150k for 5k, but rolled back odometer

[SCRunner12]

There is a 96, 4wd and v6 for sale close to me and was originally up for sale for 5900 and with 97k on it. Well the odometer has been rolled back when the previous owner bought it, but it had 137k when it was rolled back. So now it sits at around 150k.
The women selling it has dropped the price from 5900 to 5000, but I think I could get a few more hundred out of her. It doesn't have a diff lock or fender flares, but is clean and one small dent. Would you still trust it with a rolled back odometer? 150k is nothing and if I could get it for 4500-4700, I think it would be a good deal in all.

 

[JohnsD90]

I Think $4k is a more appropiate price, you she could have theorectically driven a million miles before it was rolled back. Really Play it off, if everything checks off and running strong and is great i would pay $4300 for it, Cash in hand.

 

[SCRunner12]

That is what I was thinking. She put $5000 obo and I would have it checked out first too. I emailed her and asked about service records. I would be happy with 4300 or 4500 and that would leave me with a lot more mod $.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

Good luck ever selling it again. IMO a rolled back odometer is a huge red flag for other issues that were covered up.

I bought an Excursion once. Very nice 2000 4x4 Excursion. I saw it on CL and jumped on it since it was price several thousand less than others. The guy seemed legit and already had the smog done and paperwork in order. I paid the guy before running a carfax. Picked up the SUV and had it a couple days. Got to DMV and received a not-actual mileage title. The truck had 79K on the odometer when I bought it. Turns out it was actually 169K. Carfax showed that he was the one that rolled it back too. I was furious. I called the guy and basically told him that I was a Riverside County Sheriff deputy and that I was gong to turn it over to my fraud guy. I ended up getting reimbursed $5000 on it within 24hrs as I had scared the **** out of him in the process.

I had all kinds of issues trying to sell that Excursion a couple years later when we moved out to Colorado. It had a sweet 7.5" Donahoe Racing lift on it and 37" Toyos. I got well under market value even listing the correct mileage and there was $5000 worth of extras on it.

Just a warning to you.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

FWIW, I am pretty sure you are trying to find a local one, but considering where you are, take a look in Arizona. 4wds are usually a lot less in price down there than in CA. I found my 2000 Sport model in Phoenix for $7200. It was already lifted with the OME kit on it too. Only had 131K on it and that was two years ago. Most at that time were at least $2-3K more with similar mileage. I flew in one-way for $69 and it cost me around $100 in gas to get back to Colorado (950 miles).

I have never been one to shy away from a road trip for the right rig.

 

[BTO]

How do you roll these electronic odometers back?

 

[J-money$$$]

FWIW, I am pretty sure you are trying to find a local one, but considering where you are, take a look in Arizona. 4wds are usually a lot less in price down there than in CA. I found my 2000 Sport model in Phoenix for $7200. It was already lifted with the OME kit on it too. Only had 131K on it and that was two years ago. Most at that time were at least $2-3K more with similar mileage. I flew in one-way for $69 and it cost me around $100 in gas to get back to Colorado (950 miles).

I have never been one to shy away from a road trip for the right rig.

that is so true. I bout mine years ago in rancho cucamonga and it was about the same price I see people paying for basically the same truck, but now older.
the only thing that is bad in now if I Kelly blue book my 4runner it says its worth $4000 in good condition

NEVER BUY A VEHICLE WITH MILEAGE ROLL BACK, OR ANY SEEN ISSUES PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! "the one" is out there but from what i have experienced with buying used cars it take months to find the right one

 

[Spencer]

Didn't have electric ones in 96

 

[SCRunner12]

Addicted: Yeah I know what you mean about it being a red flag. I just don't know what else they might have done. Sucks though because she was selling it before knowing about the roll back at a good price. Now it is up for $4800 obo, so $4300 would not be out of the picture. Basically I have to stay close because I have a new baby at home and don't have the luxury of extra time on my hands. And cheaper is always better, but not when quality is compromised.

 

[runrunner]

Was it rolled back, or was the odometer replaced for whatever reason.

I bought a Honda Accord years ago and its odometer was replaced due to failure and the mileage was inaccurate. I was able to get the paperwork from the dealer of when it was done and what mileage and was able to accurately estimate the current mileage. It also had a sticker in the door jamb from the dealer advising of the same.

I had no problems selling that car.

That being said, $5k for a 96 with 150k on it is high regardless. I know there are plenty on here that have 96's, but that was the first year of the 3rd gen and I personally steer clear of the first year in anything.

 

[etc.]

Like a couple has said, you could have issues selling it later on.

However, my 4runner has a salvaged title, w/ 200,000+ miles to use as a DD. I know I may have issues selling it later on, but that will hopefully be several years down the road with chingos of miles on it.

So I guess it all depends on what you are going to use it for and how long you plan on keeping it.

 

[SCRunner12]

Ok well the woman emailed me and she is willing to lower the price to 3500 obo. That is a pretty good price.

 

[pbcolt]

Ok well the woman emailed me and she is willing to lower the price to 3500 obo. That is a pretty good price.

That would worry me more. It seems like something else is wrong. Dropping 1500 off at the drop of a hat would be another red flag. I don't know what your car situation is right now or if you need a 4runner this moment, but be patient....you'll find the right one.

 

[JohnsD90]

Buy it, its a good deal now. You can get a another engine for that difference in price. And you will likely not find another this cheap for awhile, thats besides the fact that if you buy it for $3500 ish and put 50-70k miles on it you could sell it for like $2500 with the TMU (true milage unknown) easily so you wont have an issue selling. Is it a 5speed?

 

[SCRunner12]

No 5 speed John. Well I looked into it a bit more and it had 140k in 2008 and 1.5 years later it was sold with 90k. So in reality it could have more around 170-180K on it now. That is a bit too many miles for not being certain. Apparently the owners bought it from a dealer who had adjusted the odometer. It was donated to a non profit then sold at auction to the dealer. The dealer created a fabricated carfax, which the owner still has. Here is the carfax. CARFAX Vehicle History Report on JT3HN86R0T0051922
It just has too many unknowns and is only a 4wd 96, so nothing too special.

 

[Hepar]

I would stay away from it. Just too sketchy. I mean, who knows what other holes they might have done some quick fixes on.

Hopefully the appropriate actions have been taken on the dealership for doing that.

 

[SCRunner12]

I would stay away from it. Just too sketchy. I mean, who knows what other holes they might have done some quick fixes on.

Hopefully the appropriate actions have been taken on the dealership for doing that.

Yeah I am over it. Too many unknowns for a basic 4runner. I'm going to email the owner and suggest she notifies the appropriate authorities about this dealer. Thanks for all the responses.