looking at buying an 05 Sport V8...Opinions?

[blindloser1080]

I'm very interested in this 05 Sport V8, but can't figure out why...

A) It's been on the market for over a month and a half now.

B) Why it's so low priced compared to other sports around my area.

4Runner Sport, Toyota for sale from Eastlake Auto Brokers

Please take a look and let me know what you think. I know it has the 90K service coming up (timing belt, water pump) could that be why it's lower priced?

I say lower priced, because most sports in my area go for 19-25K unless they have upwards of the 130K miles on them.

Thanks

Josh

 

[12guns]

I paid $14,500 for my 05' Sport V8 white with 108k miles. Their price sounds a bit high, although there should be room for negotiations. With that low miles if they came down to 15,500 that would be a good deal in my opinion. One thing to remember as you already know is the timing belt/H2O pump can be costly $500-$600 or so. Call them up! See what they will do! I would offer 15,000 firm and tell them you will handle the timing belt.
For what it's worth I LOVE mine. Good luck w/ your shopping. Hope you get what you want.
Oh, and my timing belt and water pump was already done at 90k, along w/ all fluids, plugs, and such.

 

[Mr. Banks]

05 sport with mileage

The price is pretty close to KBB value because its over 80k miles. At that marker the dealer has a specific term for it that eludes me. Basically after 80,000 miles the vehicle can't be valued at a higher price the dealer would like it to be sold at. Its harder for them to move a V8 with over 80,000 miles. The fact that it is a v8 doesn't legally hinder the vehicle except on gas prices and scaring away the customer. The mileage does hit mechanical legalities though.

On a Toyota, really that's not a problem. I'd be more worried about what the dealer had to do to turn it around to selling condition based on the previous owner. Ask what they had to do, it will let you know the real condition. If they didn't have to do much other than detail it, I would assume the last owner took good care of it. For instance, my 05 sport v8 is in amazing condition on the inside and outside. The dirty area is my engine bay. I'm approaching 72,000 miles and the dealers want me to trade it in before the 80k mark. I was looking at a limited v6 to save gas since I'm not in bad weather nor am I towing anything anymore. I got a look at the v6 limited while it was being cleaned up and it was a friggin' train wreck inside and out. It had low miles though. So yeah, dealer turn around cost and the mileage is my best guess at the price. The jerks priced my v8 2005 sport with 70k miles at 17,500 but dropped it to 16,000 because of the V8 and a $500 maintenance inspection they have to pay for. Damn San Diegans and gas prices.

 

[get2thechoppah]

I visited Eastlake Auto Brokers back in February looking at two different 4runners. The trucks had little things wrong with them.

The first one, an '05 Limited V6, smelled like smoke and was unusually nicked up for its age (lots of interior scratches/dings, floormats were very soiled); the previous owner was pretty hard on it, at least cosmetically. It also had a faulty turn indicator and had the dashboard tire pressure light was lit.

The second was an '06 Sport V6, which was in better shape cosmetically but had the same electrical demons as the '05 (both the turn signal and tire pressure light), and it felt very sluggish. Noticeably more sluggish than the '05 Limited V6.

Establishments like these manage to charge lower prices for the vehicles somehow. Maybe somebody can tell us why? My initial guess is 1) smaller lot sizes and 2) I highly doubt they put any appreciable amount of reconditioning into the cars, other than washing them. They manage to sell the cars for a few thousand below what they would list for at a major dealership, but IMO they aren't in as good of condition.

Not trying to knock the establishment - the salespeople were friendly.

 

[StevieT4R]

I'd invest in doing a Carfax...

 

[blindloser1080]

So I went and checked it out yesterday and all they did was detail it. In fact, while looking at it, I found previous service records for it. Maintained well with changes, and had the 60k service done on it and new tires from wal-mart on feb 2009. Didn't test drive due to amount of time. Only thing that worries me is the gas coming to 4/gal, soon to be 5.

 

[V8 Brah]

So I went and checked it out yesterday and all they did was detail it. In fact, while looking at it, I found previous service records for it. Maintained well with changes, and had the 60k service done on it and new tires from wal-mart on feb 2009. Didn't test drive due to amount of time. Only thing that worries me is the gas coming to 4/gal, soon to be 5.

Going to the V6 will hardly save you any money. Perhaps an SUV isnt in the cards now.

Make sure 4lo works.

 

[hgill]

Its really not going to be that much in savings between the V6 and V8. Its really just going to depend on how you drive.

I actually get better mileage in my V8 than I used to in the 350z or M3. I tend to drive the 4runner a lot nicer as compared to having fun with the other two. So its really going to depend on your driving behavior along with city vs. hwy driving, weather, etc....

 

[get2thechoppah]

So I went and checked it out yesterday and all they did was detail it. In fact, while looking at it, I found previous service records for it. Maintained well with changes, and had the 60k service done on it and new tires from wal-mart on feb 2009. Didn't test drive due to amount of time. Only thing that worries me is the gas coming to 4/gal, soon to be 5.

To be safe, I would estimate the difference in fuel consumption/cost (same thing, really) between the V6 and V8 to be at least 20%. After all, the V8 has 25% more cylinders, right? I'm not saying that every single person's individual experience will reflect this, but it is a "prepare for the worst" mentality.

I recently picked up an '06 SE V6. First tank was 18.9 MPG actual, 21.4 MPG indicated by the O/B trip computer. Then I checked my tire pressure - 30psi all the way around, as opposed to the 44psi max indicated on the tire wall. I inflated all four tires to ~40psi before filling the tank again. On the second tank the on-board trip is reading 22.2 MPG, so I'm guessing the actual is perhaps around 19.5 - 20 MPG range. I drive about 80% on the freeway and have really been trying to incorporate fuel-saving driving practices like constant freeway speeds, more gradual braking and really trying to keep my momentum going.

Good luck.