Advice needed.......

[Jtwo]

New to the site as well as 4Runners but wanted some feedback.
I'm looking at getting a 4Runner and have been looking for a while. I found a couple locally that I'm interested in.

-98 4Runner SR5 Auto with 96k, tow package, body is super clean, interior needs a little TLC as its missing the rear headrests, the center air vents are loose (probably easy to fix), ash tray is loose as well but other then that in good condition and runs strong. Asking 11k

-01 4Runner SR5 Limited auto w/104k, very clean inside and out, has lots of goodies like brush guard, cargo rack, tail light guards, PIAA lights on brush guard and roof cargo rack. Asking price is 17k.

I'm stuck between them both.......any input is welcome.

Cheers-

 

[Jtwo]

Any thoughts?

 

[Toy-Yoda]

I"m curious of the quality of the 01. How aws the servicing. either way, they're both good. you can't really go wrong with a runner. just make sure all the maitenance is up to date.

 

[Jtwo]

Thanks!

I looked for the records on both of them and its hard to say if the Timing belt has been serviced. Didn't see a sticker on the cover anyway.

The only think I don't like about the 01 is the amount of miles on it. Other then that its a super clean looking/running runner. I might be able to talk them down on the price too, I was thinking 13k?

I know I can get the 98 for sure for 11k but like I said I'd have to fix the vents, look for rear headrests and small stuff that.

Thanks for the feed back!

 

[Jtwo]

Here's a pic of the 98....

Here is the 01

 

[NCarolina4Runner]

I think the white 98 looks nicer. But, I'm partial to the 97-99 sr5's as far as appearance is concerned. The painted fender flares and all that just look a little to "soccer mom" to me.

But, which one do YOU like better?

 

[Jtwo]

I like both but they each have minor things that I don't like.
98 interior needs work
01 has a lot of miles IMO

Are they selling for good prices in your opinion? I know that these vehicles run strong w/that many miles. As long as you take care of them they should run for a while.

-J

 

[NCarolina4Runner]

I like both but they each have minor things that I don't like.
98 interior needs work
01 has a lot of miles IMO

Are they selling for good prices in your opinion? I know that these vehicles run strong w/that many miles. As long as you take care of them they should run for a while.

-J

If it were me, I'd probably go with the 98, but you can do alot better on the price. BUT, that might not be right for you. When I bought mine, my interior needed some work too. That's part of the reason I bought it. I figured I'd have fun and get to know my truck in the process. The previous owner was a smoker. So, I ended up pulling out my seats, interior plastics, carpet, headliner, air/heating vents, etc. Stripped the interior down to bare metal. Then I cleaned the inside thoroughly with clorox solution. I replaced the carpeting with oem molded carpeting. I replaced the headliner. Went to a local salvage yard a found a 2000 wrecked 4runner and took leather seats out of it and put leather in mine. Took the leather door panel inserts out of the salvaged 4runner and put them in my 4runner. I've had alot of fun with mine and go to know my truck in the process.

Not everyone wants to do this though...I had a blast.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

That '98 isn't worth a penny over $10k and probably isn't worth that since it's still a little on the plain side. 104k on a Runner isn't anything and with the '01 you get a better start since you have to do minimal to it and you get the upgraded pieces like the better headlights,nicer wheels and all the upgrades that came in '99 on up. The tires look newer on the '01 too and note where the cupholders are on the '98 vs the '01.

I have 115k on my '99 and everything works period and the only thing that's been done outside normal maintenance was new shocks and coils and new rear axle seals at 100k.

 

[neliconcept]

yeah id go with the 01 as its just in better condition.

but for 17k its overpriced.

id go in around the 13.5 to 14 range.. no more then 15 though.

 

[Jtwo]

Cool, I was thinking about offering 12k for it in hops of them meeting in the middle.

 

[Jtwo]

I'll be making the offer tomorrow as I am in need for some wheels. My car (92 Civic w/280k) decided to crap out on me, so i figure its time for a 4Runner.
I've been eyeballin them for about three months now anyway.........
Thanks for all the help and feel free to keep em coming......
Cheers!
-J

 

[Mike415]

I would def get the 01 over the 98 if you can get a better deal on it

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yeah,definetly don't pay over $15k for the '01 since the 3rd gen values have taken a little hit since 4th gens have been around a while now.

 

[Jtwo]

While I didn't get a chance to go down and haggle I called and they dropped the price from 17k to 15,900 over the phone on the 01. So, hopefully I can get em to settle for 13-13,500.

The 98 is out of the picture as he won't budge any past 11k. I know I can find a better deal as I've seen them in the past.

Again, thanks for the info and wish me luck!

Cheers....
-J

 

[NCarolina4Runner]

Sounds to me like you're on the way to owning a 4runner...

 

[neliconcept]

if you got em to get it to 15.9 over the phone you might be able to get it for 13.5. They are probablly using the load warrior rack and brushguard for extra money so keep that in mind as it might be worth a little more then 13.5 but who knows

hope everything turns out well.

and the dude with the 98 with the firm 11k is out of his mind. id give him maybe 9 or 9.5

 

[8ac1v1c]

98 vs 01

-98 4Runner SR5 Auto with 96k, tow package, body is super clean, interior needs a little TLC as its missing the rear headrests, the center air vents are loose (probably easy to fix), ash tray is loose as well but other then that in good condition and runs strong. Asking 11k

-01 4Runner SR5 Limited auto w/104k, very clean inside and out, has lots of goodies like brush guard, cargo rack, tail light guards, PIAA lights on brush guard and roof cargo rack. Asking price is 17k.


Cheers-

All the fanciness on the '01 can easily be added to the '98 for about $1500-$3000 installed. And to fix the rattling and rear headrests should'nt be anywhere close to a $1000.

For a maximum of $15,000 you'll have a lower mileage T4R with "lots of goodies" and everything fixed to your likings.

But when all is said and done - it is YOUR choice

 

[ebelen1]

Re: 98 vs 01

All the fanciness on the '01 can easily be added to the '98 for about $1500-$3000 installed. And to fix the rattling and rear headrests should'nt be anywhere close to a $1000.

For a maximum of $15,000 you'll have a lower mileage T4R with "lots of goodies" and everything fixed to your likings.

But when all is said and done - it is YOUR choice

No way. It would be very expensive to get the '98 to an '01 limited level. Not just the outside trim (bigger flares and nicer wheels) but all the interior comforts like leather and climate control.

If you can get the '01 down to $14, that wouldn't be a bad deal.

 

[Jtwo]

Ok, so neither one of them panned out to my expectations. No worries, I'm looking at a 99 tomorrow with 85k miles selling for 13k. It doesn't have the tow package though but everything else looks great.

Thanks again for all the input........

-J