Value of a 2.7L vs. 3.4L and other options

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HeshBen

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I am getting ready to sell my 4Runner and trying to get an idea of how to price it. Since I don't want this to come across as a trying to sneak a for sale ad in, I'll leave out most the specifics of mine. I'll post an ad when I'm ready. I am using other 3rd Gens as comps, but mine is a 2.7L 4wd, so there are not any to compare as most are 3.4L 2wd or 4wd.

So how would you price a 4cyl comparatively to a 6cyl in the same condition. Likewise how do trim levels and options (besides lockers and manual) affect pricing when the vehicle is this age? This is my first time trying to sell a vehicle where the actual market value is so far off from what the online sources say.
 
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Other than the locking diff, I'm not sure if people actually care about the trim anymore on a 20 yr old truck. 3.4 vs 2.7 might kind of matter-ish, but I think the majority of the price is going to be determined by overall condition/rust.
 
With anything you sell, it can come down to how you sell it as well as what you sell. Do a very thorough detailing of it. And when you make the ad, make sure to be detailed in that as well. Push the highlights. And make the fact that it has a 2.7 a positive, not a negative.

As far as price? Go big. You can always reduce the price easily, but raising it is difficult. Unless you're looking for a quick sale.
 
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I have had several Toyota parts department people express interest in mine because it IS a 2.7 4wd.

If you find the right, knowledgeable person then you have a desirable combination. Stress the 3rz 4wd and if it is a 5spd... Then wait for someone who considers this a positive.
 
The 4 cylinder has a timing chain, not belt. It has more room to work around. Both good things. As far as fuel economy, I'm not sure it gets much better than the 6 cylinder on the highway. The extra oomph of a 6 cylinder while passing etc. would be nice. Overall, each has its benefits and drawbacks.
 
Track your MPG's, they should be north of 20 mixed city/hwy. If not, see if a tune up gets those numbers back up. A 4wd SUV with 20+ MPG's is a good selling point.
 
Thanks for the helpful responses thus far and confirming some of my thoughts. I know the timing chain is a draw for some (it was for me). I definitely am going big considering what I see ones with almost double the mileage going for around here. I’ll do a full detail and maybe replace a few of the more worn interior bits. Maybe do a tune up too,I think I’m getting around 18mpg with pretty much all city driving.
 
HeshBen said:
Thanks for the helpful responses thus far and confirming some of my thoughts. I know the timing chain is a draw for some (it was for me). I definitely am going big considering what I see ones with almost double the mileage going for around here. I’ll do a full detail and maybe replace a few of the more worn interior bits. Maybe do a tune up too,I think I’m getting around 18mpg with pretty much all city driving.
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I agree with all of the above. Most people want a 5vz auto. A 3rz 5 speed is a niche market & there are people who want one but that combo is very hard to find. If you wait, you'll find your buyer or he'll find you. If it's all stock in good condition you should be able to get the same money as a plain jane SR5 auto. Of course if it's a 99+ it will be worth more with all of the upgrades.
I know I'd like to see the specs & pics. If you have 4.56 gears from the factory that would be a good selling point too. You need the right buyer.
 
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Not trying to hijack but this got me thinking... Auto vs 5Speed? Which do you think has more value? This may be subjective as it could be considered more of a personal preference.
 
To certain buyers manual will always be more valuable, plus rarer than auto. Though some want only auto. I agree with previous posts the right buyer will appreciate your rig.
 
SeaBass8 said:
Not trying to hijack but this got me thinking... Auto vs 5Speed? Which do you think has more value? This may be subjective as it could be considered more of a personal preference.
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It’s an auto, so I know that will affect things too. From what I’ve seen here, manuals have a higher demand but there are still plenty of buyers for AT’s.
 
I was just in Baja California, Mexico and 200 km south of San Felipe at a gas station in the middle of nowhere a guy comes up to me and asks if I want to make $300. I asked if it was legal. He wanted me to tow him to San Felipe. He was in a Chevy Suburban type thing from Idaho and his starter conked out. It was an automatic so it couldn't be push started. Without the engine on his brakes and steering wouldn't work so I couldn't tow him. He had to call for a big tow truck to come down and get him, I don't know what that ended up costing him. Right there all in all I'd say the manual tranny is worth $2000 more than the auto, if you do that kind of thing. Or bring spares of everything that could break on the engine. I'd never go anywhere remote in an auto. They perform better overall off roading than messing around with a clutch but the reliability factor trumps all for me.
 
A decent 4x4 3RZ truck around here usually goes for about the same as a similar condition high optioned SR5. Neighborhood of 5-6K for a nice one.

Sent from my Z981 using Tapatalk
 
HeshBen said:
It’s an auto, so I know that will affect things too. From what I’ve seen here, manuals have a higher demand but there are still plenty of buyers for AT’s.
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See, now that I know it's an A/T I have no interest in it. But others might. Maybe good for a woman? LOL J/K! :lol:
If you were close to me & I could get it cheap I'd take it as a parts truck & rebuild the motor for a high HP aplication. But without the 5 speed & you sounding like you want top dollar I wouldn't spend the money to ship it across the country.
Especially when there's tons of used 3RZ's from Taco's on CL.

There's a "3RZ Runners Only" thread that you might want to post in to see if there's interest.

Edit: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/202473-3rz-runners-only.html

.
 
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We currently own three 4Runners: a '99 3RZ, a 2000 3RZ, and a 2000 SR5. All with 5 speeds. I owned a 5-speed '97 SR5 that I bought in 2013, refurbished, put 20,000 miles on, and sold to my brother. I thus have many thousands of miles of driving both engines.

The 4-cylinder models have 15" wheels; the 6-cylinders have 16" wheels.

I prefer the 4-cylinder models in both town and highway driving. The weigh difference (engine, drivetrain, and wheels) and lower stance combine to make a notable difference. It's, how shall I put this, lighter on its feet. Furthermore, the 4-cylinder's W59 gearbox is a little smoother and easier than the 6-cylinder's R150.

Would you rather tango with Keira Knightley or Melissa McCarthy?

Maintenance, barring the fuel filter, is easier on the 4 cylinder, and fuel mileage a little better. Your spark plug bills will be a whopping 50% less.

I don't believe any 4-cylinder models had ABS. Many on this forum would consider the absence of that feature to be an advantage. Likewise, 4-cylinder models probably don't have a moonroof. That's a good thing, too.
 
davidch said:
We currently own three 4Runners: a '99 3RZ, a 2000 3RZ, and a 2000 SR5. All with 5 speeds. I owned a 5-speed '97 SR5 that I bought in 2013, refurbished, put 20,000 miles on, and sold to my brother. I thus have many thousands of miles of driving both engines.

The 4-cylinder models have 15" wheels; the 6-cylinders have 16" wheels.

I prefer the 4-cylinder models in both town and highway driving. The weigh difference (engine, drivetrain, and wheels) and lower stance combine to make a notable difference. It's, how shall I put this, lighter on its feet. Furthermore, the 4-cylinder's W59 gearbox is a little smoother and easier than the 6-cylinder's R150.

Would you rather tango with Keira Knightley or Melissa McCarthy?

Maintenance, barring the fuel filter, is easier on the 4 cylinder, and fuel mileage a little better. Your spark plug bills will be a whopping 50% less.

I don't believe any 4-cylinder models had ABS. Many on this forum would consider the absence of that feature to be an advantage. Likewise, 4-cylinder models probably don't have a moonroof. That's a good thing, too.
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Nicely stated, I love Keira Knightly! Although a 3RZ 4runner is usually a bare base model mine came fully loaded w/ power everything, wood dash & trim including 16" wheels & ABS. I dont have a sunroof which I also consider a plus. You have more headroom & no leaks. I had no options for factory fog lights or leather with a base which you could order on an SR5 & standard on a Limited.
 

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This is what a fully loaded stock 3RZ base model looks like. Since it's a '99 4x4 I got the factory Highlander tall springs. The only things in this pic that aren't stock are the sports hood & 275/70/16 instead of the factory 265/70/16 tires.

Another thing I love about base models are the black door handles & rear view mirrors. I hate the color match on Desert Dune/Silver etc, the contrast with the black is awesome.
 

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davidch said:
I don't believe any 4-cylinder models had ABS. Many on this forum would consider the absence of that feature to be an advantage. Likewise, 4-cylinder models probably don't have a moonroof. That's a good thing, too.
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I beg to differ. My 96 3rz 5spd 4x4 does indeed have ABS. Maybe it's a Canadian thing. I have never had any issues with the ABS, no complaints.
 
Scramble- mine is mostly identical to yours, except with the Black SR5ish flares. I too like the Desert Dune/Black contrast. No ABS either and the 15" wheels came stock, and I am thankful I paid to have the fuel filter replaced rather than attempting it myself once I learned the process.
 

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HeshBen said:
Scramble- mine is mostly identical to yours, except with the Black SR5ish flares. I too like the Desert Dune/Black contrast. No ABS either and the 15" wheels came stock, and I am thankful I paid to have the fuel filter replaced rather than attempting it myself once I learned the process.
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She's pretty, are you the original owner? I like the SR5 flares.
 
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