Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.

Looking for a 4Runner any advice?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-29-12, 05:35 AM
  #1  
billydpowe
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
billydpowe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 3,225
Received 173 Likes on 130 Posts
Default Looking for a 4Runner any advice?

Hi, I am going to look at a 97 4runner this morning, 210k

are these pretty good units?
Attached Thumbnails Looking for a 4Runner any advice?-5i55g65ka3i43f93pcc6ea82a45d4bdba1097.jpg  
billydpowe is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 07:53 AM
  #2  
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
 
mmarshall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Posts: 91,104
Received 87 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

Used 4Runners can be tough as nails, but 210K is a lot of miles, even for one of those. Don't let them screw you on the price...and, if possible, get a Carfax report.

Kelly Blue book www.kbb.com is a good web-site to check out the approxomate value of used cars.
mmarshall is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 08:41 AM
  #3  
bagwell
Lexus Champion
 
bagwell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: The Woodlands, TX
Posts: 11,205
Received 11 Likes on 11 Posts
Default

if it doesn't have decent maintenance records I would pass on something with that many miles.
bagwell is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 09:32 AM
  #4  
TWong350
Moderator

iTrader: (8)
 
TWong350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,479
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Default

They really are bullet proof. And those motors are really easy to work on and so is the rest of the truck. If you can get a steal on one, I wouldn't hesitate.

They had head gasket issues on early 97 models. See if you can get the VIN on it, call a Toyota dealership and check status of it. If it has been done, look for signs of it being bad again. Remove the oil cap and look for any milky build-up under it. See if the car smokes from teh tailpipe, etc.
TWong350 is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 09:41 AM
  #5  
Joeb427
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joeb427's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SC
Posts: 11,670
Received 17 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

I've always loved that style 4Runner.
210K miles is a lot of miles,though.
Joeb427 is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 09:52 AM
  #6  
<VENOM>
Lexus Champion
 
<VENOM>'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: NYC/ATL
Posts: 2,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

with 210k what is the asking price, check the underbody, if it came from a snow belt area it could have rust and corrosion issues
<VENOM> is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 11:05 AM
  #7  
billydpowe
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
billydpowe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: texas
Posts: 3,225
Received 173 Likes on 130 Posts
Default

It has been in one family for 10 years (texas car) I am paying 3500$ and have the carfax report. will get the maintenance records also, It is a Limited, but the leather seats are showing wear.. will other years fit this, they are power seats...
Attached Thumbnails Looking for a 4Runner any advice?-5l45e75h23ec3m53fbc6e75596e48d7591837.jpg  
billydpowe is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 11:20 AM
  #8  
nikko2jzge
Driver
 
nikko2jzge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: NC
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I think seats from '96-2002 will fit. I had an '01 Sport Edition. I put over 180K miles on it. The only issue I had was a oxygen sensor, and a $30 evap solenoid and a blown fog light.
nikko2jzge is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 11:56 AM
  #9  
hypervish
Lexus Test Driver
 
hypervish's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 5,698
Received 91 Likes on 77 Posts
Default

They are solid SUV's. But keep in mind MPG's will really break the bank.
hypervish is offline  
Old 06-29-12, 12:33 PM
  #10  
blacksc400
Car Chat Moderator
iTrader: (4)
 
blacksc400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Las Vegas!
Posts: 10,143
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

My friend has one and got 270k miles on it, and he said he never have to put in anything other than maintanance.
blacksc400 is offline  
Old 06-30-12, 11:04 PM
  #11  
RXGS
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
RXGS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: .
Posts: 6,627
Received 210 Likes on 171 Posts
Default

These things are real solid, the engine AND the transmission are solid, to be honest, i feel its more reliable then a ls400. I absolutely love these, but gas mileage and rust kills my want to get one where i am in New York. For the condition and what i see, the price seems like a pretty solid deal.
RXGS is offline  
Old 07-02-12, 08:25 PM
  #12  
98Supra
Driver School Candidate
 
98Supra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SC
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I just bought my wife a 2002 and she loves it. Great vehicles IMO.
98Supra is offline  
Old 07-02-12, 08:26 PM
  #13  
98Supra
Driver School Candidate
 
98Supra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SC
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Also, my buddy has a 97 I believe with about 240k on it and all he has ever done is routine maintenence.
98Supra is offline  
Old 07-02-12, 08:27 PM
  #14  
98Supra
Driver School Candidate
 
98Supra's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SC
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Last post I promise, haha. I just got rid of my Hummer H2 so for me the gas mileage is awesome for an SUV. Good luck with your purchase!
98Supra is offline  
Old 07-03-12, 12:42 AM
  #15  
KillaIS250
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
KillaIS250's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: 909, CA
Posts: 9,119
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

4Runner's are definitely very reliable cars. One of the shinning examples of how reliable Toyota's are, IMO. But at 210k it better be a super good deal, otherwise just look for a lower mileage one. I see some with around 150k or less that are selling at good prices. If they are well maintained (and the owner has proof) you shouldn't have any major issues with them.
KillaIS250 is offline  


Quick Reply: Looking for a 4Runner any advice?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:06 AM.