Looking at a 99

Frogman16

New member
A few weeks ago I asked q's re. the possible purchase of a 02 sport, didn't end up buying as something didn't feel right. Just looked at a 99 owner with 123k. Overall in great shape. New rugged trail bf's. The owner also has a car lot and can sell with a warranty if I chose to pay extra. The car is actually his wife's who purchased new. Car has been serviced, however timing belt has not been done, for an addl 700 he will have that along with the h20 pump and tensioners done. Does the purchase price of 8 sound reasonable and if so does the addl 700 for tbelt and h20 pump make snse to do? It really is in good shape and appears to be well taken care of. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
 
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A few weeks ago I asked q's re. the possible purchase of a 02 sport, didn't end up buying as something didn't feel right. Just looked at a 99 owner with 123k. Overall in great shape. New rugged trail bf's. The owner also has a car lot and can sell with a warranty if I chose to pay extra. The car is actually his wife's who purchased new. Car has been serviced, however timing belt has not been done, for an addl 700 he will have that along with the h20 pump and tensioners done. Does the purchase price of 8 sound reasonable and if so does the addl 700 for tbelt and h20 pump make snse to do? It really is in good shape and appears to be well taken care of. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

yes and no... that could be an ok deal depending on where you live, like if you lived in southern cal and or the PNW yeah might be an ok deal. but if you lived in say north carolina or texas(just throwing out states may not be accurate) it might be a little on the high side. also what are the options that the 99 comes with... is it a limited, is it a highlander sport? does it have a 5spd or auto, does it have the locking rear diff...? what color is it? leather? a lot of things come into play when asking "is it a good deal?"
 
yes and no... that could be an ok deal depending on where you live, like if you lived in southern cal and or the PNW yeah might be an ok deal. but if you lived in say north carolina or texas(just throwing out states may not be accurate) it might be a little on the high side. also what are the options that the 99 comes with... is it a limited, is it a highlander sport? does it have a 5spd or auto, does it have the locking rear diff...? what color is it? leather? a lot of things come into play when asking "is it a good deal?"

I'm with the kid on this one. We need more details to figure out if this is really a good deal. I definitely wouldn't pay an extra $700 for the timing belt/water pump though. I would make him lower the price on the vehicle or give you a better deal on the replacement parts.
 
Does the purchase price of 8 sound reasonable

$8,000 for a 99 with 123K ...

The owner also has a car lot and can sell with a warranty if I chose to pay extra.

So the "owner" is a private dealer with a small lot, not a private seller.


This "owner" is probably trying to sell you at dealer prices, correct?

Used Cars, Car Prices and Blue Book Values - Kelley Blue Book

An SR5 4WD 99 V6 4Runner with 123k miles is worth ~ $6,500 private party value in San Diego (expensive area).

Suggested retail, eg: perfect condition everything from a TOYOTA dealership is $8,400 (again in SD)​



Is it a 4WD V6 in near perfect*** condition?

With regards to your question about a private lot guy's warranty I say make him throw in 6 month of FULL coverage warranty for free and offer him $7500 on the spot. If he refuses walk away because it isn't worth it.

Another T4R member JUST bought a 4WD 4Runner Sport Edition w/ 155k miles for $3000 cash. Everything is in working condition on that truck. ---> http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/111008-need-feedback-all-you-3rd-gen-experts.html


Lastly,
Even if something did break down-the-road (and it will) you don't want "some guy" with a lot working on your truck. 99% of non-dealer places will install cheap @ss parts from AutoZone and split the difference. Internet dealers and lot dealers always have a fix everything mechanic handy to fix up auction cars so they can be sold. These guys are rarely Toyota certified and definitely won't use Toyota parts.

My old roommate bought an accord from a lot dealer and had nothing but problems down the road. I am biased against all dealers since I know how they work.

:ybrick:

They may say every part has a limetime warranty but it is a scam because no-one ever comes back when their water pump fails with only 50k miles on it (happened to me). So if you do get a warranty, insist in writing that they must use Toyota OEM parts.​



Good luck.



:hatsoff:
 
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123k is low miles for a '99 and $7000-8000 is a reasonable offer if the truck really checks out and is in exceptional shape then buy it since good condition and lower mileage 3rd gens aren't getting more common on the used market and it's good to get one you really like and hang on to it.
I could still get an easy $7000 for my '99 with 172k miles on it but I have a detailed maintenance history with receipts and mine is in very good shape for a 13 year old vehicle.

Check the rear axle seals by looking at the back of the brakes and look for any oil fluid seepage since that is a common fix-it on 3rd gen 4Runners usually by 100k miles.
 
Thanks for the replies. The truck is an auto,silver in color, with cloth and a moonroof. The cars owner purchased new, she then married her husband who owns a small car lot. He is selling the car via the lot. I think that the price is car lot prices however, I have been looking for a bit and although it is the oldest I have seen it is also in the best shape. Car is located in york pa area and has been garage kept. I am convinced that I want a 4runner, but I don't have to have a car right away as I would like to find that enthusiast owned 4runner in great shape. I have done that with finding other cars and have always had great luck. That said if any members are in the Pa area and are interested in selling please contact me. Re the asking price the owner said his is firm with 7995 and I am confident that he is not neg.
 
Is the KBB value the same in NY as San diego?

Also what about paint quality (peeling & fading), rust and interior condition.

If you could post pics that would help.
 
Kbb in my zip is 7573 for pp an 9158 for excellent retail. Paint is above average with no clear coat peeling, interior is excellent as are wheels with no rash or peeling. Bumpers are also good with no rust. Underneath is as clean as an 04 I also looked at. I believe that the bottom line for truck,belts, pump would be 8700 plus tax/tags, if I wanted the 4 year unlimited mile warranty it would be an additional 1200. I have the funds but want a reasonable deal as my volvo 945 wagon run well with no problems. the only other thing I questioned wa the hood seemed to flex when driving, this was the area of the hood closest to the windshield. Owners response was the hoods are lightweight and flex when driving.
 
Kbb in my zip is 7573 for pp an 9158 for excellent retail

Is this correct? Seems high to me.

Like I said before, make the warranty says the must use either Toyota or OEM parts, no knock off parts!!!!!
 
They are the prices that came up. If anyone wants to see pictures to tell me what they think, the website is nevinsautomotive.com. I would include site on this post but don't know how. Thanks for any additional responses!
 
The other thing that I would never buy used car from dealer is because you have to pay sales TAX! It well worth a few hundred bucks to get your timing belt done.
 
I'm in baltimore, about 45mins. from you. 3 weeks ago i purchased a 1 family owned, aunt to nephew, 2000 sr5 4x4, no rust, all power, auto and sunroof with 166k on it for $3000.00. He wanted 4grand, but because the h20 pump was leaking and i had cash in hand he let it go for 3k. Timing belt was done at 120k, but i replaced the pump, belt, tensioner, pulleys, thermostat, drive belts and rad. hoses while it was apart. Deals are out there, baltimore CL has a couple clean ones on there now for around 4 to 5k by owner. Good luck!
 
Holy chit dave that is an incredible deal probably a bit better than the norm IMO. Frogman I am with Dave in that there are deals out there. I am in MD as well and I got my 98 for 5k really out of frustration from constantly getting beat to the punch on several 3rd Gens that were going for anywhere from 3500 to 4500. I personally wouldn't have paid $3k more for a 99 despite the model upgrades. And as for the warranty, now that you have found this T4R site you will probably do a lot more of your own work than you think! Be patient, and don't be afraid to travel a little to get the right truck (drove to VA to get mine).
 
They are the prices that came up. If anyone wants to see pictures to tell me what they think, the website is nevinsautomotive.com. I would include site on this post but don't know how. Thanks for any additional responses!

Just as a reference... 2000 SR5 black, auto, one owner, 121k miles, in philly at a dealer... also listed on CL for $5600. I KNOW he'll take $5200, as he offered it to me for that price. Just my $.02.
 
the guy wants too much for that runner IMO, first off it does not have the rear spoiler/dust deflector, or the roof rack(he has the rails but thats it...) no locker, and the wheels are starting to peel from the salt. find another one in better condition. he will only get that price because he is a dealer and can fiance it for someone...
 

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