Good price for 98 SR5 4x4 V6 Stick shift?

[szellman]

I live in So Cal and saw a 1998 4runner for sale.

It's a 4x4 SR5 V6 with a rare stick shift with 120,000 miles.

Seller is asking $8400.

Has moonroof, towing package, running boards. Upholstered seats.

I haven't seen the car yet but the pictures look good and was described to be in very good condition.

My only concern is the high mileage. At this high mileage, what kind of things do I need to consider replacing?

The clutch was recently replaced but anything else I should look out for?

Also is $8400 an ok price?

Thanks guys..Shawna.

 

[Pirate VI]

That sounds kinda high to me, so I priced it on Kelly Blue Book (kbb.com). With my zip code plugged in (probably doesn't matter what zip) the price came out closer to 6500. I put in good condition instead of excellent (I don't care how good they say it is if it is a 98 with 120000 it is not going to be excellent.) 120k sounds like a lot too. I'm sure you will have some people say oh well 120k on a Toyota is nothing. While many Toyotas do go 300k easy, 120k is a lot. You don't know how the cr was treated for the last 120k, how soon you will have to put money into it, or how much time you will still get out of it. Also if the clutch was replaced, I would be wary of the transmission. You don't want to replace that, it will be costly, and will never be the same again, replaced transmissions don't have nearly the life of an original tranny.

If it is not apparent already, I would pass on this one. Personally I would try and find a 99 (only one year different shouldnt be too much more expensive). The 99s have a different bumper, lights, dash, and some other upgrades, that I think are worth it.
God luck no matter what you decide to do, many people may argue that everything that I said can apply to every used car, and they are right, however, I would try to find a cheaper price.

 

[pius222]

You're right, stick shift 3rd gen 4runners are rare, not to mention a 4WD. 4WD are usually high in resale value. Maybe have a mechanic to look at it, I'd take it and ask for a little discount if the conditions are OK.

BTW, check if the timing belt has been replaced.

 

[p nut]

Where I live, the demand for 4x4's is high. Prices vary depending on your location. You cannot compare Florida's market with Colorado, for example. There can be several thousand dollar's worth of difference.

Last year, I bought a 98 Limited with 110k miles for $10k. For what you're looking at, about $8k would be what it would fetch around here.

Does it have a locker? And like the other poster said, make sure the timing belt has been changed out. There will usually be a sticker on the timing belt cover saying the mileage and the date the timing belt was changed out.

Pull a carfax and take it to a mechanic for a PPI.

Oh, and if you're in the US, the 98's had a recall on the rear springs, because they tend to sag. I got brand new ones last year from the dealership.

 

[szellman]

Thanks for the advice guys. Really appreciate it.

I'll pass on this one and keep looking.

 

[Matt_Ledbetter]

The price seems a bit high, but not outrageous for California. I wouldn't worry about the miles much. My '96 SR5, 5-speed, has 250k miles and is still on the original clutch.

-Matt