Pricing a pristine 3rd gen

[mesooohoppy]

I'm not talking about buying the car to fix and sell. Nor do I say buy the 2wd just to keep it 2wd.

You can probably source a 2wd 4runner and swap it for half the cost of a 4wd one. You'd need the space, tools and knowledge to do so but you'd save a lot of money by doing it. I looked at a few 4wd ones down here and most of the people selling them are trying to scam people. Odometer roll backs, misleading information and so forth.

i see. i misread your initial post. sure you will (potentially) save money, but you will pay for it in time. again youd likely need a clean donor to help you source parts. its a nightmare swapping things over when you have to piece stuff together part by part. if you ever plan to sell down the line its also something to consider. there's a reason why you dont see everyone going this route. even if i had all of the time/money to do it, id still pony up for a 4wd one.

i also find it hard to believe that specifically, only 4wd models in socal are 'scams' and for some reason 2wds are not. the only thing i could think of is the scammer knows its a popular car (which means they would likely be using other popular model cars as well). although at this day and age there are so many things put in place to help you verify what you are buying is good to go (carfax, etc.). its really not hard to do a little research beforehand and move forward as needed. its very easy to detect redflags.

i sold a 280z to a man in tunisia when i was a teenager. i thought it was a scam until the funds cleared. the guy sent me pics 5 years later and it was completely restored.

What region are you in?

It says where he is at under his name.

 

[WeakSauz]

I am in Eastern NC and one just sold for 10k near me in a matter of no time. It just disappeared.

2000 4x4 SR5
Manual
No eLocker
Silver and moon mist leather
95K verified miles

it was MINT. I thought 10k was a steal.

 

[chazehen]

In south GA that one would probably bring $6,500 and take a while to get that. It does seem like a nice one

 

[jross20]

In south GA that one would probably bring $6,500 and take a while to get that. It does seem like a nice one

Man you guys must be lucky, up here in Duluth or further north they sell at the speed of light. I've even driven to other states and they sold before I got there to look at it. And I mean the minute it posted I got on the road, hour or so later... Sold.

For anyone who saw my post on the other 4runner forum, the girlfriend and I witness a man pull up with a trailer, ask which one was the one they spoke about, paid cash from what I could tell, winched it onto a trailer and drove away without even test driving it. He was from Florida. The whole purchase was over in 5 minutes.

Even 2wd's in near perfect condition go for $7k sometimes. I spent an entire year searching so many postings. Test drove one with 315k miles, no ac, dirty as hell, they wanted 6.5k which I declined. But someone bought it the next week.

Honestly I think what people consider clean varies wildly. I've seen many vehicles that people consider clean, but to me they were disgusting.

So if she's ultra clean by my standards, $7-9k is good. But, if they have the multi transfer case and the locker... They jump to 10-11k easy.

ANYWAY, if she's ultra clean to you and drives fine just buy it.

 

[Brian.]

Another data point, I bought my 99 Limited 4x4 one owner 192k mile "clean" (not MY standard, but better than everything else I saw) out of Nashville, TN a couple months ago for $6k. No locker, but multi-mode...

I felt that was a bit high for what I got. Have put ~$2k in parts and about 15 days of labor to cover the deferred maintenance and still feel it was about $1k high. Maybe it's just my perception/expectation as everyone seems to think that higher pricing is good.

I highly doubt I could get just my $$$ out of the 4runner selling it here in GA. I only got $6k out of a MUCH cleaner T100, and then only after nearly a year trying to sell it.

 

[mesooohoppy]

For anyone who saw my post on the other 4runner forum, the girlfriend and I witness a man pull up with a trailer, ask which one was the one they spoke about, paid cash from what I could tell, winched it onto a trailer and drove away without even test driving it. He was from Florida. The whole purchase was over in 5 minutes.

Honestly I think what people consider clean varies wildly. I've seen many vehicles that people consider clean, but to me they were disgusting.

when i had my lexus IS, i saw this ALOT in the IS world. basically east coast people had a very hard time finding a manual IS300, so they would start to search more west and they would actually buy they car without seeing it first (of course they would get videos and facetime with the seller). some would then trailer back to them or fly out and drive it back. it was wild hearing some of the stories. some were even able to pay the same amount after paying towing companies to tow it back to them because the manual ISs were cheaper out on the west.

when my buddy bought his 98 (130k miles, locker, resprayed, etc), we got lucky when we snatched it up because the guy said he had 5+ other people waiting to buy it we were just the first ones to get to it. he said he had a guy about 10 hours north from him and was trying to pay him more than his asking price to hold it for him. i dont know if the seller was trying to use that as leverage, but i believe it if someone wants it bad enough.

and yes, people's priorities are different and will dictate what they buy. some people consider a car 'clean' if it runs okay and others want a 'clean' car with carpets so clean you could eat off of them.

 

[jgue467]

The truck is 4hrs from me. I've seen numerous pictures of the frame.

If you haven't already I'd get to driving. I've 'lost' several buys in route, that hurts.

I'm sure you'll attempt some kind of negotiation on price yet $8k ain't bad these days as these are getting more and more rare.

Luck and let us know how it works out. :cowboy:

 

[mesooohoppy]

Another data point, I bought my 99 Limited 4x4 one owner 192k mile "clean" (not MY standard, but better than everything else I saw) out of Nashville, TN a couple months ago for $6k. No locker, but multi-mode...

I felt that was a bit high for what I got. Have put ~$2k in parts and about 15 days of labor to cover the deferred maintenance and still feel it was about $1k high. Maybe it's just my perception/expectation as everyone seems to think that higher pricing is good.

I highly doubt I could get just my $$$ out of the 4runner selling it here in GA. I only got $6k out of a MUCH cleaner T100, and then only after nearly a year trying to sell it.

i thought every 99 limited came with an e locker? if it was high you should have walked or tried to beat the seller down. worst he/she can do is walk.

i wouldnt say 'everyone seems to think higher pricing is good'. obviously paying more than you what you need to for something is bad. most people generally associate a car with a higher asking price as a better condition car. generally.

of course, this isnt always the case, but (hopefully) you see the point i am trying to make. if you have 9 cars that are priced at 10k, and a 10th car that is priced at 5-6k you are going to assume something is wrong with the 10th car because of how cheap it is. of course it requires further investigatory work.

counter point in the opposite direction:

i found a 4runner local to me that seemed like it was a really good deal. it was asking 5500 i believe, 4wd, e locker, 98 or 99, clean title, respray, lift, wheels, etc. the only thing was it had like 250-260k miles with no mention of a maint history.

i started to prod a little more why the price was so cheap and asked for maint records. the guy claimed that he was a toyota master tech mechanic but he was selling his 3rd gen due to back issues so he wasnt able to enjoy the car anymore, he also was selling so he could buy a house and fix it. of course he claimed everything has been maintained meticulously and then he got super defensive when i asked for receipts/proof: 'well im a master mechanic, so theres no point for me to take pictures or keep receipts of the work i do for free on my car'.

i prodded a little more and it was very clear something to his story didnt add up. he has enough back pain to not be able to 'enjoy' a 4runner, but hes going to continue to work on a house and cars professionally? i walked and i told him to make up a better story for the next potential seller because i didnt buy it. LOL

 

[jross20]

when i had my lexus IS, i saw this ALOT in the IS world. basically east coast people had a very hard time finding a manual IS300, so they would start to search more west and they would actually buy they car without seeing it first (of course they would get videos and facetime with the seller). some would then trailer back to them or fly out and drive it back. it was wild hearing some of the stories. some were even able to pay the same amount after paying towing companies to tow it back to them because the manual ISs were cheaper out on the west.

when my buddy bought his 98 (130k miles, locker, resprayed, etc), we got lucky when we snatched it up because the guy said he had 5+ other people waiting to buy it we were just the first ones to get to it. he said he had a guy about 10 hours north from him and was trying to pay him more than his asking price to hold it for him. i dont know if the seller was trying to use that as leverage, but i believe it if someone wants it bad enough.

and yes, people's priorities are different and will dictate what they buy. some people consider a car 'clean' if it runs okay and others want a 'clean' car with carpets so clean you could eat off of them.

Yeah see I only buy them so clean I could eat off of them. I like that description!

To me, if somebody keeps the car pristine like clean that means they most likely take care of everything else too. Like, yh general idea that they care about it and don't screw around

 

[trackntrail]

I just sold my '97 in fantastic condition with 216k for $9k. Check my sig for the mods. These trucks really hold their value well when cared for a modified tastefully.

 

[Brian.]

if it was high you should have walked or tried to beat the seller down. worst he/she can do is walk.

Price was high for what I got, not what was Advertised/presented. The sheer volume of deferred maintenance (that was claimed done), wonky "mechanic" work and "obscured" issues is where my complaint on the price comes into play. Stuff that's nearly impossible to identify while doing an inspection in the rain, 5 hours from home. The PPI I bought ahead of time missed everything I'm grumpy about, actually found Nothing of note (which lived up to the way the vehicle was presented).

*shrugs* It's mine now. I still say for $8k it better be damn near perfect condition.

 

[lockedlex]

I just sold my '97 in fantastic condition with 216k for $9k. Check my sig for the mods. These trucks really hold their value well when cared for a modified tastefully.

I recently posted about getting an insurance declared value quote for my 2000. Mine has 200k miles. MINT condition, no rust (socal car), diff lock, S/C, no accidents/repaints, clean carfax, and all the mods listed in my sig and tons of maintenance.

Long story short, I had 4 random people reach out to me (2 referred by board members I guess) offering me 13-15k for mine. (turned them down though, not selling). These cars hold their values IMMENSELY well when cared for.

The clean/rust free ones are getting rarer and rarer. If it's rust free and only 150k miles, pay 8k and be happy. You won't find many for that price, trust me. Around SoCal, that would be a 9k-11k truck any day and people WILL fly in to buy it.

 

[LazeR]

In the End of May, I bought my 02 4Runner, 178k miles, 0 rust, super clean. I have all the maintenance records from 30k until now, never missed an oil change, most major services were done. All coil packs replaced, valve cover gaskets and so forth. It was time for a timing belt, which I had done along with the water pump. The shop said it looked perfect coming off. Lifted 3", spacers up front, springs in back, diff drop. Custom wheels, 285s with 12/32nd tread and I paid $9750. These things are worth a mint where I am from. Did I maybe pay a bit to much? Possibly, but with how clean, and knowing how it's been treated for most of it's life was worth it to me!

 

[4Runner4Leon]

Here's a data point, for similar truck and miles. No idea if it's pristine.

1999 Toyota 4runner 4x4 w/locker - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

 

[ASUMTNEER]

I sure hope the OP doesn't pass on this. Someone will buy this for $8k if it's as described. I would.

 

[MarkBlack]

I found a 1997 SR5 with 4X4 (no locker), zero rust (California car) with 132K miles for $5,500. I jumped on it so fast because I was so excited. I found out later it had nearly 300k miles.

I searched and search for a 3rd gen for months. So I have a good understanding of what these cars were selling for, at least in California.

That car is exactly what I wanted. I would say at $7000 its a great value. However $8000 seems like the going rate, for me its a little high (because I'm cheap and want deal), but at the end of the day it has everything we all want. And you have service records and authentic mileage. If I could go back in time I would have spent a little more to get something like this.

That's just my 2 cents.

 

[Dieselchessy]

That thing would sell for $8k here in the NW easily if as described.