How much do you think I could sell my T4R for?

[thirstyturtle]

There's a slight possibility of me selling my T4R in order to pay off a student loan and using the leftover money to buy a new car (obviously) and help pay for my wife's school.

So, how much do you guys think I could get for it?

It's a 2006 Toyota 4Runner Sport V8 4x4 with 88,000 miles. It's Titanium Metallic. In the last 3,000 miles I've changed both differentials and transfer case with Mobil 1 Full Synthetic, new NGK Iridium plugs, and new K&N air filter. It has brand new 265/70/17 Firestone Destination A/T's. Had never towed anything except for a small utility trailer to move a couch and a piano. Extremely limited off-roading. It has the daystar 2.5/1.5 lift, which I could easily remove if it would make it more easily sold. I also spray painted the rims black a few thousand miles ago, they've held up pretty well, but do have a few spots where the paint has been chipped off. Also, I'm missing one hubcap.

That's about it, here are some pics:
Latest:

Before Lift:

Here are the values from various car appraisal sites for private sell (for reference I bought it 9 months ago with 75,000 miles for $20,500:

Kelly Blue Book:
Good: $21,080
Fair: $19,180

NADA
Average Trade-In: $19,300
Clean Trade-In: $20,425
Clean Retail: $24,200

Edmunds
Private Party: $16,317
Dealer Retail: $17,755

So what do you guys think I could get? Additionally, what do you think my posted asking price could/should be to get the amount you think reasonable?

 

[zerowkul98]

BLASPHEMY!!!

Sorry to hear you have to sell the Runner. If i were you, i would just bartend on weekends of look into being a human guinea pig and test new meds for pharm companies!

Youre intentions are honorable though. I would sell it for the maximum on craigslist, see what interest you generate. Just be sure to note youre receptive to offers.

Now, on to the more IMPORTANT question....what kinda ride are you going to get in its place?

 

[thirstyturtle]

BLASPHEMY!!!

Sorry to hear you have to sell the Runner. If i were you, i would just bartend on weekends of look into being a human guinea pig and test new meds for pharm companies!

Youre intentions are honorable though. I would sell it for the maximum on craigslist, see what interest you generate. Just be sure to note youre receptive to offers.

Now, on to the more IMPORTANT question....what kinda ride are you going to get in its place?

You mean post it on Craigslist for the ~$24,000 asking price and see if I get any offers? I definitely don't have to sell my ride, but the gas is killing me, I don't need so much space nor do I need the off-road capabilities. Until this car I've always had a manual-transmission sports car and I MISS HAVING ONE which is a big part of this, being able to pay off my loan is a perk!

I'm thinking about an Audi S4 2.7T, probably a 2000 or 2001. I've always wanted a turbo'd vehicle and my buddy has an A6 with the same engine and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it, this is just slightly smaller, and a little bit quicker.

 

[kormaster]

Hope the Audi stays reliable. You can crazy mod to gain boost on those turbos. A lot more fun i say.

 

[jetboy1975]

You'll need to take out another loan just to maintain that Audi

p.s. I want one too.

 

[thirstyturtle]

You'll need to take out another loan just to maintain that Audi

p.s. I want one too.

You think it would be that bad? I mean, I know it's no Toyota but do you really think it would be that much of a headache?

 

[zerowkul98]

Yeah, ask what its worth and see what bites you get.

As for the Audi, I owned a 2000 VW Jetta VR6, which also made Audi and had those engines some Audi cars.

You better save that dough, cuz you'll be paying for repairs. I was in that VW shop so often, they knew me by first name!

 

[thirstyturtle]

Yeah, ask what its worth and see what bites you get.

As for the Audi, I owned a 2000 VW Jetta VR6, which also made Audi and had those engines some Audi cars.

You better save that dough, cuz you'll be paying for repairs. I was in that VW shop so often, they knew me by first name!

Dang, you guys have me reconsidering the Audi :0(

The idea of having a super sporty Audi for <$10,000 and having no debt was quite appealing but not if I'll have lots of repair bills.

What sorts of things were you having repairs and problems with?

 

[zerowkul98]

ITs burnt on my memory as if it were yesterday!....probably because it was so traumatic to my WALLET! It was my 1st year as a new teacher, and it bled me dry.

There were bad struts in the front, then there were bad bushings on the sway bar, then there was a leaking oilpan gasket, then there was a bad tension wheel on the sepentine belt ($216 just for the friggin part!!), and then a dead battery on the DAY I SOLD IT! It was like one last kick to the groin. I swore id never buy a German car ever again.:redbrick:

 

[thirstyturtle]

ITs burnt on my memory as if it were yesterday!....probably because it was so traumatic to my WALLET! It was my 1st year as a new teacher, and it bled me dry.

There were bad struts in the front, then there were bad bushings on the sway bar, then there was a leaking oilpan gasket, then there was a bad tension wheel on the sepentine belt ($216 just for the friggin part!!), and then a dead battery on the DAY I SOLD IT! It was like one last kick to the groin. I swore id never buy a German car ever again.:redbrick:

Dang, that's horrible, so I guess you wouldn't suggest one as a DD huh?

 

[zerowkul98]

Im afraid I am biased, only because of my own personal experiences with the German product.

I understand your reasons for wanting (needing, perhaps) to shed yourself of the V8's fuel-consumption, but I do believe that in the end, you'll miss the reliability and the functionality of the 4runner.

Choose wisely!

 

[thirstyturtle]

I wish Toyota had made a damn sporty vehicle in the last 10 years...

Supras are still too expensive, the Celica sucks big balls and the MR2s are OLD.

 

[zerowkul98]

I feel your pain and its tough to choose. Toyota hasnt really made anything "sporty" since the 1990's IMHO.

Youre trying to lower your bills and get rid of some debt. Do what you gotta do, man. It sounds like your priorities are in the right place, and buying a sports car doesnt really mix with the notion of paying bills, debt and taking care of school loans and furthering your wife's education.

I guess the math doesnt add up to me, man. Youre trying to be more fiscally responsible by purchasing a sports car? Thats not the way it works.

 

[kormaster]

I wish Toyota had made a damn sporty vehicle in the last 10 years...

Supras are still too expensive, the Celica sucks big balls and the MR2s are OLD.

Ya, i dont think Toyota will make sports cars but rather brand it Lexus. Also, IS-F is probably the only "sporty" sedan they got. I personally dont like that car since it give you unconnected feelings compared to a E9x M3.

 

[thirstyturtle]

I don't see that a "sports car" is any less fiscally responsible than a V8 4x4 that I've lifted and put A/T tires on but I don't tow anything and I don't really go offroad and it hardly ever snows where I live. So really either one is pretty unnecessary, but I think it makes more sense to drive a $10,000 unnecessary sports car than a $20,000 unnecessary SUV.

Either way, I'm a caraholic and I'll always want what I don't have. My wife and I are fine on money the way we are now, but it sure would be nice to pay off the last of our debt and for me to still be able to have a nice car that makes me happy.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you keep the 4runner keep in mind you are due for a timing belt on that V8 at 90k miles.

 

[thirstyturtle]

Ya, assuming I still have it I'll be looking to hopefully make that a weekend project for myself.

But back to the point, what do you guys think I could reasonably get for my T4R?

 

[krravi]

I had a VW Passat which had an Audi Engine (V6) inside it around 2001. It ran fine, but the mud guard that covers the body inside the wheels, broke off. Piece of plastic. Cost me 450 bucks and 150 in labor. Drove it straight out of the VW dealer to Nissan and got a Pathfinder, which lasted me just fine, till i got my Toyota 4Runner. I swore i will never get a german car myself.

German cars are good rides. Other than the engine and the transmission, everything else is junk.

Now regarding the Audi, the recent A4 consumes a quart of oil every 800 miles, like a drunken monk. Its all over google and Audi isnt recognizing the issue, since its their low end car. Be careful about that model.

I dont know about the S4 and A6.

 

[zerowkul98]

In regards to the question of "how much to ask for it", well, there's a few resources out there. Some good, some ridiculous. KBB.com overshots a vehicle's value IMO. Edmunds.com is pretty fair. Black Book isnt the most truthful, and i see a lot of Toyota dealers use it and its almost as if they use it to lowball your car's value. Vauto.com is a service i see a lot of dealerships use as well that determine a car's value.

Bottom line, it all depends on how bad you want to move it. Post it for its tre value, you might get less offers and people might avoid it. Lowball it, you wont get the $ you may desire.

When i was selling my Sequoia, i started with Craigslist, got a couple people interested. Put it on Autotrader.com, i got some more serious offers. I got some annoying "we can help you sell your car!" company emails and phone calls. After i told them "call me again, i'll consider it harassment", i never heard from them again. In the end, i basically highball'ed the price (if thats a word), then came down a little to make a potential buyer happy, and pretty much got what I wanted for it. I took pictures of the outside after a complete 2-hour detail job I did on the truck. Inside as well, and a shot of the super-clean engine compartment and put it up on skids to take a shot of the undercarriage (to show there was no New England Winter salt damage to the frame). Worked out pretty well. Sold in 7-10 days.

As for your "i dont see a difference between a V8 SUV and a sports car", well, you sorta made my point! Look, im not tryin to give you crap. Ive had to do the same thing when i quit my 1st profession and went back to college full time (dumped a sports car and got a little 4 banger 4x4 Suzuki Sidekick). However, the expenses youre trying to avoid with the 4Runner may not decrease when you buy a sports car, especially a German one...parts and maintenence is up there $$$$!!! I guess im just imagining that youd benefit more from something more practical, thats all. Cant have yer cake and eat it too!:shrug:

 

[cfairbank]

I had an A4 quotro with the 1.8T before I bought my 05 t4r. Was a fun car but sure don't miss the cost in maintaining it. Big one is the timing belt. Looking at $1200 to $1500 to have someone do it. Did it myself for $400. Would not trade in my t4r for one.