Found a 3rd Gen. Need Advise

[elcidsurfer]

Just as the title states, I've found a 3rd Gen I'm thinking of buying and need some advise on if it's a good deal or not.

1999 4Runner SR5
5-Speed Manual
V6 3.4
Rear E-Locker
102,000 miles
Power Group Package (Windows, locks, cruise, ect.)
Ext. Crome Package (Bumpers, running boards, roof rack, ect.)
6-Disc. in dash CD
Brand New Wheels
Brand New Tires
One Owner (Military)
Clean Carfax (No Accedents, Leans, ect.)
Seller sent me about 50 pics (int. and ext.)
Seller sent me copies of most recent service records
Needs Timing Belt/Water Pump Done
Needs Rear Bumper Replaced
Ext. has some nicks and scratches, but int. looks clean
Was a winter climate vehicle and has a significant amount of surface rust on frame, rear axle, spare tire wheel and skid plates
Can't see any leaks from the pics

Asking price is $7,000

Any and all input welcome.

Thanks,

Joel

 

[PhdNPrerunners]

Sounds like a good deal to me especially with low miles

 

[awdjunkies]

Does sound like a clean vehicle, except you may want to deduct about 7-1200 dollars for that TB job. If 7k was his starting point, you can be sure negotiating was going to happen at some point. If you are still unsure, you can always bring it to mechanic to inspect thus confirming a clean bill of health, for your piece of mind.

 

[Brentif]

It should have the 3.4L V6 in it, nice looking rig though.

 

[Tom P.]

Looks good to me. Make sure the rust isn't bad on the body and the maintenance has been kept up. A/C work?

 

[farmerjon]

Seems like a good deal, except for the rust... Engine should be 3.4L, as someone else already stated...

 

[YMCMB]

Talk it down to $6000 cash and let him keep the running boards.

 

[gannonrt]

My neighbor just bought a 99 5 speed with rear locker for 7000 in St Louis with 150K miles. However, his was the most rust free vehicle I've ever seen and was in pristine condition. Be aware that you caught a unicorn with a 5 speed & rear locker. There weren't a lot of those made any lots of people have searched for them but had to settle since they are so hard to find. I'd be willing to pay anything in the 6K range for what you described.

 

[elcidsurfer]

Ooops... totally meant to type 3.6 not 3.slow

But yeah, those were the thoughts I had too. Definately a rare one. In the past month I've only stumbled across a dozen or so 5-speeds and this is the first with the Locker. I'm thinkin if I can get it for less than $6500 out the door it's worth it as long as it's not rusted all the way through anywhere.

Thanks, y'all

 

[4-Ripcord]

That rust is definitely the pivot point on this deal, other than that its good. Take some pics if you can.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

3rd genes didn't come with a 3.6...

 

[elcidsurfer]

Here's some pics of the rust. As you can see the worst is on the rear axel, but not really that bad anywhere else. I figure worst case Ill remove the skid plates and rear axel, blast and coat them and sand and paint the other rust in place.

 

[Baja Runner]

Just lather it up with some POR-15 or similar paint and call it good... I think its a good deal for $7k

 

[Millerad1651]

The rust really isn't too bad. Like others said, take away the cost of TB/WP and offer somewhere near $6 to start.

 

[Dark Lord]

If I would've found that 4runner a few months ago I would've been completely ecstatic. That is a hideous color for a 4runner though.... Nonetheless, $7000 is a good deal in my book, especially for 102K miles. I paid more for mine with 114K miles, but mine was basically rust free, and had all the maintenance done.

 

[elcidsurfer]

Yeah I was thinking the same thing the the POR15.

Haha, I know, the color is hideous, but in a hilariously head turning way.

I just made an offer, he countered, I countered again... waiting for a responce... I'll keep y'all posted.

 

[1985taylor1925]

The thing about the rust is that you can get rid of most of it without spending much money. It just requires a ton of time and effort. Like you mentioned, POR 15, along with hours of sanding, scraping, wire brushing, degreasing, priming, etc. But a manual tranny on a 3rd gen with only 100k miles is extreamly attractive to me.

Whats your current counter offer?

 

[awdjunkies]

The thing about the rust is that you can get rid of most of it without spending much money. It just requires a ton of time and effort. Like you mentioned, POR 15, along with hours of sanding, scraping, wire brushing, degreasing, priming, etc. But a manual tranny on a 3rd gen with only 100k miles is extreamly attractive to me.

Whats your current counter offer?

And that is basically the selling point in this deal. Especially with it having a Rear Locking Diff. :naughty:

 

[TN_Soljah808]

that rear axle looks worse than the one I replaced. the diff was seeping thru no actual holes so you might not be able to scape to much.

 

[elcidsurfer]

$6500 out the door with a 30 day warranty.