Is $3500-$4500 too much to pay for a stock used 3rd gen with over 190K miles?

[lance317]

Hello everyone, I'm new to these forums (and Toyotas!), and have been racking my brain trying to find a decently priced 4runner in San Diego/Orange counties the last month.

Seems like all I can find are ones with well over 190,000 miles on them, with an asking price of anywhere from $3500-$5000 (and what's worse, is even ones with salvaged titles are going for this price)

In a general sense, is something like that considered a "good deal", or is the notion of paying this much money for a 15-20 year old 4runner with 200K miles just a bad idea?

As with any car, *I understand that it depends upon how well the owner took care of the car* that's a given; but I guess I'm just trying to figure out if that kind of price range is overpriced...My current car is almost dead, I need an SUV, and have a budget of $3500-$4000 and drive about 25 miles a day.

Any advice is GREATLY appreciated, thanks!

 

[blizz86]

Our market drives the value of 4runners here up up up. Depending on the year and whether its auto/manual and/or 4x4 makes huge differences.

Post up links to sales and people will let you know.

 

[GhostRing]

psh. I WISH I could have snagged mine for ~$4K. Anywhere else besides the PNW and it
probably would have been. I won't do salvage, but the market charges what it will bear...

 

[Whitson Metalworks]

I paid a lot more than that for my wife's limited with 190k on it, but, they are hard to find 'round these parts and it was super clean.

 

[lance317]

Our market drives the value of 4runners here up up up. Depending on the year and whether its auto/manual and/or 4x4 makes huge differences.

Post up links to sales and people will let you know.

Here's one I called on that's a few miles away from home....The ad says engine rebuild, but I called the guy and he has no paperwork/records (his response was: "my wife probably threw it away - we don't keep stuff like that" (eh, yeah....):

1994 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5

Here's another one that I may go check out, though it's more than I want to spend:

1998 TOYOTA 4RUNNER

There was also a 1996 4cyl/5-speed with 200K witha price of $3850, but I can't find the ad.

 

[masphx]

Ok,

First try to stay out of the 2nd gens like that 1994. They blow engines. The 3rd gen 1996-2002 is what you want. You will prob get a 1996-1999 at those price levels with around 200K. That 1996 4cyl/5-speed with 200K witha price of $3850 sounds good if it is in nice shape (but ad is gone so it might be gone already, they go fast). FYI, 5speed 4x4 w/ locker is the 'grail' on this forum.

I picked up my 1998 5speed V6 4x4 w/ locker 168K back in 2011 for $5200. The used car market has come down a little since then so if you wait and know what you are looking for you can get a good deal and rig.

Mason

 

[lance317]

oops and thanks - forgot 94-95 was 2nd gen! Incidentally, I see ALOT of used 1995s in Orange and San Diego counties for sale, and they almost always have over 180K with an average asking price of $3200

 

[lance317]

Ok,

That 1996 4cyl/5-speed with 200K witha price of $3850 sounds good if it is in nice shape (but ad is gone so it might be gone already, they go fast). FYI, 5speed 4x4 w/ locker is the 'grail' on this forum.

from the ad:

1996 Toyota 4Runner 4cyl 5speed. 200k miles. Just had a full valve job everything replaced. Runs great. Leather interior, A/C, Just passed smog, tags good till April 2014 ... Must see...

 

[blizz86]

from the ad:

1996 Toyota 4Runner 4cyl 5speed. 200k miles. Just had a full valve job everything replaced. Runs great. Leather interior, A/C, Just passed smog, tags good till April 2014 ... Must see...

Is this 4wd?

 

[blizz86]

You should be able to find a solid 2wd with ~150k for about 4000 to 4500.. 4wd with ~150k bumped up around 6-8k.. thats what ive noticed here in socal..

heres one in OC
http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/3849685978.html

 

[lance317]

Is this 4wd?

it's a 96 2WD 5 speed with 200k and a recent valve job for 3850.

seems kinda high for a 2WD but maybe worth a look?

 

[Jon]

California's 4Runner market is redonkulous! Great trucks but way over priced. I got my 97 Limited, 4x4, e-locker with 333k for $2k. It would have sold for around $3500-4500 up here. Mileage should not be a factor as long as you look it over real well. Toyotas last forever when maintained properly.

As said before, with that price range, don't bother with 2nd gen. You should be able to pick up a good 3rd gen for that. It's a far superior vehicle stock. It all depends on your intentions. Road warrior, trail rig or extreme offroad. Either of the first two, go 3rd gen, extreme then it doesn't matter. Hell, get a 1st gen!:hungry:

I love my 3rd gen! Good hunting!:hatsoff:

 

[Ol'Blue]

As you have found the market in So-Cal is pretty silly for a 3rd Gen 4Runner. If you find a nice one it will cost you 6-8k at least with low miles and a Elocker.

You can find deals from time to time if you look, but they go fast! Real fast!

PM inbound

Blue

 

[Jbot]

They hold their value well here in Cali,
I got my 1999 limited with 180k miles for 4k
And i considered it quite the deal for the condition (moderate to good condition) with whole front end rebuilt

 

[99 sr5 highlander]

You think Cali prices are high, up here your lookin at $6000, 10000 for a 4x4 with less then 200k I've seen limiteds or sports all the way up to $12k

 

[PRBond]

As stated previously, the market for a good 3rd generation 4Runner is actually bigger than you think.

I just bought my '99 Limited 4X4 with eLocker and 127,000 miles for $8000 3 weeks ago. The 3.4 V6 is a solid motor (As are most Toyota motors) and if taken care of with regular maintenance, should be able to go for 300,000 miles.

In Southern California, they last longer than in most other states since we don't have to worry much about snow, rust, ect.

As for the 2nd Gen 4Runners, the 3.0 V6 motors aren't horrible. However, they do blow head gaskets so you just want to be extra careful. Remember that pretty much ANY used car that you go buy, chances are that you're going to have to put some money into them to get them back up to spec. Most people don't keep up on the scheduled maintainence. So, at the least you should plan on spending $500-$1000 just getting all the fluids, plugs, plug wires, belts, and possibly water pump and timing belt changed out. If you're buying from a private seller you may also need brakes and rotors. If it's a 4X4, be sure to check the CV joints and the transfer case.

A ton of car dealers will sell you on low mileage of a used car. But if the mileage is really that low chances are there is a reason for that. (Was the car in a wreck? Does the seller have a Car Fax to show that it wasn't?)

 

[lance317]

In Southern California, they last longer than in most other states since we don't have to worry much about snow, rust, ect.

I hear you to some extent, but I've lived right on the coast in Carlsbad for little over a year now, and my current car had no rust on it prior to moving; Now, it's got it pretty good on metal trim and the undercarriage too.

That's why I'm now kinda thinking buying a 4runner from an inland owner might be the ticket.

 

[556.sig]

Sacramento market is bad as well, hard to find a decent runner for a decent price. Got my 99 SR5 4x4 salvaged with 189xxx for $4600.

Happy hunting.

 

[lance317]

UGH.

A 2002 Sport Edition with 253,000 for $5900

Looks clean, but 6 grand for 253k ?

2002 TOYOTA 4RUNNER Sport Edition

 

[lance317]

This might be too good to be true, and I think the car is in Tijuana and my spanish isn't great, but it's a 2001 for $3000. There are no driver's side pics, so maybe there's a reason it's $3K

Toyota 4Runner
Automatic
6 cylinder
Clean Title
210,000 miles
$3000

Called, and the owner's wife doesn't speak English, so gonna call tonight and see what the deal is