1996 3rd Gen value- burning coolant

[Chalkboss]

Need some advice. I have a 3.4L model, 4 wheel drive, has about 356K miles. Auto trans, in good shape other than it's burning some coolant (does not overheat) and has a cracked windshield. Newer tires, well-maintained by myself (all fluids, shocks, brakes, belts, alternator, radiator, wp/timing belt). Nice body/paint/interior. Been in California since day one.

I gave it to my son a while back and now I need to unload it. I don't want to try and fix it and he has no mechanical skills. Check engine light on (misfire cyl 4) and I suspect that's due to the coolant issue. Actually drives fine, except a bit of miss at freeway speeds according to my son.

What is the value of this as it sits? It's an awesome rig but I just don't have the time or space to fix it myself. Thanks for any opinions!

 

[JoeT4R]

Need some advice. I have a 3.4L model, 4 wheel drive, has about 356K miles. Auto trans, in good shape other than it's burning some coolant (does not overheat) and has a cracked windshield. Newer tires, well-maintained by myself (all fluids, shocks, brakes, belts, alternator, radiator, wp/timing belt). Nice body/paint/interior. Been in California since day one.

I gave it to my son a while back and now I need to unload it. I don't want to try and fix it and he has no mechanical skills. Check engine light on (misfire cyl 4) and I suspect that's due to the coolant issue. Actually drives fine, except a bit of miss at freeway speeds according to my son.

What is the value of this as it sits? It's an awesome rig but I just don't have the time or space to fix it myself. Thanks for any opinions!

So it seems like you're in the beginning stages of wanting to sell this thing, and there's nothing wrong with that. If I were you, I'd take it to a trustworthy mechanic of your choice to have an evaluation done and find out what exactly is wrong with it and what kind of work needs to be done. That way, you can be a transparent seller and can be up front with your buyer about what to expect. I'd be concerned about a possible head gasket issue, if you're burning coolant. That would be my worse nightmare.

Many will say it's worth whatever the buyer is willing to pay for it. I know this isn't a direct answer to your question, but rather a way for you to get a more accurate idea of how to price this thing moving forward. But if you have to know a dollar amount, I'd imagine at the very least you could possibly squeeze out 2K as it is, but that's just a guess not based on anything whatsoever. I'm interested to see what other ideas pop up in this thread.

 

[the_welfare_wagon]

I bought mine February of 2020 knowing it was blowing a head gasket for 1800. Mine actually almost hydro locked on coolant when I went to start it. Granted I’m sure mine is/was in much worse shape body wise, no dents just peeling clear coat and shot suspension. So I’d say ask 3k for it and settle around 2500

It depends very much on the buyer. Some people will see a head gasket leaks as the end of the world while someone who’s very mechanically inclined may jump right on that offer as they know they can fix it.

Honestly the head gasket job wasn’t all that terrible if you have the tools and know how. If you are able to fix it I would do so as it will greatly increase the resale value


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[19963.4lsr5]

In my area this is what it’s worth.

I bought my 97 with bad head gasket and bad trans for 550. Trans wasn’t bad just way low on fluid.


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[Bad Luck]

KBB/NADA/Blackbook/ETC are no where close to the market value for most vehicles in the current market. Location makes a big difference in pricing too. I'm not sure where Centennial is, but I'm assuming California by your comments. California/Colorado/Oregon/Washington seem to have much higher market pricing compared to the rest of the states (especially salt states). I would start at $3000 and see what happens.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Sounds like you are from Colorado by your profile information. Unfortunately, an engine with 356K miles with what is most likely a blown head gasket (that's the only way this engine burns coolant) it's not really worth very much anymore. Even though these vehicles can last well beyond 300K miles, most buyers will not purchase that high of mileage.

I purchased a 2000 with 202K miles with a 'blown headgasket' that was mis-diagnosed as it didn't have white smoke but was leaking coolant from the water pump. I paid 1600 for it. I think that based on where you live, 2000 would be the high end and 1500 the low end on what you can expect for it. 365K miles will just scare most buyers away, especially once you mention the engine issues. Unfortunately trying to explain how good of shape it's in and how well it's been cared for doesn't really matter to most people when the see engine damage.

 

[spartacus]

$1500. who ever buys it would have to fix the engine or swap plus would probably swap out the transmission.

 

[Auce]

Whatever someone is willing to pay for it, no more no less.