2002 172k miles minimum rust. Should I buy?

2002, 172k miles, minimal fame rust, rear locker. Waiting on maintenance records (apparently dude has 5-6 years worth) but all fluids looked fresh. Interior is super clean.

Some quirks like the rear driver side door doesn’t open. Dim radio lights, fog lights don’t work. Some minor body damage.

Asking 13k. Going to try to talk him down especially for the door.

What do you all think?

Also I have no problem working on cars.

 

HOLY CRAP
$13,000 for a semi beat up 2002 ??
No sir, that is a $6,500 car at best.

I can find you LOTS of newer vehicles with NO rust with the same mileage that are going to be as nice or nicer for much less. Where are you located in the world, about 10 minutes i can find you AT LEAST 35 within 100 miles of you that are 2008-2012 models for $7,500-$12,000 that are CLEAN and similar mileage.
I missed a CRAZY clean 2008 limited a few days ago with 199,000 miles for $7950
Interior was freakin MINT
Exterior was freakin MINT
Old lady listed it and had so many people messaging her she couldnt keep up with it all. She sold it the same afternoon she listed it even though i was begging her to let me come see it before it sold.
Lemme see if the listing it still up . Well i guess after she sold it FB took it down off marketplace.

 

Noted. I should say I live in Colorado where the market for these things is pretty insane.

Where do you live? I’d take a 6500 dollar 3rd gen with good maintenance records at 6500 in a heartbeat lol

 

I also live in Colorado and have seen many other options near by for significantly less than $13K. No disrespect, but $13K is INSANE for this vehicle. If you are patient, I guarantee you will find a great 4runner for much less $$$ than that.

 

Thanks I decided to pass at that price point. I do want a 3rd gen. The newer gens are just too big for me

 

I think that was a wise decision. I am not sure what part of the state you are in, but there have been a few listed lately on the western slope. Outside of the fuel mileage, you can't go wrong with a 3rd gen.

 

I’m along the front range. Good 4Runners get scooped wicked fast around here. I’ve been considering traveling out there for one because they go so fast along front range. And no one takes care of there cars here it seems. Maintenance records can be hard to come by

 

Best of luck to you. I am sure you will find what you are looking for, for much less than $13k. Right now, there is a 1999 limited in Parachute, CO for $6,500. looks pretty clean but the listing does not have any information other than 180K miles.

 

wanna send this link lol

 

Welcome from Denver! Got any pics of the truck?

 

hopefully the link works

 

2008 4x4 170,000 miles VERY clean = $11,600 2001 4x4 240,000 miles fairly clean = $4,500 2005 4x4 139,000 miles SUPER CLEAN = $9,000 HOLY SMOKES 2008 4x4 UrbanRunner 188,000 miles SUPER RARE and VERY CLEAN just needs seats recovered = $10,500 2007 V8 Limited 4x4 virtually bulletproof engine very nice looking vehicle may need tires soon = $9,800 2004 SR5 4x4 at a dealership 190,000 miles = $7,800
https://www.autonationusa.com/used/Toyota/2004-Toyota-4Runner-09e76deaac180850a201b18b2175c70a.htm

2000 SR5 4x4 at a dealership 182,000 miles = $8,900
https://www.autobrokersllc.net/inventory/toyota/4runner/ab2381a/

1999 Limited 4x4 at a dealership 119,000 miles very nice for its age minimal TLC required = $8,995
https://www.georgiautosales.com/vdp...nner-Limited-4WD-for-sale-in-Denver--CO-80220

2008 Limited 4x4 at a dealership 150,000 miles SUPER CLEAN i mean absolutely MINT condition = $12,995
https://www.georgiautosales.com/vdp...nner-Limited-4WD-for-sale-in-Denver--CO-80220

2001 SR5 4x4 at a dealership 194,000 miles quite a nice vehicle = $9,900
https://www.corwintoyotaboulder.com...-4Runner-c76df7f1ac18024f9d83560beec256ed.htm

2008 Limited 4x4 V8 at a dealership 229,000 miles but looks as clean as a new one. Talk about baller on a budget = $10,798
https://www.autonation.com/cars/jtebt17r48k001335/toyota-4runner-2008

Dude i did all this in less than 15 minutes. Are you even trying?

 

Well obviously not hard enough lol. One thing to look out for around Denver is Georgis Auto Sales. They sell salvaged super low mileage Toyotas at good prices but don’t really market the fact they are salvaged

thank you for these links I will look at them

 

disregard those links, there are others to follow, these were "good" examples but there are hundreds to sift thru if you look. A 2wd is even cheaper, the 4x4 versions obviously pull the premiums but there are plenty of vehicles below your original price point. Personal opinion is the 3rd gen has a GREAT engine but the timing belt is something you gotta maintain and watch out for, and i believe the 3rd gens have more electrical gremlins long term. I personally think the 4th gen 2006+ is where all the kinks were worked out. The 2007+ listings if you look long enough you see the most miles still on the road. Its nothing to see them listed with 300,000 - 350,000 for sale still running and still looking good. Sure there are MORE electronics on the newer vehicles but i personally think the later round of the 4th gen were the most bulletproof with the fewest bugs and quirks.

cars.com
cargurus.com
fb marketplace
craigslist

 

Yeah I just like the size of the third gens and they have the 5VZ-FE which is the same engine my recently totaled Tacoma had (RIP) so I’m used to working on it and know all the maintenance intervals and stuff like the timing belt. I also know how to do the LBJs and all the fluids. Idk I just like them and like working on them

 

FYI, rear locker was not a factory option in 02, they discontinued it when ATRAC was added introduced for the 2001 model year.

It could still have a CENTER diff locker though.

 

Interesting the one I was looking at that started this thread was an 02 with a factory locker. It was def factory same exact design as the taco I used to drive

 

Nope. Either the VIN is wrong or someone did a mod which is unlikely.

 

It was a center locker. Dang gang 4Runners are so much cheaper than Tacomas for approximately the same mileage and age. I was assuming they were about the same they aren’t. Thank you all for convincing me to pass up on that 4Runner