What's up everyone. I am looking to sell my Audi S4 for a 4Runner. I am looking at a 99 4Runner SR5 4x4, Manual with 114K miles. I talked them down to 9K for it.

1. Is this a decent price?

2. As far as maint., what do I need to check? They said all the belts have been replaced.

Thanks guys.

 

sounds decent, i got the same but 1998 for 8400. ask if timing belt and water pump has been changed (ever). also, out of curiosity, does it have the rear locker??

o, and welcome!

 

Actually, it is a 98. Typo. So from what I've read here the 98 will not have the rear locker option, right?

 

not true, any 3rd generation 4runner 96-2000 CAN have it, but it isn't too common. i was just wondering if you got lucky

 

I know I should search but you seem pretty knowledgeable. What exactly is the rear locker and what is the easiest way to find out if the 4runner has it?

 

a locker is something in the rear differential that forces both wheels to turn. its used to have maximum traction when offroading. easiest way to tell is if it has a button left of the steering wheel that says RR DIFF LOCK in orange letters.

 

thats not a bad deal

my dad paid $6k for his 99 tho..but its salavged and has a few paint issues and a small crack in the bumper

 

Ok. No it doesn't have that button.

 

The body is in really good condition. Same with the interior. 2 things concern me.

1. The underbody of the car seems to look rusty.

2. It has a trailer hitch so who knows what and how much something was in tow.

Apparently the timing belt has been changed, but they did not know about the water pump. Is this a tough DIY job on these 4runners. I've done the basics before as far as maint. goes. i.e. Brakes, suspension etc.

 

It just takes time, a little too much for me. I had my dealer do it...the water pump being replaced isnt a HUGE deal as most people don't replace them until they go bad, but if it had the timing belt replaced theres probably a 75% chance that it was done. My dealer said they don't do it unless requested to or its leaking and they see a problem with it.

Man, I must have gotten ripped for my Runner then! I paid 13,200 for it. Its automatic, 4WD and it had 89k when I got it.

Fink

 

Get used to going a bit slower!

 

Yea. You should have seen me on the test drive. Took me a couple sweeping exit ramps to remember that I was driving a 4Runner.

 

my sister 98 4runner sr5 5speed manual has a factory locker she paid i the 13k for its was soo clean look brand new she's the 2nd owner o it had over a 100k on it when she bought it last year

 

and brace yourself for the GA$ $HOCK!!!

-B

 

then again, doesnt the s4 require 93?

 

If the current owner cannot provide proof of maintenance or any records for that matter, I wouldn't buy it. The rust "problem" is a major red flag for me too. Imagine what the idler pulley looks like if the rest of the underside of the vehicle is covered in rust. Check that too.

Figure on $500 for timing belt, WP, and drive belts done at the dealer. If it was used to tow a lot, I bet the clutch is going to need to be replaced soon ($750+ at the dealer). When I bought mine the chick that owned it rode the clutch everywhere, forcing me to have to change it out at 66K miles!

You can tell if the clutch is smoked by opening the top of the airbox via the lid (to increase the sound of the intake) and taking the rig out on a test drive and driving it to near redline in 3rd, then shifting quickly into 4th and flooring it. Listen for the revs to increase without acceleration. Of course, you may want to have the current owner do this test while you are in it.

 

your right lee! (saw A4 instead of S4)...so it won't be a big shock...my buddy owns an S4 and their pretty thirsty too if you step on it (and they have a small tank)

-B