Thinking of joining the club! Would love some quick advice on a T4R...

[wmeredith]

Hey guys, I've been lurking around here for a couple weeks now and reading a LOT. I want a 4Runner for my next vehicle and am ready to buy. I've done tons of research online and have looked at 7 local 4Runners now. I think this is the one.

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 - AutoTrader.com

I know you can't tell a whole lot by an online posting, but I just want to throw it up here to make sure it doesn't have any obvious red flags I'm missing.

For what it's worth, I saw it today and:

• Interior and exterior are nicely kept up. It's not perfect, but the stuff that's a little beat up is purely cosmetic and it's stuff I'll be modding anyway. :thumb3:
• All the electronic goodies work on the inside.
• Frame is the cleanest I've seen so far. I couldn't believe how rust free it was for this area (Kansas City).
• Battery was dead when I tried to start and the sales guy (the lot owner) had to jump it. he looked a little embarrassed and said someone probably left the dome light on after the test drive. He said he'd replace the battery tomorrow.

If all goes well at the mechanic Saturday, I'll drive it home.

It is a little bit weirdly optioned, I thought. It has the fender flares and is an SR5, but no running boards. Maybe this is a normal option set and I just don't know. The Auto Check came back clean, though, so I don't think it's been pieced back together.

Thanks in advance for any opinions you can offer.

 

[Stick Figure]

Running boards were there at one point, someone has removed them. That is a Highlander/sport edition though, and identical to mine when I first bought it. Price wise I honestly don't know what they are going for in your area, but I would say you couldn't get a better set up 3rd gen than the 99-00 Highlander package trucks, but then I'm a bit biased.

At that mileage I would double check the lower ball joints, rear axle seals, and timing belt. basically if they haven't been replaced plan to do at least the lower ball joints and timing belt to be on the safe side.

 

[Dezert4Runner]

It's got weird options because you're looking at what you think is a SR5, when in actuality the dealer doesn't know his a$$ from his elbow because it's a highlander with an e-locker! Whoever took off the running boards should be bought a beer btw...

 

[wmeredith]

It's got weird options because you're looking at what you think is a SR5, when in actuality the dealer doesn't know his a$$ from his elbow because it's a highlander with an e-locker! Whoever took off the running boards should be bought a beer btw...

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks!

 

[A.Wilson013]

It's got weird options because you're looking at what you think is a SR5, when in actuality the dealer doesn't know his a$$ from his elbow because it's a highlander with an e-locker! Whoever took off the running boards should be bought a beer btw...

I won't knock him for not knowing it's a Highlander... The fact that he took the pic of the rr diff lock button says to me that he has some sort of knowledge of what's up.




OP, the pictures are rather vague, if you go check it out in person, snap a few more for us if you can.

From what is shown, it looks pretty straight!

 

[Dezert4Runner]

I won't knock him for not knowing it's a Highlander... The fact that he took the pic of the rr diff lock button says to me that he has some sort of knowledge of what's up.

True. However, I can't stand it when dealers call everything & anything a SR5 when it's a sport edition or highlander, or sometimes you see one called a "SR5 sport" :wtf:


This was directly from the ad!

"Seller's Description and Comments

This 4Runner SR5 sport is in great shape and drives like new! Power windows and locks, moonroof, differential locks and more! Call today for more info!"

 

[lem14]

Looks clean to me as well. I would say the price is about right for one in absolutely excellent condition. A little high if it is in good condition. Excellent would mean the timing belt has been done twice (Since the mileage intervals are 6 years or 90,000 miles) along with looking and feeling excellent. Good would mean hopefully once.

Make sure you tighten the gas cap, and then drive it for more than 20 min. I have found that some will throw MAF and O2 sensor codes at around 20 min. Frequently these are why people trade them in, or name brand dealers auction them off, it is really easy to reset the code and not actually fix the problem. Not that these are huge problems to fix, but it all goes into assessing the real value.

Just a couple tid bits.

Good Luck

 

[Hepar]

True. However, I can't stand it when dealers call everything & anything a SR5 when it's a sport edition or highlander, or sometimes you see one called a "SR5 sport" :wtf:


This was directly from the ad!

"Seller's Description and Comments

This 4Runner SR5 sport is in great shape and drives like new! Power windows and locks, moonroof, differential locks and more! Call today for more info!"

The Highlander/Sport/Sport Editions are still an SR5. If you look at the back, they'll still have an SR5 badge on them, so someone calling them an SR5 Sport is correct.

 

[Stick Figure]

True. However, I can't stand it when dealers call everything & anything a SR5 when it's a sport edition or highlander, or sometimes you see one called a "SR5 sport" :wtf:


This was directly from the ad!

"Seller's Description and Comments

This 4Runner SR5 sport is in great shape and drives like new! Power windows and locks, moonroof, differential locks and more! Call today for more info!"

Um it is an SR5 ... pretty sure mine has a wax filled SR5 badge on the back right next to the Toyota (T), 4Runner and 4x4 badges. Having the highlander package didn't make it not a SR5.

 

[the great him]

looks good to me, id offer the $7 for it but then again out here in the PNW 4runners tend to go kinda high. also if this is one of the cleaner- little-no frame rust it might be worth spending a little bit more on, as that is not something that is easily fixed. other things like timing belts and LBJ can be replaced a lot easier than a frame. just my .02

 

[Nelsonmd]

If I were you, I'd take that thing at sticker if he refuses to come down at all. That is a clean, rust free, sport edition with all the 99.5 upgrades (the auto up and down front windows, headrest holders in the back seats, etc.) and it has the rear locker. That is not a very common combination. IMO, that setup is second only to the 99-00 LTD's with rear lockers (the only additional thing the LTD's have is a center lockable diff).

It isn't a steal, but you don't often get a steal for a vehicle that is very clean without wear/damage. You won't be ripped off at sticker price. How long has it been for sale? If not very long, then snatch it quick, because I guarantee someone else will, and they likely won't even know what to do with the diff lock.

 

[Loyal Toyota]

Check to see if the transmission and/or radiator have ever been replaced as it could be a sign of the pink milkshake.

Otherwise, it looks clean and not bad at all for the price.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Who cares what the dealer called it, its a rare model of the 3rd gen and its in great shape. A bit overpriced, but after some haggling you still may want to spend a bit more than you should just to get your hands on this thing..


Also, read this http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html.
Just so you are familiar with what these hooligans are arguing about.

 

[Gerdo]

SR5 is a package. The Sport package was an add on to the SR5 package from the factory. Running boards were also an add on. Ask me how I know, I ordered and bought my 2000 new... Without running boards.

Personally the 2000 is the year to own (here come the fireworks). At this point it has the best of everything and everything has been sorted and improved. It has ABS that really isn't that bad (I would rather not have ABS personally). The 99 is a close second. The 01 & 02 have a lot more electronic engine junk on them. This is when they started adding traction control and it wasn't very good.

Like most electronic junk (ABS, traction control, etc) the early versions aren't as invisible as later versions.

Just because it has the RR locker button, climb under and make sure it has the locker. On the rear diff there should be an actuator ( look at these pictures http://www.ttora.com/forum/showthread.php?t=176023 what is silver in the pictures is the actuator).

 

[Mellow77]

If a trusted mechanic gives it the thumbs up I would gladly give what is being asked for it. If you don't; please let me know and I'll happily add a second Millenium Silver w/Hood Scoop to the stable right next to my '99 Limited. :hungry:

 

[flatboy]

Check out 405motors they have a couple 4 runners. This is where I picked up mine this summer.


shayne

 

[4-Ripcord]

Check out 405motors they have a couple 4 runners. This is where I picked up mine this summer.


shayne

Lol..405 motors.

You may not know this but you severely overpaid if you bought from them. Its what they do, they have quite a negative rep on this site..

 

[flatboy]

Lol..405 motors.

You may not know this but you severely overpaid if you bought from them. Its what they do, they have quite a negative rep on this site..

That could be true, but up here a decent Toyota goes for a pretty penny. With oilfield money everybody want mucho for their used vehicles even with lotsa miles on them, a used mint 2000 4 runner will be in the mid-teens(cad$). What I got outa them was my 2000 limited with under 14,000 miles for under 21k.

I have no negitive feedback for 405motors other than my paper work got delayed at the boarder for a couple days that may or may not have been their fault.


shayne

 

[4-Ripcord]

You paid $20k for a 12 year old SUV? Even $10k is pushing it with these trucks..

/facepalm

BTW that many miles is TOO low for a vehicle you intend to drive every day. Who knows how long gas and oil was able to just sit there and deteriorate the seals and gaskets and leave gunk behind..

Have you verified the mileage? Odometer swaps are still common in the auto industry.



Anyways, back to the thread. let us know what happens, OP. I am interested to see what you get done!

 

[Kung]

With those miles and options, $7,995 isn't a bad price at all. Subtract the e-locker and 40K miles, and add side steps and you have the EXACT vehicle I just bought in Springfield, MO in October for $7200.