Should I buy???

4

4runner_noob

New member
Hi,

I'm new to the 4Runner forum and technically, I'm not a 4Runner owner...yet ;)

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a 2004 Limited 4Runner with 133k miles. The dealer is asking $12k.

I'm nervous because I have never bought a car with more than 40k miles in my life. I really want a 4Runner but this is one of the few that fall in my price range. So I'm curious to know how long a 4Runner with 133k miles will last me. I've never owned a Toyota, but have heard a lot about their quality and reliability.

Can anyone with a 2004 4Runner share their story? Should I pull the trigger? Is $12k a fair price? It's a one owner and looks great inside and out.

Looking forward to the replies.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Please provide more details such as the model, engine, and such. There's a big difference between the various models and maintenance. Does it have any records?m

As far as miles no big deal. I've only owned Toyotas since the 70's and my current has 150K and I have no hesitation to haul a trailer all over the country as I'll do this summer. It'll also get a good amount of off-road abuse.

My last truck was a Land Cruiser that I sold with 287K on it and it was in fantastic shape. High miles? no issue at all...
 
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4runner_noob said:
Hi,

I'm new to the 4Runner forum and technically, I'm not a 4Runner owner...yet ;)

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a 2004 Limited 4Runner with 133k miles. The dealer is asking $12k.

I'm nervous because I have never bought a car with more than 40k miles in my life. I really want a 4Runner but this is one of the few that fall in my price range. So I'm curious to know how long a 4Runner with 133k miles will last me. I've never owned a Toyota, but have heard a lot about their quality and reliability.

Can anyone with a 2004 4Runner share their story? Should I pull the trigger? Is $12k a fair price? It's a one owner and looks great inside and out.

Looking forward to the replies.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I just paid 8k private for an 04 v8 4x4 sport edition with 100k
 
I would come down a bit on that price....mileage is so-so....I've owned Toyotas all of my life...owned one truck, 2 Tacomas, 2 4Runners, and 2 Siennas. None of them ever left me stranded.....nothing unexpected. My 99 Tacoma was a beast. I regret selling her.

Either way, I had an 04 4Runner V6. Sold it with 140k miles. No issues whatsoever. Felt as strong as the day I got her at 20k miles.
 
ive got an 04 sr5 4x4 v6, paid about 12k when it had 94 thousand on it. it still runs like it just came off the lot. for that amount of miles i think the price is a bit steep
 
4runner_noob said:
Hi,

I'm new to the 4Runner forum and technically, I'm not a 4Runner owner...yet ;)

I am thinking about pulling the trigger on a 2004 Limited 4Runner with 133k miles. The dealer is asking $12k.

I'm nervous because I have never bought a car with more than 40k miles in my life. I really want a 4Runner but this is one of the few that fall in my price range. So I'm curious to know how long a 4Runner with 133k miles will last me. I've never owned a Toyota, but have heard a lot about their quality and reliability.

Can anyone with a 2004 4Runner share their story? Should I pull the trigger? Is $12k a fair price? It's a one owner and looks great inside and out.

Looking forward to the replies.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...

I would see if you can get any maintenance records, car fax etc. At 133k you are at that point where you may want to check and see what they have done. If its a v8 check to see if they have changed the timing belt or water pump. Depending on if they have not done anything you may use that as a bargaining chip. I wouldn't accept 12k without pushing for lower, 10-11k would be a good price depending on condition and maintenance.

Just my $0.02, I just bought my 08 v8 and got the dealer down 3.5k by discussing the things I see and not being afraid to walk.
 
CXS said:
Please provide more details such as the model, engine, and such. There's a big difference between the various models and maintenance. Does it have any records?m

As far as miles no big deal. I've only owned Toyotas since the 70's and my current has 150K and I have no hesitation to haul a trailer all over the country as I'll do this summer. It'll also get a good amount of off-road abuse.

My last truck was a Land Cruiser that I sold with 287K on it and it was in fantastic shape. High miles? no issue at all...
Click to expand...


It's a 2004 V8 4.7L Limited with just under 137K miles Galactic Gray Mica. KBB is closer $15k dealer is asking $11,995.
 
trailrazer said:
4 Wheel Drive?
Click to expand...

Yeah, if it's 4WD and the interior and exterior are in excellent condition then that might be a fair price.

I just bought one exactly like what you're looking at from a dealer in Nicholasville, KY back in March of this year. It had 104,000 on the clock. I made certain that the timing belt had been changed, everything on the interior worked, and the vehicle had zero mechanical problems. It might die next week...but at least there are no problems at the time of sale. Also, I got all service records from the previous owner.

These trucks are built well...but they are not bulletproof. They have their fair share of issues. My front wheel alignment cams are frozen solid, exhaust manifolds are cracked, and I've had to replace a lot of bulbs, change all the fluids, grease all the zerks, etc. I've already spent a lot of money just fixing little thigns and catching up on maintenance. The spark plug job alone was $75 and that was with me doing the work myself.
 
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That doesn't sound too bad. I'd run it through NADA Guides and Edmunds to check their values. Having the timing belt, water pump and spark plugs serviced would also be a consideration. If you're in a salt road state, I'd check the underbody for rust. If the vehicle was purchased and owned in any of the salty road states, again I'd check the underbody condition.

If it drives good, no service history concerns, it's in good shape, you like it and feel it's a fair price.... then go for it.
 
Yeah, like others have said it sounds okay but the lack of timing belt records, etc would turn me away. The maintenance needed could easly be between 1 & 2K in negotiations...
 
I would check the Toyota Owners site. Register, puch in the vin and it will show you most any maint records from toyota dealers. Also check the engine bay for a sticker showing the timing belt replacement date and mileage. It usually looks like a little oil change type sticker. Mine is on the air filter box.

I purchased my 03 SE 4.7 4x4 a few months ago with 150K on the clock for 8500 tax tag title. I invested a little bit in it swtiching all the fluids I can to synthetic and have done a few things to make it my own. Now I LOVE IT!!! It is strong and smooth. I would say check the things I listed above for the peice of mind of knowing it has been done. If you can't find it either of those two ways then it probably wasn't changed. If you find it was done and your good with your final price then go for it. That is about the same price they were going for around here when I got mine. I just caught the right dealer at the right time with the all powerful green backs in my hand when I got mine and walked out well below book value.
 
I bought my 03 V6 4X4 SR5 with 100,900 on the odometer for $12,795. More than I wanted to spend but it is in top shape with a good Carfax report. The previous owner had all the maintenance done at the Toyota dealer and kept up with everything. The mileage kind of spooked me too but some of the guys on here have over 400,000 miles on theirs! I've only had it for a month and I'm quite happy with it!

The Carfax report said mine was $1,330 over retail book value but was worth more based on their report...for what it's worth.
 
Service History Concerns???

This 4runner only has 4 service records in ~140K miles...should this be a concern? I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to test drive. They have a mechanic on site...should I have him do a once over before buying? Can I trust him? I read on consumer reports that the 2 main problem areas on a 04 V8 4Runner is the transfer case and brakes. Can anyone speak to these? I'm very car illiterate. Is there anything I can look at once I get there that would put up a red flag? Where is the transfer case? I'd also like to know where I can find the timing belt and water pump to have these checked because I know these are a major concern as well. I am bringing a print version of the Official Toyota Maintenance guide. It shows the timing belt should have been replaced at 90K and the transfer case oil should be inspected every 15k miles.

Sorry to drone on...just trying to go into this as knowledgeable and informed and prepared as I can be.


Would appreciate any advice on these topics. Thanks to all. I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.
 
I would want to know if the Timing Belt has been replaced.

I would want to see a record of the fluids having been replaced (flushed, or drained and filled)
ATF Fluid, Transfer case, Diffs, Toyota Super Long Life Pink / Red coolant.

Only 4 service records would definitely be a red flag for me.

Too bad there is no transmission dip stick to check the ATF.

Without knowing so much about a truck with that many miles, I would say the asking price is a bit steep. If your mechanic does not have good news, I would start preparing yourself to walk away. There are a lot of other T4R out there with better service histories. It sounds like you are dubious about the mileage anyway. If you want a lower mileage truck then wait to find it. I found my 2003 Limited with 73,000 miles and paid a few thousand less than your asking price.
 
I just bought a 08 sr5 v6 4x4 with similar miles for a little less from a dealership. It had a decent amount of service records and is in great shape. Even had almost brand new (based on tread depth) 265/75/16 Goodyear duratracs on it. That many years older just seems a little high to me, but I a new and don't know a lot about the v8's
 
The main concern is the timing belt replacement. If it shows its been done then it most likely has been. The transfer case/differential fluids are EASY to change and I would recommend changing them to synthetic fluids any way using this like as a guide:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...ntial-transfer-case-fluids-pics-included.html

That being said DRIVE IT! Test drive the piss out of it!! If it has a feature test it, every mode of 4x4, every button, wipers, EVERYTHING!!!! Make sure it works and doesn't do anything wierd. Mine is silky smooth in transition of all gears and 4x4 settings if you have any strange noises, clicks, bumps, grinds, jerks anything then it could be a concern but if not I seriously don't think you will have an issue.

If you need further peace of mind see if they will let you and the salesman take it to an independant mechanic for a once over. If thats a deal breaker and they wo't let you then you probably don't want to buy anything from them anyway.
 
How long will a vehicle with 133K last? A very long time if you take care of it.
I just bought this 97 with 254K on it a couple of weeks ago. Miles don't bother me if I know the history or am capable of doing most of the mechanical work myself. These 4runners are awesome and what I would call near bullet proof. Once you are in one and driving, you will love it. Mine rides and drives just as good as a new one and I am still getting @ 16mpg in town and about 22 interstate. Not bad for that many miles.

Pic of my high mileage 4Runner:
 
If you are within driving distance to L'ville check out craigslist. There are better options based on the descriptions.
 
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