Purchasing 5th Gen Used (What to look for?)

[gookies]

Coming from an old 02' RX300, sister has a 4th gen 4Runner, V8, AWD, but doesn't want to give it to me , so I may be in the market for a 5th gen. Disappointed that they probably won't make another V8 model, but is there anything I should be looking out for when buying a used one? Like certain components that seem to fail earlier than usual, etc.? Thank you.

 

[rsimi72]

I would be sure to test drive at highway speed (60+ mph) to check for the steering wheel wobble. Even if it wobbles or shakes at speed, you can likely fix it or at least improve it. You just may not want to inherit that issue. Good luck and happy shopping!

 

[gookies]

I would be sure to test drive at highway speed (60+ mph) to check for the steering wheel wobble. Even if it wobbles or shakes at speed, you can likely fix it or at least improve it. You just may not want to inherit that issue. Good luck and happy shopping!

Is this a recall?

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Rust on the frame and suspension
Accident Damage
Maintenance Records

 

[BCMUSA]

Don't buy if its ever been a rental or loaner car.

I currently have a 2018 4runner rental while mine is getting fixed and its beat to hell.

 

[Bayou_Pro]

Don't buy if its ever been a rental or loaner car.

I currently have a 2018 4runner rental while mine is getting fixed and its beat to hell.

Can't say that I agree with that, at least as a general rule. Each vehicle should be judged on it's own merits. Working at a Toyota Dealership we had a whole fleet of loaner/rentals. They were used for less then 10K miles, completely serviced and sold as Certified Toyotas. They had better warranties then a new one and a good buy for the customer.

 

[Bossman]

Are You a New or Prospective 5th Gen 4Runner Owner? Need Help Searching? Start Here!

5th Gen Features/Models/Differences - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

Would you buy a used 5th Gen Rental?

5th Gen reliability

Problems With the 5th Gen?

Common Issues

Worst Problem with 5th gen??

 

[BobsTrail]

if possible get a look under it. Check for off road damage to skid plate or gas tank, heavy mud or dirt etc. to get an idea of how it was treated.

 

[redneckj]

possible flood damage. Check the car fax to see where the 4runner has been registered. If there was a major flood in that area when it was registered you might want to pass on that 4runner.

 

[Flighht2k]

Coming from an old 02' RX300, sister has a 4th gen 4Runner, V8, AWD, but doesn't want to give it to me , so I may be in the market for a 5th gen. Disappointed that they probably won't make another V8 model, but is there anything I should be looking out for when buying a used one? Like certain components that seem to fail earlier than usual, etc.? Thank you.

They still make a v8 model. The 460.

 

[CavPro]

1) run the VIN through toyota's site to see exactly how it was configured when they built it, versus what you are seeing in front of you as you look.

2) any signs of previous equipment, oem and aftermarket, that has been removed. You occasionally see the fire sales around here when aftermarket stuff is taken off and replaced with stock stuff.

3) learn what Toyota used as oem stuff. If something you are buying has led headlights/taillights etc, make sure they used quality stuff and it was properly spliced into the wiring. Electrical mods would be one of the major things I'd be concerned with along with major mechanical mods.

 

[nb rob]

-there's not a lot that goes wrong with these vehicles on a regular basis-- which is what led me here 4 years ago.

-If you test drive it an it feels like it darts around on the highway, that's fixed with an alignment. Caster specifically.

-Bossman's links are the go-to.

-and Flighht2k is bang on-- the GX460 is like a big brother to the 4runner. Because the 4runner's resale value is unusually high, the GX might be in the same ballpark pricewise.
Actually, what most of us quickly realised is that the 5th gen resale is so high, a lot of us just found a few thousand more in the budget for a brand new vehicle.

Good luck!

 

[rsimi72]

Is this a recall?

Not a recall that I know of. Assuming you’re asking about the steering wheel shake. Just a potential issue that more than a few owners have battled. Some with more success than others. Mine has improved over time. You should be able to find plenty of threads on this forum and others.

 

[IrishRover]

Thanks for the links Bossman! (currently in search of a used 4Runner)

 

[SNORunner01]

I would look out for crappy body mount chop work. When guys try and fit larger tires on a runner they sometime do a BMC. If it done poorly it leaves your frame susceptible to the elements and is not good for your rig.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mcat707]

Look to see if it comes with a center console tray. If it doesn’t come with it, avoid it at all costs.

 

[KF4R2011]

Remember, there is a difference between accident damage and just general body damage like a shopping cart strike. When I bought mine, it wasn't clear to me which kind of damage that carfax was reporting. After talking with 2 of the salesmen, they convinced me it was the latter and had been repaired.

Also look VERY close in the gaps on each side of the windshield glass. If you see Benson on the glass, its been replaced. You need to make sure there is no rust from when they cut out the old glass. My Dad purchased a 2012 and saw the rust after bringing it home. When the local glass shop pulled the glass off there was MASSIVE amounts of rust from the poor workmanship of the installer. Their knife had apparently deeply gouged the paint and was it was rapidly deteriorating.

 

[Muzzle of Bees]

They are incredibly built vehicles. I would make sure that you understand the model differences so that your getting it equipped with the proper off road features, if that’s what you want, so you don’t have any regrets.

 

[1jzgte]

add a lexus GX to your list... the 4runner is a slug