This seem like a decent deal?

stanleybb50

stanleybb50

New member
My dad is interested in this '02 Runner. They said timing belt was changed at 123k. And all scheduled maintenance/etc done... Looks clean. Anything else I/we should consider? I have an '06, so my expertise lies with 4th Gens.

All my prior knowledge says 3rd is likely even a better/longer lasting Gen than the 4th.

What should we offer?

Fyi I tried to find a "ask about values here" thread, but didn't see one. (Future sticky?) :-)

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How about corrosion under the truck?
4X4 and rear locking diff.?

The 3rd gen 4x4 are never below $3500 even with 250K miles in the clock.
 
If it looks good on the inside Id pay him his asking price. Looks like a good deal to me. I know its diff by area but i paid 10k for my 2002 with 145k miles in 2011.
 
From what I can see, it's not a bad deal if it's a true one owner. Do they have maintence records? If it's state inspected then the frame should be ok too.
 
Thanks all! This is for my Dad to go look at tomorrow maybe. Frame rust, and maaaybe head gaskets are like the only things to really watch for?

Transmissions pretty stout and long running in 3rds?

Of course the diff/engine/trans fluid would have needed to be changed and kept up on I hope. We'll see if they have all records.

When I asked about the timing belt she came back within like 10 minutes saying it was done at 123, so that's a good thing.

Thanks for the quick responses!
 
And hopefully they've changed the coolant a couple times by now (I assume timing belt would have to mean it's been at least once, so that's good..)

I just hope they have maintenance records :-)
 
To responsibly consider any used vehicle, in the absence of records, requires the expectation of a thorough refresh of all lubes and fluids, consumables and cleaning to suit. Factor in these tasks and tire replacement if needed. It takes more than a few dollars to bring a worthy sample into a reliable state.

This vehicle is a great buy if it passes muster mechanically. Take it off road to check the suspension, steering, 4wd - then write a check!
 
Bstrom said:
To responsibly consider any used vehicle, in the absence of records, requires the expectation of a thorough refresh of all lubes and fluids, consumables and cleaning to suit. Factor in these tasks and tire replacement if needed. It takes more than a few dollars to bring a worthy sample into a reliable state.

This vehicle is a great buy if it passes muster mechanically. Take it off road to check the suspension, steering, 4wd - then write a check!
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Thanks! Solid advice. Very solid.

I'm taking screen shots of all these (including the key points in the "trouble spots" for my dad.)

I already advised on replacing the radiator/etc as well.
 
Leaking rear axle seals. You may have to pull the wheel and the brake drum to be sure it's OK, but it is a major repair that, if needed, can be used to negotiate the price down. Current dealer rates for rear axle seal replacement are $1000 plus.
 
That's a great price, just paid $8800 for my 1-owner 2002 LTD near Lancaster, PA. Check the TB/WP, head gaskets, frame rust, and the radiator/lines - also if you can get her on a lift, front struts/rear shocks, lower ball joint. 5VZ-FE and the 4-speed overdrive tranny last forever. Good luck!
 
pluton said:
Leaking rear axle seals. You may have to pull the wheel and the brake drum to be sure it's OK, but it is a major repair that, if needed, can be used to negotiate the price down. Current dealer rates for rear axle seal replacement are $1000 plus.
Click to expand...

trovergraywilson said:
That's a great price, just paid $8800 for my 1-owner 2002 LTD near Lancaster, PA. Check the TB/WP, head gaskets, frame rust, and the radiator/lines - also if you can get her on a lift, front struts/rear shocks, lower ball joint. 5VZ-FE and the 4-speed overdrive tranny last forever. Good luck!
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Thank you both!!!
 
I should add that he's going to look at it tomorrow and I've passed all the knowledge shared here. He's already asked me to help him maintain it/etc and get it into he right shape to start. (change out fluids/etc).
 
That looks like a really good price if it's in good shape, I paid $7600 9 months ago with no moonroof and cloth interior. Might ask about the last radiator change, read up on "pink milkshake". The only other thing I can think of is frame rust.
 
IMO it's worth running the VIN through CarFax. Shops often report maintenance and most accidents will be on there. You will be able to see if they are really the original owners.

If the truck is as reported I think it's a good price. As has been said, check for rust.
 
Thanks folks! He bought it! Will pick up Friday.

I know a slight red flag that they said the radiator was replaced and the Toyota dealership put a "new" transmission in 2 years ago. I asked my dad for the VIN, but he believes the guy and his wife and can tell it's been VERY well taken care of. Good people on a local Facebook hometown exchange too. He said it was cause by her running over something a couple years ago and cracked the radiator and the dealer talked them into a "new" transmission. The key word was "new" apparently.

He said it's very clean and very good shape and it seemed like no kids and the 4runner was the wife's "baby".
 
That's a steal. Current pricing in the local tri-state area is about 3500-4000 for 96-00 with 200k miles average. Good job on the pick up!
 
stanleybb50 said:
All my prior knowledge says 3rd is likely even a better/longer lasting Gen than the 4th.
Click to expand...

I want to echo the pink milkshake advise. be sure you install an external tranny cooler as part of your very first maintenance. Head gaskets are not really a concern on the 3.4, but rear wheel seals are, and they are pretty expensive to have replaced.

as far as 3rd gens being longer lasting that 4th gens..... how could anyone know that? i have not seen any 20 year old 4th gens on the road only because they don't exist yet. IMHO the third gens look the best, but there is no evidence to suggest they will last any longer than the 4th gen.

Also, keep in mind the GX470 if your father wants a truck like yours. They can be had with less miles than the 3rd gen you are looking at for about 7-9k. For some reason they are way cheaper than the toyota version, but built the same.
 
stanleybb50 said:
Thanks folks! He bought it! Will pick up Friday.

I know a slight red flag that they said the radiator was replaced and the Toyota dealership put a "new" transmission in 2 years ago. I asked my dad for the VIN, but he believes the guy and his wife and can tell it's been VERY well taken care of. Good people on a local Facebook hometown exchange too. He said it was cause by her running over something a couple years ago and cracked the radiator and the dealer talked them into a "new" transmission. The key word was "new" apparently.

He said it's very clean and very good shape and it seemed like no kids and the 4runner was the wife's "baby".
Click to expand...

I would suspect the truck suffered from the pink milkshake and the dealer blamed it on her running over something. It's a known (possibly over reported on this forum) issue with these trucks that's very cheap to avoid by just bypassing the cooler in the radiator and putting on an external cooler.

If it's had both the radiator and transmission changed, he should be in good shape for a long time to come. Looks like a solid deal to me. :whoo:
 
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