Need pointers: Seeing a T4R this Friday and possible purchase..

[DK327]

Post license plate # and state and I will pull a carfax for free if you like.

Thanks for the offer, I assume you have the unlimited carfax checks when license plate is available? Unfortunately that info wasn't made available to me. All the pics of car has the dealer's ad in the plate holder.

I did pay for 5 VIN checks though, if this vehicle doesn't come thru, I can check 4 more for $10 more so what the heck right... Anyway, after getting the carfax report, I looked it over and I don't really see anything standing out. No accidents, no major repairs. Nothing more than what Toyota Owners reports showed anyway...

The vehicle does report 5 owners, 1st one from 00-04 where the vehicle was in Minnesota, then was sold to a dealer which kept it from 04-05 then sold it to another dealer in Iowa and it exchanged hands 2 more times after that dealer sold it to his Cousin which traded it in and the last owners, the husband and wife who hardly put any miles on it...

The car was serviced by Toyota regularly and the timing belt and water pump were replaced right when the dealer said they were. I AM concerned about the oil leak reported in 2010 but since then it shows every year the title and registration was renewed until now...

That's all the info I have currently.

 

[DK327]

my android has carfax on it, I can add any vin or plate and I see the maintenence on the vehicle from any place that reports it... not always dealers but smaller shops... oh and it's free

Nice, the more sources the better! I have an IOS so I'm not sure if that Carfax app would show the same info as the android one...

 

[nc-grayson]

I wouldn't worry too much about the mis-mileage on the Toyota owners page. At the end of the day it's some monkey typing numbers into the computer. I too have only driven ~ 3000 miles in the 2 years I've owned mine.

I'd cross reference the Carfax and the Toyota records. Try to get a feel for when it changed ownership and who had it when and when did they service it if at all. If there are major inconsistencies between the Carfax timeline and the Toyota timeline then keep digging

 

[littlehandegan]

my android has carfax on it, I can add any vin or plate and I see the maintenence on the vehicle from any place that reports it... not always dealers but smaller shops... oh and it's free

What app is this???? Thats awesome

 

[Bstrom]

Your Cost-of-Ownership analysis is wise. Assume the costs you will incur during ownership and determine your top offer accordingly. Acknowledge you could spend a few thousand dollars over a five year period. Unless there is high demand for this vehicle where you live, it will sell at your price.

My approach is to send a solid Buy signal to the owner with no price in mind. Ask for his best price, just once, which will indicate if he wishes negotiate, or indicate a lack thereof. If he is inflexible or ignorant of the vehicle's value, thank him and walk away as you are already not comfortable with the potential costs involved. If he demonstrates a willingness to negotiate, offer your price with immediate payment available via cash or pre approved loan. Start at $4500 and explain your concerns for COO expenses and any labor/parts needed to make The vehicle roadworthy. Let him respond, again just once, and unless he gets close to your number and it falls within your expense calculations, indicate no further interest. He will now accept your terms or wait until another buyer comes along. Do not raise your offer! It may take a few days or longer but he will sell it to you unless demand is high and buyers are looking for this model. Exhibit the utmost respect for his position and be sure he understands yours. Ultimately, let HIM make the decision, not you.

This process worked beautifully for me at a dealer over a two week period. I got my vehicle for $250 below book value, a free tank of gas and detailing, and they paid for DMV registration too - all after several refusals to bargain on price.

Just be sure you want to enter into ownership and accept the risks.

 

[nc-grayson]

Good advice there Brian, but I gathered this was a private party transaction which is a completely different game. Maybe I inferred wrong?

 

[Bstrom]

Good advice there Brian, but I gathered this was a private party transaction which is a completely different game. Maybe I inferred wrong?

Works at the dealer or in private party deals, I think. Keeping the process simple and short is key to avoid any emotional responses and other issues from becoming part of the process. If they don't know what the vehicle is worth you're up against a wall. If they do its just a matter of whether to sell to a willing buyer. The market dictates the final price, KBB is just a guide, something a lot of people don't consider in their buying. The overall cost of ownership is part of the buying consideration.

When you get into 13-16 year old 3rd gens, that is a major influence on its real value. Look at the repair prices folks here are shelling out for major repairs. I factor in a few thousand to keep a well running 4Runner on the road over my length of ownership. With so few of the available vehicles at less than even 150k miles, book value is a moot point to me as condition, refresh costs and mileage dictate actual worth.

In the end, it's only worth what someone will pay for it. You determine that....

 

[DK327]

Good advice there Brian, but I gathered this was a private party transaction which is a completely different game. Maybe I inferred wrong?

It's definitely a good way to go about this. The transaction would be with a dealer (owner of dealership actually) who originally sold the car to his cousin who traded it in then it was sold to a family that eventually bought a brand new 4runner and sold it back to the dealership.

Anyway, I had something come up today and couldn't make it to see the vehicle and in the process, majorly pissed off my mechanic who lost some work because he was going to come with me to check it out... Not good!! Anyway, if I'm gonna go see this vehicle again, I need to find someone else for the time being... ray:

 

[DK327]

Update: I just got done purchasing the vehicle, she's now sitting in the driveway! $5250 OTD! Didn't think it would happen this soon but it was meant to be. Awesome sales guy, a pleasure to deal with and the vehicle is beautiful! Everything works (except for the power antenna and ABS light on dash) and there are no leaks, all fluids look good and drives awesome and powerful. Drove 160 miles to get her home and fuel gauge is not even half way yet, so hopefully it's getting close to 20mpg... Right now immediately ordering a new radiator and an external transmission cooler for starters. While waiting for those to arrive, will get it insured, registered then a fresh oil change. Will also extend the breather. Then slowly work on suspension... So excited, keep looking in the driveway and seeing it sitting there...

Edit: troubleshooted the ABS light with a paperclip, code 33, right rear sensor, will check it out next week...

 

[repo]

Nice 4runner. If you need to pull the rear abs sensor the trick is to twist back and forth and pull. The o-ring makes a vacuum effect. And you can carefully pry with a skrewdriver or something under the notches in the middle to get it started.

U pull it on 60th has a few third gens you could pull a replacement from for cheap, but that place is filthy, only go when its dry weather.