1999 T4R Limited 4WD that I'm looking at ...

[MrEMan]

I'm currently searching for a 3rd Gen DD for my daughter (who goes to college in the mountains and will likely encounter snow/ice each winter) ... in an earlier post I had questions about a different 4Runner that I was looking at and the members of this forum were very helpful. As a result of those conversations, I've limited my search to '99-'00 Limited 4WD's and any '01-'02 4WD, primarily in order to have multi-mode 4WD (which I think will be more suitable for her). One of the suggestions was to post up pictures, etc. for more detailed feedback, so I'm going to try that ... I've come across what appears to be a very nice '99 Limited:

It has a clean car fax with no accidents and relatively low mileage (126,031). It also has both the original transmission and the original radiator. I haven't seen the vehicle in person YET (it's ~200 miles away) but it looks like it's worth making the trip to see it. The asking price is $10,989 at a used car dealership (as opposed to a new car/used car dealership). Any thoughts or recommendations?

Thanks in advance for your help ...

 

[Kung]

$10,989? To me, that's too much. I got my 2000 SR5 Highlander with 130K for $7200. I might pay $9K or $9500 for it *TOPS*, if it's got a complete service history, is in darn near perfect condition, etc., but $10989 is too much.

As far as the vehicle itself goes, most importantly, I'd check out the radiator, and see if there's a complete service record history for it. Would check to see if ball joints/OTREs have been replaced (or if they're bad), if it's had any tranny problems, etc.

Better yet, IF they will work with you on the price, I'd bring it to a trusted, independent Toyota specialized mechanic to have them give it a once over.

Good thing is that, if it's lived its life in the south, it probably has little rust.

 

[GladeRunner]

Looks like a good find. The big thing I'd look for is any rust underneath. Is the T4R from the north? I didn't notice any rust in the engine bay so you should be fine but you should at least look.

Do you have any info on timing belt? Fluid changes?

I don't see much wrong at all, but I'm sure others may be able to spot something to look out for.

 

[Sputnik]

Holy crap! Are these older 4runners that expensive still?
Wow am I happy that I bought a 4runner! I'd love to sell mine for 10k when it's 12 years old

That's is a very clean looking car, but if I were u, I'd print out a kbb or edmunds book value, and demand the dealer to sell this one for under that value... Especially if your paying cash. Maybe it's just me but 10k seems high for a 12yr old car

 

[MrEMan]

Thanks for the input ...

As far as the vehicle itself goes, most importantly, I'd check out the radiator, and see if there's a complete service record history for it. Would check to see if ball joints/OTREs have been replaced (or if they're bad), if it's had any tranny problems, etc.

Better yet, IF they will work with you on the price, I'd bring it to a trusted, independent Toyota specialized mechanic to have them give it a once over.

I'm planning to do just that ... the only exception is that I'll have to blindly trust a Toyota mechanic in another city. As for the radiator, the dealer states that it's the original radiator. Given the mileage (and my distinct desire to not experience the pink milkshake), I would probably install an external tranny cooler bypassing the internal cooler (at a minimum) and possibly even replace the existing radiator.

The big thing I'd look for is any rust underneath. Is the T4R from the north? I didn't notice any rust in the engine bay so you should be fine but you should at least look.?

According to the carfax, it was originally titled in NY. While I haven't had a chance to verify this, the dealer indicates that there is no rust.

Do you have any info on timing belt? Fluid changes?

I'm still trying to find out ... it's not noted in the carfax, but then carfax reports aren't always complete.

Wow am I happy that I bought a 4runner! I'd love to sell mine for 10k when it's 12 years old

That's is a very clean looking car, but if I were u, I'd print out a kbb or edmunds book value, and demand the dealer to sell this one for under that value... Especially if your paying cash. Maybe it's just me but 10k seems high for a 12yr old car

I'm glad that I bought a 4Runner too ... and a Seqouia. They do tend to hold their value pretty well. Interestingly enough, the kbb dealership suggested pricing for this vehicle in excellent condition (which it appears to be) is $10,729. Not too far off from the asking price, but I don't intend to pay more than $10,000 and it would have to be perfect ...

 

[Millerad1651]

Usually if the timing belt/water pump have been changed, the techs put a sticker on the timing belt cover. From the picture, it doesn't look like there is a sticker. Doesn't mean it hasn't been changed, but that could be the case. Bring that up with the dealer, and you can knock some of the price off.

 

[MrEMan]

Usually if the timing belt/water pump have been changed, the techs put a sticker on the timing belt cover. From the picture, it doesn't look like there is a sticker. Doesn't mean it hasn't been changed, but that could be the case. Bring that up with the dealer, and you can knock some of the price off.

Good point/suggestion ... thanks!

 

[RonMAIDEN]

People's opinions on prices vary as much as the prices themselves. Clean 3rd gens are getting a bit rarer (especially pre '00 models) since alot more people are either wrecking them or hanging onto them so if you come across one that is in exceptional shape and the miles aren't too crazy you might pay a premium price instead of waiting for a "deal" and never really finding one that made you feel like the one you may have passed up.

Yes,almost $11k is a lot and a better deal should be negotiated and try to get it under the $10k mark and use the radiator as a bargaining chip plus check the rear axle seals (see if the back of the drums look oily),ask about when the timingbelt/waterpump had been done and any other associated maintenance you think of.
Make sure everything works like it should including engagiing the 4wd,check the AC and heat,windows,sunroof,rear sprayer and wiper as all these should be in solid working order and if they aren't then get some taken off the price.

Yes,some people may have found their $7000 4Runner with a little over 100k miles but I see those deals getting further and further inbetween.
I have my '99 with 170k on the odo and I know I can still get $7k plus in part because it's in solid shape,have every maintenance record and receipts and dates on everything and I would have no problem making a potential buyer feel good about buying my 4runner.

That said and my opinion on the '99 Limited you are looking at is that if it checks out and everything works like it should I would get the price knocked down a little and buy it up since somebody will buy that truck and the your daughter might be missing out on a great truck that you feel comfortable with her driving.
Get it down closer to the $9000 range and that is a good deal from a dealer and maybe try to get them to throw in an oil change or two.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

If you can get the VIN you can sign up at Toyota Owners Official Website: Service Coupons, Owners Manuals, Service Scheduling and More and enter the VIN as though you own the car and it will tell you any service done at a Toyota dealer. I do that when checking out a vehicle. (They must think I own a bunch of 4Runners!) The timing belt service might be listed there.

 

[MrEMan]

Clean 3rd gens are getting a bit rarer (especially pre '00 models) since alot more people are either wrecking them or hanging onto them so if you come across one that is in exceptional shape and the miles aren't too crazy you might pay a premium price instead of waiting for a "deal" and never really finding one that made you feel like the one you may have passed up.

Yes,almost $11k is a lot and a better deal should be negotiated and try to get it under the $10k mark and use the radiator as a bargaining chip plus check the rear axle seals (see if the back of the drums look oily),ask about when the timingbelt/waterpump had been done and any other associated maintenance you think of.
Make sure everything works like it should including engagiing the 4wd,check the AC and heat,windows,sunroof,rear sprayer and wiper as all these should be in solid working order and if they aren't then get some taken off the price.

Yes,some people may have found their $7000 4Runner with a little over 100k miles but I see those deals getting further and further inbetween.

Agree ... at least here within 200-250 miles of Atlanta this price doesn't seem too far off base for a nice 4WD 4Runner. The sub $10K T4R's that I've seen have all had some kind of issue ...

If you can get the VIN you can sign up at Toyota Owners Official Website: Service Coupons, Owners Manuals, Service Scheduling and More and enter the VIN as though you own the car and it will tell you any service done at a Toyota dealer.

Great idea ... thanks! I already have my vehicles listed, but I didn't think about checking potential vehicles ... I'll try that now.
*** No luck ... although I'm told that not every Toyota dealership participates in this, so it might not mean anything. Regardless, I'm guessing that the timing belt has not been replaced. Bargaining chip #1 ...

 

[LittleCaesar]

Someone either power washed the engine or the upper TB cover is new for I don't see the sticker telling the need to use dual spark plugs.

Otherwise it looks real good. The original stereo is a good indication that no one has done any modding to the 4runner.

Well kept 4runners in the South are high $$$.

 

[MrEMan]

Someone either power washed the engine or the upper TB cover is new for I don't see the sticker telling the need to use dual spark plugs.

Good catch ... could be either. This place seems to go the extra mile cleaning their cars up ... I could easily see someone getting a little overzealous and blasting the sticker off.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Looks clean. As others have said, look it over well. If no proof of timing belt/water pump being done, use it to negotiate. Look the under carriage over real well, check the rear heater lines, pull the weather stripping back as far as you can, look behind the flares if you can, all places they're known to rust.

Assuming no rust, new tires, timing belt/water pump have been done, that it's a "need's nothing" vehicle, I'd say the price is fair. If it needs anyhting at all it's over priced IMO. But, the asking price is just a starting point. If you can get it for around $9500 or so I'd say it's a good buy.

 

[MrEMan]

Assuming no rust, new tires, timing belt/water pump have been done, that it's a "need's nothing" vehicle, I'd say the price is fair. If it needs anyhting at all it's over priced IMO. But, the asking price is just a starting point. If you can get it for around $9500 or so I'd say it's a good buy.

At this point I'm thinking that I have some room to negotiate ... while the tires appear new, they're some off brand (Vee Rubber) that I've never heard of:

so I will likely swap those out ASAP. Add the uncertainty regarding the timing belt/water pump and radiator and I might be able to get it below $10K. Otherwise I'm likely to walk away from it. A lot will depend on what the Toyota tech says ... I'm working on that right now.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Vee Rubber makes some motorcycle and motorcross/dirt bike tires. But these are a first venture into auto tires I think, at least here in the US.

You see a good deal of Vee Rubber in SE Asia. They may be made in Thailand.

If you daughter goes to college in the TN/NC mountains, I'd look at the Geolanders or if it never will see mud, the Revo 2s.

 

[awdjunkies]

Don't forget the Kumho Road Venture AT KL78. Great tire at a great price.

Kumho Road Venture AT KL78

 

[MrEMan]

If you daughter goes to college in the TN/NC mountains, I'd look at the Geolanders or if it never will see mud, the Revo 2s.

Don't forget the Kumho Road Venture AT KL78. Great tire at a great price.

Thanks guys, but I was thinking along the lines of GY Wrangler SilentArmors ... I've got them on my 4Runner and, in spite of the fact that I'm planning to switch to a more aggressive tire, I've been very happy with their performance in all of the conditions that she's likely to encounter. She does go to school in the TN/NC mountains (or close enough, she's at Young Harris in North GA) and will probably encounter nothing more serious than some snow and ice and/or forest service roads on the way to a river put-in. I'll take a look at both the Yokohama and the Kumho, but I'll probably have a strong tendency to stick with what I know ... I can be hardheaded like that. :ybrick:

 

[awdjunkies]

No worries, after all, they are just suggestions and you have a tire you are comfortable with, why not go with that.. It's nice to know Dad's looking out for his daughter's safety and best interest.