Andrew

Hi everyone-

Some of you might recognize my name from the past (heh, I go as far back as the VMag days). I was fairly well known in the 4Runner community until I sold my 2000 4Runner in 2002 for a Jeep Grand Cherokee in order to lower my payments and try something new. The Jeep is a decent vehicle, but let's just say it's not my 4Runner. It hasn't been reliable as I have hoped it would be and now I'm faced with buying an extended warranty OR trading it. I've figured that I can trade pretty much evenly (if you include the cost of the extended warranty) for a 1999 or 2000 4Runner Limited 4WD that has been certified (6yr/100k from in-service date warranty, among other things). So... I've been hunting.

I've looked at several 4Runners that haven't panned out, but right now there are two that really interest me. I'm not in a position where I absolutely need to purchase a vehicle right now, so I'm not afraid of searching for a month or two before finding the "right" 4Runner... but if I can get a good deal, I would have a tough time saying no.

1) 2000 Limited w/locker. Silver. Located 120 miles away at a GM dealership. 45,000 miles. Carfax is clean, 1-owner, spent its whole life in the same area. My favorite color. According to CarFax, it has been owner-less since late October. They want $21,999 for it. I figure I can use its shelf life as a bargaining point- I bet they really want it gone. But at the same time, it's possible that it's been sitting there for a reason. They are hopefully sending me some pictures of it soon.

2) 1999 Limited w/locker. Black. Located 250 miles away at a Toyota dealership. 50,000 miles. Carfax is interesting. Clean, yes, but shows that it was imported from Canada in early 1999. Met all US standards, so that doesn't worry me. It was imported with 48 miles. It has had a clean history since then, though. My only concern would be that it may be difficult to service here- will it show up in Toyota's computers in the US? I'm not driving it to Windsor, ON every time I need an oil change. Seriously, though, would this concern anyone? They said it isn't certified but they would get it certified for me- but this is before I knew it was a Canadian model... I wonder if the sales guy and sales manager knew that off hand. But, if it's certified, they won't charge me any extra, and the price is right now $19,999. The certification is a big plus since I probably won't keep it more than 2-3 years... so it's $2,000 cheaper than the 00, but it has a warranty. Not my favorite color, but not bad. Also, CarFax will give me their $5,000 guarantee... if it turns out to be a complete lemon, I could part it out and come ahead

Any thoughts on these vehicles? Anyone from the US purchased a Canadian 4Runner?

*Obviously CarFax isn't the end-all to these vehicles since they don't report EVERYTHING but it does give me a good idea as to where the vehicle spent its life and if there are any definite red-flags.


Thanks in advance!

rimpainter.com

Just for reference, I purchased a 2000 5-speed 4Runner, 4x4, 18K miles, all options except leather and locker for $15K on ebay. I cleaned it up, and turned around and sold it for $19.5K.

I like the first choice best. The color, locker, etc. are all great buying points. I would avoid a dark color at all costs if you do any off-roading.

Keep in mind you will need a tranny flush and a timing belt at 60K.

Other than that, sounds pretty good. You know that dealer probably took that silver one in at $15K or $16K on trade.

One thing I watch for when I see a 4Runner at a dealer such as GMC, is how much they towed with the 4Runner. I find that people trade in 4Runners because they need more towing power. That leads me to believe that they could have "over-towed" with the 4Runner. Something to keep in mind.

Andrew

Hi Christian-

Thanks for your response. That's a great point about the towing- I hadn't even thought of that. Very observant. I'll definitely take a good look at the trailer hitch when I go look at it. How else could I tell that it has been used for towing? I'm not afraid of a vehicle that has done some towing, but if it has hauled around a boat the size of my house, I'll probably pass.

I wish I could find one like your $15k eBay 4Runner! That's a GREAT deal. $19,5 was reasonable, but you made out quite well on that one. I would seriously consider a 5-speed if I could find one with the locker and the Highlander/Sport package... but they're pretty hard to come by.

I agree with you on the color- my 2000 was dark green and was a pain in the rear to keep clean. That's why I'm kinda leaning towards the silver one- it's just the warranty and price that kinda bother me.

I did find a REALLY nice black 2000 Limited with 14,000 miles but the difference between it and my Jeep would have been about $7,000- I just can't afford to do that right now. Had it been silver, I might have done it; but black, as gorgeous as it is when clean, is tough in our winters here and even tougher off road.

rimpainter.com

Pull the trans dipstick and smell it. If its burnt, then you could have future problems. The good news is that it is still under powertrain warranty for a year or 15K miles.

Pay attention to how the transmission shifts too.

lee

yesterday i took my runner for a quick wash.. $7 wash in salty coniditions seemed worth it to me.

by the time i got back home, it was like id never washed it at all :cry:

black is indeed a pain to keep clean.. but i love it.

Mike06

If I were you, I would definetly try to negociate on the price of the first 4runner. I just love the silver 4runner's and know what a pain it is to keep darker colors clean.

Andrew

Thanks guys. I did a little research on the silver one- turns out it has already had the fuel tank TSB performed... so I am hoping that the owner was observant. I will definitely check it out the transmission dipstick, good thinking. My 4Runner had about 40k when I sold it, so I know how they should feel with this kind of mileage. I will keep ya'll updated.

My 4Runner was a dark green Limited 4WD- 2000 model. It was typically equipped- sunroof, heater, locker, etc. Great truck, wish I hadn't sold it... well my wallet thanks me, but still....

SLC Punk

I am glad you finally see the light!

I would try and get the 1st one. When I bought my 4Runner in Dec 01, the Toyota dealership had it on the lot since October. They lowered the price to $19,000. All of the other 4Runners there (with more miles) were over $20K.

They should be willing to negoicate with you since it has been sitting there for so long.

Mulkey

You said changing the timing belt at 60K miles. Was that for a 96? I will probably hit 60K tomorrow and the dealership told me to wait until 90K-100K (2000 model).

Andrew

My old one

rimpainter.com

I did it at 60K because I consider Phoenix and my driving style "extreme."

SLC Punk

I consider every environment extreme according to the manual. Normal driving conditions are pretty impossible to achieve (read your manual and you will see what I am talking about)

I have also done my t-belt @60k.

SkyRat

I too was told to do the Timing Belt at 90,000. The stealership told me that the 3.0 v6 needed it at 60K and the 3.4 needed it at 90K.

I would get the 2000 with the locker. That is the one thing I wish my 2000 had from the factory. Also, you can buy warranties online for the trucks. One thing I found though is that they will not sell for vehicles over 50K (at least in California). So, with the first one you can get coverage even if it is not through Toyota. I bought mine with 50K on it in July and it is Certified, but now I think I would rather have been able to get the other types of warranties.

CLICK HERE to see about online warranty info. Pretty useful link with lots to learn.

Andrew

Thanks for that link... I had tried Warranty Direct, but not the other company listed. Looks like somewhere in the mid-to-low $1,000 range. Yes, I agree with you on the locker- my 2000 had it and it was invaluable. I paid an additional $250 from the factory to get it and I'm glad I did.

I'm on hold with Toyota as I type trying to get a warranty quote from them...

Andrew