Need Help Pricing - 2000 4spd, 140K, Silver Highlander, no E-locker

[Riviera51]

I can't get a read on how people value their 4Runners. Can I ask - What's mine worth? And, where do I sell it?

Been a member for 6 years, but never really posted, I always found what I was looking for. Anyway, it's a 2000 Millennium Silver with the Black Onyx badges - it's a Highlander edition but doesn't have the E-Locker option.

The Good:
Overall it's in great shape, 140,000 miles, no body rust, no damage. Tundra brake upgrade. New exhaust. I had a small dent repaired by paintless method. The interior is very clean & in great shape, sunroof does not leak. Everything works as it should. Regular maintenance, never any mechanical issues to speak of. I will sell with 3 extra wheels (the 4th is the spare), the original stereo (CD stopped working) and extra wheel centers (China) and wipers.

The Not So Great:
The interior dealer applied wood applique could/should be replaced - tho it never bothered me. The front bumper paint is in need of a respray - been slowly chipping off since I owned it. (See photos) And the big one: I live in Northeast Pennsylvania - so the undercarriage looks it. It's solid front to back, but it has surface rust. I would Fluid Film it every fall and pressure wash it every spring, so it looks as good as it did when I bought it - but, again it has surface rust. I have resisted the urge to undercoat everything before selling - because that makes it appear as if I'm hiding something, and I'm not - this is just a great, honest 4Runner.

FULL GALLERY:
2000 4Runner 5Spd — ImgBB

So, any advice on what it might be worth, and where is the best place to sell it?

 

[spartacus]

I can't get a read on how people value their 4Runners. Can I ask - What's mine worth? And, where do I sell it?

Been a member for 6 years, but never really posted, I always found what I was looking for. Anyway, it's a 2000 Millennium Silver with the Black Onyx badges - it's a Highlander edition but doesn't have the E-Locker option.

The Good:
Overall it's in great shape, 140,000 miles, no body rust, no damage. Tundra brake upgrade. New exhaust. I had a small dent repaired by paintless method. The interior is very clean & in great shape, sunroof does not leak. Everything works as it should. Regular maintenance, never any mechanical issues to speak of. I will sell with 3 extra wheels (the 4th is the spare), the original stereo (CD stopped working) and extra wheel centers (China) and wipers.

The Not So Great:
The interior dealer applied wood applique could/should be replaced - tho it never bothered me. The front bumper paint is in need of a respray - been slowly chipping off since I owned it. (See photos) And the big one: I live in Northeast Pennsylvania - so the undercarriage looks it. It's solid front to back, but it has surface rust. I would Fluid Film it every fall and pressure wash it every spring, so it looks as good as it did when I bought it - but, again it has surface rust. I have resisted the urge to undercoat everything before selling - because that makes it appear as if I'm hiding something, and I'm not - this is just a great, honest 4Runner.

FULL GALLERY:
2000 4Runner 5Spd — ImgBB

So, any advice on what it might be worth, and where is the best place to sell it?

In your neck of the woods around 12k for'the right buyer, $9,999 for fast sell. and above 14k at auction.

 

[Riviera51]

Thanks for the insight! I appreciate it. Where do people around here sell their trucks? Craigslist, FB Marketplace, the For sale section here?

 

[Endlessblockades]

Are you the original owner? If not, have you checked the build sheet online with the VIN? I thought the Highlanders all had E-Lockers. Was it removed? I see the blacked-out button spot on the dash....just curious as that question will def come up in a sale situation.

Edit - maybe only the '99 5-Speeds had elockers...sorry - another Highlander/Sport rabbit hole....I'll bow out.

You'll need to decode the VIN or post it.

 

[Riviera51]

Not the original owner and I haven’t checked the vin but all the information I have read on this forum states that not ALL Highlanders came with the E-lock. But everything else checks out. Including the onyx emblems, the 5 speed, no running boards, the color, the hood, the fender flares, wood grained trim, cloth seats etc. - but if someone wanted to check to be sure that would be fine with me. Thanks. Also there is simply no evidence of any E-lock removal.

 

[Riviera51]

Copied and pasted from the 3rd gen buyers guide thread:

Trim level overview
SR5 HIGHLANDER (Sport)

-This trim model was available from 1999 to 2000. It was never officially 'badged' as the highlander, the only place it actually says highlander is on the original window sticker. Most people simply call these Sport 4runners.

-Notable features include the standard Hood Scoop, black or wood grain interior trim pieces, cloth sport seats, color-keyed bumpers, fender flares (black SR5 flares in ’99, color-keyed limited flares in ’00), Limited '5-star' wheels, roof rack, fog lights, Larger brakes, Optional 5-speed manual transmission and optional Rear electronic locking differential. It is very common to find these with the e-locker option, but not a guarantee.

-4.10:1 diff gear ratio without elocker, 4.30:1 with elocker. (usually)

-Highlander models with the rare combination of 4x4, 5-speed, and E-locker are commonly regarded as the most ‘off-road capable' of all 3rd gen 4runners, and are very desirable.

Colors:
The highlander trim model was available in Imperial Jade Mica green and Black. In 2000, this package was additionally available in Millennium Silver.

-In 2001 the ‘Highlander’ package was removed from 4Runners and made into a completely new vehicle. The all new Toyota Highlander. The new Toyota highlander was a unibody, car-based SUV compared to the 4runner’s rugged body-on-frame design.
Resource: Toyota 4Runner Highlander Information

 

[JohnMc]

FWIW I have a manual e-locker '99 Highlander, and it had 4.10 gearing from the factory. Not sure if that's what they normally did with the factory manual trans e-locker trucks, or if mine was just a bit weird.

And yeah, a nice fairly low miles manual Highlander with a pretty clean frame underneath it? Pfft, I'll do you a favor and haul it off for you!

(lol, I'm sort of scouting for a replacement already - the rust belt is doing a number on mine and I know sooner or later, I'll need to replace it).

But srsly, spend some effort cleaning up the little cosmetics on it, clean the engine bay and underside *really, really* well, and toss it up on BAT. BAT really seems to love manual trans 4Runners. And time capsule mileage 3rd gens, although you're a wee bit outside of that territory, 140K still counts as pretty low miles for a 3rd gen. Really clean, totally stock, with a spiffy clean underside and engine, you'd probably get 12 - 14 - 16K there. Maybe a bit more if they were feeling frisky.

 

[cl4Rk]

spend some effort cleaning up the little cosmetics on it, clean the engine bay and underside *really, really* well, and toss it up on BAT.

Agreed. Interior/exterior detail with two-bucket hand wash, claybar, and wax. Even if you pay someone to do it, I'd think you'd increase the selling price more than the cost of the detailing.

 

[Riviera51]

Thanks for the info. So it’s ok to clean/paint the frame. I’ve seen people really get attacked for that, suggesting they’re hiding something. And must be lying about everything.

 

[Endlessblockades]

Not the original owner and I haven’t checked the vin but all the information I have read on this forum states that not ALL Highlanders came with the E-lock. But everything else checks out. Including the onyx emblems, the 5 speed, no running boards, the color, the hood, the fender flares, wood grained trim, cloth seats etc. - but if someone wanted to check to be sure that would be fine with me. Thanks. Also there is simply no evidence of any E-lock removal.

Yeah I just read that the 2000 5-speeds did not have the E-Locker

Here's the link to Toyota's basic VIN decoder

Vehicle Specification | Toyota Owners

It would appear Like this:


PORT OR FACTORY INSTALLED EQUIPMENT

C7 CONVENIENCE PACKAGE INCLUDES Port
CA CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS Factory
DL LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL Factory
RH REAR HEATER Factory
SR POWER TILT/SLIDE MOONROOF Factory

 

[cl4Rk]

Thanks for the info. So it’s ok to clean/paint the frame. I’ve seen people really get attacked for that, suggesting they’re hiding something. And must be lying about everything.

I have also seen bidders on BaT really complain about a painted frame on Toyota 4x4s.
I would personally take all the BaT-worthy photos of the frame before AND after the cleanup.

Post the cleaned-up photos for the auction. But if a bidder complains about the cleaned-up frame, you can provide photos of before the cleanup to show that it was all just surface rust.

 

[Riviera51]

Thanks! Everyone for the great info and advice

 

[JohnMc]

Clean it really, really well, but I wouldn't paint it. Just my opinion, after watching plenty of BaT auctions play out. Just get it meticulously clean and let the condition speak for itself.

 

[snow junky]

Wow for what these things are going for I’m thinking of selling mine for 20k or more.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Riviera51]

And if I didn't want to go the Auction BringaTrailer route, where are the best places to post it - here?

I could spend the money, have it detailed, top to bottom, inside and out, which could cost a fair amount, take 200 photos, write a complete history, plan to be available for the entire BAT auction to answer all questions in a timely fashion, but they can still refuse to post it.

Where have you all had luck selling, and buying yours? I'm not trying to make a mint, just want to get what it's worth and make sure it goes to someone who will really appreciate how great these trucks truly are.

And, thank you everyone for reading and responding to my inquiries, this has always been a really great resource, but this was the first time I've ever used it directly, and you've all been really helpful!

 

[cl4Rk]

And if I didn't want to go the Auction BringaTrailer route, where are the best places to post it - here?

I could spend the money, have it detailed, top to bottom, inside and out, which could cost a fair amount, take 200 photos, write a complete history, plan to be available for the entire BAT auction to answer all questions in a timely fashion, but they can still refuse to post it.

Where have you all had luck selling, and buying yours? I'm not trying to make a mint, just want to get what it's worth and make sure it goes to someone who will really appreciate how great these trucks truly are.

And, thank you everyone for reading and responding to my inquiries, this has always been a really great resource, but this was the first time I've ever used it directly, and you've all been really helpful!

I’m no expert, but I would guess the more work you put into selling it, the more money you’ll make, within reason (and there are likely some diminishing returns as well).

A big part of the reason I got a such good deal on my 4Runner is because the seller only had a couple photos, a slightly inaccurate description, posted only on CL, and he wasn’t an enthusiast. Had he spent a little more time learning about these trucks, the market, and more time (and maybe some money) on the sale, he might’ve been able to almost double (!) his sale price. (Also, when I test drove, it looked like he hadn’t washed the truck in months.)

As long as you get everything very very clean, get a lot of good photos (including good photos of blemishes), and provide thorough explanations and documentation, you should get a fair price, I think, no matter what website you list it on.

Personally I would list it on multiple sites. While is seems like the crazy used car bubble might be cooling off in some markets, these trucks are still desirable and reasonably valuable to those that know what they are.

BaT, FB, eBay, CL ?

 

[Riviera51]

Thank you so much - great advice! I hear what everybody is saying - will do!

 

[JohnMc]

While is seems like the crazy used car bubble might be cooling off in some markets, these trucks are still desirable and reasonably valuable to those that know what they are.

They were starting to go up in value pretty nicely even before the whole COVID fueled buying spree that seems to affect almost all cars.

So when the current bubble dies down, they'll probably continue on up. There's still a healthy demand for 3rd gens, and the supply of 'nice' ones is steadily decreasing since they're being driven so much.

 

[Riviera51]

I think what I might end up doing is posting it for sale here first - to see if anyone who really appreciates these trucks is interested in it and then if I don't receive any decent offers - maybe invest in some professional quality detailing and go the auction route.

As I stated earlier - I not interested in making a killing - I just want it to be used and appreciated for what it is

 

[Romeo1]

The equation to get maximum value at the sale/ auction is pretty simple. Really good condition or new tires, clean interior and exterior. If the seats are destroyed fix them. If the front windshield has breaks or cracks replace it. If the steering wheel is destroyed fix or replace it. Make sure the air conditioning works. Savvy buyers will plug in a scan tool to see if the monitors check out or not.

The locker is definitely the crowd pleaser. If you’re not mechanically inclined it’s probably not worth installing, but if you are, you could probably make some really good money at that.

It’s silly how many people oogle over my highlander. That, or the other half of the crowd can’t understand what the fuss is about and they just see what in their eyes is an old vehicle.

But they are bringing great money these days. What sucks is there probably will never be another SUV like the 3rd gen 4runner built ever again. Keep the dimensions the same, keep the weight down, and add a little more suspension/power……. 300 hp v6….Man That would be killer….