To buy, or...to keep looking

C

cjb

New member
You've seen this asked before I'm sure, and I've lurked enough but had to ask...

A question for the experienced: how does a 2000 limited with 120k mi sound for a buy? I've done my research in terms of rad/tranny, frame rust etc... I'm no stranger to driveway mech work and fully aware that any vehicle over 80k is in the maintenance spectrum, I just don't want to spend all my time fixing (already there with a damn 5.4 ford).

Looking for input, $8k is the asking for it. Can I assess the trans at the dealer? How much interior frame rust can I actually inspect?

I'm pretty set on a 3rd gen for body style alone.
 
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do you have a link you can post? It is a box frame so you can typically get a flashlight into some of the factory holes in the rails to inspect the inside. 8k would be a decent price where i live (one of the more expensive regions tho).
 
For a 4Runner, you want to bump that 80K applicable to most cars and trucks to 250K. I am at 200K and so far it had timing belt/Water pump, regular fluid and drive belt replacements.

Is it a 4X4 with a rear differential lock (You'll see RR-Diff lock switch near the tilt steering lever)?
 
I live in a low rust zone, so don't listen to me.
I paid 8K for a 97(see sig below) with 119K miles, in June of 2013.
It had lived it's entire life in Arizona and was totally rust free, everything worked, very clean in and out, and only a couple of 1 inch dents.
 
120k is quite low for these trucks. Honestly, anything below that i get nervous about odo scams. As far as the trans is concerned others with better evidence van tell you more than i, but be sure to look at the maintenance records: if you see a transmission flush at the same time as a new radiator, that's the sign that it's had a pink milkshake. If the trans wasn't rebuilt or replaced at that time, you could be looking at troubles with it.
 
I live in roughly the same region as JC12 and I paid $7500 for my 1998 in 2012. From cruising the threads, the biggest problem on the East coast would probably be rust. You definitely want to have the vehicle inspected, but I would speculate that if you have no rust or rust holes in the rear or front bumpers, or rear fenders the rust may not be a problem wrt the frame. Hopefully the truck was undercoated. This of course, is a general comment. Again, get an inspection.
I've observed members from NY, Pen, NJ pay as little as $3500 for a 96-98 with some rust and higher mileage but these areas are pretty hard on 4r's as they aren't that rust resistant. If this truck was garage stored and cared for, With the low miles etc. $8K is reasonable. Can you post an ad pic? Let's see! Good luck!
 
Jc12 said:
do you have a link you can post? It is a box frame so you can typically get a flashlight into some of the factory holes in the rails to inspect the inside. 8k would be a decent price where i live (one of the more expensive regions tho).
Click to expand...

What he said ^
 
bought mine at 178k, drive it all over the NW last few years. Never thought much about it, 220k now, doesnt burn oil, doesnt leak a drop.

So long as there wasnt rust, and its clean, wouldn't think twice about it.
 
Thanks for the quick replies. No link as it's not on the dealer's site.

Available maintenance records through carfax show it was a Florida truck until 2011... Rust likely not an issue. I saw no record of radiator work, but it's definitely a newer radiator. I guess that's my biggest concern. I'm going to drive it later this week and stomp on it a bit to see how it responds. If the trans doesn't slip at all I may take the plunge and immediately add an external tranny cooler as prevention.

If not this one, there are a few '00-'02s I'm looking at, a bit further away. I've been planning this purchase for a while and am pretty zeroed in. Expect to see a bunch of dumb ass questions in the near future!
 
Wow, $8k. It's amazing to me how large the price range is on these trucks regardless of condition. It would be worth it to me if I were in one of those higher price range regions to search around in the lower price range regions and just travel and buy one. I got mine for 3600, but for a solid running, good condition, low mileage truck, I'd save a few grand and get one for under $5k somewhere else.
 
poleclimber63 said:
I live in roughly the same region as JC12 and I paid $7500 for my 1998 in 2012. From cruising the threads, the biggest problem on the East coast would probably be rust. You definitely want to have the vehicle inspected, but I would speculate that if you have no rust or rust holes in the rear or front bumpers, or rear fenders the rust may not be a problem wrt the frame. Hopefully the truck was undercoated. This of course, is a general comment. Again, get an inspection.
I've observed members from NY, Pen, NJ pay as little as $3500 for a 96-98 with some rust and higher mileage but these areas are pretty hard on 4r's as they aren't that rust resistant. If this truck was garage stored and cared for, With the low miles etc. $8K is reasonable. Can you post an ad pic? Let's see! Good luck!
Click to expand...

I waited over 9 months with cash in hand to find a 5speed 3rd gen in the Tri State area. I found a BUNCH of auto/4wd with bumper rust/assorted rust, but clean ones were mostly on dealer lots for outrageous prices.

I creeped long enough on CL/Ebay and found my 98/5sp with 116k for $4,500.

You guys paying 6-8K must be getting cherry examples. Mine was a highway queen from Co originally, still on stock suspension (still is @175k, to-do next)

The reason I bought 5sp is ease of maintenance, these things Literally get compliments from toyota faithful at every gas station I stop at.
 
Just paid 7600 with 101000 miles,it wa a trade in that carfax showed one owner but no maintenance but a few minor things,I will go ahead and do timing belt,it is clean.
 
8k for clean, 4wd, and no rust at that mileage is pretty typical around here. My search is within 200 mi, at that distance it can turn into a decent day trip if the truck turns out to be a clunker.

This one is likely sold according to the dealer, or they're trying to get me to bite without a test drive. I'll check back as I had planned, but keep up the search. Lots of 4th gens around, not too sure about them, looks like a lot of plastic.
 
NJDSM said:
I waited over 9 months with cash in hand to find a 5speed 3rd gen in the Tri State area. I found a BUNCH of auto/4wd with bumper rust/assorted rust, but clean ones were mostly on dealer lots for outrageous prices.

I creeped long enough on CL/Ebay and found my 98/5sp with 116k for $4,500.

You guys paying 6-8K must be getting cherry examples. Mine was a highway queen from Co originally, still on stock suspension (still is @175k, to-do next)

The reason I bought 5sp is ease of maintenance, these things Literally get compliments from toyota faithful at every gas station I stop at.
Click to expand...

I looked here and locally on the West coast for almost a year before I found mine. It was in showroom condition, and professionally undercoated new. It had virtually no rust--- the only rust I found on the whole truck was when I removed the bumpers and painted the inside of them with "Rust Bullet"--- just some surface rust. It was clearly garage stored. I wanted a 5spd but I couldn't find ANY here in Western Canada. I came across only 2, a beauty at a dealer (they were asking $12K!!!! for a 99') and a 4cyl. (a friend of mine bought it). I've seen a number of them around, but they are highly valued and sell immediately. I saw some in ads in the US but prices were high. You're lucky to find a 5 spd. Several members here have done a swap: auto to 5 spd., but its a project I'm not ready to take on. All 4Runners in Canada are generally more expensive than in the USA. Enjoy it!
 
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FWIW I just paid $7500 for a 2 owner 2002 SR5 4wd with 143K. It's been in the south it's whole life and came with a folder of maintenance records. It's black so all the dings and body damage stick out like a sore thumb, but overall I'm happy with it. It wasn't a screaming deal but it was fairly priced.
 
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