Deal or No Deal on this 4runner

[Illestreker]

2000 4runner SR5
black, large fender flares and bumpers all black too (paint good shape)
tan cloth (good shape)
4x4 Locker
165,000 miles
Asking $7200

Here's the kicker! caption taken from the ad.

I just replaced timing belt, water pump, thermostat, crank seal, cam seal, flushed radiator, lubed driveshaft, yolk joints. I have changed transmission fluid, differential fluid, transfer case fluid. All scheduled maintenance, Always garaged, Highway miles, New tires, Non-smoker, Runs & drives great, Well maintained, I have owned this car for 6 years (2nd Owner). I have never had the 1st mechanical problem as i am obsessive compulsive when it comes to preventative maintenance. Tires have over half their tread and are rotated. Paint condition is what you would expect on a 2000 model imperfections here and there. Runs great!


When I called the guy he was very honest, and fair sounding. kept talking about it and describing everything single tiny little flaw that in my eyes are no worse than a spec of bird poo haha seriously though seems like a good guy to deal with.

I have to rent a car and drive 5 hours to go check it out.

Deal or no deal? What should I offer? If he wont budge is $7200 still good?

 

[sggaz]

Greetings, I commend your interest in 4runners. I did a quick kbb.com check and it looks like he's about $1,200 too high assuming this is a private party sale. (based on AZ prices)

He may think his care and some of the maintenance are worth a premium.

Be sure to read the buyers guide: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

If you really think this is the vehicle for you then call him up and setup a deal in which you get the price you want and he agrees to hold it for you until you get there. Cash in hand and title in hand are the best for private party. Final deal approval should be based on your inspection or inspection by a mechanic which you can arrange in advance.

Good luck.

 

[Illestreker]

I checked KBB and NADA for several 3rd gen 4runners with various amounts of mileage and both sources KBB and NADA rate them on average way lower than what they typically go for.

I've only seen 1 or 2 actually priced around kbb or nada value and they are sold in less than 24 hours.

I read the buyers guide several times and im ready to go all out on inspecting it.

Private party sale
KBB:
Excellent $4875
Fair $3825

NADA:
$7250

 

[Illestreker]

My original post said 2002. My bad its 2000!

NADA is right on point with his price. KBB is wayyyy lower. I've searched ebay, craigslist (several cities), autotrader, etc. look all over the country and I have seen maybe 1 or 2 priced and what KBB thinks they're worth.

 

[Kanger328]

Seems like a fair price to me if you can knock a few hundred off, then again I'm from Cali where prices are generally higher. The maintenance history makes a HUGE difference. Just for clarification, the 4x4 lock is a center diff lock...not a rear diff lock. Not sure if you knew that or if he was trying to raise value of the truck by making it sound like a rear locker.

 

[Illestreker]

No its a rear locker. This is a 00 SR5 NOT a limited. multi-mode and rear locker only came on 99 and 00 Limited's

Rear Lockers were an available option still in 2000 but dropped for 01 02

 

[Kanger328]

No its a rear locker. This is a 00 SR5 NOT a limited. multi-mode and rear locker only came on 99 and 00 Limited's

Rear Lockers were an available option still in 2000 but dropped for 01 02

Woops! I could've sworn I read "2002" for model year. You are correct.

 

[sggaz]

I bought one last summer (00 Highlander 5-speed ) and paid a bit higher than kbb because what we wanted was hard to find.

I was the first one to call on it and see it and agreed to his price because I didn't have another 3-6 months for another to come along. Fortunately the seller was a gentleman and held it for me for a couple of weeks while his title payoff issue was resolved. I wouldn't take it without title in hand.

In the end we're happy with the deal.

 

[Hepar]

KBB can say whatever it wants to. Something is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. Up here, prices are well above KBB because the market dictates that. If it's worth it to you to get one that might be a little on the nicer side, go for it. Just keep in mind that the 165k effects more than just the engine and transmission.

 

[BlackCat914]

tires are new but have roughly half tread?

 

[chimpy]

The 4runners also bring a premium in Ohio(at least the Dayton, Cincinnati areas). I paid $8000 for my 01 SR5 4x4 but it was a one owner and had a lot of maintenance records as well as the original window sticker and manuals. When I showed up to buy it ,there was another couple there waiting to see what I was going to do, needless to say, I broke their hearts. There are a lot of 4runners driving around where I live and when one comes up for sale, they are gone pretty quick, even with mileage in excess of 200,000!

 

[Ol'Blue]

I have 204 on the clock and it runs great. It was well taken care of before I got my hands on it and all the records to back it. I would not worry about 200k if everything was in order.

Blue

 

[BlackCat914]

I have 204 on the clock and it runs great. It was well taken care of before I got my hands on it and all the records to back it. I would not worry about 200k if everything was in order.

Blue

you may be right, but not for $7,200.

 

[Ol'Blue]

you may be right, but not for $7,200.

You are correct about that. Not 7,200. I paid allot less than that but I got screaming deal because the guy had no idea what he had either.

Blue

 

[BrianSD_42]

I checked KBB and NADA for several 3rd gen 4runners with various amounts of mileage and both sources KBB and NADA rate them on average way lower than what they typically go for.

Actually you are wrong. KBB and NADA do list them for less than most sellers "LIST" them for. However they rarely sell for that much and if you drive 5 hours you are almost assured to overpay. KBB and NADA list prices are based on actual sales data which is completely different that the price shown on a CL ad.

In TX especially these trucks are cheap. Don't buy into the hype. You can always say on the phone "look I only have XXXX max and thats it, can we work something out, should I come look at it?" often you can buy the car for less than listed.

I have sold and bought at least 5 cars now. A listing of $7500 will often sell for $6200 no big deal at all. Be sure to offer a specific lower number list $6150 and then tell them all the reasons why, don't back down and whatever you do do not pay more than KBB - that is just stupid ... because there are lots of deals out there if you wait. :rockthrow:

 

[BrianSD_42]

Even this one looks like a deal, says low miles, 4x4, private owner, only asking $6000.

 

[Hepar]

I have sold and bought at least 5 cars now. A listing of $7500 will often sell for $6200 no big deal at all. Be sure to offer a specific lower number list $6150 and then tell them all the reasons why, don't back down and whatever you do do not pay more than KBB - that is just stupid ... because there are lots of deals out there if you wait. :rockthrow:

Overal I think this is true, but again, depends on the area. I had an '01 Taco before I got my 3rd gen and I listed it about $2,000 above KBB. Ended up selling it the day I listed it and for another $500 above that.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Most logical offer (one that has gotten me when I was the seller) is to review the car in person of course. Then make your offer, in this case ask if he can do the KBB "high" price.

If he refuses then ask to split the difference. Honestly though I think paying $1000 over KBB is pretty lame. Once you check it out and make a fair offer, then when he refuses and you leave, a week goes by he will panic and call you back. I doubt he will sell that truck for $1000 over KBB high anytime soon.

 

[lilreds21]

Az where?

Where in az is he located?

 

[jreask]

Most logical offer (one that has gotten me when I was the seller) is to review the car in person of course. Then ask if he can do the KBB "high" price.

If he refuses then ask to split the difference. Honestly though I think paying $1000 over KBB is pretty lame. Once you check it out and make a fair offer, then when he refuses and you leave, a week goes by he will panic and call you back. I doubt he will sell that truck for $1000 over KBB high anytime soon.

I disagree. Nobody panics when selling a 3RD gen. I have bought and sold over twenty vehicles in the past three years. 4Runners in the Midwest almost always sell above KBB. I purchased a 99 Highlander for $4500. I put a grand in it and sold for $7250. A vehicle is worth what someone is willing to pay.
I would ask the seller if he is negotiable at all. If he says yes go look at it. If he says he is firm then decide if you want to pay his price. It's that simple. I ALWAYS go look at them because you never know when one is excellent if you don't. It's never a wasted trip, even if its a dog.
If you are traveling 5 hours I suggest getting some high res pics from the seller including the undercarriage. Low res pics always make the vehicle look very good. Of course there's nothing like seeing it in person and driving it.
And remember $7200 doesn't buy much today.