The search goes on....

[MrRoo]

Does anyone take care of their vehicles anymore? I've looked at so many 4th gens that are junk. My price range is $9k tops. I know they are gonna have 150,000 miles +. I'm fine with that as some people maintenance their stuff. But seems everyone I look at in my price range has been beat to hell and back. No maintenance history. Dealers saying that the vehicle they have is a pristine one owner. Only to find out it's junk also. I'm trying to find a V8 2004-5 that's clean and been cared for. I've driven probably 1000 miles looking at some in the Michigan area. All overpriced and not what they are described and pictured as. Pictures lie big time!! It's hard to give up my clean 3rd gen. Even though it's got 243,000 on it. It's been much cleaner and cared for than most 10 years newer. Blows my mind.

 

[jreask]

I feel your pain. I just bought a 2005 Limited with 210k miles. It is in pretty good condition body and interior. I bought it because there were over 60 service records on the Toyota owners website that lists dealer service history.

 

[MrRoo]

Im not afraid to fly out somewhere and drive back. But I can't even find any worth calling on. No one wants to deal even $500. I guess I'm looking for a unicorn. Clean V8 04-05 for under $9K. Who would have thought none existed state side?

 

[fdbyrne]

Im not afraid to fly out somewhere and drive back. But I can't even find any worth calling on. No one wants to deal even $500. I guess I'm looking for a unicorn. Clean V8 04-05 for under $9K. Who would have thought none existed state side?

You're not alone. KBB and other tools really aren't any good when it comes to 4x4 Toyota trucks. They almost always go for way more.

I've been keeping an eye on the local market (Springfield, St. Louis, Kansas City, Tulsa, and NW Arkansas) for quite a while. Nothing has popped up in a very long time that would fit your criteria. The cheapest 4x4 V8 within driving distance from me at the moment is a 2005 Sport with 96,000 miles on it. It's in town and looks great. Unfortunately it's had 5 owners, 2 accidents, and was priced at $16,000.

There is another one on Craigslist that has 99,000 miles. It's a Limited V8 4x4 and they only want $12,500. It was only after some serious questions that I found out that it had a salvaged title.

The only trucks that I've seen recently that were in your price range were 2003-2005 V6 SR5 models with between 100k and 250k miles.

I'm not trying to discourage you. You have a nice truck right now so take your time and get the right one. Just don't expect it to happen for a while. The prices for 4x4s go down in the Spring somewhat.

 

[46runner]

http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/cto/5284837492.html

2005 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD, 106K Miles, Auto, AC, 4.7L V8 - $10995 (Meredith, NH)

 

[chitown40]

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5 4WD 163K MILES MOONROOF NO ACCIDENTS!!!!

2005 toyota 4runner sr5 4X4 8cil

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/5273929834.html

 

[techno]

I spent 18 months looking for the right one for me but I was very picky with the installed options and mileage. I found the only guys willing to deal were the ones that were selling slowly, like 3+ months on the lot. But there was usually a not-so-obvious-on-the-internet issue that was the reason they were selling slowly.
My preferred sites were cars, cargurus, truecar and autotrader. In that order. And don't take the written descriptions as truth, use the pictures if you can. I found LOTS of errors like SR5's called Sport Editions, wrong colors, 4x2's listed as 4x4s etc

But, in the end, I found the perfect for me vehicle. Research and patience paid off.

 

[Erkelbot]

autotempest is also a helpful tool. A good way of aggregating results within a geography.

 

[bpowa]

Yup I remember when I was looking for mines almost 1.5 years ago. I have access manheim auto auction. Even then the price at auction was high. Dealers arent making much unless its a trade in. Also depends on where you live. I compared prices. Places with mountain and snow cost more. I also got it when gas prices was a bit high and housing economy sucked. So I grazed through CL and jump on ones right away. Found mines with 140k and guy was asking 8700. I talked him down to 7600. Given you have to have an eye for vehicles.

You really have to look pass the minor stuff. Like minor scratches that can be buffed out. bumper scratches. and interior dirt and grime.

As long as the interior is not scratched or ripped and bumpers and body have no dent you should be good to go. Dealers dont buy clean vehicles. they have to steam and shampoo the interiot and repair minor scratches and bumper damage. To the average person it may look like shit. Generally they buy and trade cars and have to set aside 500-1500 to refinish the vehicle before they put it on the lot.

So you have to really just buy a vehicle that at least have fluids flush often and deal with the minor wear. Its a 10 year old vehicle.

On the other hand. I just sold my acura tl-s. I put it up for 12,700 Got a bunch of inquiaries and tire kickers. Even though I ask them ahead again if they already researched the vehicle. And I am not a dealer my time is valuable. Yet they feel the need for a test drive. and waste my time. I ended up selling it to a friend for 11k. He knows I take care of it and didn't even need to see it. It was a loss for me but I rather have him drive it. Its his first real car not junk. Its sad that I had tire kickers say its cleaner than other ones they saw at the dealer. I just feel tehy wanted a test drive and cant afford it without financing. I try to think positive of folks but everyone is out for themselves. Even if I mention to them I am in the process of moving and trying to consolidate, and not have much time for tire kickers.

I know I rant a lot. But I hope I gave you a bit of prospective on overlooking minor flaws.

 

[jbssfelix]

You're not alone. KBB and other tools really aren't any good when it comes to 4x4 Toyota trucks. They almost always go for way more.

I've been keeping an eye on the local market (Springfield, St. Louis, Kansas City, Tulsa, and NW Arkansas) for quite a while. Nothing has popped up in a very long time that would fit your criteria. The cheapest 4x4 V8 within driving distance from me at the moment is a 2005 Sport with 96,000 miles on it. It's in town and looks great. Unfortunately it's had 5 owners, 2 accidents, and was priced at $16,000.

There is another one on Craigslist that has 99,000 miles. It's a Limited V8 4x4 and they only want $12,500. It was only after some serious questions that I found out that it had a salvaged title.

The only trucks that I've seen recently that were in your price range were 2003-2005 V6 SR5 models with between 100k and 250k miles.

I'm not trying to discourage you. You have a nice truck right now so take your time and get the right one. Just don't expect it to happen for a while. The prices for 4x4s go down in the Spring somewhat.

If it's any help pegging a price, I bought a rust-free, super-clean 05 Limited v8 for right about $15k grand total with 75k miles on it. One-owner (ex-soccer mom who downsized to a Lexus NX), had all the service records.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Yeah, sorry but at $9k, high miles and/or crap condition (or 2wd) or salvage title is what you're going to find, at least around here (CO) where there are lots of 4th gens. So if you're shopping in that price range you may need to adjust your expectations instead of expecting other people to do what YOU think they should do. :

When I put mine up for sale this week, I looked at CL and other web sites and the cheapest 4th gens were around $10k, most of those had very high miles (240k and up), or salvage titles (or both.) I listed my '07 SR5 V6 at what I thought was a "high end" price ($15,500) and have already had 3 inquiries and that was within 24 hours of posting the ad. I expect I will probably have to come down but one thing I've learned when selling is it's easier to drop a price than to raise one.

4th gens go for premium dollar, that's just the way it is. If it's worth it to you, it's worth it, if not I'd look at another brand.

 

[radlynx]

why don't you just look for a 5th gen and finance the rest of the amount? if your expectations are high at $9k budget, I think you are dreaming about it.

Does anyone take care of their vehicles anymore? I've looked at so many 4th gens that are junk. My price range is $9k tops. I know they are gonna have 150,000 miles +. I'm fine with that as some people maintenance their stuff. But seems everyone I look at in my price range has been beat to hell and back. No maintenance history. Dealers saying that the vehicle they have is a pristine one owner. Only to find out it's junk also. I'm trying to find a V8 2004-5 that's clean and been cared for. I've driven probably 1000 miles looking at some in the Michigan area. All overpriced and not what they are described and pictured as. Pictures lie big time!! It's hard to give up my clean 3rd gen. Even though it's got 243,000 on it. It's been much cleaner and cared for than most 10 years newer. Blows my mind.

 

[MrRoo]

I'm 100% fine with minor flaws. I'm a detailer for a second job/side income. So buff and polish no big deal. I won't go over $9K as I'm paying cash. Will not finance a vehicle. If i have to keep drivin my 98, so be it. I'll just keep looking for a rust free southern or western vehicle. As I said. High mileage doesn't bother me as long as it's been maintenance good and somewhat clean. All the one in Chicago area listed I've looked at. All were beat to hell city cars. Or had very rusty frames. I guess I'm just ranting on here. I know what I'm looking for. Been a GM/Toyota master tech for 13 years up until a couple years ago. Working on something is no big deal. But polishing a turd is not my idea of getting a good deal.

 

[Erkelbot]

I think you should get a Subaru Brat. They're not abundant, but with $9K you could probably buy one and really make it yours. And you'd be known as 'the Brat guy'. Alternatively, a poor substitute to that plan would be a Dodge Rampage...still acceptable in the event you couldn't get a Brat.

 

[MrRoo]

So is buying a 2004 with 200,000 on it a bad idea. Found a southern one that looks clean. One owner. Clean car fax if its believable. Is it worth it to sell my 98 with 243,000 on it to buy a 2004 with 200,000? The ? Of the day...

 

[Erkelbot]

Perhaps I missed it...why are you selling the 3rd gen? It's clean, right? Why trade one you know the history of for another you're on the fence about?... Are you bored with it? I guess I don't get it, since you're paying $9K for a 'new' car and will not get $9K for the 3rd gen...

 

[MrRoo]

I need something a little bigger and more power for towing stuff. My 98 is very clean for age and miles. But in the end a decent 4th gen V8 will get me by for a couple years till we get some stuff paid off and new house. Sold my summer/toy car last week and paid off a couple student loans of my wife's. Now I can sell the 3rd gen and upgrade to a better newer model and still not have a car payment. So cash in bank to blow or spend on decent vehicle for 2 years. Question of the night.

 

[Erkelbot]

Source a 3rd gen TRD supercharger. That would cost you very little and change that truck entirely. It won't get bigger, but it will get awesome...er.

 

[bpowa]

Source a 3rd gen TRD supercharger. That would cost you very little and change that truck entirely. It won't get bigger, but it will get awesome...er.

you would put a SC on a 250k engine? That can cost as much as the truck?

OP wants what he wants. Every single one of you know or has had that feeling. If you want something and have your mind set to it. Common sense can get cloudy. Life is full of wants. In the end have less = less stress.

 

[Erkelbot]

If it's a well taken care of truck with 250K, yes. Why not?... Those 3.4Ls run for lifetimes if they're tended to. And a good used SC can be had for $2K or less if you're patient.

I offered up the suggestion as something to think about. He owes nothing on the 3rd gen. Add a couple grand and you still have less than the net cost to buy a $9K 4th gen and sell off the 3rd gen. It's not going to make the truck bigger, but will it will change his 3rd gen enough?...It would for me.

OP wants impartial advice, so I offered something out of the box. He's having trouble finding something suited to his taste for his budget. This suggestion may be one he didn't think of. One that may cost him less money, and yield him a lot of fun with a truck he used to love -- and can love once again.