Best way to gauge market value for 3rd gens?

J

jehuh

New member
Hello All,

Unfortunately, Life is changing and forcing me to part ways with my 3rd gen.. It sucks because i've been a longtime lurker and finally created an account not long ago :-( These trucks are very unique in their values and the price variances out in the marketplace. My issue is trying to determine what a lower mileage unit is worth among a sea of 200k+ mile 3rd gens. I have a 1997 and have noticed that there aren't a lot of those out there, especially in the south (North Carolina area). Most of what I see are 1999 and above (mid cycle refresh models) and they seem to be pretty beat up and well used.

Thanks!
 
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Check all the local sources (autotrader, facebook marketplace, craigslist, offerup) and try to find some comps or similar 4runners in similar conditon and see how much theyre going for and how long theyve been for sale. You could always test the waters and list high. Glws
 
Ponders said:
Check all the local sources (autotrader, facebook marketplace, craigslist, offerup) and try to find some comps or similar 4runners in similar conditon and see how much theyre going for and how long theyve been for sale. You could always test the waters and list high. Glws
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Thank you! Not many local comps so I’ll try to look at the entire southeast haha
 
Relative Value

Building off what everyone else said, the 3rd gens are very valuable. They have sort of a cult following(with good reason) and people will often pay more than what sites like KBB say is a "good value." Especially with that low of mileage, depending on condition and how loaded it is you should be able to get a pretty good return on it. Just check the market and see what others are going for that are similar to yours and don't be afraid to list it a little high to start!

Hope that helps
 
A couple of observations on pricing that I've seen over the years:

1. 4WD models always fetch more than 2WD models. If you live near ski slopes that can bring almost a $3,000 premium over a 2WD model. For the flat lands of the south, it's not as desirable as mountain regions.

2. Appearance matters. Fix the cheap stuff like broken odds and ends, that cap on the thingamabob that fell off years ago. Lack of attention to detail could imply to the buyer lack of maintenance.

3. Low mileage doesn't make a difference with the 5VZ-FE or 3RZ-FE engine but it does to the general buyer. You can add about $500 to the prices for every 20K under 200K. So if your 4Runner has say, 140K miles, add $1500 to the price tag.

4. Put the 4Runner on a non-regional site. Craigslist is nice for a local sale but you'll get interest nationwide if you pay to post on a national site. Good photos, a good detail and wash goes a long way in getting a motivated buyer who will pay full price with cash. Also, post here in our classified section as there's lots of people that come here to buy a 4Runner.

I sold one for $4200 once with a plain vanilla 2WD 2001 with 220K miles at a local community car lot but I waxed it and treated the black trim with a silicone black restorer and it looked brand new again. People buy cars with their eyes, not their brains.

Good luck with sale!
 
Ryanhalsey said:
Building off what everyone else said, the 3rd gens are very valuable. They have sort of a cult following(with good reason) and people will often pay more than what sites like KBB say is a "good value." Especially with that low of mileage, depending on condition and how loaded it is you should be able to get a pretty good return on it. Just check the market and see what others are going for that are similar to yours and don't be afraid to list it a little high to start!

Hope that helps
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
gamefreakgc said:
A couple of observations on pricing that I've seen over the years:

1. 4WD models always fetch more than 2WD models. If you live near ski slopes that can bring almost a $3,000 premium over a 2WD model. For the flat lands of the south, it's not as desirable as mountain regions.

2. Appearance matters. Fix the cheap stuff like broken odds and ends, that cap on the thingamabob that fell off years ago. Lack of attention to detail could imply to the buyer lack of maintenance.

3. Low mileage doesn't make a difference with the 5VZ-FE or 3RZ-FE engine but it does to the general buyer. You can add about $500 to the prices for every 20K under 200K. So if your 4Runner has say, 140K miles, add $1500 to the price tag.

4. Put the 4Runner on a non-regional site. Craigslist is nice for a local sale but you'll get interest nationwide if you pay to post on a national site. Good photos, a good detail and wash goes a long way in getting a motivated buyer who will pay full price with cash. Also, post here in our classified section as there's lots of people that come here to buy a 4Runner.

I sold one for $4200 once with a plain vanilla 2WD 2001 with 220K miles at a local community car lot but I waxed it and treated the black trim with a silicone black restorer and it looked brand new again. People buy cars with their eyes, not their brains.

Good luck with sale!
Click to expand...

Man, great points made there. Thank you!
 
jehuh said:
Wake Forest/North Raleigh area!
Click to expand...

Based on Marketplace the prices around here vary greatly. Either they are in really poor condition or have some mods and want to demand a premium. I think it would be hard to find someone to buy a 3rd gen for over 4000 in this area unless it is super clean, sub 175k or has major upgrades like a supercharger, lift, lockers etc.. I hate you're having to sell. I hope I never get to that point because I know I won't get the amount that I feel it warrants.
 
$4k for beat up high milage, 6k to 10k under 200k miles rust free from private seller. Auction specially bring a trailer gets crazy high in some instances. Modified built trucks around 8k'to 14k depending on aftermarket accessories i.e lifts, tires , wheels, suspension, armor, supercharger, locker, regear etc.
 
Sold my 97 4wd, automatic, no locker, 189k miles, zero rust with faded paint for $8500 here in Texas last month. It was a very clean truck, that had great tires and maintenance history to back it up though. New suspension, OEM LBJ, New Logo Radiator etc.
 
TejasRunner01 said:
Sold my 97 4wd, automatic, no locker, 189k miles, zero rust with faded paint for $8500 here in Texas last month. It was a very clean truck, that had great tires and maintenance history to back it up though. New suspension, OEM LBJ, New Logo Radiator etc.
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Dude sell mine haha geez
 
Limited1996 said:
Based on Marketplace the prices around here vary greatly. Either they are in really poor condition or have some mods and want to demand a premium. I think it would be hard to find someone to buy a 3rd gen for over 4000 in this area unless it is super clean, sub 175k or has major upgrades like a supercharger, lift, lockers etc.. I hate you're having to sell. I hope I never get to that point because I know I won't get the amount that I feel it warrants.
Click to expand...

Raleigh here.

Betcha he will get at least 8k for his 120k mile truck. Could get $10k if he sits on it long enough.

What I've noticed about 4runners in our area is that 90% of them are clapped out rags. If they're clean at all, they sell before you even see the post. :)
You can get a 4runner on the cheap around here, but after thousands of dollars in maintenance, might as well just pay $8k for one like OPs and be done.
 
WeakSauz said:
Raleigh here.

Betcha he will get at least 8k for his 120k mile truck. Could get $10k if he sits on it long enough.

What I've noticed about 4runners in our area is that 90% of them are clapped out rags. If they're clean at all, they sell before you even see the post. :)
You can get a 4runner on the cheap around here, but after thousands of dollars in maintenance, might as well just pay $8k for one like OPs and be done.
Click to expand...

Seems like the only way to score a clean, unabused Runner is to know someone or buy one after someone else spends all their money baselining it. I got lucky and paid 2200 bucks for my 01 Limited, I almost flipped it and kept my 388k 1999 SR5. I really like that Green! In the end, I decided long term was best to keep the 200k rig and let the 388k Green machine go.

My Father in Law wants to give me 6k for my Limited and take it to Maine...so now I'm hunting for a 2000 Limited with E-Locker - The ultimate Unicorn 3rd Gen.
 
shadow247 said:
Seems like the only way to score a clean, unabused Runner is to know someone or buy one after someone else spends all their money baselining it. I got lucky and paid 2200 bucks for my 01 Limited, I almost flipped it and kept my 388k 1999 SR5. I really like that Green! In the end, I decided long term was best to keep the 200k rig and let the 388k Green machine go.

My Father in Law wants to give me 6k for my Limited and take it to Maine...so now I'm hunting for a 2000 Limited with E-Locker - The ultimate Unicorn 3rd Gen.
Click to expand...

I think you need a supercharged 5-speed E-locker to attain ultimate unicorn status. 2000 was the last year of the 5-speed.
 
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