Where did you buy your 3rd gen?

[FUK]

I've been looking for the past 3 weeks and nothing. Searching craigslist and here but can't find anything.

What's funny is I'm not even picky, just looking for a 4x4 gen w/ under 200k miles for around $5k...

Didn't think it would going to be this difficult. :cry2:

BTW... first post! :lmao:

 

[Tyota89]

4x4 3rd gen under 200k for 5k will be a hard find. Pretty sure if you are patient enough one will pop up. I would expand my search to Nevada and arizona.
It took me about 2yrs to finally find a few I like when I went to look at them they were clean but had issues from coolant from exhaust to milk shake. I ended up with a 230k runner clean interior no rust other than surface rust from rock chips. Originally I wanted to stay under 150k but I realize if they had maintenance records and took care of it, it'll be better than low mileage ones.

Here are a few I looked at.
96' limited 125k coolant from exhaust/ 6500$
98' sr5 190k rust and shot fuel from a line/ 6500$
02 limited 205k had sludge in oil and bubbles in coolant/radiator was change for loss of coolant/ 8500$ drop down to 7000$
99' sr5 190k seem like loss of power/horrible clunk./ 7250$
99' limited locked 160k but he wanted nearly 10000$
I can go on forever since I looked at 20+ runner in WA,OR and NorCal

 

[Arrowhead]

Bought my first 3rd gen off Saint Louis Craigslist. A 98 Limited 4x4. $4200
Next one off Springfield, MO. Craigslist. A 99 SR5 Highlander 4x4 $6700
Next one I traded a 95 Acura Legend Coupe for to a guy from Springfield, MO. 99 Limited 4x4.
Next was off Springfield, MO. Craigslist, but it was down in Arkansas, 1998 Limited 4x4 $5000
Last one I got off Cargurus up in Springfield, MO. 2002 Limited 4runner. $toomuch
Checked out one tonight off Springfield, MO. Craigslist for $800, broken flexplate, buying it this week.
So pretty much craigslist. I usually look in Oregon and Colorado craigslist too since I travel down there 4 times a year.

 

[absalom]

Stop thinking in terms of miles. It's the absolute last value that matters on these trucks. Rust, previous maintenance, service records, accident history, mechanical issues, and cosmetic issues are all far more important to me than overall miles.

Think of it this way, you're buying a $5,000 vehicle. If you buy a lemon, you can be up Shit Creek without a paddle once the repair bills start rolling in. Resale value associated with miles won't matter a damn then.

Or, you can be a smart shopper, and find a cherry high mileage truck with meticulous records, zero rust, and no accidents. Then in two years, if you tire of the truck and decide to sell it, you'll get exactly what you paid for it and not a dime less.

 

[seabun]

I think it took me about 3-4 months of every day searching to finally find one that worked for me (similar specs as what you want). Due to these being anywhere from 19-13 year old vehicles, and their good reputation, they may be scarce at times. I'd say its only been 3 weeks, don't lose faith just yet. Hopefully you have a bicycle or something to get around on in the meantime (jk) but if you have the ability to let the market ebb and flow, you'll find your dream truck soon. Keep an eye out for "too good to be true" ads with limited pics, most assuredly be a rust bucket.

 

[pluton]

I'm in your area, and started looking in November 2012; Basically, it took eight months. Looked at CL and Auto Trader, from CA to NV, AZ, even Utah.
Went and saw a few, usually they were leaking something or showing signs of maintenance neglect. One looked nice all around, but underneath the CV boots were non-stock and had clearly been torn for many months, if not years.
Finally found one in June 2013. Local L.A. guy who had bought it in Tucson, driven it back to CA, smogged it, then decided to sell it. He already had a 3rd gen in good shape at the time.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

Search for at least 4 months without luck, and then you can complain
It took me about 6 months and there were a few that I missed out on by minutes. When I found the one I did, I jumped. The only reason I got mine was because I was the first person to call the seller. By the time I met with him, he probably had 20-30 buyers lined up, some wanting to buy a plane ticket to the nearest airport.

In most regards, I agree with absalom. Maybe not the "absolute last" thing you want to look at, but he makes a very good point. All good advice.

 

[grannyzpanniez]

If you can't find a 3rd gen then you aren't looking hard enough [emoji6]

 

[Tyota89]

If you can't find a 3rd gen then you aren't looking hard enough [emoji6]

I found them all day long, it is finding one that wasn't neglected that was the issue. Also at the right price, norcal 3rd gen was the most expensive. Out of all the places I looked at 8-10k. :twitch:

 

[grannyzpanniez]

It's all what your willing to pay for...

 

[Unner]

Stop thinking in terms of miles. It's the absolute last value that matters on these trucks. Rust, previous maintenance, service records, accident history, mechanical issues, and cosmetic issues are all far more important to me than overall miles.

Think of it this way, you're buying a $5,000 vehicle. If you buy a lemon, you can be up Shit Creek without a paddle once the repair bills start rolling in. Resale value associated with miles won't matter a damn then.

Or, you can be a smart shopper, and find a cherry high mileage truck with meticulous records, zero rust, and no accidents. Then in two years, if you tire of the truck and decide to sell it, you'll get exactly what you paid for it and not a dime less.

You nailed it. You can also throw KBB out the window on these trucks too.

It's all what your willing to pay for...

Yup, you gotta pay to play with the 3rd gen. It might seem expensive for an older vehicle with a lot of miles, but they will run forever with proper maintenance.

As for me I got mine about 45 minutes from me. 142k at the time of purchase, 2001 4x4 SR5, but the cost was more than you are looking to spend and that was over 2 years ago. I'd expand your search. If I was looking for one again I wouldn't be afraid of or against flying out to the other side of the country to get the exact truck I wanted, but then again I'm a little crazier than most people I guess...

 

[68dave]

Bought mine from a customer at my work, like i do with a lot of my vehicles. One of the perks of being a auto technician is the good deals you come across on vehicles that need repairs.

 

[95yotarunner619]

heres my 2wd beast!!! bought it from a buddy in manifee, Ca

jan 2014

loved it since before that, drove it in 2011 and fell in love with her before she was even mine.

 

[95yotarunner619]

hopefully this pic is horizontal

 

[Scramble]

Sunrise Toyota in 1998.

Long Island NY Toyota Dealer Oakdale | New & Used Cars | Serving NYC, Middle Island, Smithtown

 

[MillerPKA]

Bought from a Navy SEAL and found it on Craigslist. Once I showed him the pictures of my last one he said he'd only sell it to me if I promised to build it up like that. Easiest promise of my life.

 

[Road Bull]

Got it off my local CL. I overlooked a handful of dings in favor of a fairly strong looking mechanical situation. Pretty happy with my choice and I can deal with a few dings. Nothing super noticeably, but I have started calling my runner, Dingbat.

 

[Kmurt]

I bought mine from my mom in my house. She's the original owner. I got lucky.

After looking to possibly get my own, everything around here in NJ is beat up or rusted.

 

[1972FJ55]

Bought my 99 on Craigslist. I looked everyday several times a day. I had my cash stashed at home so I could go straight away when I found one.

 

[FUK]

Thanks guys for the feedback.

Looks like my search continues. This won't be a DD so I'm not in a hurry per-say, but I love to find one before snowboard season.

If anyone sees one for sale, please let me know. I'm willing to travel within reason.

Thanks!