looking at a 96 sr5

[RoyB]

dealer by me has a pretty clean 96. automatic 4wd sr5 for sale. it has 146K miles on it. rides smooth and theres no noises while riding down the road. what are common problems for this year? anything i should look for? they are asking $8900, i told him it was worth 5K over the phone and he said he could probably do it for 6K. worth it or no? im also looking at GS400s in the 12-13K range. but the 4 runner is enticing because of the price and 4wd for winter.

 

[RoyB]

well so much for that. the used car manager thought he had a gem apparently. didnt want to come off the 9K price.

i checked all the fluids- oil was dirty and i was told they just changed it. it was only on the lot a week. not a good sign.

i couldnt see the coolant in the radiator and the overflow was empty.

steering fluid cap only had the tip wet. not even close to the cold mark after driving it around and getting up to temp.

trans fluid was pretty red, but a little dirty.

brake fluid was clean and full.

little oil residue on passenger valve cover bolts

dent in the back hatch and scratches over the car (which i saw before)

tires had slight cracking on the treads.

rear window was hesitant to go up on one occasion.

i told him good luck selling it for what they want because i wasnt going to buy it at that price. oh well. rode quiet though and felt like it had good power.

 

[mugatu22]

I picked up my '96 SR5 4x4 V6 for $6500 about 2 months ago and it is the most cherry '96 on the planet.

Full Carfax report, single owner, serviced at the dealership every 3k miles the entire life of the car (the last owner was insane!), perfect paint, perfect interior, fluids changed regularly, NEW timing belt 2k miles ago before I bought it..this car is in better shape than my previous car, an '05 Evo VIII.

Tell the dealer to get off the crack pipe and drop it for 6-7K.

 

[RoyB]

wow, good deal. might have to go outa state to find a decent one. maybe where they dont get snow. checked out another toyota dealership tonight and saw a coupe cool ones. gotta see what they are asking for them.

 

[smallfry]

When I bought my 96 back in Dec. 06 they oringally had it listed at 8900 as well witht he same mileage as the one you looked at. I talked w/ the fleet manager and was able to get it $6500 as well. Granted it wasn't exactly the color I wanted or have the rear diff lock (really wanted) but I love this thing . Even though it has a few more sratches and a bigger dent it the rear bumper (stupid rock).
Try another dealer and try to work w/ the fleet manager.

My is a 96 4runner as well

 

[twitchee2]

nice find. my 96 is gonna hit 228k this week thing doesn't stop. you wont be disappointed.

 

[RoyB]

yea, they are nuts if they think they are gonna get that much for that condition of a 4runner.

i found a nice looking one yesterday. tan/tan (blah) 99 sr5 with 81K miles asking 11,000 possibly knock some money off that and take it for 9K? gotta see what that condition goes for. i didnt look the car over real good since i had to look up prices online (dealer was closed)

 

[shootmymime]

i have a 96 sr5 194 K
every 30k mile has a check up
fluids changed 4k miles

but 9K is too much id say7 is better... that many milles and the body dammage is wack! dealers allways want 10X more than what its worth!