Thinking of Getting a 04

[peter78]

I have been thinking of getting a new 4Runner, yes I am still keeping the 01. I have been thinking of getting one for over a year and have got cold feet. My Wife saw a used one down the street and said we should look at it.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/901378807.html

It is white, a huge plus, it has no sunroof, another huge plus. I simply cannot fit in a 4Runner with a sunroof. It looks to be in good shape. I could use this vehicle until I retire in a few years and then maybe get another bigger vehicle to tow a bigger camper, or keep the 04 as a second vehicle. I plan on giving my 01 to my Son within a year or two.

I talked to the guy. He has had it for a month. He bought it from a friend who had a Aunt that drove it. She has had a few wrecks, which he says shows up on the carfax report. He has the title. It does seem to have low miles, the tires are the original tires and are michelin. To be honest, it sounds like a quasi-dealer to me.

Anyway, the front has a white grill, is that normal for a 04 SR5? Do you see anything that stands out in the pictures. It has 17" wheels. It looks like a basic 2WD without much stuff on it. Oh yes, it only has front air bags, no side air bags.

 

[Uneek]

Looks like a well maintained 4Runner.

The only thing that looks wrong possibly is the tonneau cover on the last pic. Mine has two little peg like protrusions that keep the tail/free end of the cover flat and horizontal instead of it drooping down like that in a vertical position. It is possible that it's not fully retracted all the way back.

 

[snhrph]

Uneek,

I think the tonneau cover is just installed incorrectly - facing down instead of facing to the back of the truck.


Peter78,

Why would you buy a truck that has been in a "few wrecks"? IMO, even one wreck for a used truck is one too many.

And if you are not comfortable about the seller, then just walk away from the deal. There will be others.

 

[peter78]

I drove it yesterday. It seem to drive really good. My Wife liked the vents in the back for air or heat. When I drove it, a green light was on and the yellow tire pressure light was on. The green light was for the fog lights. The air conditioner was quite hard to figure out, seemed overly complicated. I got a chance to park it in the garage, it sure is a lot bigger than the 01, but it did fit.

Sure, I am concerned about the wrecks. If it involved panels, I think I will pass. I am hoping it is just the bumpers. Still, it has low miles and no sunroof, a huge plus for me. I might go back, if I do and decide to buy it, I will take it to a shop. To me the miles and asking price seem to be decent. It is super clean inside, so I am tempted, we will just have to see how it pans out.

 

[zimm]

Do yourself a huge favor- take it to a Toyota dealership for a pre-purchase inspection. It might cost $50-70, but it could save you thousands. They can check out the crash damage/repairs and see if needs any other work. Then they'll give you an estimate- bring that sheet back to the seller and use it as leverage to bring the price further down (if it needs work).

I did that for a '94 bronco I bought back in '00. The hubs were shot and it needed $900 worth of repairs- the seller took that off the price and Ford fixed it good-as-new. If I didn't do that, I would have been out the $900.

 

[hamiltonj2w1]

It looks like a very clean vehicle and the color matched grill is the way 04s came. I wouldn't worry about the wreck I worked in a body shop for several years before I joined the millitary and it is very easy to see if it was done right or done half ass if it was done right there is no worry one thing to check is make sure all of the gaps match between fenders and doors make sure it is even the whole way down. look for overspray on the underside of the vehicle and check the paint make sure it matches just don't let a minor thing like a fender bender makew you walk away from a good deal especially if it is what you want

 

[NCSCOTT]

It looks like a very clean vehicle and the color matched grill is the way 04s came. I wouldn't worry about the wreck I worked in a body shop for several years before I joined the millitary and it is very easy to see if it was done right or done half ass if it was done right there is no worry one thing to check is make sure all of the gaps match between fenders and doors make sure it is even the whole way down. look for overspray on the underside of the vehicle and check the paint make sure it matches just don't let a minor thing like a fender bender makew you walk away from a good deal especially if it is what you want

:iagree:

Looks to be the same exact options as my Black 04. Roof rack, 17" wheels, leather steering wheel & radio controls. It would have stickered Just over 29k new. The little bit of research I just did saya it would be worth 15k dealer retail. They are asking about what trade in would be. That may be due to the known fender benders. You might be able to talk them down to 11k.

I have 89k on my 04 now and have never had a mechanical problem. It has warped the rear rotors twice but That might just be my luck of the draw.



Edit: After looking at the pics some more I noticed a piece of weather stripping is missing under the hood on the drivers side where the hood meets the fender. That may be the side that was repaired. There is also a black piece of trim missing across the front of the under the hood area. It goes from just above the headlights across the center and ties into the top of the radiator.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'd get a look at the Carfax. Understanding the $$ cost of the damage will help. The pics make it look good and it seems to be a reasonable asking price.

Are you ok with 2wd? I would think patience would yield a 4wd with 60k or less for the same or a little more money. I understand and respect your 'no sunroof' mandate because of your height. I'm sure you could find one if you stay on Craigslist and Autotrader.

:cheers:

 

[peter78]

Edit: After looking at the pics some more I noticed a piece of weather stripping is missing under the hood on the drivers side where the hood meets the fender. That may be the side that was repaired. There is also a black piece of trim missing across the front of the under the hood area. It goes from just above the headlights across the center and ties into the top of the radiator.

OK, I see what you are talking about. It is the picture of the engine bay.

Thanks for all the info. I am taking another look in the daylight today. I asked to see the title and the carfax report. You have all been very helpful. I will look at it with open eyes. I may just get a 09 if this does not work out.

About 2WD, that is fine with me. I like it for towing, camping, trips and my daily commute.

If I get this I will have to get rid of a white car.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Sorry this is a cell phone pic. But it should give you an idea.

 

[peter78]

:iagree:

Looks to be the same exact options as my Black 04. Roof rack, 17" wheels, leather steering wheel & radio controls. It would have stickered Just over 29k new. The little bit of research I just did saya it would be worth 15k dealer retail. They are asking about what trade in would be. That may be due to the known fender benders. You might be able to talk them down to 11k.

I have 89k on my 04 now and have never had a mechanical problem. It has warped the rear rotors twice but That might just be my luck of the draw.



Edit: After looking at the pics some more I noticed a piece of weather stripping is missing under the hood on the drivers side where the hood meets the fender. That may be the side that was repaired. There is also a black piece of trim missing across the front of the under the hood area. It goes from just above the headlights across the center and ties into the top of the radiator.

Thanks for the picture of what was missing. I looked at it anyway and showed him your picture.

The vehicle had exactly what you said it had, 17" wheels, leather steering wheel with radio controls, roof rack.

After seeing it and driving it for quite awhile, I decided to give him a bid. He turned it down, I left and he decided to counter. I accepted and today I took it to my shop and they looked at everything, including the carfax that I had. After talking to my mechanic I feel good about it.

So, tonight I am a 2 4Runner family. Thanks for all the advice. My wife drove it tonight and I was in the back seat, I was amazed by the center arm support and that 2 cup holders. I counted all the cup holders, 10 of them. I am still trying to figure out the temp controls, especially if you don't need the air on. Does the CD play MP3's?

Also, the car is much bigger than the 3rd gen 4Runner especially in the rear bumper area. It is much higher in the back end than the 3rd gen. One other thing, I feel to be in a cocoon in the new car. I think it is because the front window seems to be smaller. I was expecting it to more airy, since it is such a much bigger car.

I was trying to get a new 4Runner, but to me this makes sense. I am going to retire in two years and I may need a larger vehicle than a 4Runner for towing a larger trailer. My son is going to college next year, which costs MONEY. He may get the older 4Runner and I can keep this newer 4Runner for for a couple more years after my retirement. Anyway, thanks for everyone chiming in. I am excited about my new old car. I may put some pics up of both 4Runners in the gallery section.

(edit: pics are here:http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43143 )

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Congrats, glad it checked out ok with the mechanic. It sounds like it's the right vehicle for you right now.


:cheers:

 

[peter78]

One more thing, I am getting rid of my Honda. I will now own 3 white Toyota's. When our family goes out and says which car should we take, I can't ecxactly say, the white one, or the Toyota, or the SUV, or the 4Runner. I may have to give the cars nick names.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I may have to give the cars nick names.

Hmmmm, Whitey, Whitester and the 'White Ghost' :lmao: Lotta good that would do!

 

[sbbamafan]

My white '06 is on craiglist in atlanta if your deal doesnt happen. See it here:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/905632407.html

 

[peter78]

My white '06 is on craiglist in atlanta if your deal doesnt happen. See it here:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/cto/905632407.html

It is in the garage. Nice looking 4Runner. My 4Runner has original tires, they are cross terrians, but look somewhat worn, not bad, but not brand new. I guess your car has the 5 speed transmission, I think. Good luck in selling it.

For some reason, I think 4Runner's look good in white or black. Maybe that is just me.

 

[Uneek]

Peter,

2006 was when MP3 and WMA compatible CD player was introduced. Maybe you can get the radio off a 2006+ 4Runner or a Scion HU.

The temperture is a bit of a PITA because the climate control system is off when the fan isn't running. It'll still push out air through the vents relatively close to whatever temperture it was last used before it was shut off (behaves like manual climate control systems). So rather than turn the temp knob or move the slider like Toyotas with a manual system when the fan is off, you have to turn the fan on adjust the temp and shut it off again. I find that annoying when I'm at freeway speeds and don't need the fan running.

 

[peter78]

I kind of figured out the controls today. For temp. you hit the down button until it hits low, that way the heater is off and I didn't have to have the air on today. It can be a little distracting.

After driving it today, I was a little dissapointed by something I didn't notice before. For a tall person, the front window is a little low, especially at stop lights. I have to bend down a bit to see the light. It is quite a bit worse than the 3rd generation. I think I can get used to it, since it doesn't affect most of the time. Too bad, I got a slightly bad impression after driving it for the day.

 

[peter78]

After driving it today, I was a little dissapointed by something I didn't notice before. For a tall person, the front window is a little low, especially at stop lights. I have to bend down a bit to see the light. It is quite a bit worse than the 3rd generation. I think I can get used to it, since it doesn't affect most of the time. Too bad, I got a slightly bad impression after driving it for the day.

Duh, I went out tonight and fooled with the seat. It lowered a couple of inches. Wow, that is much better, not great, but much better. The 3rd generation seat did not lower, I guess it will take awhile to get used to the new vehicle.

 

[NCSCOTT]

Peter

The Scion T1807 is a direct swap for the factory base radio and you maintain the steering controls also. It gives you single CD, MP3 & WMA capabilities along with a custimizable display. You can also can get a aux input cable that plugs into one of the factory ports on the back of the radio. I belileve it takes the place of the steering wheel audio control connector. You would have to cut and solder a coulple wires from the old connector to the new one but it is really no problem and that will give you the Aux input function. You would just have to route the miniphono jack to a conveinent location. Then you can play any MP3 player or Ipod through the radio, but no IPOD controls. Below is a link to a T1807 on Ebay.

Edit, sorry could not get the link to work but here is the item #. 200270656391


This is a pic of the Scion Radio in my 04.