fair price for this 2001 Limited 2WD? (and introduction)

[drewser]

Hi folks, new to board and have been looking off & on at 3rd gens. for the past six months or so, and found one today that has made me get serious:

2001 4Runner Limited 2WD, 92K miles
Thundercloud Gray monotone
Small-town East Texas independent dealer lot, asking $10,000

Carfax looks good (for what that's worth) and mileage reports throughout its history are consistent with the current odometer reading. Only items of concern (mostly minor):

• steering wheel and drivers seat leather show expected wear for 9ys/90K miles; front passenger seat decent; rear seat looks nearly new
• no remote keyfob (would be nice, but not a big deal to me -- can order one down the road)
• rear cupholder "finger" broken (not a big deal to me personally -- seems marginally useful even if intact)
• cap on cargo-area power outlet is missing (very minor and looks like an easy fix -- pin is still in hinge)
• rear cargo cover missing (this I need -- he says he can get me one at his cost; I'm assuming ~$150 or so?)
• drivers' seat belt tension is a little loose/slow in taking slack back up
• tires are near wear bars
• no records other than what's in carfax -- I'm assuming timing belt is original

It is my favorite color combo and is in great shape outside (not even a ding), so I'm willing to overlook much of the cosmetic stuff. Sales guy said he'd come down to $9700 -- it was just listed this past Thursday. Assuming it checks out mechanically (I will have a local mechanic look it over if I decide to pursue it), does that seem like a fair price? I'm assuming tires alone are going to be around $600. I don't expect a screaming deal -- just don't want to be too upside-down right off the bat.

Always been a fan of the 3rd gen. My mom had a 2nd gen that we bought back in '92 and it was one of the best cars our family has ever owned. Any thoughts on the price, or any other advice or things to look for would be greatly appreciated!

- Drew

 

[GoFaSSter]

I do not like to comment on pricing because it varies area to area. Her in NorCal that would be a little high. Particularly with it being 2wd. All that really matters is you like it and how it compares to others you have looked at previously.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Take it from someone who has made this mistake, don't get a 2wd. You will be kicking yourself months down the road for not getting a 4x4. But if you do get the 2wd, I have a rear cargo cover I don't use. As long as yours has the brackets, I might sell it to ya if I can be persuaded to ship it.

 

[ktmse]

Hey Drewser, just bought a 02 2WD 112,000 miles for 7500.00 back in august, Price started @ 8995.00 i live in central Texas .. Corsicana Texas, I love my runner it is clean inside & out not a ding on the body , leather seat's in good condition no tear's just a lil wear on driver's side.. Just saying his price might be a lil high ....But if you like it , it's your choice... I don't need a 4WD just a nice daily driver...

 

[Hepar]

I paid $11,000 for my '01 Sport Package with 53,000 miles and one owner. 4wd too. Seems high, but it is at a dealer, so their might be quite a bit of wiggle room.

 

[SCRunner12]

That price does seem high for a 2wd. With all the little things that are wrong with it I would try for 8k. Tires will run you $5-800 so just add that to the overall price. You could probably find a 4x4 or another 2wd with a little more miles, but cheaper. I do suggest getting a 4x4 because if you never use it, you only lose maybe a mpg or two. It all depends on what you need it for though.

 

[Domenicoluigi]

Go for it!

If you are not doing any off road the 2wd 4Runner is the very best car out there and the 1999 to 2001 are the very best 4Runner ever build. The fact that is 2wd makes it less complicated and less weight so that your center of gravity is lower with better car like handling.
I have several Toyota 4 Runners and the best one I have is a 2wd 2000 SR5 and the reason they are priced even higher than most 2003 to 2005 4Runners proves the fact that Toyota headquarters had a big fight when they changed the model. The reason is that there was nothing to change to a long tradition of top of the line product such as the 4Runner.
The reason they had to change was to build them cheaper and this is the reason their price is so low.
Just go for it before it's gone !!

:infidel:

 

[Ron Helmuth]

pricing is high for just 2wd

For that price it should have new tires and be virtually pristine or well equipped with off roading goodies. Mileage is reasonable given the age.

Just my .02

as noted pricing varies per market.

Welcome to the forum. Check Yota Tech Markteplace also and our own Classisfieds to get a feel for pricing.

here is a good comparison for similar pricing and miles, newer and 4wd and was in TX but alas is sold-

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...e/70751-2002-4runner-sport-4x4-low-miles.html

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Not sure what cost is on the cargo cover, but I'd bet they are well over $300.

The rear seat head rests alone are $350 a pop. ;-)

 

[01t4rnr]

If you decide to get it, ive got a cargo cover id let go for $100 shipped, i never use it ever and its good as new. As for the price, thats waaaay too high for a 2wd. Id offer no more than $7500. Good luck

 

[drewser]

I can't thank everyone enough for the advice and feedback. I've thought all along that the 3rd gen was a great vehicle, but these comments have made me feel that much better about focusing my search on this make/model/year range.

I will certainly keep the offers to sell cargo covers handy in case I end up with this one. I live & work in a busy part of town and need to keep things as out-of-sight as possible.

If you are not doing any off road the 2wd 4Runner is the very best car out there and the 1999 to 2001 are the very best 4Runner ever build. The fact that is 2wd makes it less complicated and less weight so that your center of gravity is lower with better car like handling.

That is really what it boils down to -- 4WD would be a nice plus, but the fact is I am rarely going to use it. I'm not going to turn my back on a 4WD should the right one come along, but like ktmse said above, it's just not a must-have for my purposes. Plus as far as availability, 2WD is just a lot more common around here. Either they didn't sell as many 4WDs in the Dallas area back then, or you offroaders just aren't turning yours loose! :

Welcome to the forum. Check Yota Tech Markteplace also and our own Classisfieds to get a feel for pricing.

here is a good comparison for similar pricing and miles, newer and 4wd and was in TX but alas is sold-

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/class...e/70751-2002-4runner-sport-4x4-low-miles.html

Thanks for the references and link. I also found an old "what did you pay for your 3rd gen" thread and that has been a good reference as well.

I spoke to the salesguy again this morning, and he said he could go as low as $9500 but that was it. Consensus seems to be that even that "bottom line" price is a bit optimistic -- I think I was just starstruck by the color combo, low mileage and one-owner status. Hopefully I can talk him down some more (at least to $8000 or so), otherwise I'll keep looking.

Thanks again!

 

[Hepar]

You know about the timing belt, but also keep in mind that the water pump is going to need to be done too.

Good luck!

 

[drewser]

Thanks! Yeah from what I have read, I need to budget $500-750 for a good indy shop to do the timing belt & water pump.

 

[4-Ripcord]

My local dealership did tbelt and water pump for $650. And threw in a free car wash cuz they are nice guys.