So I have been looking for my first 4Runner and might have missed a beauty

[njfastlife]

So I have been looking for my first 4Runner and might have missed a beauty today...

this dealership, 5 minutes from my house, sold this under my nose this morning. i am super bummed as i need a vehicle within the next month (ASAP).

:hurt:

2008 Toyota 4Runner for sale in Ocean Township New Jersey JTEBU14R78K023394

i have that pit in my stomach feel.

so now is the time to introduce myself formally as i am obviously new here. i would like to keep my 4Runner purchase at or under $15k with SLIGHT flexibility depending.

i am leaning towards the 4th gen, preferably after the refresh, but i also like the 3rd gen.

what i'll use it for is as a DD (10 mile commute), a snowboard/ski/surf vehicle and just general cruising. basically a do anything vehicle.

should i be aiming for a V6 or V8 in your professional opinions?

also does it seem people have more luck buying private party or via dealership?

any other protips? i have and will continue to browse the forums, but i would love some specific, targeted advice.

thank you ALL!

 

[kingguy]

what i'll use it for is as a DD (10 mile commute), a snowboard/ski/surf vehicle and just general cruising. basically a do anything vehicle.

should i be aiming for a V6 or V8 in your professional opinions?

also does it seem people have more luck buying private party or via dealership?

hardly a professional, but..

if you aren't doing any towing, I would go for a V6 - better gas mileage and the engine has a timing chain rather than a belt, which theoretically shouldn't require replacement

I prefer to look private party - can get a better deal, but fewer and farther between. i also feel better about talking with a previous owner rather than a dealer guy I don't feel like I can trust

Also... I know how you feel. I almost pulled the trigger on a single-owner 2006 SR5, all maintenance records, and only 65k miles, new tires, garage kept, immaculate condition for $15K. It was over KBB, so I hesitated. By the time I came around the day after I test drove, it was already sold to somebody else.

At least that made me decide to put some work into my 2003.

 

[njfastlife]

hardly a professional, but..

if you aren't doing any towing, I would go for a V6 - better gas mileage and the engine has a timing chain rather than a belt, which theoretically shouldn't require replacement

I prefer to look private party - can get a better deal, but fewer and farther between. i also feel better about talking with a previous owner rather than a dealer guy I don't feel like I can trust

Also... I know how you feel. I almost pulled the trigger on a single-owner 2006 SR5, all maintenance records, and only 65k miles, new tires, garage kept, immaculate condition for $15K. It was over KBB, so I hesitated. By the time I came around the day after I test drove, it was already sold to somebody else.

At least that made me decide to put some work into my 2003.

Damn. I'm thinking I want a 2006+ (that's after refresh right)?

Think I can find a nice example for around $15k? I'm impatient!

 

[TrdLtly]

Damn. I'm thinking I want a 2006+ (that's after refresh right)?

Think I can find a nice example for around $15k? I'm impatient!

2006+ 4wd for around $15k might be tough if you want something that has been cared for. Just depends on how many miles you are willing to accept.

Check out Cargurus.com That is how I found mine. Gives a good idea of what they are selling for around you.

 

[njfastlife]

2006+ 4wd for around $15k might be tough if you want something that has been cared for. Just depends on how many miles you are willing to accept.

Check out Carguru.com That is how I found mine. Gives a good idea of what they are selling for around you.

Not saying you're wrong but the one in the first post is damn close

 

[TrdLtly]

Not saying you're wrong but the one in the first post is damn close

Have to take your word for it since the dealer pulled the add.

 

[Sporin]

Hey nj!

I think you can find a 2006+ with reasonable miles for your budget but you'll have to really scour the listings and be ready to jump on it if you find the right truck.

Trucks with under 100K seem to get a real premium so you might save yourself some money by going for one with slightly over 100k. In practical terms, there's not a whole lot of difference.

 

[fclinguini]

I recently picked up an 08 AWD V6 with 123k on it for just at $16,200. I had been looking for a 4Runner for months though and wish I'd jumped on the ones I found in TX. I'm pretty happy with my V6 even though I'd originally set out to buy a V8. There were other, more important things I needed in the car besides displacement.

Depending on where you are they're out there. It just takes a lot of searching.

 

[HECDOGGIE]

Newb here... FIRST Post.


I used Autotrader.com to locate My 05 SR5. I paid 11k / 94k miles at a dealer. Its crazy how fast 4runners sell. I missed out on an 07 with 60K miles for 13. MY 05 is a 1 owner, with all maintenance records.

my guess is , when you find them, be ready to pull the trigger.

 

[Flyingbread1]

I would consider the V8. With your commute the difference in mileage isn't going to cost that much more. I have a 2006 with a V6 and I often wish I had the buttery smooth V8. If I did it all again I would have gotten a V8. Another thing you won't have to worry about is the 2WD to 4WD actuator not working someday. A V8 is full time 4WD. Make sure to check the suspension at that price point. If it has original shocks you will need new ones so account for that at purchase along with timing belt if you go with a V8. One owner private party purchase with all service records is always a smart option and always get an inspection done at a reputable shop. Good luck, best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

[rooost]

Yes there just isnt that many T4Rs....throw in that late 00s recession and there were even fewer cars in 2006, 07, 08....then add in all the combinations of V6, V8 2w4wd and the pool gets smaller and smaller !

I ended up going with CarMax..(shipped from Tulsa) eventhough they are high, I just didnt want to spend the time and effort...not too many 4WDs for sell in DFW...Houston and OKC yes just not DFW for some reason.

There will be stuff wrong, and ofcouse stuff you want to make better than stock anyway ! If it runs good and the frame is straight the rest you can fix !

 

[Martinjmpr]

I recently picked up an 08 AWD V6 with 123k on it

No such thing as an "AWD V6."

The V8's have full time 4wd (which some people call AWD) but if yours has the V6 and 4wd it will have a 2wd position on the transfer case dial.

Yes, you can drive it in 4wd on the street (because it has a center differential) which might make you think it's AWD, but it's not.

I know it's a minor quibble, but still....:

 

[Sporin]

the 4th Gen V6 and V8 have the exact same 4WD system. The only difference is that the V8 does not allow 2WD.

I leave my 05 Sport V6 in 4HI for weeks at a time during our ugly winters.

 

[fclinguini]

No such thing as an "AWD V6."



The V8's have full time 4wd (which some people call AWD) but if yours has the V6 and 4wd it will have a 2wd position on the transfer case dial.



Yes, you can drive it in 4wd on the street (because it has a center differential) which might make you think it's AWD, but it's not.



I know it's a minor quibble, but still....:

I came from Subarus. It's hard to get AWD out of my vocabulary haha. I'm still learning!

 

[MikeFrazier]

If they sold it, it wasn't meant to be. I had a stealership do that to me literally yesterday. Sold a 2004 Limited that I was getting ready to pull the trigger on. I sad the hell with stealerships and picked up an 03 sport today in excellent condition from a private owner in Denver...

 

[njfastlife]

Anyone care to check these two out for me? Seems to have extensive service history but unsure how to accurately read:

JTEBU14R68K014382

JTEBU14RX8K014382

Both asking about $20k

 

[rich045]

I got my 07 4runner sr5 v6 awd with 51k this January at planet toyota for $14200 before taxes and all the bull crap the dealers charge and the finance. Keep looking, you'll find one eventually.

 

[njfastlife]

I got my 07 4runner sr5 v6 awd with 51k this January at planet toyota for $14200 before taxes and all the bull crap the dealers charge and the finance. Keep looking, you'll find one eventually.

Nice deal what sites were you scouring?

 

[Flyingbread1]

There's a 2007 White Limited V6 with 124k on the For Sale forum for $16,500 in VA. Fly down and drive it back. He has a build thread on it, looks nice. You won't have to spend anything on mods and it's in your price range.

 

[Walkenvol]

the 4th Gen V6 and V8 have the exact same 4WD system. The only difference is that the V8 does not allow 2WD.
.

Any idea why? Can the V-8 be modified to have a 2WD option?