Very close to giving up on finding a T4R

Timberline

New member
I've owned several dozen vehicles in my lifetime and I have never had this much trouble finding a particular vehicle before! We've been looking since about Thanksgiving. In that time I've seen exactly two that meet our specs within about a 700 mile radius and both times the dealer was insane on their pricing. We're looking for an 06 (-ish) Sport Edition, white exterior w/ black cloth interior, sunroof, and V6.

I never would have believed they'd be so dang hard to come by! I entered this process saying I would be patient to find the right vehicle but dayumm! I've put our specs in the hands of more than a few brokers and locator services... nada. Now my wife (who will be the primary driver of said vehicle) is saying "meh, let's just go back to driving Jeeps".

tempting.... very tempting....

just venting :redbrick:
 
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Finding what you want nowadays is like finding a needle in the haystack. There's one in Massachussets (probably the exact one) you're looking for.
'07 Sport Edition V6 4WD, Cloth interior, 38K miles, sunroof, for $24K.
 
How about it?
 

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Took me FOREVER to find one in Colo also... And you will pay a premium here as well. i was looking for a white sport as well but was looking for a V8 which made my search even narrower... I would have preffered an 06+ but ended up finding an 04 with low miles for under $20k so I jumped on it..

I love it but if I had it to do over again I would have found one for a better deal somewhere else in the country and paid to have it shipped.
 
JAC,thats a nice looking 4Runner,but it's rear wheel drive.

Not sure if you are talking about my 4runner or the one on the add.

The one on the add is a 4wd Sport Edition ...matter of fact...I am so tempted to trade in mine for this beauty...He He,,but nahhh..I am very attached to my babygirl ....

Here are the specs..and link to the dealer ...they are asking for $24,850 If I was you i'll offer them $20,000 just to see what they say....this is a factory certified vehicle still with warranty I believe.
http://obrientoyota.com/used/toyota-4runner-sport_4wd-2006-C4621.html


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I had EXACTLY the same trouble, I was looking all over the country, hard to find specifics, just keep looking, and don't get discouraged, I wound up getting a diffrent model, w/ all I wanted, w/ good mileage, and much newer in same price range, now I wouldn't trade if for what I wanted. hope you have better or same luck!
 
I looked for about 6 months for mine. I bought it exactly a year ago today. I picked up an 03 White Sport V6 4wd for 13,500 with 58k. It's got 69k on it now and I love it. I got a good deal because gas was over 3.00 a gallon and all SUVs took a hit when that happened. Just keep looking if it's really what you want. I searched ebay, craigslist, autotrader.com and cars.com. I finally found mine listed on ebay but a local Ford dealer actually had it. They were asking 15,900 for it and I offered 13,500 and they took it. The only deal with mine was it had a few scratches on both the front and rear bumpers. The front was a round scratch which I touched up. The rear looked like they brushed up against a stiff bush or maybe a shopping buggy. I had a local paint shop quote 300.00 to repaint both the front and rear bumpers for me, but he's a friend of mine, so I am sure the price was at cost.

But I plan to keep mine a long time. If you really want one, just keep looking. The Toyota brand is worth it, no matter what the media is saying currently. Also, I would invest in a carfax subscription while you are looking so you can run a carfax on any you may find online. I weeded out a lot of them without having to even leave the house.
 
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I'm looking to upgrade mine for 08 or 09. It's hard to find one that's nice, not abused and for decent price.
 
I'd like to point out a few observations from my own personal experience.

1. When looking to buy a used vehicle, you are better off expanding your search criteria a bit. An '06 SE in white with the V6 and sunroof is a very specific requirement. Maybe make silver or an '07/'08 with reasonable mileage an option as well. Maybe even a Limited if the price is right. I don't want to start the whole V6 vs. V8 debate because it has been beaten to death around here, but I would also consider the V8 as an option if you find a 4R that meets all of your other criteria. It is a bullet-proof engine and the difference in mileage between the V6 and V8 (especially here in CO where they are working a bit harder) is nominal.

2. The overall demand for 4Runners might have fallen over the last year or two due to the economy, but they are still in high demand here in Colorado. I remember hearing that Toyota cut production on the '09's due to a lack of demand and to make way for the new '10 4Runner. I drive by Stevenson Toyota weekly and I haven't seen a new 4th gen 4Runner on their lot in about 8 months and I haven't seen a single 2010 (they are probably sold as quickly as they get them in). All of that factors into higher demand in the used market.

3. Despite the poor economy, people aren't giving stuff away. That includes cars. What my real estate agent says about houses also applies to cars and that is "the good ones still sell fast". Used SE's probably sell rather quickly, I would imagine.

I wouldn't throw in the towel just yet. And I definitely would NOT go back to a Jeep! (I've owned two Jeeps, BTW) ;): I guess my advice would be to remain patient and maybe open up your search criteria a bit. Best of luck.
 
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My search only took about 2 months but I didn't have quite as specific criteria as you. I was also looking for a white 05+ sport, but ended up with a white sr5.

I was also considering other colors as the white ones seem to be pretty rare, at least in my area. Silver, black, and gray were the most common colors I looked at.
 
With the current economy getting a used car is no laughing matter. People have no money to buy new(er) vehicle, nor they are willing to give what they have away for free either.

I looked for almost a month. I had no limits on the color or 6 vs8. All I cared is to get one with under 100k for under 13k. I ended up with an 03 V8 ~74K for under 15k out the door. I could have probably bargained a bit more, but considering that there were only a hand full around for sale I figured I better grab and run. I think I got a stellar deal none the less.

It takes time. I had none as I was left with out a car and motorcycle that was sitting in the garage was not an option in Chicago few weeks ago.
 
kind of the same boat but looking for a 06-09 Limited V6 4x4 under 20k miles

mid 20k for price... around 700 miles from San Francisco.

if it's a 06-07 it must have the side and rear airbags.
 
LOL...You sound like me a month ago. I had been looking for the EXACT same Model/Features that you are looking for, since late fall of last year. To compound matters, NC had the absolute worst winter/Most snow we've had in the past 20 years, which put them in even higher demand locally. People were paying $2k over book value. I tried to negotiate the local Toyota dealership down to Book value and the salesman basically laughed at me. I thought he was out of his mind asking $23k for a Black '05 Sport with 55,000 miles on it....until it sold right in front of my eyes for full asking price.

The problem I consistently faced was that I could easily find 3 out of my 4 requirements (White, Sport Model, 4x4, Sunroof) but never all 4 combined. There was always one feature that was missing (color was wrong, no sunroof, Not sport model etc). And if I was fortunate enough to find the "winning ticket", the seller was smoking crack on the price. Eventually, I had no choice but to become more flexible on the least important factor (color), and after 4 months I found an outstanding (for this area) deal on a Silver 05' Sport 4x4 down in S.C. (about 2 hours away).

I was able to snag a Silver 05' Sport 4x4 w/ 61k miles, loaded for $16,700 out the door. It wasn't White...but, otherwise it was exactly what I wanted and the price was right.

So my advice...be patient (and perhaps somewhat flexible) and you'll find the one you want. If you cannot bend on any of the features, just wait until after Memorial day (when gas prices shoot up to $3.75 a gallon), and you should have your pick of 4R's. ;)
 

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