where it's from to call the likely potential servicing dealerships and check service history. V6 or v8? My 2005 V6 doesn't have a dipstick, not sure on the V8, but sounds like they didn't know what they were talking about, don't know that that's refundable. Congratulations, it's a well built vehicle and you should get lots of use.
ThatSickRip
New member
Awesome thread, has helped tons, thanks! I have some questions based on what I found. What is a good price on this 4R?
-2005
-V6
-SR5
-143,635 miles
-1 owner, good records
-overall good shape minus the below:
-leaking CV axle on passenger side
-burnt out lights on A/C; heat controls
-TPMS sensor is out (light on dash)
Dealer asking $11,489. After reviewing KBB and NADA, I was going to offer $9k based on averages, etc. Do you feel that is a good staring point? Will pay cash obviously but wanted to know if I was being realistic
-2005
-V6
-SR5
-143,635 miles
-1 owner, good records
-overall good shape minus the below:
-leaking CV axle on passenger side
-burnt out lights on A/C; heat controls
-TPMS sensor is out (light on dash)
Dealer asking $11,489. After reviewing KBB and NADA, I was going to offer $9k based on averages, etc. Do you feel that is a good staring point? Will pay cash obviously but wanted to know if I was being realistic
