Newbie hunting for deal. (Canadian content inside)

[FuzzButton]

Hey all new to the forum. I am looking for the perfect 4runner(aren't we all). I have been pretty specific so far. Has to be a 99-00 limited with a reasonable amount of kms 120,000 or under and has to be in my province or the next over. Manitoba or Saskatchewan. Well I found one on autotrader.ca and it posts a limited 00 black loaded @ 118,000 kms. So far it is my dream machine. So it is 7 hours away at some dealership. Is that a reasonable price? Here in canada your lucky if you can find one for less the 15,000. just seems like we pay so much more up here? I the timming belt is said to have been replaced at 84,000 kms by the way.

 

[twitchee2]

what's the price?

 

[FuzzButton]

Oh yes, just talked to the dealer. The price is 15,900 just dropped apparently from 17,900, "due to it not being suv season." So it has all the bells and whistles, like diff lock, one touch awd, leather everything thats great about the limited, (except no supercharger ). Just received the pics and it is black on silver trim. hope to get some pics soon.

 

[alaskaman]

how is the dealer's reputation in the local area?

 

[Ron Helmuth]

that is a bit high is it not?

I am not fan of the automatic trannys but I know you Limited guys don't have a choice.

That price is well over blue book value isn't it? Oh sorry- I am not sure if Canada uses an equivalent of the US Kelly Blue Book? but that would seem to me to be fairly high mileage at a high price. I am not degrading the rig-and it does seem to have the Rear Diff lock I believe (button to left of the steering column).

Not to steer you to a 4th gen-but I would think you could get an early 4th gen for similar dollars.

Best of luck with your search and purchase.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Hmmm,I don't know if that's such a great deal considering there's alot of '99-'00s going for under $10k US.

What's the mileage converted into our US standard?

 

[FuzzButton]

100kms approx 60 miles
73321 in miles. They are located in another province 8 hours away so to go there say yes or no then come all the way back to complete my bank loan then go back and purchase is not a great idea. So I will be asking my uncle to scope out the dealership and give the vehicle a thouro inspection.(and drive) I am a little more confident in them as he replied immiadiatley after I aksed for the pics, vin, etc and I got most of what I wanted the day after.


Also..

Just to let every one here know that 14,000 $$$ is the usual retail up here for that year in sr5 trim. People paid an arm an a leg when they were worth 45,000 and now that new vehicles are so much cheaper due to our higher dollar there are awkwardly priced older vehicles. I was looking at the 2005 ranger fx42 (like that style better as there is no plastic cladding) and they go for like 18,000 when a brand new 2008 is near 23,000. I like yotas more anyway

Also.. Being 19 I am susceptible to salesmans pitches. I had a bad experiance at my local yamaha dealer because I "trusted" them. Anything I should watch out for?

 

[alaskaman]

seems to me that it would be cheaper, to come to the US unless heavy tariffs exist by country or province. Car Max or Auto Trader usually have a ton of 4 Runners of all ages and makes. In addition, here in the US, dealers will certify (factory) vehicles typically with less than 60K but sometimes more. In any case, let us know and I am sure that you will get a lot of help.

 

[FuzzButton]

I have seen a few good deals in america for sure. I am dead scared of all the salt you guys use on your roads. Mass generalization here but in canada only a few hot spots use it. Also alot of flooded "Katrina" cars in the market is always on my mind... Not sure about tariffs but from what I've heard inter-country buying is a HUGE hassel, tarrifs, papers, passports, mph speedo and not kmph And if i was going to the states in the first place I might just end up with a landcruiser of similar year. (Dont market them in canada )

 

[alaskaman]

so where is the vehicle you are looking at?
BC?

 

[FuzzButton]

Saskatoon, saskatchewan

 

[alaskaman]

if the Runner has been serviced well, they are typically bullet proof. many people get upwards to 300,000 (miles). I would ask for service records, have the undercarriage inspected and do some basic tests including a compression check. look for changes in surface paint small variations in color can indicate repainting. Post some pics if you get some. do you guys kick tires up there?

 

[FuzzButton]

Not not sure what to make of the "Kick the tires comment."

Im just not sure about stealerships is all. I don't know how to bargain with them. I was hoping to get it for fifteeen not fifteeen nine. Is that reasonable? How does a guy say HAY! thats to much money, But drive that far away, and be like well I don't want it anymore cause its to much jing... He would know it was me and that I went through all of that just to say no to 900 bucks difference on a vehicle that I searched for 3 months to find?

 

[Nismo]

Sounds way overpriced to me.

I paid $9000 for my '99 SR5 w/ 140k and the truck is spotless. Oil sprayed every year, not a spec of rust on it top to bottom.

Granted, the one in question is a limited model. I wouldn't pay more than 11-12 for it, because at the end of the day its still an 8 year old truck.