2000 4Runner should I sell or keep

[vinay]

I have a 2000 4Runner SR5 with 182k miles. Probably needs a new timing belt, tires etc. Around 1500$ to be put in of just maintenance. Car is in great shape and running fine, I bought new and did oil changes every 5k with regular scheduled maintenance. Only issue is that I hit a pole in the rear recently going very slow so there is some slight damage with the rear door indented a little bit. Closes fine and everything. If I keep the car I should probably fix it to prevent rust. Had put in a custom pioneer nav system which no longer works.

However, I'm really tempted by the 2014 limited. Would be nice to have a stereo again, heated seats ( ventilated also in the 2014 ), better stability options and full time AWD.

I went into a dealer earlier and they only offered 2K for mine so I at least have a ball park ( I was expecting more... ).

Any advice on how much I should expect for mine?

 

[BrianSD_42]

Any advice on how much I should expect for mine?

Use KBB or NADA or look up local craigslist ads.

This forum has little to offer you in regards to how much your 4Runner is worth.

Most think their 4Runner is made of gold ... heck I woudln't even take $10k for mine and its a 97 with 220k miles.


Seriously though its really hard to guess what it is worth this way. Every city is different.

Edit:: it's definitely worth more than $2000.

Dealers always want to screw you, thats how they make money.

 

[5vzT4R]

$1500 in maintenance beats a down payment, car note and full coverage insurance every month. Just my opinion.

 

[vinay]

Use KBB or NADA or look up local craigslist ads.

This forum has little to offer you in regards to how much your 4Runner is worth.

Most think their 4Runner is made of gold ... heck I woudln't even take $10k for mine and its a 97 with 220k miles.


Seriously though I'll give you $5.00

CL only has dealers mostly advertising. The dealer I talked to didn't come close to blue book or Edmunds TMV. I'm aware of those....

 

[5vzT4R]

Use KBB or NADA or look up local craigslist ads.

This forum has little to offer you in regards to how much your 4Runner is worth.

Most think their 4Runner is made of gold ... heck I woudln't even take $10k for mine and its a 97 with 220k miles.


Seriously though I'll give you $5.00

Really? $5.00. Wow.... what a low ball offer.....



$10.00 right here all day!!

 

[BrianSD_42]

Really? $5.00. Wow.... what a low ball offer.....



$10.00 right here all day!!

Well I edited it within 30 seconds ... LOL :flypig:

Seriously though its really hard to guess what it is worth this way. Every city is different.

Edit:: it's definitely worth more than $2000. Dealers always want to screw you, thats how they make money.

 

[goro]

Go on craiglist and filter the dealer ads out by using owner only(cto instead of cta).

I paid $4500 for mine with 183k, a crunched front bumper, SUPER bad dead tires, and a ripped drivers seat. Do all your maintenance on it and I'd imagine you'd definitely be able to hit around 4k for it.

 

[BlackCat914]

Use KBB or NADA or look up local craigslist ads.

This forum has little to offer you in regards to how much your 4Runner is worth.

Most think their 4Runner is made of gold ... heck I woudln't even take $10k for mine and its a 97 with 220k miles.

Seriously though its really hard to guess what it is worth this way. Every city is different.

Edit:: it's definitely worth more than $2000.

Dealers always want to screw you, thats how they make money.

Just a FYI, no dealership even comes close to KBB. Why? Because they're a business and have to make money. So if they offer you KBB trade in value on your truck, does that mean you should pay KBB retail for the car you're buying too? If you notice, most dealerships are often asking a good deal of money UNDER KBB retail prices for their cars. Why? Because it does them no good having a car sit on the lot for 30,60,90 days depreciating. Most dealers only make $1,500-$2,000 on a used car after service work is done, detail, advertising, etc.

 

[4yotaguy]

yeah, dealers laugh at KBB. Most use NADA or Galves to price out cars. That said, lowball offers on your truck from a dealer should be expected, as the car is going directly to a wholesaler, then auction or used car lot.

If you want to get the most for your truck, sell it privately, period. That said, a new car is nice, but I cant wait to let mine go because of the property tax (here in CT), high insurance rate, and the car payment. In other words, despite heated seats, and other amenities, for me, the financial trade-off is no longer worth it. You have to decide that for yourself for what fits your lifestyle....just don't give it up to the dealer....

 

[inthepipe5by5]

Stopped by the dealer today myself and I've got to say the new runners are nice. More space, more solid feel, amenities galore, reclining/sliding rear seats + 2 fold downs, and that new car smell almost had me walking out with a charcoal gray one. I can't argue against getting a new one as 3rd gens are pretty dated and run through by now, although after 13 years they still hold pretty good residual value on the used private market (try comparing to a 13 year x5 or merc SUV). It all comes down to this: do you want to keep the headache you already know (and know very well) or do you get into a new one not knowing what can go wrong? I'm torn myself but my Limited is only 126k young so she's got a lot of life left. That dang '14 is making me consider adding a 3rd car really bad...

 

[BlackCat914]

yeah, dealers laugh at KBB. Most use NADA or Galves to price out cars. That said, lowball offers on your truck from a dealer should be expected, as the car is going directly to a wholesaler, then auction or used car lot.

If you want to get the most for your truck, sell it privately, period. That said, a new car is nice, but I cant wait to let mine go because of the property tax (here in CT), high insurance rate, and the car payment. In other words, despite heated seats, and other amenities, for me, the financial trade-off is no longer worth it. You have to decide that for yourself for what fits your lifestyle....just don't give it up to the dealer....

well said dudeski.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

So 13 years old, needs a timing belt, tires, stereo doesn't work and it has body damage. $2,000 on a trade in is about fair. Alternatively you can try to sell it yourself as is, deal with all the Craigslist scammers, the people who make appointments and never show and then the people that get there and low ball the sh*t out of you because of the work it needs. Or you can spend the $1,500-$2,000 it needs and maybe get about $5,000 for it depending on where you live. But you're holding it until you get that. Plus, you also get a small tax benefit from trading it in.

The KBB posted above was for Private Party Values, not Trade In.

I personally would spend the money on it and keep it, it's worth a lot more to you than it is to anyone else. I'm also a huge fan of not having a car payment. Haven't had one in years and don't plan to anytime soon.

 

[vinay]

Thanks for the all replies guys - very helpful

 

[T4R_Finally]

Ask 4k for it as-is. You may just get it. Or take the first decent offer. Either way you do better than dealer trade and should get a better price on new runner without a trade. I can't argue against the new one, although I prefer the sr5 to the limited. I have a 5th gen and a 3rd and like them both.

 

[BrianSD_42]

My comment about KBB and dealers meant to imply that OPs truck is not worth more than KBB, if fact probably a lot less.

I (like many of you) have sold several cars (5) and know it can be tough.

So I know that most, even 4Runners with a rare color lol, rarely and I mean rarely sell for much higher than KBB excellent value.

Yet it is quite common for people to TRY and sell barely modded 4Runners on T4R for $2000 over KBB. That's why I said everyone thinks theirs is made of gold.

 

[slapdappy]

Keep it. Get it serviced and repaired. Have a new stereo and speakers installed. Replace the steering rack bushings, sway bar bushings, and end link bushings. You can do these yourself. It is easy and cheap and improves handling substantially. Buy new shocks. Tough it out and live without seat heaters, or Install a remote starter. I have one in my subaru and it is awesome on cold winter mornings. No need for seat heaters.
Go ahead and spend $3000 getting it spiffed up, upgrading the stereo, replacing some components. Much wiser financially than spending **** ($30,000?) on a new one.
Of course the new 4R is nice. It is brand new. But don't buy a new car. Buy a mint 2-3 year old used one instead.

 

[vinay]

Ask 4k for it as-is. You may just get it. Or take the first decent offer. Either way you do better than dealer trade and should get a better price on new runner without a trade. I can't argue against the new one, although I prefer the sr5 to the limited. I have a 5th gen and a 3rd and like them both.

I love my SR5 but I'm less of an offroader now than when i got my first one 13 years ago. Wife hates having to determine when to shift into 4x. So ft awd with Torsen seems best overall for an occasional hitting of trails and mostly pavement here in the rainy and occasionally snowy northwest. And heated seats will be really nice......

 

[vinay]

Keep it. Get it serviced and repaired. Have a new stereo and speakers installed. Replace the steering rack bushings, sway bar bushings, and end link bushings. You can do these yourself. It is easy and cheap and improves handling substantially. Buy new shocks. Tough it out and live without seat heaters, or Install a remote starter. I have one in my subaru and it is awesome on cold winter mornings. No need for seat heaters.
Go ahead and spend $3000 getting it spiffed up, upgrading the stereo, replacing some components. Much wiser financially than spending **** ($30,000?) on a new one.
Of course the new 4R is nice. It is brand new. But don't buy a new car. Buy a mint 2-3 year old used one instead.

Thats good advice

 

[white_n_slow]

IMO, it's a no-brainer. Replace t-belt, water pump, stereo = $1,500

2014 4Runner, expensive insurance, interest payments = $40,000+

If you want heated seats, that could be a cool project to install and wire up some from the junkyard. If your wife isn't sure when to switch to 4wd, just tell her to switch whenever there's anything more than just rain on the ground. Sure, you might put some more wear on the front end that way, but nothing too serious. Besides, for what you would pay for a new runner, you could buy a fleet of 10 replacement 3rd gens, lol.

 

[Nelsonmd]

IMO, it's a no-brainer. Replace t-belt, water pump, stereo = $1,500

2014 4Runner, expensive insurance, interest payments = $40,000+

If you want heated seats, that could be a cool project to install and wire up some from the junkyard. If your wife isn't sure when to switch to 4wd, just tell her to switch whenever there's anything more than just rain on the ground. Sure, you might put some more wear on the front end that way, but nothing too serious. Besides, for what you would pay for a new runner, you could buy a fleet of 10 replacement 3rd gens, lol.

This is a pretty good analysis of the $ here, but i would add the cost of repair too. If you do your own maintenance and repairs, then definitely stay with the 3rd gen. Modern cars are getting so complicated that parts are ridiculously expensive and more and more they are designed to not be serviceable by anyone other than dealers (shoot, they had to pass right to repair just to ensure they keep putting out a service manual). You may get a couple trouble free year from a new one, but once you do start having trouble, the bills are going to pile up.

If you like the 3rd gen, and you want AWD and heated seats, then you might consider selling your current one and picking up an 01-02 limited or SR5 with accessories package. My 2000 has heated seats, and all the bells and whistles I really want other than AWD. You could probably add heated heated seats easily if you are at all mechanically inclined, but the AWD is alot harder.