Need input on buying a used 4runner

[zachb_NW]

Hello Everyone, I’m back in the market for a Toyota! I have strayed away from the best vehicle made for the past few years. I have owned a 1993 22re toyota pickup, 1999 3.4L ext cab w/ 3” lift with lots more, and a 1997 limited 4runner with OME 3” lift with much more.

I’m in the market for a 4th gen 4runner limited or sport, I like the look of the sport better but I do want leather, and heated seats would be nice. I can add leather and NAV to a sport.

Price range is anything under 25k but I always want to get the best bang for my buck.

I have always tried my hardest to stay away from dealerships, because I like to have face to face contact with the previous owner of the vehicle.

My dilemma is that there is a pristine 2005 silver limited with all options, v8, xreas, nav, ext. It has 60k miles and is for sale by the original owner. The only problem is that they are asking $24k for it and are very firm on the price. If it was $22k I think I would buy it in a heart beat. The Blue book value is $24k in the Seattle area.

Also still fell silver limited looks a little bland compared to a sport. Then also in the back of my mind I’m thinking maybe a GX470 for $25k with 70k miles.

Any insight and thoughts will help!

Thanks,

New member, Zach - Washington

 

[BobbyZee]

I just wont go for GX470, dont like the "soccer mom baby carrier" look, but thats just me.

Sport you described at 24K is somewhat fair deal, not really an excellent deal if I may say so. Not sure how seatle market is different from dallas market, but I have seen several 06+ sport for under 22K some even with leather....just sayin'.....

 

[cali_axela]

I picked up my V8 Sport 4WD with 59k miles for $19k out the door, it has a couple body blemishes but nothing major at all and runs and drives like new. If the one you're looking at is truly immaculate and the premium is worth it, it's not a bad deal. But you can find a much cheaper one if you wait.

 

[t4rjasper]

That sounds high. I've been watching 4Runner prices up here in Edmonton for 6 months and nothing of that vintage is over $20000 (Canadian, but at par with USD). The mileage is average and lots of these vehicles are pristine because they are garage parked, gently driven, and dealer maintained.

My two cents...

 

[c3scott]

I'm also looking at private owner vehicle. 2006 sport. Anyone who has purchased recently had luck buying at edmonds true value price? They are way over edmonds but reasonable with kbb. I havent looked at it yet due to price. Asking 22k 4x4 with 43k on clock.

 

[krupnation]

Make sure you look in Oregon. I just purchased my 05 V8 SR5 T4R in feb from a stealership in OR and got a killer deal. I almost bought a 06 V6 sport from the Coos Bay Toyota dealer but price was out of my range (didn't want to spend more than 20k). As always, check the usual craigslist and auto trader.

Where u at in WA? I'm up in Bellingham. Good luck on your search.

 

[<ATL☆T4R>]

That sounds a little high to me too. I just bought an 07 Limited for $24K in ATL and it had 51K miles. Loaded and clean, I think $24K is too much for an 05.
Plus you will always pay more going with a private seller.

 

[RickC]

That sounds a little high to me too. I just bought an 07 Limited for $24K in ATL and it had 51K miles. Loaded and clean, I think $24K is too much for an 05.
Plus you will always pay more going with a private seller.

I have to disagree with the paying more with a private seller. In my experience, dealers are always higher, but I feel they are more negotiable.

I also wanted to point out the OP's post said it was a limited, not a sport or SR5. The limited carries a higher price. That is a low mileage vehicle with only 60k, it's around 10k per year since it's a 6 year old car. Blackbook allows 12k a year when trading a vehicle in. I would look up KBB private party, Edmunds, and Nadaguides for your area and come up with an average price. I find that KBB is usually higher than the others, but in my area, Nadaguides is more accurate with the actual prices. After you find those prices, print them out. You can always take them with you when negotiating. Make the guy a fair offer based on the numbers and if he doesn't take it, then you are only out a little time. Something else to do is see what else you find by dealers and other sources such as autotrader or cars.com and see what kind of pricing you can find for a comparable 4runner. This too can be used in negotiations.

Hope this helps,

 

[zachb_NW]

Okay guys help me decide. I have my eye one 3 vehicles right now.


$24,000 - 2005 Silver Limited, 60k miles, V8, all options, NAV, Etc.
Very Clean vehicle well taken care of but the looks just doesnt do it for me, but can fix that with a few mods.

$19,000 - 2005 White Sport, 71K, V6 4WD
I haven't driven or seen the vehicle but will tonight, it for sale buy the owner. Like the white but prob will add spend another $2000 to get NAV and Leather. Like that the price is $5000 less then other 2

$24,000 - 2007 Grey Sport, 61k miles, black leather, V8, 4WD.
I haven't driven or seen the vehicle but will tonight, its on a local used car lot that I do have concerns about their reputation. I love the look of this vehicle, and like the updates of the 2006+ model.

PS: private party in general is less the at a dealer, but it sure seems like right now is the Seattle area 4runners are at a premium, and from my personal experience selling both a 1997 4runner and 1999 Tacoma I sold both for more then the Blue book valve.

 

[RickC]

I like the gray one, but it's high miles for the year. I have an 03 White sport, so obviously, I am going to like the white one too. It's funny though, because mine came with leather and I switched it out to the stock sport interior. I don't like leather if it isn't heated. And I gave the leather interior that was in mine away.

Good luck with the decision. The image doesn't come up for the silver one, but I have had two silver Toyota's recently, an 05 Sequoia and an 06 DC Tundra. I didn't like the silver when I bought them, but I did after owning them. It is a very easy color to take care of and doesn't show scratches or dirt.

 

[zachb_NW]

I don't like leather if it isn't heated.

I agree with this, really the only reason I want the leather is for ease of cleaning up after the dog.

 

[RickC]

I agree with this, really the only reason I want the leather is for ease of cleaning up after the dog.

I hear you. Ease of cleaning is the reason I put off changing mine out for probably a year. Then my seat frame broke and I had to replace that, so I figured it would be a good time to do the covers at that point. I am happy with my decision though.

Again, good luck with the decision. I am usually one to pick one that I can talk to the owner and feel good about how it was maintained. Sounds like the silver one has been babied.

I see the link to the silver is working now. Good looking 4runner. That is the one I would choose from this list without a doubt. Something else to think about though, the V6 is going to get about 2mpg better mileage and it's switchable to 2wd. The V8 4runners are full time 4wd.

 

[jbmccul]

Okay guys help me decide. I have my eye one 3 vehicles right now.


$24,000 - 2005 Silver Limited, 60k miles, V8, all options, NAV, Etc.
Very Clean vehicle well taken care of but the looks just doesnt do it for me, but can fix that with a few mods.

$19,000 - 2005 White Sport, 71K, V6 4WD
I haven't driven or seen the vehicle but will tonight, it for sale buy the owner. Like the white but prob will add spend another $2000 to get NAV and Leather. Like that the price is $5000 less then other 2

$24,000 - 2007 Grey Sport, 61k miles, black leather, V8, 4WD.
I haven't driven or seen the vehicle but will tonight, its on a local used car lot that I do have concerns about their reputation. I love the look of this vehicle, and like the updates of the 2006+ model.

PS: private party in general is less the at a dealer, but it sure seems like right now is the Seattle area 4runners are at a premium, and from my personal experience selling both a 1997 4runner and 1999 Tacoma I sold both for more then the Blue book valve.

Get the gray one, its the best color! It seems to be at a fair price, sticker on my V6 4x2 with the same year and mileage was 23K. Best of luck with your purchace