Could someone tell me what this 3rd is worth?

[benjamin247]

It doesn't have a Diff lock, it has the standard Multimode lock switch, WHICH IS NECESSARY TO MAKE IT FULL TIME 4WD. I HATE when people call that a locking differential.

Never really understood what this does. I had a 97 that had the RR LOCK button, now my 99 has the multimode lock switch. If I plan on keeping the 4WD on always, I would turn the multimode lock switch on AND put it in 4H? Is rolling in 4H without multimode lock enabled on long drives bad for the vehicle?

(Apologies if I hijack this thread)

 

[rightyouareken]

Never really understood what this does. I had a 97 that had the RR LOCK button, now my 99 has the multimode lock switch. If I plan on keeping the 4WD on always, I would turn the multimode lock switch on AND put it in 4H? Is rolling in 4H without multimode lock enabled on long drives bad for the vehicle?

(Apologies if I hijack this thread)

Running in 4H (unlocked) with the center diff lock unlocked is fine, though inefficient if it's not really needed. Leaving the center diff open makes the truck act more like an all wheel drive car. It's helpful for situations like patchy snow/ice where running traditional locked 4H is risky. Using the center diff lock (the equivalent of your old truck's locked 4H) on pavement and making turns is bad.

You can read more about the differences here: T-case Differences (all years of 3rd gens).. transfer case, AWD, multi-mode

 

[BrianSD_42]

I bought my 1997 truck in 2001 for $18,500 dollars.

* 4WD
* Limited
* Locker

It was in near mint shape. It had 65K miles on the odometer.

In the years since then I've easily spent way over $5,000 on parts and maintenance alone (not off-road parts) to keep it tip top and that doesn't include the new used engine.
.

 

[MaineRunna]

Yes and no. KBB price on these vehicles are not the reality, as 3rd gens are pretty sought-after, and good ones are getting harder and harder to find now. It’s not full on cult status, but the 3rd gen does have a solid following. I mean, just look at this forum. Kbb and TrueCar are great for gauging run of the mill used car prices. If you’re in the market for a used Camry, KBB prices will give you a decent barometer for how much you should pay.but 4Runners, Land Cruisers, even GXs are not going to adhere to the KBB pricing line.

I totally agree with you that 4Runners, especially 3rd gens are worth more than book value. I buy these any time I can and sell the ones with good or repairable frames for top price. I just paid $3500 for a clean, good frame 01 SR5 w/ 175k and my plow guy has already offered me $4500 cash plus the plow bill of about $1300 as is. KBB high end is $5900, if I had it detailed, fixed a couple of minor things, fluid filmed it, put my old 2.5" lift in it and some cool tires I would ask over $7k. I just think in the end more than double KBB for a bone stock, base model 18 year old 4Runner is a little crazy even if it had 75 miles on it and been in climate controlled storage since new.

 

[MaineRunna]

Just look at what low miles will do on the right car in the classic car market.

Those cars are appreciating in value, our are still depreciating. Perhaps they will become collectible and start becoming more valuable as they get older and there are less of them. In 1967 Chevrolet made around 1 million Impalas and other full size models, they made around 110,000 Chevy II's and out of that about 10,000 Nova Super Sports, they only made 22,000 Corvettes. Only a small percentage of all those cars survive. On the other hand there were 750,000 4Runners sold in the US alone from 96-02 and there are a ton left. They are desirable and just keep going and holding their value, quite amazing. I know I love mine.

 

[BrianSD_42]

on the other hand there were 750,000 4runners sold in the us alone from 96-02 and there are a ton left.

this
.

 

[Mark_BC]

There were a lot sold but they are going to start dying en masse now due to LBJ failure, pink milkshake, blown head gaskets and rotten frames. Those are their achilles heels. I think nice examples will soon be starting to be sought after for collector status. California can only supply clean runners for so long.

Edit: up here California cant supply them due to import hassles so they are rusting out in all areas. Nice clean ones seem to go for more than in the us.

 

[RunningForNow]

Dude I have 260K miles and my interior is cleaner than that one. It could easily be a 120-150k mile truck that was rolled back if you were judging by looks alone.

Now perhaps it's real. Op has good reason to think so and he's chasing it down.
.

Post some interior pics of your truck then. If you have 260k miles on that ruck, your interior might be clean, but it won’t be pristine like the one on the ad. Unless of course you have replaced a lot of stuff. The creases in the seat bolsters, scratches on the door cards, etc...those are all unavoidable wear and tear items. Another good proof is that truck’s undercarriage. Unless you have taken everything apart, bead blasted all the parts, cleaned, and repainted, you won’t be able to get it in that condition. By the time these trucks hit 100k, you can’t make it look new without a lot of meticulous repairs/replacements, and doctoring up the photos. It just can’t be done.

But is the asking price crazy? To most of us, sure. But if you have someone that comes along and is willing to pay it, then it’s worth it to them. I paid $6500 for my ‘01 SR5 six months ago. Some may say I overpaid, but I felt the price was right for what I got. Cosmetically it’s not perfect, and the interior is for the most part pretty good, but not perfect by my standards, so it’ll be a work in progress for a bit. But mechanically it is tip top, with paperwork to show all the work. KBB and True Car are no longer the authority on setting the prices on 3rd gens, because rationality is got one foot out of the door with these trucks.

 

[sawguy]

Post some interior pics of your truck then. If you have 260k miles on that ruck, your interior might be clean, but it won’t be pristine like the one on the ad. Unless of course you have replaced a lot of stuff. The creases in the seat bolsters, scratches on the door cards, etc...those are all unavoidable wear and tear items. Another good proof is that truck’s undercarriage. Unless you have taken everything apart, bead blasted all the parts, cleaned, and repainted, you won’t be able to get it in that condition. By the time these trucks hit 100k, you can’t make it look new without a lot of meticulous repairs/replacements, and doctoring up the photos. It just can’t be done.

But is the asking price crazy? To most of us, sure. But if you have someone that comes along and is willing to pay it, then it’s worth it to them. I paid $6500 for my ‘01 SR5 six months ago. Some may say I overpaid, but I felt the price was right for what I got. Cosmetically it’s not perfect, and the interior is for the most part pretty good, but not perfect by my standards, so it’ll be a work in progress for a bit. But mechanically it is tip top, with paperwork to show all the work. KBB and True Car are no longer the authority on setting the prices on 3rd gens, because rationality is got one foot out of the door with these trucks.

Different people take care of their trucks in different ways. My '97 with 276k has a interior equal to the one in the pics. No scratches, scuffs, etc. I don't off road either, just a DD

 

[frrnnr]

Great to see the response on this! Getting back to the original question what would people pay for this?

 

[benjamin247]

Now that is a clean runner! Asking $22K...I wouldn't pay that much. If I had that amount to spend, I'd probably look for something newer. What would be the max I would pay for it without feeling I overpaid: maybe $12k.

 

[eddielasvegas]

If there are no stories and the Carfax (has anybody run one?) and visual inspection indicates no accident/paint work/etc., I would pay $14-15 grand. I also prefer the 3rd gen above all others so I'd pay more for a comparable T4R of a different gen.

Low mileage, prime examples of 3rd gen's are few and far between and $14 grand is inline if it's perfect. I would expect perfect at that price.

I came this close last fall to buying a 3rd gen at a dealer here with 35k miles. My OTD price was $13500, but it sold the first day it was listed and before I could get there at lunch. I would love to know if this one is that one. According to this seller, it cannot be based on ad, but what are the odds of two '01's with 35k miles with a AZ connection?


Eddie

 

[BrianSD_42]

Great to see the response on this! Getting back to the original question what would people pay for this?

I wouldn't pay more than $12K for that no matter what. $20K is just plain awful.
.

 

[benjamin247]

I came this close last fall to buying a 3rd gen at a dealer here with 35k miles. My OTD price was $13500, but it sold the first day it was listed and before I could get there at lunch. I would love to know if this one is that one. According to this seller, it cannot be based on ad, but what are the odds of two '01's with 35k miles with a AZ connection?
Eddie

Same color too? Same year, same crazy low mileage, from the same region...too many similarities for it not to be the same one. Do you remember how much the dealership was asking?

 

[frrnnr]

I came this close last fall to buying a 3rd gen at a dealer here with 35k miles. My OTD price was $13500, but it sold the first day it was listed and before I could get there at lunch. I would love to know if this one is that one. According to this seller, it cannot be based on ad, but what are the odds of two '01's with 35k miles with a AZ connection?


Eddie

This is the same 4runner I know this for a fact.

 

[Kotletachka]

Great to see the response on this! Getting back to the original question what would people pay for this?

10-15k.

More if was either Limited or manual and had a locking rear diff

 

[eddielasvegas]

Yepper. $13,500 OTD.


Eddie

...Do you remember how much the dealership was asking?

 

[eddielasvegas]

The car might be okay, but the guy is lying like a Persian rug to increase his cred for selling it and he's been caught in a bold face lie.

Gramps, at least not his, never owned this thing so the seller can keep it if he's counting on me to buy it.


Eddie

 

[frrnnr]

Here is the full history of this car for anyone interested:

I found it on auto trader much like Eddie did, but I was much too late. I submitted an inquiry online, but when I called the next morning it had already been sold at the Toyota dealer. I had no idea it had been online for so long because there were no picture. Another person who works there called me from my online contact form and told me it is available, but it needed to pass smog because some of the evap equipment had been removed. This thing was apparently used as a vacation vehicle from AZ to Montana. For two weeks the dealer sends me text updates and tells me it needs this or that, wiring touch ups, and sends me progress pics. Frustrated with the long wait, I called my contact's manager who again told me the car was sold, and I promptly called the dealer and he told me dude was just trying to poach a sale. Another few days go by and I finally speak to the real manager and he tells me the car was sold day one paid in full, and I was shocked. The guy had been stringing me along while the truck was getting ready for sale.

That was in October and I guess it finally passed smog, but I see int on AT again but this time from a private seller presumably the buyer. The original CL ad had mentions of it being a one owner vehicle even though the history clearly stated 2 owners. And it was a family vehicle. Called him up and asked him but he swore up and down that it was his grandfathers and inherited. I called him out and called the dealer to verify the sale and they did. He finally fessed up and changed the ad.

Ha. I have been lied to twice on this truck because of it's "rarity" I guess the market is even crazier than I think. I offered north of 15K but it was shot down and I think wanting a lowest offer of $18K is pure greed. That's just me. Oh well. I am a glutton for punishment.

I would totally go a different route but 3rd gens just look the best and I like their size.

 

[97Cruiser40th]

Here is the full history of this car for anyone interested:

I found it on auto trader much like Eddie did, but I was much too late. I submitted an inquiry online, but when I called the next morning it had already been sold at the Toyota dealer. I had no idea it had been online for so long because there were no picture. Another person who works there called me from my online contact form and told me it is available, but it needed to pass smog because some of the evap equipment had been removed. This thing was apparently used as a vacation vehicle from AZ to Montana. For two weeks the dealer sends me text updates and tells me it needs this or that, wiring touch ups, and sends me progress pics. Frustrated with the long wait, I called my contact's manager who again told me the car was sold, and I promptly called the dealer and he told me dude was just trying to poach a sale. Another few days go by and I finally speak to the real manager and he tells me the car was sold day one paid in full, and I was shocked. The guy had been stringing me along while the truck was getting ready for sale.

That was in October and I guess it finally passed smog, but I see int on AT again but this time from a private seller presumably the buyer. The original CL ad had mentions of it being a one owner vehicle even though the history clearly stated 2 owners. And it was a family vehicle. Called him up and asked him but he swore up and down that it was his grandfathers and inherited. I called him out and called the dealer to verify the sale and they did. He finally fessed up and changed the ad.

Ha. I have been lied to twice on this truck because of it's "rarity" I guess the market is even crazier than I think. I offered north of 15K but it was shot down and I think wanting a lowest offer of $18K is pure greed. That's just me. Oh well. I am a glutton for punishment.

I would totally go a different route but 3rd gens just look the best and I like their size.

As I have said in other forums I will always come out of book if I feel the car is worth it and seller has records and has honest intentions. Personally this seller, IMHO, has the word shady written all over. Hey Im all for making a buck or a a couple but his ad screams issues with 2 diff prices noted, the initial lies he told you and I didnt see any record of TB change. I bought a primo 37k mi Limited still has original mats out of FL for way less than he is asking and had all records, recent TB change and seller was my twin in terms of OCD on the vehicle. He had it detailed for me, filled up tank with gas for 1st leg of my trip home and had it checked over with a report at local Lexus dealer where he services his other cars.

I think MAX I would offer is 16k and be prepared to walk away unless he has records of TB then MAYBE a bit more. Jus my .02