Price check? 2004 issues?

[gerry100]

Looking at an 04 SR5 at a Honda dealer today.

Only 18k miles.

Their ask is $15k but I'm not sure I want to pay that much for a 4R that will outlast me considering the amount I'll drive it.

Any age/time related issues ( assume the vehicle has lived in snowy/salty upstate NY). I just lost an old truck to frame corrosion.

Any other age issues on this underused vehicle?

Price suggestions?

Thanks in advance for insights and inputs.

 

[zopperman]

Looking at an 04 SR5 at a Honda dealer today.

Only 18k miles.

Their ask is $15k but I'm not sure I want to pay that much for a 4R that will outlast me considering the amount I'll drive it.

Any age/time related issues ( assume the vehicle has lived in snowy/salty upstate NY). I just lost an old truck to frame corrosion.

Any other age issues on this underused vehicle?

Price suggestions?

Thanks in advance for insights and inputs.

Rust
frozen brake calipers
is it v8? if yes then timing belt

 

[WXman]

Well, 18K miles means it won't need timing belt for a LONG time and if you don't drive much either which is how it sounds you may be years away from having to worry about that.

Rust is the big deal. My '04's #1 issue is rust. The frame seems to still be solid enough but the brackets, bolts, nuts, bushings, everything else is totally covered in rust and/or eaten alive by rust. I've owned new and used trucks from 1988-2012 models...all GM, Ford, or Chrysler in the past. This is my first Toyota. And I have never seen rust this bad on anything I've owned.

Having said that, I love my 4Runner and I plan to drive it until A) it gets too expensive to justify keeping it going or B) it is stolen or totaled.

If that one you're looking at is 4x4 and in excellent condition, then that price is a GREAT price for it.

 

[gerry100]

Thanks for the responses,

Good news is that the wife is now on board.she loved the test drive and fully supports the 4runner candidacy for our winter vehicle. Pilot test drive was disappointing after the 4r.

Bad news is the corrosion issues. Averaging < 2k miles/yr means that it sat for months if not weeks. When a car sits, moisture condenses underneath where the sun can't reach and since it never moves there is no air circulation or drying. Constantly wet/damp means it rusts. Our F150 met this fate ( lawn parking even worse).

Craziest was the wheels - pieces of plating the size of business cards were falling like leaves. Surprised that Toyota allowed such a weak finish on their wheels.

This would be a good deal for somebody needing a 4r for heavy mileage over the next few years before the corrosion catches up.

Me - I've learned that there is such a thing as too few miles

 

[EDness]

I guess that car's been sitting outdoors all its life...

Mine sits months at a time but it's garage kept...so far so good.

 

[TRDCal]

Well, 18K miles means it won't need timing belt for a LONG time and if you don't drive much either which is how it sounds you may be years away from having to worry about that.

Not quite, the timing belt replacement interval is 90k miles or 10 years which ever comes first. Even an oil change is whatever every 5000 miles or 1 year.

 

[WillK]

I would be worried about the lack of miles on a car that old. Sometimes low mileage is worse than high miles- but just my opinion.

Rust, as others have said. And that price is high for a 2004, no matter the mileage.
You should be able to find a decent 07' with decent mileage that would serve you well and have some value still in years to come and probably less rust.

 

[gerry100]

I guess that car's been sitting outdoors all its life...

Mine sits months at a time but it's garage kept...so far so good.

I think if you keep the 'dew" off it in the garage it'll be fine

WiilK - I'm curious - what does everybody think is "decent miles"?

 

[WillK]

IMO, a Runner with 60-100K miles that's been maintained- fluid changes, brakes, belts, etc...

My last Runner I bought with 172K and it ran great! Drove it everywhere. But it wasn't the "family car". But I would've drove it anywhere.

I don't know what's available for sale in your area, but a quick search on cars.com in my area shows lots of 4 Runners with 'decent' mileage at a decent price.

The other thing to consider are upgrades to later years; 5-speed transmission, LED tails, side and curtain airbags (not sure exactly what year they were added..) and a few other "upgrades".

The 4.0L and 4.7L offered in the Runner are pretty solid drive trains with few issues across the platforms. Can't go wrong with either and you can't go wrong with one with a few miles on it..

Good luck in your search!