Considering a 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5

[ramonesfreak]

I need a new DD. A dealer has one of these locally for $7,800 with 103K miles. 6 cyl. Price seems a bit high. I might be willing to offer them $6,500 at most.

I do not know anything about these except that my brother has owned two newer onces and loves them and a friend has one of these older ones that he has beat to hell. Ive always liked them.

Is there anything I should know about this particular year that is a common source of problems like head gaskets or eats brakes or transmission problems etc? I would be paying cash for it and will not have any budget for sudden major problems

a 12 year old truck that has lived in a salty winter environment worries me a little

thanks

[kaisen]

They're decent trucks. And you'll pay through the nose for that honor.

I'd buy something else for that kind of money, but I'm in the minority on this one here on Pelican.

[speeder]

That 3rd generation 4-runner is one of the best vehicles ever made. We've owned every generation in my family from the first 1984 model through the overweight newer ones and that series is absolute perfection, IMO.

If it's rusty at all, it's not worth much. Buy yourself a clean one, even if you have to fight a bunch of people on eBay for it. That's my advice.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by kaisen

They're decent trucks. And you'll pay through the nose for that honor.

I'd buy something else for that kind of money, but I'm in the minority on this one here on Pelican.

They do hold their value pretty well but you generally get it back when selling. Unless it's rusty.

[ramonesfreak]

yea i dont want any rust...i would expect some surface rust underneath since its in NY but any body rust i wont buy it...made that mistake with my old Jeep Cherokee

Cant do ebay, i want to buy local and in a hurry

So, any major faults with this particular year?

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by kaisen

They're decent trucks. And you'll pay through the nose for that honor.

I'd buy something else for that kind of money, but I'm in the minority on this one here on Pelican.

the price seems high until you start looking at other certain SUVs. I cant find a Jeep Wrangler less than 12 years old for anything close to $8K around here. The price of a used Jeep is insane and they rust and fall apart quick. I do like em though and would buy one if i could find a nice deal but I cant and wont buy another Cherokee under any circumstances even though they can be had for 5 grand

if you have a suggestion, make it. I am at a loss as to what to buy. I can only afford 7K or less. My SC needs quite a bit of work and she gets my money

[LWJ]

I am in a similar situation. I am looking at a full sized Montero. They get good reviews. Less $$.

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I am in a similar situation. I am looking at a full sized Montero. They get good reviews. Less $$.

good suggestion. Ill do some reading, never thought of those

I need something dependable to get to work every day, yet i would like the capacity to tow a small boat or even my 911 if needed. No pick up trucks....i like to car-camp and haul guitar gear around etc..

[ramonesfreak]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I am in a similar situation. I am looking at a full sized Montero. They get good reviews. Less $$.

a search turned up a few around me for same or more money with even more miles...

[ramonesfreak]

none of these things seem too bad


2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER RELIABILITY RATING
KEY: Minimal Problems Moderate Problems Significant Problems
Category
Rating
Comments
Engine
An occasional problem on this vehicle is the failure of the Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor. The cost to replace the MAF Sensor is estimated at $148.90 for parts and $58.50 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.
Transmission & Driveline
Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs.
Steering & Suspension
Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs.
Brakes
Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs.
Heating & Air Conditioning
Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs.
Starting & Charging
Infrequent problems reported, all with low repair costs.
Accessories
An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Combination Meter Circuit Plate, and the Fuel Tank Sending Unit. The cost to replace the Combination Meter Circuit Plate is estimated at $152.31 for parts and $65.00 for labor. The cost to replace the Fuel Tank Sending Unit is estimated at $159.33 for parts and $130.00 for labor. All prices are estimates based on $65.00 per flat rate hour and do not include diagnostic time or any applicable sales tax.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

That 3rd generation 4-runner is one of the best vehicles ever made. We've owned every generation in my family from the first 1984 model through the overweight newer ones and that series is absolute perfection, IMO.

If it's rusty at all, it's not worth much. Buy yourself a clean one, even if you have to fight a bunch of people on eBay for it. That's my advice.

This. Though I liked my 4th gen as well. They're worth a lot because they run forever with minimal maintenance and are incredibly well made. If you want to know why they hold their value so well, go drive a similar era domestic small SUV (Blazer, Explorer, etc) and report back.

100k is right about timing belt change time, make sure it's been done. If not it's probably about $800-$1000 to have it done, I think the parts are around $300 and it's very DIY-able.

[ramonesfreak]

cool thanks.

my reading tonight dug up some tranny/differential problems people have had. nothing looks very consistent though...

[look 171]

I have had their older solid axle trucks and had beaten them to death only to do it again with no issues, only gas. I am ready to buy a new one and would not think twice. I am bias when it comes to Toyota. My good friend's brother works for Nissan as a wrench. He said the best vehicle from Nissan is the Pathfinder often over looked by the 4Runner i the use market. According to him, that thing can take a lot of abuse and it holds up well. I didn't know what maintenance was besides plugs, oil, and gas. When it was available, I would blast a little air to clean the air filter. that's what poor college students do with no student loans.

[IROC]

We had a 2001 4Runner SR5 up until last year. Awesome vehicle. We bought it in 2004 with 33k miles for $19k. The only thing that I ever had to repair on it - and I am not making this up - was a rear brake light bulb. That was it. I put a set of brakes on it and a battery in addition to oil changes, etc.

People complain about how much Toyotas cost, but in reality they are good value. We traded it in last year with 115k miles and they gave us $6500 with no haggling. That works out to about $1800 per year of ownership (with $0 in repair costs) with right at 12k miles per year of use. That's not too bad in my book.

[cnielsen]

I bought my '97 with 150K on it, they'll need the the typical maintenance issues at that point but they are like our 911's...they are built very well and can be revived to serve another 150K. I went a bit overboard with mine and swapped out the old V6 and auto trans for a 3.0L turbo diesel and a 5-speed manual. I love this truck and will not get rid of it!

[pete3799]

I've had a 1995 4-runner (actually still have it) that was the best rig i've ever owned. The body rusted out about 5 years ago so i had to park it.
We leased a 2000 4-runner that was equally awesome. No troubles with either one one of them.
Turned the 2000 in and bought a 2003 Tacoma.
I doubt you'll be disappointed with the 4-runner.

[vash]

Originally Posted by cnielsen

I bought my '97 with 150K on it, they'll need the the typical maintenance issues at that point but they are like our 911's...they are built very well and can be revived to serve another 150K. I went a bit overboard with mine and swapped out the old V6 and auto trans for a 3.0L turbo diesel and a 5-speed manual. I love this truck and will not get rid of it!

that is a diesel?!! sick. love the FJ wheels.

i like the 2000 4runners. i think the price is pretty good, but i am calibrated for california..