Opinions on a 2000 4Runner I found

[Crushinator]

About 6 months ago I got the itch for a Gen 3 4Runner and think I may have found the right one. Before I buy it though, I thought I'd ask you guys your opinion of it.

It's a black SR5, sport package, towing package, automatic (unfortunately), one owner from new, 67,000 miles. It's for sale at a local Toyota dealership. No rust anywhere on the body, no paintwork, 4 new tires but the paint on the wheels is bubbling up.

What are main areas to look for when buying one this old? It comes with a long list of maintenance and service records. When I found it, they were asking $15,000 which is an absolute joke, but I told them I'd give them $10,500 which is the retail book value with the options and they accepted the offer if I decided to buy it. I think it's been sitting on the lot for a few months so they want to get rid of it. Good price?

I did a search on autotrader and found only a handful of '99 to '02 4Runners with less than 75,000 miles in the country for sale. So they're getting harder and harder to find with such low miles.

I'd really like to hear some input from you guys as far as what to look for, the price, etc. I'll try to swing by the dealership today and take a few pics for you all to look at.

 

[Crushinator]

Here are a few pics from their website...

 

[Lastplace]

I have a 00 SR5 and love it! It does suck gas.

Get under and check the frame for rust or rot.

 

[Crushinator]

I'm gonna see if they'll allow me to take the car overnight so I can bring it home and do a thorough inspection of the engine and underside to look for problems. Right now I have an '11 Corolla CPO with a 100,000 mile warranty. My car has 39,000 miles. I'm a little hesitant on trading a 2 year old car with a warranty, for an SUV that'll suck gas that's 13 years old. But I have always loved the gen 3 Runners. What to do, what to do.

They're offering me $14,000 for my Corolla, so they'll give me the Runner and $3500 for my Corolla. I'll be basically cutting my fuel mileage in half but getting a much much cooler vehicle. Damn I just don't know.

 

[Hacker]

Great looking truck with low mileage; if you take care of it, it can last a hell of a long time.

Check the carfax for maintenance and repair history, and have the Toyota dealer give you a pre-buy inspection report on it. At 67K, it is coming up on its first timing belt/water pump replacement and possibly some other stuff depending on how well it has been maintained and how hard it has been used.

What "retail book" did you use to establish the $10,5 value on it? I recommend you do an Edmunds True Market Value report before you go back and finalize your offer/deal, as in my experience the TMV reports are quite accurate because they reflect actual recent sales of actual similarly-equipped vehicles in your geographic area.

 

[afg10000]

Looks very clean. That's wayyyy too much in price. Highest number for clean retail on NADA is $8750. I'd offer $7500 or lower to start. I would not go over $8500 if it was in really good shape. What do all the service records say? I always just assume that when buying a used vehicle that you're automatically gonna need plugs/wires ($60), fuel filter, air filter, maybe fluid flushes. Your gonna need to do the TB/water pump in the next 30k (assuming it hasn't been done with that low of mileage).
When I look at 4Runners I start on the inside of the frame next to the muffler. Common to get rust rot and holes there. Then check the rest of the frame and undercarriage. I jot down the VIN and check all the pieces and parts (fenders, door panels, hood, tailgate,etc.) All the pieces have VIN stickers and all should match. Check the condition of the spare. Check if the stock bottle jack and parts are all under the rear passenger seat. Of course check the transfer case and 4WD gears are shifting correctly. Also the Diff-locker/center diff locker engage/disengage. Your vehicle may have both. Check all lights, heater and AC working conditions. Give a quick look at the front and rear suspension components for any leaks or abuse.
If everything looked clean, I'd buy that sucker in a heart beat and keep the Corolla. Especially if it had the rear diff lock and center diff lock. Just my opinion -

 

[BlackCat914]

It's worth what someone is willing to pay for it. That being said, I'd wouldn't think twice about buying it for 10.5k, that seems fair. You're not getting the deal of the century, but you're not getting hosed, either.

 

[Rocky5000100]

I'd buy it.

 

[BlazeRunner]

If it were me, I would take the runner and use that cash to buy an early 2000's corolla for cheap so you could have the best of both worlds... just a thought

 

[8sm]

Since any money I spend from this point forward is our son inheritance, I would offer $9000 cash and go from there.

Having said that, with low mileage, appears to be clean, no rust or mechanical issues, good 4runners are very hard to find it that condition. I'd pay 10.5k on a trade deal.

Do get a complete inspection by a qualified mechanic. Be there to observe and ask questions. Get written quotes on timing belt, water pump and misc and use these quotes for further consideration.

Btw, blazerunner idea will negate buyers remorse when the reality of terrible gas mileage sets in. On the flip side, 3rd gen 4runner are just plain fun to own.

GLW the purchase, it appears you found a keeper worth consideration.

Regards ........ 8sm

 

[Crushinator]

Thanks for all the advice and opinions guys. I do appreciate them all.
I think I'll go test drive it and see how much more I can get them down. I don't think $10,500 is a bad price, and may be willing to pay it if it all checks out. But at this point, any more I can get them to knock off will make it better.

BTW, to come up with a value I just went to KBB and added the appropriate options and with mileage, came to $10,6XX. I know it's not the "end all" for a vehicles value, but a good reference point.

I guess my thinking is if I want a low mileage, one owner Gen 3 Runner, I probably won't get too many more opportunities like the one presented to me right now.

 

[Ol'Blue]

I think you did fine on this deal. Considering that it has low milage and is in good shape. This truck will last you many years to come if you take care of it. Did it have the locker in it? If so even better and I would say you did great. I know that KBB and NADA say one price but in the end this is now a nich truck. People want them because the newer ones don't come close I feel. There is something about the 3rd Gen's.

Blue

 

[Trailblazer]

When I was looking a couple of months ago, that one kept popping up within my drive range. Back then they wanted $15K for it :jaw drop:
I never even bothered to call. It was so far out of line, the Cargurus.com site had a big question mark and, "uncertain" next to the above/below market value.

Glad to see they're coming down to Earth on that one.

 

[BrianSD_42]

They probably bought it at auction for a LOT less than $10k.

* Buyers guide
* Check for rolled back odometer
* Put it on a lift and look at the rust underneath
* Compression test for safe measure since its a 10+ year old car (worth the $75)

 

[BlackCat914]

They probably bought it at auction for a LOT less than $10k.

* Buyers guide
* Check for rolled back odometer
* Put it on a lift and look at the rust underneath
* Compression test for safe measure since its a 10+ year old car (worth the $75)

A car like that isn't an auction car, it's a trade in car. Dealers try and steer clear from vehicles that old, since they're expensive. And, depending on the dealer, might have a difficult time finding financing for an old vehicle like that.

 

[jmildoc]

SEEMS LIKE A FAIR DEAL. getting a sweet low mileage one owner 3rd gen and some pocket lining along with eliminating a car payment, where is the problem?

 

[01Green]

I bought the same thing (00 Sport, Black)a year ago with 71,000 for $9000 and didn't blink. The dealer started at $10,500 and I probably would have paid that. If you want a 3rd gen, I would be all over this one as stated earlier in this thread, they are getting harder to find and with that mileage near impossible.

 

[sawguy]

Why does the car lot look like someone's front yard? If you decide to do it, why not sell your corolla privately and buy the 4runner straight out. You always have a better outcome if you don't trade. Just my 2.

 

[Crushinator]

I want to thank everyone that participated in my thread with advice and opinions. Who better to ask about a vehicle then the people that own one and have experience with them. The dealership salesman texted me today to tell me someone from Pittsburgh was driving in to check out the 4Runner and possibly buy it. He asked if I still wanted it and said he would hold the guy off until I got there. I told him to go ahead and sell it to him if he really wanted it. He thanked me and told me he'd let me know if the guy decided to pass. I didn't hear back from him so I assume he sold it. I work until 515 everyday so there's no way I can get down there during the week so it's my loss. Again, thanks again everyone!:yo:

 

[sawguy]

Old car dealer trick. You gave him the right answer.