Advice and suggestions for buying older Toyotas

[Mike NXP]

So I've got a 100 series cruiser all ready for camping and off roading. My wife has an older highlander that she uses to daily drive and is really amazing in the snow with studded tires.My daily is an old beat up corolla that refuses to die, but does appear to be on death row. I'm at the point where it's so damn rusty there isn't much sense in continuing to fix stuff up.

All that said I'm in the market for something new to me. The goal is mostly something to daily drive that doesn't guzzle gas

The current debate is to spend less than $5K and get a little fuel efficient corolla / camry with high miles and just beat on it......OR save up a few more bucks and look for something a little more versatile like a Rav4 or maybe even a four runner so I can throw the bikes in the back and get around all winter as well, but then the budget goes up a lot.

I spent some time on the classifieds on mud but nothing seemed obtainable. I don't really need an adventure rig, I just want a good ol reliable Toyota that I can beat on for years to come for cheap, asking too much?


Anyone ever check out the rigs on Eagle Cars NW? They have been around for a while and seem to have a steady flow of rust free trucks with less than 100k for around $15K
>> Would this be a stupid purchase?
>> Another contender

 

[pasos75fj40]

IMHO, I would save a little more and get the RAV4 or Runner. Especially in Northwest Montana. You could get all year driving out of it, not just 6 months with the Corolla.

 

[ttFJC]

you can drive a corolla in the snow where you move here from?
skip the RAV and look at the GX. they used to be pretty reasonably priced and much better but not so good on gas. but v8.

 

[Mike NXP]

I rally my corolla all winter long. Fwd 5 speed + studded tires perform amazingly well. Lack of traction control is also helpful .

But yeah id love to find a cleaner truck but at my price point they all seem past their prime.

Will keep my eyes peeled , tough to make a decision sometimes.

Post up here if anyone spots a good deal out there

 

[Mike NXP]

So what's a Prado, is this like the overseas version of the four runner ?

Used Cars for Sale Spokane Valley WA 99216 Eagle Cars

Used Cars for Sale Spokane Valley WA 99216 Eagle Cars

eaglecarsnw.com

 

[ttFJC]

So what's a Prado, is this like the overseas version of the four runner ?

Used Cars for Sale Spokane Valley WA 99216 Eagle Cars

Used Cars for Sale Spokane Valley WA 99216 Eagle Cars

eaglecarsnw.com

It’s more closely related to a GX in the states.

 

[Mike NXP]

This looks like a decent find. High mileage but if it's not too rusty it appears to have the 2uz. Actually maybe this is more like the Sequoia motor ?

Used Cars for Sale Missoula MT 59808 Cars 4 U

Used Cars for Sale Missoula MT 59808 Cars 4 U

cars4umissoula.com

Carfax goes back a while with dealer service along with a timing belt change a few years ago and all the gear boxes being serviced.


I think as I look around more I'm realizing good fuel mileage isn't as important to me as finding just a solid vehicle. Any sorta rust free Toyota that has a good rep would fit the bill.

I haven't really ever heard any bad things about that generation four runner but I'll have to do some homework

 

[Mike NXP]

Bump to see what folks think about those fourth gen 4runners. I suppose the last thing I need is another v8 in the driveway but then again, maybe it's just what I need.

Waiting for pictures of the underside from the salesman. They claim it will be gone by this weekend, hard to say if thats BS or true. I have noticed these rigs sell very quickly.


Anyone out there down in Missoula ? Have you seen this rig sitting in the Car4U lot?

 

[Elbee]

Bump to see what folks think about those fourth gen 4runners. I suppose the last thing I need is another v8 in the driveway but then again, maybe it's just what I need.

Waiting for pictures of the underside from the salesman. They claim it will be gone by this weekend, hard to say if thats BS or true. I have noticed these rigs sell very quickly.


Anyone out there down in Missoula ? Have you seen this rig sitting in the Car4U lot?

The 4gen 4Runner also comes in v6.

if you are looking at a 4th gen V8 also consider a 100 series land cruisers. Same engine and similar fuel economy but a bigger and better truck.

 

[Mike NXP]

The 4gen 4Runner also comes in v6.

if you are looking at a 4th gen V8 also consider a 100 series land cruisers. Same engine and similar fuel economy but a bigger and better truck.

I already have one of those =[ I'm trying to keep the 100 as a more dedicated off roader / camping vehicle and I need something for my daily. a v8 four runner may not be the most practical on fuel but it will come in handy when a deer jumps out

The V6 without the full time four wheel drive would be sweet but I can't find any around here. The market in NW MT is weak. The closest area with potential is Missoula otherwise I gotta go to Spokane or beyond. Also, whenever you see something half way decent they seem to sell fast. Sometimes with a day or two.

 

[MTMarcoux]

This looks like a decent find. High mileage but if it's not too rusty it appears to have the 2uz. Actually maybe this is more like the Sequoia motor ?

Used Cars for Sale Missoula MT 59808 Cars 4 U

Used Cars for Sale Missoula MT 59808 Cars 4 U

cars4umissoula.com

Carfax goes back a while with dealer service along with a timing belt change a few years ago and all the gear boxes being serviced.


I think as I look around more I'm realizing good fuel mileage isn't as important to me as finding just a solid vehicle. Any sorta rust free Toyota that has a good rep would fit the bill.

I haven't really ever heard any bad things about that generation four runner but I'll have to do some homework

I believe it is the 2UZ. My mom had one years ago and it was a great rig with a lot more power than the V6. The gas mileage difference between the v6 and v8 was negligible.

 

[Mike NXP]

Right on...yeah it seems like for the <$12K price range its a good option. Other options would be smaller sedans like camry / avalon with less miles. Probably a wiser choice but not as fun of a vehicle.

It's also hard to find anything in my price range with a decent service history so its always a bit of a risk. The 4runner seems like an old man vehicle, no modifications and seemingly well maintained.

I'm going to drive to Missoula Friday, will see if it sells before then.

 

[Mike NXP]

Underside doesn't look too bad. What is this thing along the frame rail, in the top right picture.....this rig doesn't have AHC suspension does it?

 

[Mike NXP]

Can't help but gravitate towards anything that resembles the cruiser . This GX has caught my eye

So I think the gx is like the fancy 4runner but the lx is like the cruiser right?


I noticed in the picture this has the AHC suspension, I wonder if I should stay away from that. Seems like many cases of inevitable failure as these rigs age

For Sale - Seattle, WA (Kitsap County): 2004 Lexus GX470

2004 Lexus GX470 Dorado Gold Pearl Metallic 247,200 miles I am the second owner. The first owner purchased the GX from Lexus of Bellevue. It had an impeccable service history with them and I have continued to maintain it myself (former Toyota Master Technician). Recent service/maintenance...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Mike NXP]

Today's internal debate. Curious what others think.

2003 4runner with 188k miles. Long service history. No major rust but a bit of crust forming
>>$11,900

2004 GX47 with 247k miles. Excellent service history with seemingly no rust. BUT I feel the inevitable changing of the air ride suspension to stock form is in the future and that's a grand or so into it.
>> Asking $9000

Virtually the same vehicle with the exception of trim and suspension. Spend more to get less miles?

I can't even believe I'm looking at big v8 trucks again but man there is just something about these trucks. For the same price I suppose I could get a camry or something more practical with way less miles. Hmmmm

Forget about Tacomas, people seem to think they are made of gold. I see some old ones going for $25K with high miles and nothing going for them.

 

[ttFJC]

i think you just need to find a friend with stock FJC springs to put in the rear of the GX to delete the air ride. there used to be plenty of the Gxs on the market. many more then the v8 runner. everyone wants the v8 runner for some reason

 

[Mike NXP]

Alright well my recent vehicle purchase hopes started with the goal of wanting something more fuel efficient for daily work drive. Long story short I'm on the home stretch of flying to Seattle to pickup a GX470 from a fellow mud member lol so much for fuel efficiency.

Paying way more than I hoped but the maintenance history and lack of rust seems to make it worth it. The market for these toyota 4x4s is insane. Any new listing that looks appealing sells almost immediately and they usually are located 150+ miles away from me, doesn't make it easy.

The ability to chat with the mud member here and review before purchase is always a big plus. Figured I can try and find some old beater for my daily commute and give the GX470 another life of pampering.


2004GX470 w/ 248k miles. Old man tan color, seemingly in good shape.....$8500
- Radio doesn't work, suspected bad amp. Has Nav =[ hopefully it hold up
- Original air ride and shocks still works but I suspect that may need to be repaired in the future.


Other than that, timing belt and water pump done twice along with a service record from the lexus dealer every 5k miles. Gear box and transmission fluid serviced often enough. Spark plugs done. Radiator replaced. and the list goes on. Just about everything I had to do to my 2UZ on the 100 series, has been done on this rig which is a plus


I can't help but feel like I overpaid but then again I'm stuck in the past..... The reality is these vehicles fetch close to $10K even with 200+k miles and little service history, and rusty. Under $10k doesn't get you much now a days if you w


PS - Am I stoned or did I really see some used LX570s and land cruisers selling for $120K or more?