Advice on used Gen 5 purchase

Hello all,
I am in the investigation phase of a new vehicle and narrowed it down to the 4 runner as my primary interest. Furthermore, I am fairly certain that the Gen 5 is what I want. The limiting factor is my budget. I am taking a loan and don't want to go any higher than $25,000 as the purchase price. I have found a couple 2013s with ~70k miles which is acceptable, but they were both white with chrome trim and that didn't sit well with me. So my question is: what trim packages, or years should I be focusing on. I want to build it up for some adventurous duty, but it will also be the daily commuter and family vacation rig, so some of the nice things on the inside would be appreciated.

Let me know if you all have any advice on what I should be focusing my search on. I also would like to know what to expect to get the stance adjusted (in terms of cost). Ideally, I will put new wheels and tires on it and lift it the necessary amount to accommodate those. 32-33" tires is my thought.

Thanks in advance!

David

 

25K is plenty for a nice used 5th gen. But do you want the current front end? It started in 2014-19. Or do you want the 2010-13. All are great imo. I current have a 2014. But people are real partial to the 2010-2013 Trail edition. Limiteds have the most chrome. Other trims, SR5, Trail Edition, TRD OffRoad have overlays to get rid of the chrome emblems or you can plasti dip them. As for lift options.....so many and what do you want to spend. You can go from a spacer lift all the way to long travel. I hope this helps a little.

 

Honestly the newer front end is growing on me. It has been hard comparing all of the Tacomas and 4Runners from 2005 to current and trying to understand what the grill means about the vehicle age or trim package. The 2013 that I found is pretty good, but it will require wheels (ugly non-oem) as well as the removal of some chrome running boards. I also didn't care for the tan interior. So I am holding out for a grey or silver 4R with grey or black interior. Leather would be great, but I don't know that I need the other stuff that would be included in a package that comes with leather. I just feel leather is easier to clean, and between the kids and me, we can get stuff dirty! Tan cloth doesn't seem like a good fit!

So the trail package is pretty good? I will keep my eyes peeled! Is there a best site on-line for used vehicle shopping? I have looked at Car-Fax, Auto traderm, and cargurus.

Also, I have been trying to keep the miles under 80k. Is there a good reason to look for something lower or allow for higher? It does seem to limit my search results, and the prices go up for 40k mile vehicles.

 

I have a 2015 TRDP, but to be honest, as much as I like the front end of this rig, my favorite is the 10-13 TE front, and the stock roof rack is pretty good for OE as well. You have good odds that whatever you get will be in really good shape. Afterall, most newer 4runners haven't seen anything more rough that a curbing while leaving the mall parking lot.

 

You'll probably get away cheapest in an SR5 Premium. It has softex seats (fake leather, but great IMO). You can't get real leather unless you step up to a limited which will be more expensive, has a different front end, and a lot of chrome.

You'll want to change out the stock wheels on the SR5 Premium, but thats no big deal

 

I managed to find a 2014 trail for 28k with 43k miles BOUGHT.

 

Nice score !!!.Man, that is like ZERO miles,.. killer man, good on ya .. Pics??!!!!?!?

And OP, i was also gonna say to look at sr5Prem's.
I looked for just a tick over 2 years. Looked and looked, and test drove and test drove. Luckily, there are runners pretty damn available in Utah, and i could "weed out" and be pretty picky. All the competition kept prices in check for the most part. Most had a LOT of miles on em, but 98% still looked great/newish, and priced pretty ok market wise. Finally, using my search key words (color, interior i HAD to have, no sun roof, that sorta thing), I finally found "THE" one. I went and looked at it, drove it for about 2 hours. Highway, and tool'd around up Monte Cristo canyon for a bit of light dirt road stuff. Rolled back to the dude, and bought the bitch right then and there.

I would stick to your guns. Figure out basically what you want, then, just look, and look,... be patient. I swear, it will be worth it in the end man. Wish ya the best of luck yo. BEST of luck mate.

(with the 2019 5th gen dropping, and most getting their 19 already, id expect the used 5th gen runner market, to get a bit more flooded with dope deals on used rigs, with the original owner(s) eating the first lump of any depreciation , but, maybe not)

 

Thanks for the input and encouragement. I'm really hoping to keep the miles under 80k, and aside from that, I am ok with any year option as long as it is clean. There are quite few options in CA, and because I am on the central coast, I have the LA, SF, Fresno, and Bakersfield markets available to me with less than a 3 hour drive. I am also without a car/truck right now and my motorcycle is my transportation. I don't have the ability to drag this on more than a couple months. We will see what kind of deals are around in January!

 

At least it doesnt rain everyday like florida

 

Super jealous you have a Inferno 4runner and Toyota doesn’t make them anymore

 

Y

Me too! I ran across an Inferno Tacoma and it really sparked my interest. Then I saw that the TRD Pro 4Runner in the same color and and thought it was pretty awesome. I don't know if I would want that every day for many years, but I could certainly live with it for a while!

 

many buy outside of California costs are way too high in your state .
I got 2K off the sticker price no trade in .. in other areas some got more .
4runners do sell quickly in my area .. used ones also sell quick .. most reliable and when the snow hits no problems when the plows don't do the job..better in snow than my GM 4X4 truck .

 

I'm on the same boat. I'm eying a few 2014 Trail with 78k. There is one with 50k but the price is too high IMO.

Looking at the maintenance https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-144Runner/pdf/2014_Toyota_4Runner_WMG_lr.pdf

it looks like you should ask for service records and see if they last performed any of this (if at all):
Re-torque propeller shaft bolt
Replace transfer case oil (4WD)
Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis and body
Replace front differential oil (4WD)
Replace rear differential oil
Replace transfer case oil (4WD)
Tighten nuts and bolts on chassis and body
Automatic transmission fluid

I will probably pay for a PIP but this is a good list to start checking:
Ball joints and dust covers
Brake lines and hoses
Brake linings/drums and brake pads/discs 4
Drive shaft boots
Exhaust pipes and mountings
fuel tank band and fuel tank vapor vent system hoses
Steering gear box
Steering linkage and boots

 

I made a deal on a 2013 Silver with 90k miles on it yesterday. It still needs the inspection, service, and detail; and I should take delivery this afternoon. It is the SR5 package with not too many options. I couldn't really get them to budge too much from the asking price of 25,750, and I think that is a reasonable price. I really haven't seen anything better or newer or equivalent for less. It doesn't leave me much $$ to do any mods with, but I will probably level it and drive it as is until it needs tires. Pics to come!

 

Price is connected to your location so I would not get caught up too much on what people pay. Knowing what model it is is very helpful, SR5, Trail, limited? Ask yourself some basic questions about your goals for the vehicle. People ask me why I bought the TEP since it has all the 4wheel gadgets. I tell them that I have fine tools too, but I dont use them everyday. I need to to trust them when I need them, that is why I have a TEP.
It is common where I live to see lifted SR5's with new wheels and tires.

 

Im sorry, Im not following...What is TEP? What is the significance of you seeing lifted SR5s with new wheels and tires?

 

I just got a call from the dealership...it won't be delivered today. During their inspection they found that it needs new tires, brakes, and allignment. They will be doing all of that at no charge to me! (but I will have to wait a couple more days to get it)

 

TEP=Trail Edition Premium. They have rear locker, manual 4x4 shift, CRAWL, Softex seats.
Only that many people are upgrading their SR5's, that is it. You wont be alone if that is the route you take.

 

OK That makes sense!

I am going to balance practicality and my desire for a capable rig. Buying the 4Runner was the first level of that. Practically speaking, I should have bought a Hybrid something or other, or a 20 mpg suv with all wheel drive for vacations to the snow. But I want to have the ability to take it a step further. I hadn't even heard of the TEP, and they probably are outside of my budget anyways. I figure that I will add the features that I need as I determine that I need them. First priority is getting a roof over my head. It isn't safe commuting in the rain on a motorcycle! Some all weather mats are on the short list, along with a leveling kit.

 

In believe in "the more you know" being very helpful.

 

Top photo is today after having it lifted/leveled and putting 275/70r17 Hancook tires on it!
Bottom photo was how it was when I bought it.

 

That didnt take long

 

Yeah, well between the time I agreed to buy it and when the sales person delivered it to me, it was discovered that it needed new tires, new brakes, and an alignment before they would deliver it. Great! They were doing service for me at no charge, but....I tried to get them to put ATs on it even if I had to pay an up-charge. For some reason, they couldn't make it happen and they wouldn't give it to me without new tires. So it was delivered with some very basic highway tires. While I was stoked on the 4R, I kept seeing other modded rigs driving around and I knew that I really wasn't driving what I had envisioned when I bought it. I did a 3/1.5 leveling/lifting kit and I worked a deal with the tire shop and they gave me $300 credit for my nearly new tires. So the deal had to be done before I put too many miles on the tires. Now I am satisfied (for the time being)! While I think wheel swaps make for a good modded look, I really like the stock wheels, so I am not going to spend money there. A front bumper, shocks, and UCAs might be eventualities, but I think I can do quite a bit with what I have here!