Help me price my 4Runner - and tips for a private sale

[TSO]

Well, I've had this thing for almost a month. It really is a nice rig, however, I was expecting to get better gas mileage out of it for it's size. Considering I'm only getting around 16.5 (my overly optimistic display says 18.5 :wow: )... there's really no reason to sacrifice the space for hauling my family around.

So, I'm going to be (hopefully) buying a Sequoia very soon. There's an '06 that I've been haggling on, about 7 hours away (gonna fly there & drive back) and I've whittled down a fantastic deal - 06 Limited 4x4, $15,100, 115k miles, WITH the 90k maintenance done, AND new brakes.

Anyhow, no one wants to give me much on a trade in, and I have the time to wait & sell it on my own, so I'm going to give it a shot. I've never sold a car on my own before (usually just trade it in, or sell it to family) so I'm looking for tips and things to watch out for.

Also, looking for a good price point for my 4Runner... Here's the specs:

*2003 4Runner Limited v8 4x4 Galactic-Gray, 90,500 miles.
*JBL, moonroof, Gray heated leather, tow package,

*Interior AND exterior are in excellent condition.

*Husky Floormats (front), cargo net & tray in the back.

*Clean CARFAX with no accidents reported.

*Only problem is the powersteering, which should be getting fixed this week, so that's no longer an issue. It has a leveling spacer in the front (receipt shows it was installed by an off-road shop last year).

I just paid $13,500 for it last month. I don't know if that's still a fair price or not. I don't trust sites like KBB because they never seem accurate. What do YOU GUYS think I should ask for it?

Thanks in advance!

 

[drforton]

one million dollars!!! :reddance:

Seriously tho, you can easily get what you're asking if you were in the NW. I don't know too much about Detroit, but it's probably not a good area to sell a used car on the private market. Either way, any Toyota will hold it's value alot stronger than any other car/truck brand. GLWS. :cheers:

 

[TSO]

The market's not terrible here... there is some obvious "foreign" car resentment around here, but the people that are in the market for Toyota's are the same everywhere. LOL, maybe I'll take your advice and put it up for a million!

 

[krupnation]

use NADA Guides as a reference. Thats what banks use to get the value of a car when giving you a loan. At least, that's what my CU has always used.

 

[jimithing]

Most people won't pay NADA when they buy from an individual. I think a better gauge is just to go to autotrader.com and try find similar cars that are nearby. here and here are a couple in your area. Seems like you're going to probably take a small hit. Personally I'd hold onto the 4Runner until you drive the Sequoia a while. You might decide you like the 4Runner better after all.

 

[Roadtripr]

I find Edmunds TMV is pretty close to what you can expect

 

[Druss]

Most people won't pay NADA when they buy from an individual. I think a better gauge is just to go to autotrader.com and try find similar cars that are nearby. here and here are a couple in your area. Seems like you're going to probably take a small hit. Personally I'd hold onto the 4Runner until you drive the Sequoia a while. You might decide you like the 4Runner better after all.

Sounds like sound advise from jimithing to me.

 

[sonerick]

You shoulda kept the Tundra lol.

I'd ask 13500 and lower the price if it doesn't get any inquiries after a few weeks. If someone wants it, they'll pay anything that's somewhat reasonable for it. If the truck is super clean inside and out and you have maintenance records, that will go a long way in justifying your price to a seller.

Also, you don't want to mislead anybody, but I wouldn't make it a point to tell any potential buyers you've only had it for a month. It might spook people away.

 

[TSO]

You shoulda kept the Tundra lol.

I'd ask 13500 and lower the price if it doesn't get any inquiries after a few weeks. If someone wants it, they'll pay anything that's somewhat reasonable for it. If the truck is super clean inside and out and you have maintenance records, that will go a long way in justifying your price to a seller.

Also, you don't want to mislead anybody, but I wouldn't make it a point to tell any potential buyers you've only had it for a month. It might spook people away.

If I could've afforded to keep the Tundra, believe me, I would have. I loved that truck.

Anyhoo... I know what you mean by the "short" ownership period. I won't disclose it if no one asks. It's currently in the shop, looks like it's getting a new steering shaft and front axle work, along with an oil change. I'll find out more tomorrow, but looks like it will be all new & ready to go.

Here's another question: Should I bother spending the money on the 90k maintenance if I'm gonna sell it? ie, the Timing belt, water pump, fluid flushes... etc ????

 

[settytb]

Personally I would avoid the maintenance if you can. That's a couple thousand that you wouldn't recoup. But like others said list it at 13.5 and see if anyone bites. If nothing works drop it to like 12.5 and lastly if that doesn't work for a week or two you may have to bite the bullet and do the maintenance... Just my thoughts. Good luck!

 

[sonerick]

Personally I would avoid the maintenance if you can. That's a couple thousand that you wouldn't recoup. But like others said list it at 13.5 and see if anyone bites. If nothing works drop it to like 12.5 and lastly if that doesn't work for a week or two you may have to bite the bullet and do the maintenance... Just my thoughts. Good luck!

+1. Hold off on the maintenance since you have the time to try and sell without it first.