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?: Would love your advice re: possible 4Runner purchase

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by greyhoundrick, Sep 7, 2019.

  1. Sep 7, 2019 at 2:47 PM
    #1
    greyhoundrick

    greyhoundrick [OP] New Member

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    Hello,

    This is my first post and I appreciate the opportunity to interact with you folks!

    I have never owned a 4Runner before, in fact, in all of my years of driving (47) Ive only owned one Toyota and that was a 2014 Toyota Camry which was an outstanding daily driver for us.

    We have owned 6 Nissan Pathfinders over the years (1994-2004) and are now ready to purchase our first 4Runner. We have had friends and neighbors who have owned 4Runners and after interacting with them and reading many reviews I believe its time for us to get one.

    We can't swing a new 4Runner financially, so we are looking at a used 5th Generation.

    Ive found one here in Arizona that is a 2015, good condition aesthetically, but it has a lot of miles on it, about 87000.

    It was a rental car in Indiana for 1.5 years and had a whopping 47,000 miles put on it during that time. After that it was owned by another individual here locally where the additional 40,000 miles were put on it.

    Ive looked at the CARFAX and it has had 3 services, no accidents and one recall for airbag replacement.

    The list price is $23,500 and the price has been reduced twice in the last month.

    I know its impossible to get an exact answer, but I value your input as to your thoughts about this particular 4Runner. Ive always believed that when making a decision its best to talk with people who know their subject matter and thats why I came here!

    Thanks for any input you can give me and I appreciate your time and expertise.

    best to you,

    Rick
     
  2. Sep 7, 2019 at 2:57 PM
    #2
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    Congratulations on your choice!
    You will not be disappointed.
    There are a few around here for sale.
    What is your desired price point?
    Welcome from Nebraska!
     
    greyhoundrick[OP] likes this.
  3. Sep 7, 2019 at 3:00 PM
    #3
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    Personally, I would walk away from any vehicle that was a rental.
     
  4. Sep 7, 2019 at 3:05 PM
    #4
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    I missed that.
    Even 40k miles later. Most don't maintain their fleet!
    Good eye, Jeff!
     
  5. Sep 7, 2019 at 3:10 PM
    #5
    brownbear

    brownbear Relax

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    A rental driven by dozens of different "driving styles" would scare me a bit. Do a little more looking before you press the button.
     
  6. Sep 7, 2019 at 3:19 PM
    #6
    greyhoundrick

    greyhoundrick [OP] New Member

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    thanks so much 4Runner fun, Dark Knight and brownbear! Appreciate your input! Will keep my eyes open! :)
     
  7. Sep 7, 2019 at 3:47 PM
    #7
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    If you pay out of pocket for a repair & don't use insurance.
    That will not show up on carfax also.
    I watch many "buy here pay here" buy wrecked cars. Repair them in the back room & sell as accident free...
    Unbelievable.
     
  8. Sep 7, 2019 at 3:55 PM
    #8
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    I don't think we are helping the OP.
    Sorry.
    Good hunting!
     
    KSJ08 likes this.
  9. Sep 7, 2019 at 4:45 PM
    #9
    greyhoundrick

    greyhoundrick [OP] New Member

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    I appreciate all of your comments very much! Im learning as I read these and it is valuable information. So far, Im feeling like a rental is a definite no go, I need to be very careful with CARFAX and that an inspection from a trusted mechanic is probably a good idea prior to buying any vehicle!

    Do you folks feel that, considering the Toyota craftsmanship, it gives you a bit of leeway when considering the mileage? Right now Im thinking anything with less than 100000 would be safe if everything else checks out whereas with some other car brands I would be more reluctant. I do understand that the type of miles is another thing that plays into this as well! Thanks again for your comments!
     
    KSJ08 and 4Runner fun[QUOTED] like this.
  10. Sep 7, 2019 at 4:54 PM
    #10
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    First, no problem.
    Second, 100k is nothing for a well maintained Toyota.
    There is no way to tell the type of milage a vehicle has on it. Unless it is way higher than normal (clearly a lot of highway).
    I would take the time to find one close as possible and have a pre purchase inspection done (may cost a couple hundred dollars).
    Then you know what you are getting into.
    I hope it helps.
    Otherwise, keep reading & learning.
    Keep us informed!
    Ryan.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  11. Sep 7, 2019 at 5:01 PM
    #11
    scottalot

    scottalot Stockalot

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    To be determined
    Amen!
    Rental vehicles scare the crap out of me. Almost every rental I’ve ever driven with more than a few thousand miles on it always drove like it was extremely ragged out
     
  12. Sep 7, 2019 at 5:13 PM
    #12
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    I bought certified. I prefer that method myself due to a little extra warranty and it knocks a little stank off of that sticker shock.
     
  13. Sep 7, 2019 at 6:34 PM
    #13
    guhner123

    guhner123 New Member

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    Stock...for now...
    Don’t know how Indiana is snow wise. But buying vehicles out this way rust is always a thought. I live in buffalo so rust is a big time issue so if I buy used I have to know the person before me took all the precautions to prevent rust.
     
    Dark Knight likes this.
  14. Sep 7, 2019 at 6:37 PM
    #14
    Dark Knight

    Dark Knight Get off my lawn

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    Yeah, that’s a good point. I didn’t have to think about that in sc. although I did check the Carfax to ensure it was in fact a one owner southern vehicle.
     
  15. Sep 7, 2019 at 6:37 PM
    #15
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    What all is available to prevent rust?
    I have heard little of a liquid film on here.
    Other than regular washing.
    What can one due to prevent rust.
    Call me ignorant!
     
  16. Sep 7, 2019 at 6:39 PM
    #16
    guhner123

    guhner123 New Member

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    Stock...for now...
    The dealership I bought my car at does an undercoating using a tar substance. They gave me a 5 year rust free warranty. But in the end after those 5 years it will rust. Can’t stop it. Especially out here where they seem to dump as much salt as humanly possible.
     
    4Runner fun[QUOTED] likes this.
  17. Sep 7, 2019 at 6:43 PM
    #17
    4Runner fun

    4Runner fun Just the beginning...

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    5 yrs or 60k months is all I see any DD get for rust prevention.
    Beyond that is new panels.
    Aluminum (F series) isn't the answer.
    They need to build vehicles like they charge for them!
     
  18. Sep 8, 2019 at 7:51 AM
    #18
    PinchedNerve

    PinchedNerve New Member

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    I paid $34,500.00 for my 2019 TRD OffRoad, new.

    $23,500.00 for a 2015 (guessing SR5) with 87k miles, 47k as a rental seems wildly high IMO.

    I would not FO
     
    Last edited: Sep 8, 2019
  19. Sep 8, 2019 at 8:27 AM
    #19
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

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    I personally wouldn't be so worried about buying a rental. My 2003 was a fleet vehicle. I bought it in 2005 with 78K and drove it until 2017 and 257K. I had zero problems.

    I would bet that privately owned vehicles are just as likely as fleet vehicles to be abused and/or not maintained properly.

    Aside from that, I would not be worried about the mileage. High mileage is about the only way it's worthwhile to buy a used 5th gen. Newer, lower mileage used ones are too expensive to justify buying one. This is just my opinion. And, it's how I rationalized buying new.:rolleyes:

    And, welcome to the forum!
     
  20. Sep 8, 2019 at 4:59 PM
    #20
    nimby

    nimby in the drink

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    I personally wouldn't be comfortable buying a former rental, but I would be ok buying a dealers former loaner car. A lot of times dealers put former loaners on the Certified Pre-Owned lot.

    As some people mentioned here before, Certified Pre-owned from Toyota is a really good option because of all the testing they do before they can certify it. It also comes with a warranty, which gives you peace of mind with a used car. It will cost a bit more, but it's worth it, IMO.

    High mileage on a 4Runner is not a concern if maintained properly. If it's a private seller, just make sure to ask how often the oil was changed and what sorts of other maintenance they had done and if they have receipts or a maintenance log that you could see.

    Carfax and AutoCheck are both good to look at. Yes, they might not show you everything that happened to the car, but they could also tell you something that isn't visibly obvious. Use them as a tool, but not as the deciding factor of your purchase. And use both Carfax and AutoCheck to cross reference for accuracy. Not just one or the other.
     
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2019
    4Runner fun and Thatbassguy like this.
  21. Sep 10, 2019 at 11:03 AM
    #21
    DrewCane1

    DrewCane1 New Member

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    before i bought my offroad, i rented a sr5 from the dealer for a weekend. i literally tried to kill that thing off road, and drove it like i stole it. If that tells you anything.
     
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  22. Sep 10, 2019 at 11:56 AM
    #22
    Toffees

    Toffees Stuff and things

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    I wouldn't worry about the rental. Have friends who've bought 2x cars from Enterprise and they've served them well. But the 2nd owner has put 40k miles on it since rental, so any issues should have presented by now. The real issue for you is to have it inspected by a trusted 3rd party mechanic, so you can get an idea of what you're buying.

    Also, if you're new to the 4R, make sure you test drive it and are comfortable in it--it's a "truck" not a car/crossover like the current pathfinder, so it will ride differently.
     
  23. Sep 11, 2019 at 2:05 PM
    #23
    Tama1968

    Tama1968 New Member

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    I understand the apprehension about buying a former rental vehicle, but my last four 'yotas including my 4Runner were former Enterprise rentals and I've never had a problem. Might just be lucky, but that's been my experience.
     
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