Is this 98 4runner 195k miles worth of $3500?

[graf]

I have been looking for a family car (just to take the family around town) for a while and came across to this one recently. 98 toyota 4runner Never had 4runner before, so I thought I should let the pros here to help me look at it.

It has actually 195k mile (95k is a typo in the post). According to the seller, no mechanical issue except a dent on the door. Seller said the truck used to be a fleet truck for the City of Wilmington. He had it for about 3 yrs and put about 40k miles on it. He did all the maintenance work himself, pretty much just regular oil change (so no service record). Timing belt was replaced at 160k as he recalled, before he bought it.

So do you guys think it worth of looking into it? $3500 seems fair? Thank you very much in advance.

 

[Drcoffee]

Depends on frame rust. In good condition it sounds more than fair. Was it anywhere near Sandy?

 

[KSWAY]

Is it 4wd or 2wd? If it's a 2wd it's not worth 3500. At least not around where I am. Not a bad deal if it's a 4wd. Try to talk him down to 3000

 

[graf]

Depends on frame rust. In good condition it sounds more than fair. Was it anywhere near Sandy?

Asked the seller about any rust underneath the truck, and he said there is NO rust. Need to check myself onsite. As for Sandy, never thought of it but it's possible since he said he has a place near the beach in DE. How can I find out?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

The one in Hockessin? "Posting for a friend..." Just be careful, I hate seeing that in an ad.

 

[graf]

The one in Hockessin? "Posting for a friend..." Just be careful, I hate seeing that in an ad.

Hmm, it didn't ring a bell until now. Thank you for the heads up. Now I need to rethink about it.

 

[KidVermicious]

Run far run fast, that ad smells. If you really want to take a swing at it, ask to talk to the real owner - his response should tell you a lot.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

What exactly are you looking for? I have a '97 w/ 200K, 5 Speed, eLocker truck that will be coming up for sale here shortly. I need to put tires, a rear bumper and a few other things on it for it to be ready to go. It'll be a little more than the truck you're talking about but it is a nice solid truck.

 

[graf]

What exactly are you looking for? I have a '97 w/ 200K, 5 Speed, eLocker truck that will be coming up for sale here shortly. I need to put tires, a rear bumper and a few other things on it for it to be ready to go. It'll be a little more than the truck you're talking about but it is a nice solid truck.

I'm looking for a reliable family car/SUV to just get us around town. However, my budget is pretty tight. And I know little about cars, so can't do much DIY as you guys do to turn some stones into gold.

I would definitely be interested in your truck after browsing through some of your builds posted here. But neither my wife nor I can drive manual if that one is.

 

[afg10000]

What's the KBB $? I would recommend getting more info on the vehicle and doing some research on what to look for and what questions to ask. If it's a Runner you really specifically want, I would focus your search. If you just looking for a family suv in general - well I don't know - I wouldn't drive anything but a Yota personally. It took me quite a while to find mine, but I was very specific on what I was looking for. Can you pull a Carfax on the '98? I found mine on CL, pulled a Carfax and was able to get service records for the vehicle's entire life. Seller was about $20 higher than KBB and I had no bartering room - couldn't find anything wrong with it and still haven't. good luck

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'm looking for a reliable family car/SUV to just get us around town. However, my budget is pretty tight. And I know little about cars, so can't do much DIY as you guys do to turn some stones into gold.

I would definitely be interested in your truck after browsing through some of your builds posted here. But neither my wife nor I can drive manual if that one is.

It is a manual. Sorry man. Good luck in your search.

 

[graf]

What's the KBB $? I would recommend getting more info on the vehicle and doing some research on what to look for and what questions to ask. If it's a Runner you really specifically want, I would focus your search. If you just looking for a family suv in general - well I don't know - I wouldn't drive anything but a Yota personally. It took me quite a while to find mine, but I was very specific on what I was looking for. Can you pull a Carfax on the '98? I found mine on CL, pulled a Carfax and was able to get service records for the vehicle's entire life. Seller was about $20 higher than KBB and I had no bartering room - couldn't find anything wrong with it and still haven't. good luck

Toyota is pretty much what I'm looking for. As you said, they're very reliable. I had a corolla in the past. It never gave me a hard time. So I just thought maybe I should get a 4runner b/c I need something a little bigger and safer this time.

 

[graf]

Was it anywhere near Sandy?

It depends. Cause only the areas near the shore in DE had huge impact.

 

[MediumX]

Sounds like there are too many questions. There are so many great 4Runners out there, I would wait for a less sketchy one.

Just take this guys advise.

Mad Max