Stick with 3rd gen or go 4th?

[COSteve]

Have you ever looked on the Manheim auction for 4th gens? I have. They all seem to be from Ohio, Mich, NY, Penn, Mass, etc. I know there are used car dealers in Denver who bring these here to sell at our higher than average prices. Even buying in CO doesn't guarantee a rust free car. Mine was a one owner from Craig traded in at Rifle. When I first saw it it was a mess but I was pretty sure it was all just dirt. Dealer's detail team did a great job and it came clean. There were rust stains on the paint the size of a silver dollar that were from a paint chip no bigger than the head of a pin but neglected for who knows how long. A little polish and touch up and like new. I'm still wondering how a dirty 100k mile interior can clean up to showroom condition. The materials in these cars are great.

 

[AuSeeker]

Most serious rust issues on 4thGens are the on frame, the radiator support seems to be the first issue that needs attention, then on the frame in the right front wheel well where the AC condensation drips down on the frame close to the friewall and maybe a bit on the hatch, i.e. tiny holes forming from the inside due to moisture getting trapped under the sound deadening material.

So if the frame seems to be in good condition the rust in the engine bay unless dramatic shouldn't be a big issue.

 

[atalarico]

Have you ever looked on the Manheim auction for 4th gens? I have. They all seem to be from Ohio, Mich, NY, Penn, Mass, etc. I know there are used car dealers in Denver who bring these here to sell at our higher than average prices. Even buying in CO doesn't guarantee a rust free car. Mine was a one owner from Craig traded in at Rifle. When I first saw it it was a mess but I was pretty sure it was all just dirt. Dealer's detail team did a great job and it came clean. There were rust stains on the paint the size of a silver dollar that were from a paint chip no bigger than the head of a pin but neglected for who knows how long. A little polish and touch up and like new. I'm still wondering how a dirty 100k mile interior can clean up to showroom condition. The materials in these cars are great.

Yeah, to be fair, the mag chloride we put down on the roads causes rust too, just not as much as rock salt. I had a rule when I was looking to avoid a car from the states you listed like the plague since I want to keep my next 4Runner until time unending (or I can afford a 5th gen in 5-7 years). I violated my own rule and feel dumb.

Most serious rust issues on 4thGens are the on frame, the radiator support seems to be the first issue that needs attention, then on the frame in the right front wheel well where the AC condensation drips down on the frame close to the friewall and maybe a bit on the hatch, i.e. tiny holes forming from the inside due to moisture getting trapped under the sound deadening material.

So if the frame seems to be in good condition the rust in the engine bay unless dramatic shouldn't be a big issue.

Yeah, so the previous owner hit the rad supports with a wire wheel and painted them, along with a few other spots. Maybe that's good then? I'll check the frame around where the AC condensation drips though. The hatch looks good since I was mucking around there yesterday trying to fix some wiring job that was done for a backup camera, but I didn't pull the panel off to look inside either.

I'll snap a few pics of the stuff in the engine bay to see what you all think though. I looked at the frame with a pocket torch during the meet up and nothing jumped out at me, but I'm going to take a closer look now.

Thanks all!

 

[AuSeeker]

If the radiator support was rust badly no amount of wrie brushing and paint would save it, there wouldn't be hardly anything left to save, so if it looks solid, no worries.

 

[C-RAIG]

Yeah, to be fair, the mag chloride we put down on the roads causes rust too, just not as much as rock salt. I had a rule when I was looking to avoid a car from the states you listed like the plague since I want to keep my next 4Runner until time unending (or I can afford a 5th gen in 5-7 years). I violated my own rule and feel dumb.



Yeah, so the previous owner hit the rad supports with a wire wheel and painted them, along with a few other spots. Maybe that's good then? I'll check the frame around where the AC condensation drips though. The hatch looks good since I was mucking around there yesterday trying to fix some wiring job that was done for a backup camera, but I didn't pull the panel off to look inside either.

I'll snap a few pics of the stuff in the engine bay to see what you all think though. I looked at the frame with a pocket torch during the meet up and nothing jumped out at me, but I'm going to take a closer look now.

Thanks all!

If you sell I need those wheels!! Congrats! I am still debating giving mine back haha

 

[atalarico]

If you sell I need those wheels!! Congrats! I am still debating giving mine back haha

What's so special about them!? Also, yeah, I'm wondering when that jealous and sad feeling I get when I see a nice 3rd gen on the road will go away.

 

[thecole1098]

What's so special about them!? Also, yeah, I'm wondering when that jealous and sad feeling I get when I see a nice 3rd gen on the road will go away.

Once you get one yourself and make others envious. Not the other way around.

 

[C-RAIG]

What's so special about them!? Also, yeah, I'm wondering when that jealous and sad feeling I get when I see a nice 3rd gen on the road will go away.

I just like the sport wheels. I think they look cool. I did just order level 8 wheels for my truck though.

 

[atalarico]

Once you get one yourself and make others envious. Not the other way around.

You mean get another one, right?

I miss my baby...