You found a good buy if that was sticker. Most start at $55k. I got my wife one that was a year old platinum with 14k miles on it. It was a cert pre owned. I paid $32k. Sticker on it new was $62k. I still feel bad about that deal. Hands down best vehicle i have ever purchased for her.

Back to topic. besides craigslist, where can i look for the older 4 runners. Want to stay under $5k if possible

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Posted by X123F45

Member since Apr 2015

27409 posts

Posted on 6/8/17 at 7:41 pm to Theotherpikecounty

Keep in mind the 1st gen (85-86) and the 1.5 gen (87-88) were extremely prone to rusting. But were the most capable offroad and coolest looking.

The 2nd gens had terrible motors but were very truck like. If you run decent oil, engine sludge isn't hat big of a deal.

3rd gens had the issues I originally listed.

4th gens, meh looks.

5th gen on up are out of your price range.

Look on searchtempest.com
Cars.com
Autotrader

Watch the Houston nd Dallas area. Keep your money on hand and be reAdy to drive at a moments notice.

Dealers will occasionally get them in and price them at book value rather than checking what they actually sell for.

I scored my wife's 4runner in Houston for 5K. My only bargaining: I left with 30 free oil filters and fresh fluids throughout

.

Suspension was collapsed and it needed a cat. It had 160K miles on it, 4wd, mint condition body and leather, and I made them steam clean under the hood and under vehicle.

They probably made 2k on me. I still got it for 3k less than private party sales bring.

You just have to watch extremely close.

Another option, which is dare I say more reliable, is the 02-04 nissan xterra with the 3.3 and auto.

Better driveline and exhaust setup. Interiors are shabby and they are 100% truck. But the driveline can support twice the power the motor makes and the 3.3 is a tractor. A tbar crank and shackles will get you onto 32s.

They can be had for under 4K all day long. Motors and trans are a half million mile design with fluids, filters, and timing belts.

This post was edited on 6/8/17 at 7:44 pm

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