Looking for my first 4runner...what's it worth?

[AaronM33]

So after a long history with Jeeps I've sold them all and I'm looking for a nice 3rd gen 'runner. What would you guys pay for this one? Mods, if this is inappropriate go ahead and take it down, my bad. I guess it's questionable to ask what people would pay, but I'm going to look at this one today and need some advice. Blue book gives between 2400-3800 depending if I use the app or their website, but blue book doesn't always reflect real life values.

1997 toyota 4runner limited

Just looking for off the cuff guesses. Thanks guys and gals

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

So after a long history with Jeeps I've sold them all and I'm looking for a nice 3rd gen 'runner. What would you guys pay for this one? Mods, if this is inappropriate go ahead and take it down, my bad. I guess it's questionable to ask what people would pay, but I'm going to look at this one today and need some advice. Blue book gives between 2400-3800 depending if I use the app or their website, but blue book doesn't always reflect real life values.

1997 toyota 4runner limited

Just looking for off the cuff guesses. Thanks guys and gals

Hey someone else from PA! Welcome!

I think i'd offer him $3000 and go from there, I bought my 97 Limited last year with 86K and it was supercharged for $3750.

So take that for what it's worth.

Check for rust!! In our area that is the #1 car killer!

 

[Jon]

Not bad looking. 97 is the best year!

I'd start at 3k and be happy at 3500. I'm trying to get two of my friends to get 3rd gens so they can quit being passengers and do their own wheeling. I've been digging through CL for months!

Does it have the rear E-locker? That is a great selling point. Button is on on the dash to the left of the steering column.

Got any plans for mods?

Welcome to Toyota!

 

[AaronM33]

Swimmer, $3750 for a supercharged <100k example, that's awesome! I was checking out one of your threads when I first found t4r.org. Definitely some inspiration there! First thing I'll do is check for bubbling paint and rusty frame, I had to weld new rockers in my '98 XJ to sell it, what a pain.

Jon, I was kind of thinking the same with pricing. No E-locker, I got the axle code off the door. 4.10's 2 pinion open diff. I've been stalking c-list for one with the E-locker, hoping the owner wouldn't know what it was. Nothin' yet. Priority for me is nice body and interior, my wife will be driving this the most for the next 2 years while I'm still commuting 80 miles a day to school. She wants a nice interior. I do have to ask why you say 97 is the best year. And BTW, its a 96, I checked the VIN...

Thanks guys

 

[Jon]

97' because that's what I have! All the 3rd gens are good. But I prefer the more mechanical drivetrain over electric stuff since I beat it up a lot. The newer you go you start to get into the center diff locking t-cases and more driver cumfort stuff. I like my stuff simple.

The interiors are nicer in the newer 3rd gens, LED displays and rotating HVAC controls, cup holders, more power outlets....but you have to pay for all that too.

My 97' Limited with all options had 330k miles on it and needed some TLC but I got it for $1500, thanks CL! These are great platforms and if you treat them right they will not let you down. My XJ buddies would always rave over how easy the 4Runner made obsticles look.

If/when you get one, and it's auto, make sure to get an external trans cooler. Pink milkshake is nobodys friend. Just do a search, I've got a thread on it.

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

Swimmer, $3750 for a supercharged <100k example, that's awesome! I was checking out one of your threads when I first found t4r.org. Definitely some inspiration there! First thing I'll do is check for bubbling paint and rusty frame, I had to weld new rockers in my '98 XJ to sell it, what a pain.

Jon, I was kind of thinking the same with pricing. No E-locker, I got the axle code off the door. 4.10's 2 pinion open diff. I've been stalking c-list for one with the E-locker, hoping the owner wouldn't know what it was. Nothin' yet. Priority for me is nice body and interior, my wife will be driving this the most for the next 2 years while I'm still commuting 80 miles a day to school. She wants a nice interior. I do have to ask why you say 97 is the best year. And BTW, its a 96, I checked the VIN...

Thanks guys

I appreciate the kind words man. Just goes to show the deals are out there!

Regarding the interior, the leather is know to split and crack especially the drivers seat! You can get lucky and find some clean interiors but if this one has some bad leather you can use that as another point to get them down in price.

 

[AaronM33]

The search continues...

Hey, thanks again for the help fellas. I just got back from looking it. It's really solid mechanically besides maybe a valve cover gasket, and hardly any rust. It had been hit in the LR though, some body filler showing, and the deal breaker was the crappy respray. Looks like it used to be anthracite maybe. Now it's a weird metallic grey. I'll keep looking... Thanks again.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

That's been on Philly CL for a while. It's definitely had a rough go cosmetically. Good move passing on that one.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

You should check this one out. It's really clean. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-vehicles/161790-fs-3rd-gen-eastern-pa-nj-garage-kept.html

 

[txbonds]

Hey someone else from PA! Welcome!

I think i'd offer him $3000 and go from there, I bought my 97 Limited last year with 86K and it was supercharged for $3750.

So take that for what it's worth.

Check for rust!! In our area that is the #1 car killer!

WOW, that was a smoking deal given mileage and SC. I paid $2,500 for my 97 ltd with 187k miles and no SC, so Hats off to you for that one. :yo:

 

[AaronM33]

WOW, that was a smoking deal given mileage and SC. I paid $2,500 for my 97 ltd with 187k miles and no SC, so Hats off to you for that one. :yo:

Yeah, I still can't believe that deal, Swimmer. That's the way to do it! There's no way I could justify spending a couple K to do the supercharger myself, at least not until I'm working again. If only I could find one with some mods like that, or even just an E-locker to start with, for a bargain. It's tough to resist the urge to just buy the next one I see but I'm going to hold out for the right one. I had a guy who would've taken $1,000 for a 97 Limited but it had been laid on the drivers side and was an ashtray inside. If it wasn't the bright red color I might have bought that one but I haven't seen too many in red and wasnt sure I could find JY fenders and door in the right color. Anyway, I digress. I just gotta wait it out and keep looking. And I did text about that garage kept one, Pitbull. We'll see what happens...

 

[Swimmerboy2112]

WOW, that was a smoking deal given mileage and SC. I paid $2,500 for my 97 ltd with 187k miles and no SC, so Hats off to you for that one. :yo:

Hey I was just reading your build thread! I got extremely lucky on that one, I didn't even want to buy a 4Runner I just happened to be browsing craigslist and found it such a good deal I had to have it!

Yeah, I still can't believe that deal, Swimmer. That's the way to do it! There's no way I could justify spending a couple K to do the supercharger myself, at least not until I'm working again. If only I could find one with some mods like that, or even just an E-locker to start with, for a bargain. It's tough to resist the urge to just buy the next one I see but I'm going to hold out for the right one. I had a guy who would've taken $1,000 for a 97 Limited but it had been laid on the drivers side and was an ashtray inside. If it wasn't the bright red color I might have bought that one but I haven't seen too many in red and wasnt sure I could find JY fenders and door in the right color. Anyway, I digress. I just gotta wait it out and keep looking. And I did text about that garage kept one, Pitbull. We'll see what happens...

Yeah I got super lucky. For what it's worth, i'm keeping my eyes open on Craigslist for ya!

 

[AaronM33]

Bought a '94 today... But it's a 6th gen...

So after selling my 5 speed 98 XJ to my uncle for $2,500 I finally turned my money into a Toyota 4x4... But it's not a 'runner... I picked up a '94 Land Cruiser FZJ80 today. It's a little rough and kinda nasty inside but it has front & rear E-lockers, 4 wheel disc brakes, high pinion front and full floating rear axles :happy:

I really wanted a 3rd gen for a long time, but this beast seats 7 and for $2,700 I couldn't pass it up. So, I guess I'll have to find someplace new for info, even though I've been lurking here for a couple months learning about 4runners. Maybe ExPo or mud...

Anyway guys & gals, this is a great forum with lots to learn and a generally helpful spirit towards noobs. I'll still be lurking around learning what I can and checking out the many awesome builds.

Here's the money switch & the Cruiser by my Prius....