Now that is a clean runner! Asking $22K...I wouldn't pay that much. If I had that amount to spend, I'd probably look for something newer. What would be the max I would pay for it without feeling I overpaid: maybe $12k.

If there are no stories and the Carfax (has anybody run one?) and visual inspection indicates no accident/paint work/etc., I would pay $14-15 grand. I also prefer the 3rd gen above all others so I'd pay more for a comparable T4R of a different gen.

Low mileage, prime examples of 3rd gen's are few and far between and $14 grand is inline if it's perfect. I would expect perfect at that price.

I came this close last fall to buying a 3rd gen at a dealer here with 35k miles. My OTD price was $13500, but it sold the first day it was listed and before I could get there at lunch. I would love to know if this one is that one. According to this seller, it cannot be based on ad, but what are the odds of two '01's with 35k miles with a AZ connection?


Eddie

I wouldn't pay more than $12K for that no matter what. $20K is just plain awful.
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Same color too? Same year, same crazy low mileage, from the same region...too many similarities for it not to be the same one. Do you remember how much the dealership was asking?

This is the same 4runner I know this for a fact.

10-15k.

More if was either Limited or manual and had a locking rear diff

Yepper. $13,500 OTD.


Eddie

The car might be okay, but the guy is lying like a Persian rug to increase his cred for selling it and he's been caught in a bold face lie.

Gramps, at least not his, never owned this thing so the seller can keep it if he's counting on me to buy it.


Eddie

Here is the full history of this car for anyone interested:

I found it on auto trader much like Eddie did, but I was much too late. I submitted an inquiry online, but when I called the next morning it had already been sold at the Toyota dealer. I had no idea it had been online for so long because there were no picture. Another person who works there called me from my online contact form and told me it is available, but it needed to pass smog because some of the evap equipment had been removed. This thing was apparently used as a vacation vehicle from AZ to Montana. For two weeks the dealer sends me text updates and tells me it needs this or that, wiring touch ups, and sends me progress pics. Frustrated with the long wait, I called my contact's manager who again told me the car was sold, and I promptly called the dealer and he told me dude was just trying to poach a sale. Another few days go by and I finally speak to the real manager and he tells me the car was sold day one paid in full, and I was shocked. The guy had been stringing me along while the truck was getting ready for sale.

That was in October and I guess it finally passed smog, but I see int on AT again but this time from a private seller presumably the buyer. The original CL ad had mentions of it being a one owner vehicle even though the history clearly stated 2 owners. And it was a family vehicle. Called him up and asked him but he swore up and down that it was his grandfathers and inherited. I called him out and called the dealer to verify the sale and they did. He finally fessed up and changed the ad.

Ha. I have been lied to twice on this truck because of it's "rarity" I guess the market is even crazier than I think. I offered north of 15K but it was shot down and I think wanting a lowest offer of $18K is pure greed. That's just me. Oh well. I am a glutton for punishment.

I would totally go a different route but 3rd gens just look the best and I like their size.

As I have said in other forums I will always come out of book if I feel the car is worth it and seller has records and has honest intentions. Personally this seller, IMHO, has the word shady written all over. Hey Im all for making a buck or a a couple but his ad screams issues with 2 diff prices noted, the initial lies he told you and I didnt see any record of TB change. I bought a primo 37k mi Limited still has original mats out of FL for way less than he is asking and had all records, recent TB change and seller was my twin in terms of OCD on the vehicle. He had it detailed for me, filled up tank with gas for 1st leg of my trip home and had it checked over with a report at local Lexus dealer where he services his other cars.

I think MAX I would offer is 16k and be prepared to walk away unless he has records of TB then MAYBE a bit more. Jus my .02

This site is worth checking out to see what 4runners have actually sold for...

Toyota 4Runner For Sale - BaT Auctions

It's kinda crazy what some of them go for, but not my money.

I share my 2cents only with people from the forum, where most know how to wrench something on these trucks...

The ad doesn't seem to be suspicious except for the fact that this guy IS definitely looking to make a few grand off of this 4Runner. No doubt. Nothing wrong with that tho.

Not sure why some people are suspicious of the 4Runner not being registered in CA. The seller does state that the car is under his name(on Arizona title), and that the car is located in CA, but he never states that HE is from CA. He could be visiting friends/family... So whatever...

In the ad he does mention that is has a CENTER diff lock. The car DOES have a center diff lock which controls an actual differential lock in the transfer case, which(aside from the off-road capability) adds value to it. You can drive it fast on slippery surface while in 4WD and not worry as much that you will slip.

Being the later model 3rd gen, it even has VSC to add to the slippery driving in 4WD, which is a great system if you know how to use it on-road and off-road. That alone adds value. At that mileage, I would not worry if it's gonna fail at that low mileage.

The wheels in the pictures are Toyota OEM base model stock 15x7 steel wheels. Pretty simple good wheels. They look new.

Assuming all wiring is untouched (before on-the-spot inspection), the whole car looks like a great SR5 platform to start building a rig. It probably has some wiring preinstalled already like for adding fog lights, and a partial rear diff lock harness, even tho Toyota never installed them with the 'I' shift multi-mode transfer case. Piece of cake to retrofit it as I have on mine. You'd probably wont even get your hands dirty judging from the underside pictures.

Rust I won't even mention.

Someone said that parts on the truck at low mileage don't get used up all that much. Excellent point. Assuming the miles are correct, this truck has not even been broken in yet! A visual inspection of all weatherstrips and rubber bushings would give an idea how much sun and wear this car has seen. Usually the sun is very unforgiving in CA.

I would definitely go see it in person if I were close. If the front bumper, engine, transmission and frame all had corresponding numbers to frame, body, and to the title of this car, it probably means that none have been changed for whatever reason- repairs, accidents. One test I would like to do, if I were to pay higher price, would be to check the compression of the engine. Everything else wouldn't be a problem to fix in a day or less on the side of the street.

Asking the seller to show paper work from dealers/service shops for work done on this car...it had like what? 10 oil changes? Not sure you'd find much more.

If I would sell this car I would probably price it at around 16K after it passes everything on the home brew physical exam. If it were manual, I will look to get close to 20K as there is no chance you'll pay for a milkshake.

Considering the extreme durability of this particular model, in a rust free environment, this 4Runner is invincible, unless you or someone else brakes it. Only problem is that in another 20years, most likely there wont be any parts for it. But who knows, there still are parts for the TLCs from the 70s.

I own the diesel version which is pretty much the same car except that it was a base model, and now it has everything OEM retrofitted except a sunroof.

Even at 150Kml(240Kkm) I would not exchange it for a new car because the same durability, versatility, practicality, efficiency, and negligent maintenance cost, offered by the 3rd Gen 4Runner, ranges between 30K & 50K.

Ask yourself this, why doesn't the seller put it on BaT if he wants top dollar as some have been going for. Granted not everyone likes the auction process.
It's a base SR5 lowest entry level model, too many better deals out there.

Yeah I am not sure. I actually asked and the response was it would take too long and the reserve they’d want is 18k. Showed me a screenshot of the email from BaT. Reason for not listing was timing, however that doesn’t match up with the waiting for the right buyer part. Trucks on BaT can go either way.

The thing that boggles my mind is how expensive 3rd gen 4runners still are. I've done a ton of maintenance to mine lately which is probably in the 1k to 2k in parts alone area.

Most of these 4Runners are ~200k miles which is generally going to need new parts : timing belt, water pump, bushings, shocks, springs, valve covers, hoses, interior parts, and such. Kinda baffling people are willing to spend the same amount of money that I did 5 years ago for a 150k mileage one.