Help with purchase of 97 SV5?

[Recoil Rob]

I'm looking at a 97 4Runner SV5, with 115K miles. Pretty good condition, a little rust on the under carriage the main problem seems to be the rear hatch, it won't open, seems rusted out. A mechanic friend says that it's a common problem. Any idea if this is something that I can fix myself and how much parts are?

Anything else to look out for on this year and mileage? Also what should I expect to pay through a private transaction?


Thanks, Rob

 

[broncosi]

I'm looking at a 97 4Runner SV5

hmm ok sv5 am i unfamiliar with this or simple typo? The rust doesnt sound good, i wouldnt mess with it. I beleive you can find a lot better deal then what ever hes selling for. And better quality that you will be way happier with down the road. Also the back hatch?? you can get a 97 in alot better condition than the sounds of that one.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Of course you're correct, I meant an SR5.The trucks really in great shape, no body rust, just some surface rust on the frame, nothing out of the oridinary.

I expect to pay about $3000, I see that book on this is around $4500. I didn't know they were available for much less.


Thanks, Rob

 

[AUSig]

Of course you're correct, I meant an SR5.The trucks really in great shape, no body rust, just some surface rust on the frame, nothing out of the oridinary.

I expect to pay about $3000, I see that book on this is around $4500. I didn't know they were available for much less.


Thanks, Rob

Sounds like a great deal.

 

[lee]

personally, id avoid any vehicle that was a 97 with rust... but thats just me.

 

[broncosi]

personally, id avoid any vehicle that was a 97 with rust... but thats just me.

like i said before, i second that

 

[save_alkaline]

book value on a 97 SR5 is closer to 10 or 11k isn't it?

 

[rytard]

$3k seems awfully low, so i'd be extra cautious about it, especially with the rust. take it to a mechanic who's not a friend...pay the $50 for a look-over. he may find more things wrong with it and that could save your three grand in the long run. 4runners are great, long-lasting trucks which is why you should expect to pay at least double that for a 1997.

 

[Kramer420]

yeah rust is usally no good, regardless of where it is in my eyes. definitely get it checked out by a tech..goodyear's (well the one i work at dose a free basic maintance check 12 points going over all the major stuff.


-Kramer

 

[Recoil Rob]

OK , well I guess I mislead you, my fault. When I gave it a quick once over I noticed rust on the trailer hitch and assumed there was some rust underneath. I brought it a mechanic today who's familiar with them (he says he's had 4 of them over the years).
Turns out that was the only rust besides the rear door handle. The car is clean, no rust underneath or on the body at all. In fact he was surprised how clen it is.

He did say that it needs an alignment, possibly a tie rod end, it will need a condensor for the AC come next summer, the CD player is tempermental.

The rear hatch latch is stuck and the key will not operate the window from the rear door. The window works fine from the console.

He figures sould be no more than $1000 to have everything fixed, the condensor is the biggest item, and the price is $3500.

This truck has all the options and has some dings but that's about it. I didn't realize the prices these things command. So for about $4500 I'll be in with a 97 w/110K and everything working.

I'm just realizing that these trucks last a long time, if I do my part with routine maintainence can I expect to get another 100K out of the power train?

Any reason not to jump?


Thanks, Rob

 

[02SE]

$4500.00 is less than half of what that would sell for here.

I'd wonder why the price is so low.

You know how the saying goes: If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is. :

 

[Patsawasy]

yeah i bought my 97 limited fully loaded in basicly mint condition for 11k, i would seriously worry about a 4k one. theres gotta be something wrong. blue book in poor condition is more than that price

 

[Recoil Rob]

I bought the car from a friend, I have the service records from the Toyota dealer going back to when it was bought new, I had it checked by my mechanic. It was brought to the dealer who offered $4500 on trade in, another dealer offered $4000 cash.

I guess you pay a lot more for these in CA, here in NY there's depreciation for the climate. I feel I got a good deal, list around here would be around $7500-8000.

Car is clean but not cosmetically mint.

thanks for all the help from the board, I'm sure I'll be back when I put it on the road, first have to sell my 91 Explorer.


Thanks, Rob