Can't Sell It... what should I do?

[DesertRoads]

So I bought my 1999 4Runner Limited in April of 2020 in rough condition. I had plans to restore it, do an engine rebuild, etc. The previous owner(s) were rough on it, and it needs a handful of things (full fluid changes, valve cover gaskets replaced, timing belt, radiator flush, front seats redone, paint refurbished). I bought it for my wife, but she's 5'10" it doesn't fit her well. So I want to get rid of it.

I've only replaced the rear shocks, bought a new drivers side seat cushion and high quality seat covers for the front seats. I can't seem to sell it. I don't want a project vehicle anymore, and despite listing it for sale for 6 months I keep getting people coming by and saying..."I hoped it was in better condition... or I'll give you $1500 for it". I paid $3,500 for it, and in this market I should be asking $5K, even in it's current condition. I've dropped the price down to what I paid, and people are still offering pennies for it. Maybe I'm catering to the wrong demographics. Idea's?

 

[Bad Luck]

So I bought my 1999 4Runner Limited in April of 2020 in rough condition. I had plans to restore it, do an engine rebuild, etc. The previous owner(s) were rough on it, and it needs a handful of things (full fluid changes, valve cover gaskets replaced, timing belt, radiator flush, front seats redone, paint refurbished). I bought it for my wife, but she's 5'10" it doesn't fit her well. So I want to get rid of it.

I've only replaced the rear shocks, bought a new drivers side seat cushion and high quality seat covers for the front seats. I can't seem to sell it. I don't want a project vehicle anymore, and despite listing it for sale for 6 months I keep getting people coming by and saying..."I hoped it was in better condition... or I'll give you $1500 for it". I paid $3,500 for it, and in this market I should be asking $5K, even in it's current condition. I've dropped the price down to what I paid, and people are still offering pennies for it. Maybe I'm catering to the wrong demographics. Idea's?

Have you posted it in the classifieds section on the forum? Have you posted it in the 3rd gen 4runner/toyota/4runner/etc group pages on facebook?

Are you posting good enough photos of it? If you have people saying they wish it was in better condition that tells me that you aren't presenting a fully accurate representation of what you are selling.

 

[brillo_76]

It's human nature almost to try to get things as cheap as humanly possible. It's like that around here as well. So I take [MENTION=8262]badluck[/MENTION] advice and advertise it in the forum and Facebook groups with 3rd gens. Market place etc. As you are correct you hitting the wrong people.

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[McLoven1t562]

I definitely agree with "Bad Luck" , one huge help would be to maybe send us a link to your current ad and what site(s), group(s), app(s) you are using.

I personally have sold vehicles on OfferUp which is a mobile app, Craigslist is finally legitimate (or more then it used to be) so that's a great place to post up.

Totally understand not wanting it anymore, but I'd highly suggest if it's not a huge obstacle on your property that is constantly in the way. Just kick those lowballers to the curb and BE PATIENT! With all the things listed, I definitely don't see it going for much more then what you paid (course I could be wrong) but I feel like if a few true offroad guys see this, they won't give a darn about the pain condition....their biggest concern is RUST, if there is little to no rust or it's manageable, they'll still buy it.

Get us some more info though and I know myself, Bad Luck, and many others will be more then happy to help you out :couch2:

 

[DesertRoads]

Thank you for the feedback. It's been posted on Facebook Marketplace for my community, and the local Utah 4Runners group. I've taken detailed pictures of the inside and out, undercarriage, engine compartment, interior. It has ZERO rust, and should be a great vehicle for someone who wants it. BUT you are right, people want things for as cheap as possible. IF I fix everything that it needs, I won't be listing it for $3500, I'll be listing it for $7-8K. BUT, I don't have the time or want to sink in the $$ resources to do that.

I will try truck trader and craigslist. Maybe I'll have better luck there. Thanks again!

 

[McLoven1t562]

Thank you for the feedback. It's been posted on Facebook Marketplace for my community, and the local Utah 4Runners group. I've taken detailed pictures of the inside and out, undercarriage, engine compartment, interior. It has ZERO rust, and should be a great vehicle for someone who wants it. BUT you are right, people want things for as cheap as possible. IF I fix everything that it needs, I won't be listing it for $3500, I'll be listing it for $7-8K. BUT, I don't have the time or want to sink in the $$ resources to do that.

I will try truck trader and craigslist. Maybe I'll have better luck there. Thanks again!

You know what I forgot to ask.........is it a 4x4 or 2wd??? Because there are tons of people who "have to have" a 4x4 even though tons of owners never even use trails that require it lol -- if it's 2wd that could be another thing that's hurting you. Also I know Utah is like Arizona in which A LOT of people have SUV's, Trucks, that are generally somewhat offroad worthy due to the terrain. I got my 96 while living in Arizona and it was way cheaper then my 97 from Los Angeles lol

oh and if it's drivable, don't forget the ancient car advertisement.....make a sign or buy a sign, put it in the window and park it off a major street for the afternoon =] - I've still sold a few vehicles to people who just happened to see it parked lol

 

[mtstream]

I had a similar experience selling my 2003 Tundra StepSide. I started at $6,500 and came down to $5,500. I listed on all the online car sites.

People would tell me they’re on their way and willing to pay what I was asking but then never show up. - this was the majority of my time.

Guys who wanted to flip would offer pennies.

Online places like Cargurus and KBB would make offers then they’d offer less in person.

I finally got tired of the no-shows and sold it to a Subaru dealer for $4,500 on a Thursday afternoon. They did nothing to it other than paint $9,995 on the windshield and it was gone by Saturday morning.


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[Brian.]

You're trying to sell a "needs work" vehicle, it's Going to take time to find the right buyer. That's compounded by the fact that we're seeing terrible inflation, money just doesn't go as far, so disposable income is less... and that's who you're trying to market this towards (rough condition, needs work).

And it's not that people want stuff for nothing, it's that everyone assigns a different value to things. You've a Real investment, so you naturally think it's worth at least that much if not more. Others who are shopping see other options in various conditions for various prices and come to a decision as to what value yours has. If they want to make it nice, they're going to be in it for at Least $5k (by your own pricing estimates), so why not just spend that money on one that doesn't need the work? Or they want something to provide parts, at which point it's a race to the bottom in a fight with junkyards.


I don't envy your situation, I friggen HATE selling things anymore. Used to be how I made an income, fix and flipping motorcycles, but it's such a miserable experience now that I only do it with things that have values north of about $2k, everything else is either given away, donated, scrapped or trashed.

 

[repo]

Same here I subscribe to the BUY IT FOR LIFE principle so very rarely sell things and basically give it away like you say. I've gotten value out already just from owning it. The downside to this is I have to spend a ridiculous amount of time doing research before I buy anything. And also do what people these days would consider a ridiculous amount of maintenance and repairs to extend the life of stuff, which takes up lots of time.

NEXTDOOR app is a good place to sell things, depending on neighborhood I guess. You have to prove where you live to make an account and people use real names and stuff so much less flakey. People are always looking for highschool/college kid vehicles on there and there's usually a few 4runner nerds hiding out on there as well.

You're trying to sell a "needs work" vehicle, it's Going to take time to find the right buyer. That's compounded by the fact that we're seeing terrible inflation, money just doesn't go as far, so disposable income is less... and that's who you're trying to market this towards (rough condition, needs work).

And it's not that people want stuff for nothing, it's that everyone assigns a different value to things. You've a Real investment, so you naturally think it's worth at least that much if not more. Others who are shopping see other options in various conditions for various prices and come to a decision as to what value yours has. If they want to make it nice, they're going to be in it for at Least $5k (by your own pricing estimates), so why not just spend that money on one that doesn't need the work? Or they want something to provide parts, at which point it's a race to the bottom in a fight with junkyards.


I don't envy your situation, I friggen HATE selling things anymore. Used to be how I made an income, fix and flipping motorcycles, but it's such a miserable experience now that I only do it with things that have values north of about $2k, everything else is either given away, donated, scrapped or trashed.

 

[Devbot]

At its core value is determined by what others are willing to pay. Personally if multiple people over the course of months all lean one consistent direction I would start suspecting perhaps I overpaid to begin with and my judgment is off, rather than question why they don't agree. At the same time people pay such stupid money for these cars i would almost more-so lean towards it just being advertised poorly - especially in this era where people are so desperate for vehicles theyre buying salvage titles. Depending where you list a vehicle online, the type of buyers will GREATLY differ and to a lot of people, basic maintenance is a big red flag. To others they see right past it and know its just a couple afternoons worth of work to get right again. I really agree with the above statement about getting things as cheap as possible - everyone wants a $1000 car in perfect condition that works flawlessly for years to come, but unfortunately those days are just about over. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Bad Luck]

For most buyers, how the vehicle looks is more important than the mechanical condition.

 

[brillo_76]

For most buyers, how the vehicle looks is more important than the mechanical condition.

Yup.. That is how its done here. I seen local car lots paint everything... When they do the price goes up like 3 or 5K more. Why people only look at the cosmetics is beyond me. The same car will sit... They paint it... Its gone in less then a week.

Plus like other members have mentioned only certain people work on the cars anymore. So it will take time to find the buyer. Its only a group of folks that buy the fixer uppers.

The OP will find a buyer unfortunately, it will take time and have to deal with the extreme low ballers until you find this person. :-(

 

[Romeo1]

I bought mine for 2100$. It was rough, and had leaks. Guy wanted 3500. I said no way with it puking oil like it was. I priced in the fact it needed work.

Sounds like you need to price it accordingly. You could relist it with some good photos, and a higher start price, so you can end up closer to your basement number. Or you can spend to do a timing belt job, and seal the valve cover leaks. Maybe you could splash on a cheap refresh paint job.

Thing is, those are all things I would do myself, including paint.

Another option is to donate the car to an organization that is setup for it, and you can take a tax credit for it. If the tax credit doesn’t help you then that’s irrelevant.

Good luck. Myself and my wife are both 5’11”. We fit just fine.

 

[McLoven1t562]

Good luck. Myself and my wife are both 5’11”. We fit just fine.

yea I found it odd that she seems to be "too tall" I'm 6'2", almost 6'3" and I fit just fine in my 96 lol

Plus you could easily replace the seat and rails to add more headroom

 

[brillo_76]

yea I found it odd that she seems to be "too tall" I'm 6'2", almost 6'3" and I fit just fine in my 96 lol

Plus you could easily replace the seat and rails to add more headroom

I am 6 3. My brother is 6 6 if the rig has a sunroof that could be the issue with the taller people. As my brother doesn't fit the greatest.

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[clearock]

At its core value is determined by what others are willing to pay. Personally if multiple people over the course of months all lean one consistent direction I would start suspecting perhaps I overpaid to begin with and my judgment is off, rather than question why they don't agree.

This

Sounds like a $1500 to me, if everything u named needs to be replaced then the rest of the vehicle hasn't been cared for and there r probably many many hidden issues, ur basically selling a rust free roller...?

 

[octanejunkie]

I am 6 3. My brother is 6 6 if the rig has a sunroof that could be the issue with the taller people. As my brother doesn't fit the greatest.

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I'm 6'2 and the only issue I have is getting in. Once in, I'm good.

Why not post a link to your current FS as for us to comment?

 

[DesertRoads]

I bought mine for 2100$. It was rough, and had leaks. Guy wanted 3500. I said no way with it puking oil like it was. I priced in the fact it needed work.

Sounds like you need to price it accordingly. You could relist it with some good photos, and a higher start price, so you can end up closer to your basement number. Or you can spend to do a timing belt job, and seal the valve cover leaks. Maybe you could splash on a cheap refresh paint job.

Thing is, those are all things I would do myself, including paint.

Another option is to donate the car to an organization that is setup for it, and you can take a tax credit for it. If the tax credit doesn’t help you then that’s irrelevant.

Good luck. Myself and my wife are both 5’11”. We fit just fine.

Thank you for your input. My wife has a taller torso so her head it in the sunroof if she leans on the center console. It's an issue with most vehicles we've tried.

 

[DesertRoads]

Thank you all for your input. Most of you have constructive input, and I appreciate it. I am not looking to get rich. Just want to get rid of it. I might just take it to a dealership and get $2000 out of it (like Carmax offered) just to get it out of my driveway.

 

[McLoven1t562]

Thank you all for your input. Most of you have constructive input, and I appreciate it. I am not looking to get rich. Just want to get rid of it. I might just take it to a dealership and get $2000 out of it (like Carmax offered) just to get it out of my driveway.

yea it sounds like you really want this thing gone asap and if no one is coming close to even that price...I'd likely just send it down and be done with it.

we all know the car game....you win some, but you lose most lol