2000 4Runner should I sell or keep

[vinay]

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.

I'm no longer sure about KBB. I originally went into the dealership to try and purchase a 2010 LE with 15K miles. They wouldn't go below 38K for the LE and above 2K for the trade in. Needless to say at that price, I felt I could just get a new LE for a few grand more.

The dealer used KBB values which were about that much. However Edmunds TMV had it at about 35K for Certified Preowned (CPO). You know if dealers are quoting KBB that it isn't on your side.

Probably another topic in its entirety, but I'm not sure CPO is worth it. A dealer essentially puts 2K more. However, even then, 4Runners used a few years old almost sell at new price and I'm not sure that's even worth it vs just buying a new one.

 

[vinay]

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.

Yeah, I've thought about finding seats from a 2001+ 3rd gen. Probably worth doing...

Anyone here done it? Is the harness already pre-wired to just plug in?

 

[vinay]

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.

hmm- that's a thought

 

[white_n_slow]

Boom. Heated seats.

Corbeau: Seat Heaters

 

[vinay]

Boom. Heated seats.

Corbeau: Seat Heaters

Is it easy to remove the seat covers? I hadn't thought of that.

 

[4yotaguy]

Boom. Heated seats.

Corbeau: Seat Heaters

nice, worth every penny....I had to swap over to a Corbeau Baja seat and bought one used and will be retrofitting the kit in. Looks ridiculously easy!!!

I cant tell you how many new BMW heated seats work so well they burn holes in peoples jackets and start fires...awesome

 

[vinay]

There's a heated seat install thread here on t4!

Should have looked

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gener...nyone-interested-installing-heated-seats.html

 

[Hacker]

I'm sure if you wanted to sell your current "maintenance required" ride, it would sell easily on this forum's classified.

How about some photos?

 

[vinay]

Sorry for not posting - got really busy with life - I'll post photos soon.

However, have decided to keep the car for now - thanks for all the feedback/advice. I upgraded it to my satisfaction. Installed a new stereo myself with bluetooth, iPod capability to replace the non working one. Added heated seats. New tires. Am going to do the timing belt next week. Am not going to fix the body damage since I don't care about the appearance as much as function and the damage is quite small anyhow.

What else do people recommend? I know someone mentioned bushings - what does that do? My mechanic is saying just do the timing belt and when something serious happens, to trade it in.