Purchase Decision need advice

5

52577

New member
Hello all,

I have the opportunity to buy an '04, 4runner V8, lowest base SR5, cloth seats, 2WD with tow hitch. Only 30k original owner miles.

Condition is almost like brand new. Used mostly as a grocery getter and kid hauler. Garage kept all its life. Owner detailed it regularltly, including the engine bay is spotless. West coast vehicle, zero rust. Toyota PPI came back perfect, no codes and no history codes. Exterior and interior 9.5.

I don't do heavy off-road, but do want a rugged vehicle for flat dirt trails and camping on occasion. It will also be a daily driver. I only get light snow few weeks out of the year, but mostly rain so 4X4 is not a necessity. I want a vehicle to last another 15 years with above average reliability, and I think the 4R is it. I've always wanted a 4R, but new they're pricy.

We've settled on a price of $9,500 cash. I took an average of all the vehicle price evaluators out there combined with similar 4R for sale and came out with an average private party sale around that price. But most of the inventory out there to judge against have 100k + miles.

I just wanted to get all your opinion is this a good deal? Is the '04 V8 very reliable? Are timing belts changes based on years or millage?

Thanks for the help.
 
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I beleive that a very fair price, the average "trade-in price" in California is around $8900, fair market price from a private seller in excellant condition is around $11,000,, just so you know thw SR5 is the mid-level model the Sport is the lowest priced model.

The above prices I got via Kelly Blue Book, other web base evaluators prices can vary a bit, as well as prices from dealers and private sellers, most evaluators base their evaluatoins on average selling/trade-in prices in a given zip code area, and mileage, condition, options, color, etc., I could only use the info you posted, but the price could be a bit higher if it has a few options that it couuld have but weren't posted and the actual color.

The V8 is extremely reliable, you could say it's almost bullet proof, the timing belt is recommend to be replaced every 90,000 miles, but in my opinion it being rubber which is prone to dry rot and the T4R being 13 going on 14 years old I would have it replaced sooner than the 90,000 mile mark just to be on the safe side and also replace the water pump at the same time as it's behind the timing belt cover and would cost as much to replace later as doing the belt, i.e. if you have to replace either do both, I should also mention that it's extremely important to replace the timing belt before it fails because if it fails it will be fatal to the engine!

The only other common issue the V8s have is they're prone to having the exhaust headers/manifolds developing a crack which can be heard as a ticking sound, many owners just live with the crack/s with no seemingly harmful affects other than the clicking while others go with after market headers if replacing, OEM headers aren't cheap and are just as prone to cracking again as the original ones on these V8 T4Rs.

The starter motor which is not known to fail prematurely is more expensive to replace than normal due to the labor because the intake mainfold has to be removed to replace it because the starter motor is on top of the engine under the manifold instead of on the side of the motor as with most engines but as mentioned it doesn't seem to fail often even with very high mileage but it is possible you could face having to be replaced it much further down the road.

There are other issues with the V8 on other models after 2004 but this is not a concern for you, even the later model V8s are still extremely reliable, the engine itself is a great design it just some improvements didn't stand up as well as they should have, such as an air pump added to help push exhaust gases on later models failing prematurely.
 
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Thanks for the insight.

Interesting that the Sport is the lowest trim level. The VIN comes up as SR5 Sport but it doesn’t have the hood scoop, which I believe comes on all sport models?

It also does not have XREAS, no the rear spoiler, no sunroof, and I believe no hill decent. It does have traction control, ABS, TPS, cruise, single disk CD, manual seats with inflatable lumbar support, tilt only wheel, AC, roof rack with cross supports, black running boards, and 16” wheels with 5-year-old Michelin all-seasons and generous tread left. Color is one of my favorites - Galactic Gray Mica.

Given the fact this private opportunity has come my way to purchase this 4R, I feel I would be remiss if I passed up on it. You don’t see 30K~ mile, like-new 4R’s under $10K that often, if ever. I’ve already had an offer of $4K for my current 2003 truck/SUV with 133K miles, so that would be $5.5K out of pocket for the 4R.

Lastly, the 4R is almost 1.5 decades old but as mentioned only 30K~ miles and like-new. Nobody can predict the future but given the experience and knowledge of owners here, do you think it is safe to say with timely, proper maintenance the 4R will be dependable for another 15 years or 150K miles? It will be almost 30 years old by then.

Thanks.
 
52577 said:
Thanks for the insight.

Interesting that the Sport is the lowest trim level. The VIN comes up as SR5 Sport but it doesn’t have the hood scoop, which I believe comes on all sport models?

It also does not have XREAS, no the rear spoiler, no sunroof, and I believe no hill decent. It does have traction control, ABS, TPS, cruise, single disk CD, manual seats with inflatable lumbar support, tilt only wheel, AC, roof rack with cross supports, black running boards, and 16” wheels with 5-year-old Michelin all-seasons and generous tread left. Color is one of my favorites - Galactic Gray Mica.

Given the fact this private opportunity has come my way to purchase this 4R, I feel I would be remiss if I passed up on it. You don’t see 30K~ mile, like-new 4R’s under $10K that often, if ever. I’ve already had an offer of $4K for my current 2003 truck/SUV with 133K miles, so that would be $5.5K out of pocket for the 4R.

Lastly, the 4R is almost 1.5 decades old but as mentioned only 30K~ miles and like-new. Nobody can predict the future but given the experience and knowledge of owners here, do you think it is safe to say with timely, proper maintenance the 4R will be dependable for another 15 years or 150K miles? It will be almost 30 years old by then.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Most certainly if properly mantained it will last another 150,000 miles and IMHO much more, how many years that will be depends on how many miles you drive it in a year.

Yes all Sport Editions have the hood scoop.

That being said there will be some major expenses at some point as with any vehicle as the mileage gets up there such as the timing belt/s, brakes, possible suspension components, possible exhaust components, i.e. cats, muffler, etc. and there's always the rare but seldom various misc. component failure that could popup.

But for the most part I think you will drive it for many, many miles and years with just the basic common maintenance!

Good luck with your chance at owing a great T4R and let us knows how it goes, if you do get it be sure to use these forums to learn about your new ride and how to keep it going strong and also in the future help others here with your gained knowledge and experiences good or bad with the T4R!!
 
Run-Run-Run over there Forest...and get your Gen4 deposit down / now.
- every vehicle has + & -'s, Toyota just much less of them
A mint unicorn, for under $10,000 / you won't find another.
- once every 10 years, one is usually in the right place at the right time / so opportunity knocks

I also upgrade to the cream puffs & virtually drive a free vehicle.
- 5 years ago, bought a 2005 Jimmy 4x4...for $3,000 selling it now for $4K
- paid $9,000 Cdn (= 7,000 US$) for a mint 2000 SR5 4x4, with 80,000 miles
- my T4R is in 9.5-10 condition throughout, garage kept by 1 senior owner & mint original paint
- plan to keep the 4Runner for another 15-20 years
^^ An improved vehicle change, I couldn't afford to pass up !!
 
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Awesome deal! Take it and run :) I got mine (see sig) for $8200 but I had about 6 times the mileage on mine!

I'm assuming you're closer to the west coast if it's a west coast vehicle? Pretty sure the 2WDs had an Auto-LSD in the rear so you should be good for winter (just get some A/T tires that are snowflake rated. KO2, AT3W spring to mind).

If you want to make it into a prerunner thats the perfect recipe ;) V8, RWD, just get some lift spindles up front and coils/shocks out back and have some fun :)
 
Just my opinion, this is a 2WD, and you did say, that you do go off-road, so why would you even consider a 2WD? you will end up regretting it, no matter the price.
I had a friend that was in your same situation, bought the 2wd and found out even with a rear locker that he had installed, it wasnt enough....
In the end, its your money, your rig, do what makes YOU happy, we will be here to help as we can :thumb:
 
Great deal. Jump on it before it's gone! If you hate the car, I'm positive you could resell it for a nice profit in the future.
 
Thanks for the feedback. ��

I still have to pay all the registration fees. But I agree it's a fair deal for both of us. I'm excited to own the 4R. Practically every review of the 4R is positive.

The only thing that's a bit odd to me is the floor pan is shallower than a truck and the seating position for legs is more stretched out rather than upright.

I'll post pictures.
 
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52577 said:
Condition is almost like brand new. Used mostly as a grocery getter and kid hauler. Garage kept all its life. Owner detailed it regularly, including the engine bay is spotless. West coast vehicle, zero rust. Toyota PPI came back perfect, no codes and no history codes. Exterior and interior 9.5.
Click to expand...

I like it, around here your paying at least $7k for something with around 200k miles and you know your going to have to do a lot of servicing on the average.

Just looked up a 2006 for curiosity sake because of 4.0 V6 head gasket issue, last week I got a 2005 V6 SR5 with 294k and other than the servicing it needed, runs mechanically next to perfect, no rust, good service history, best $2k I may ever spend on a vehicle; the clear-coat is just badly damage, must have been going thru a 'brush' car wash too many times.

But you may have hit the jackpot, no rust, 30k, Made in Japan, just think of the price if it was only 2 to 4 years old, as I see it that's what the mileage implies as long as the miles aren't the harder city miles. But 9500 is big money, so just be sure you can live with that being it is 4x2, the less popular choice for many, but oh so wise (especially when doing ones own maintenance).
 
52577 said:
Thanks for the insight.

Interesting that the Sport is the lowest trim level. The VIN comes up as SR5 Sport but it doesn’t have the hood scoop, which I believe comes on all sport models?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Just to correct, the sr5 is the base, lowest cost model, not the sport. The sport added the xreas suspension and larger rotors, etc...

Nonetheless it sounds like a great rig if you're good with rear whell drive only.
 
Hello all,

Well ... I just bought the 4Runner today and it's now in the garage! Even comes with a new Optima battery and custom fit car cover.

Very happy. Much more compliant ride quality than my other rig. I'm amazed it's almost brand new condition. Even the undercarriage is spotless and stickers/tags are almost new.

I'll detail it soon and get pictures posted.

Questions:

Does the remote fob roll up the back window? If so how? My remote will roll it down with one push but not back up. Couldn't find answer in the OM. Did learn how to roll it down and up with the key.

Illuminated running boards was an option? These RB are not lighted.

Thanks again for the help!
 
Not sure, but for the owner's manual if missing you can go to toyota.com and sign up for a free account, put in your VIN, and then there are links to manuals and Toyota dealer's service history on your Toyota.
 
52577 said:
Hello all,

Well ... I just bought the 4Runner today and it's now in the garage! Even comes with a new Optima battery and custom fit car cover.

Very happy. Much more compliant ride quality than my other rig. I'm amazed it's almost brand new condition. Even the undercarriage is spotless and stickers/tags are almost new.

I'll detail it soon and get pictures posted.

Questions:

Does the remote fob roll up the back window? If so how? My remote will roll it down with one push but not back up. Couldn't find answer in the OM. Did learn how to roll it down and up with the key.

Illuminated running boards was an option? These RB are not lighted.

Thanks again for the help!
Click to expand...

From the factory you cannot roll the rear window up with the fob. Either use the rear hatch lock, twist the key to lock and hold until the window the gets all the way to the top or use the switch on the dash (one touch up and down). I believe, but not 100% sure, that there have been "hacks" which allow for the fob to be used, search the forums.

Lighted running boards were a standard feature on the limited trims. I don't think it was even an option on the other trims.
 
Thanks.
Actually I'm glad it's not 4WD. I had it on my last rig (different brand truck) that I bought brand new fully loaded thinking I would use all the stuff. 4WD stopped working and I never missed it as a RWD. I hardly ever used my sunroof too. In fact I wish the 4R didn't have traction control or ABS, just other expensive fail points. My last rig, although fully loaded, had neither and I survived just fine driving it for 15 years.

Just got the timing belt, WP, and seals and serpentine belt replaced and oil change at Toyota. More because of time than miles as a precaution. .

The old belts and WP look new. I guess as they should for low miles. Oh well, you don't know until you know. It's good now until 120K

I can't get over how remarkably quiet and butter smooth this V8 is. The suspension is very compliant.
 
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