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Looking to buy a used 3rd-4th Gen

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by Macatron, Jul 3, 2017.

  1. Jul 3, 2017 at 6:45 AM
    #1
    Macatron

    Macatron [OP] New Member

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    Hello everyone! I'm brandnew to this forum, and I'm looking to purchase a used 3rd or 4th gen 4Runner. :)


    Anyway, my wife and I are expecting our second child by the end of August, and we're both currently in newer (smaller) cars that we can't easily trade out of financially. That being said, we decided to start looking at older SUVs that would fit our new family better. After some research, I narrowed my sights on the 4th Gen 4Runner, but I wanted to delve a little deeper before pulling the trigger.


    I've primarily been looking at 2002-2004 models to keep the price affordable, and I'm trying to keep the mileage low (realistically). With this in mind what kinds of issues should I be looking for? I've seen people mention excess rust and whether or not the timing belt has been changed (which is kind of a given with the age). Are there any other model specific issues I should be aware of?


    Thanks so much! :D
     
  2. Jul 4, 2017 at 1:03 PM
    #2
    Crazy Joker

    Crazy Joker New Member

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    Boring camping stuff
    The 4.0 motor suffered from head gasket issues until the 2006 model year (I can't recall exactly, but it could be the 2007 model year). Toyota changed the part number on the head gaskets which fixed the issue, so as long as the head gaskets have been replaced in the vehicle's history, it's a non issue.
     
  3. Jul 5, 2017 at 2:26 PM
    #3
    F250

    F250 New Member

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    From what I've been able to find, it was mid-year 2005 when the new gasket design was implemented. That means that a few of the early 2006 year models could have the faulty gasket design, but engines built from mid-2005 on should have the updated gasket design which has not shown to be a problem. I need to check the build date on my "new to me" 2006 which we bought just a couple months ago.
     
  4. Jul 17, 2017 at 9:31 AM
    #4
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    larry
    clearlake ca
    Vehicle:
    4 runner
    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    IF YOU GO TO A DEALER TELL THEM YOU WANT A COLD START.
    COLD START WILL TELL YOU A LOT IF IT SMOKES OR HAS TO MUCH CONDENSATION IT MIGHT HAVE A BAD CAT CONVERTER OR HEAD GASKET PROBLEM. TAKE A BREAKER BAR WITH YOU PUT IT BETWEEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT PRI UP ON IT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY MOVEMENT. CHECK THE DRIVELINE SEE IF IT'S DRY AND CHECK THE HALF SHAFTS FOR CRACKS OR SPUN OUT GREASE. AND LOOK FOR RUST 4RUNNERS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR RUSTY FRAMES. SEE IF THERE IS ANY PAINT COLOR CHANGES THAT LOOKS FRESH. TEST DRIVE USE ALL THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE GEARS IF THERE IS ANY GRINDING AT ALL IN 4 LOW WALK AWAY. COULD BE BAD TRANSFER CASE BIG MONEY.AND IF THE DEALER WILL NOT LET YOU GO THREW THE CAR LIKE I DID IT A POS!!!!. if you do buy it even if they say it has a new timing belt have a new one put in. cheap insurance make sure you get the kit with the water pump and idler pulleys cam and crank seals. flush the radiator and put new antifreeze all the stuff i'm talking about.it will set you back about $800 when you're done you will have a truck that will go 100.000 miles without a doubt. OH DON'T FORGET THE CARFAX OR GO TO THE DMV WEB SITE IT DOESN'T COST ANYTHING. IF IT'S HAD MORE THAN 3 OWNERS WALK AWAY. THE REASON I SAY MORE THAN 3 WALK AWAY IS THAT IF 3 PEOPLE HAVE OWNED THE CAR AND THEY GOT RID OF IT IS USUALLY FOR A REASON.PROBABLY NEED A LOT OF WORK MOST PEOPLE DON'T GET RID OF A PERFECTLY SOUND CARS. BUT THAT JUST MY THOUGHTS,. I WORKED FOR A USED CAR DEALER AND THEY ARE THE WORST THEY WILL SELL YOU A CAR WITH A BAD ENGINE AND SLEEP LIKE A BABY THAT NITE .BECAUSE ALL THEY CARE ABOUT IS THE MONEY BELIEVE THAT!!!!!! LARRY B
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2017
    Jean T likes this.
  5. Jul 17, 2017 at 10:52 AM
    #5
    F250

    F250 New Member

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    Keep in mind that CARFAX is only as good as the information put into it by others, all outside of our (and Dealers') control. I've run into errors several times with Carfax reports ranging from innaccurate number of owners to inaccurate number of accidents reported. If you have any doubts, get it inspected by a reputable mechanic who knows the 4Runners and has lots of experience with them.

    If the inspection, apparent condition, and maintenance documentation all show the vehicle well, having more than 3 owners on a 10+ year old vehicle is not necessarily a problem... people often sell their used vehicles for good reasons which have nothing to do with the vehicle's reliability (change in personal finances, change in vehicular needs, "just like to buy and sell", etc.).
     
  6. Jul 18, 2017 at 9:16 AM
    #6
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    First Name:
    larry
    clearlake ca
    Vehicle:
    4 runner
    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    THE TOYOTA I HAVE NOW WAS A ONE OWNER 4RUNNER. I GOT ALL THE MAINTENANCE RECORDS. SHE WAS METICULOUS ABOUT MAINTENANCE SHE TOOK IT TO TOYOTA OF MARIN FOR ALL THE OIL CHANGES EVERY 3000 MILES LIKE CLOCKWORK. IT HAD 227.300 WHEN I GOT IT THE COMPRESSION ON 3 OF THE CYLINDERS WAS 175 BRAND NEW THEY ARE 195. SHE TRADED IT IN BECAUSE IT NEEDED NEW BALL JOINTS HALF SHAFTS BRAKES.I WENT THRU THE CAR BROUGHT ALL THE TOOLS AND POINTED EVERYTHING OUT THAT IT NEEDED TO THE SALES MANAGER. AND TALKED IT DOWN $2000 OFF THE SALE PRICE. I KNEW IT NEEDED A LOT OF WORK BUT I DID MOST OF IT MYSELF SAVING ME THOUSANDS. THE ONLY THING I DID NOT DO WAS THE TIMING BELT AND WATER PUMP. I HAD A REPUTABLE 4RUNNER MECHANIC DO THAT FOR ME. I GOT THE PARTS FROM TOYOTA AND TOOK THEM TO HIM. WITH THE $2000 I SAVED OFF THE PURCHASE PRICE. MORE THAN PAYED FOR EVERYTHING IT NEEDED. NOW I HAVE A 4RUNNER THAT WILL GO 400.000 MILES WITHOUT A DOUBT. I LOOKED UP THE VIN ON THE DMV WEB SITE WHICH PROVED IT WAS A ONE OWNER CAR. SHE OWED IT FOR 18 AND A HALF YEARS AND IT IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION. NOT A SCRATCH ON THE CAR. SO WHEN PEOPLE DO TRADE IN A 4RUNNER IT WILL PROBABLY NEED EVERYTHING I JUST MENTIONED. BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT THE TIME OR THE MONEY INTO A USED 4RUNNER. LARRY B
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2017
  7. Jul 18, 2017 at 11:09 AM
    #7
    F250

    F250 New Member

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    Larry B... It sounds like you got a really good deal. There is nothing like "sweat equity" to increase the value of a purchase, be it a house or a car. I have a request for you, though. Would you consider NOT USING ALL CAPS and including punctuation when you post (i.e. periods at the end of sentences and commas to create pauses in reading)? Reading your last post in my dektop monitor is hard enough, but when I first saw it on my smart phone, it was virtually impossible to read and determine where one thought started and another ended.
     
  8. Jul 18, 2017 at 11:16 AM
    #8
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

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    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    ok is this better. larry b
     
  9. Jul 18, 2017 at 11:23 AM
    #9
    F250

    F250 New Member

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    That's awesome, Larry. Thanks.
     
  10. Jul 18, 2017 at 11:54 AM
    #10
    larramo

    larramo 3ed gen faithfully

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    First Name:
    larry
    clearlake ca
    Vehicle:
    4 runner
    3" lift but mostly all stock not a scratch on it it is pristine condition amazing for being 19 years old.
    one thing more if you are in the market for a used 4runner, go to a toyota dealership.9 out of 10 times they will stand behind the car they sold you. when they get them in they do a 110 point service check. and if you find something about the car that is considered "unsafe" like wheel bearing axles brakes. they will most likely fix it at no cost to you.they do not want a bad reputation. most of their business is "word of mouth". if you have a happy customer it's more than likely if someone asks you where you got your car you will probably tell them where you got yours right.happy hunting.larry b
     
    Bob likes this.

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