Requesting unbiased opinion

[spartacus]

5speed 4runners sell really fast in Colorado mostly by dealers for resale. The truck op posted looks good but make the dealer prove what he posted also if your brother can live without 5speed there are others that can be had for less in good shape.

I would probably go for this one, negotiate the price down to $5800 then do the 5speed swap with the money I saved or not and install a super charger.

1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4wd - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

 

[raKnizek]

You also have to be cautious about all of the flood trucks from the multiple hurricanes to hit US in last 2 years that are crossing state lines and ending up at auctions.

Another great point that holds true fr any used vehicle at this point. The Carfax (clean) shows bought and titled in CO for its entire life so flood dmanage is not impossible but less likely

 

[bjknizek]

Hey all, brother here (just made an account). Really appreciate all the input you guys have. I will definitely not be paying the 9k, currently hoping no one will and the guy will come down a bit as it sits. I would guess he over paid at the auction... Its a beautiful truck but there will be others if it doesn't work out.

really want to hold out for a 5-speed...

 

[jremus]

What do you mean by the numbers not being lined up? Physically? Looks like it’s about to change from a 9 to a 0 in the pic meaning that 6 is about to be a 7.

Agreed, this looks like it's mid-roll from 69-70



That being said. I wouldn't pay $9k for no-record 4Runner.
I've seen too many buy-and-flips from shops in SoCal.

Basically you find a popular car, like a 3rd gen, for sale for 3 or 4k. You clean it up, do a basic tune up and thorough detail, oil change, etc. Mark it up and flip it fast hoping to make 1-2k. The 5-7k is the target range to appeal to buyers because people will expect it to be strong and reliable whereas selling something for 2k they KNOW it will have problems.
I would go in and low ball at 4-5k or something ridiculous and hope to negotiate way down from 9k - if I absolutely had to have this exact one.

But if he's already ready to spend 9k, keep looking for something just as clean with the features you want... but with all the records with it. That's top dollar price. and you can higher expectations for every single detail to be checked off your list. Things like a cargo cover - which aren't in photos - are 100 used on the forums. So there's a cost right there if you want a cover later on.

I feel like for 9k you can find one with similar mileage, do the work the yourself, know that various things actually have been done recently, and still save money

 

[raKnizek]

Hey all, brother here (just made an account). Really appreciate all the input you guys have. I will definitely not be paying the 9k, currently hoping no one will and the guy will come down a bit as it sits. I would guess he over paid at the auction... Its a beautiful truck but there will be others if it doesn't work out.

really want to hold out for a 5-speed...

It’s in your hands now. Talk to you in roughly a week. At that point you will have gotten lost in the depths of this great place and will have emerged an expert in old Toyota’s. From that point forward, every 4runner that passes you by will be enticing to you...and will make you ask “has the owner thought about their LBJs recently?” Good luck!

 

[raKnizek]

5speed 4runners sell really fast in Colorado mostly by dealers for resale. The truck op posted looks good but make the dealer prove what he posted also if your brother can live without 5speed there are others that can be had for less in good shape.

I would probably go for this one, negotiate the price down to $5800 then do the 5speed swap with the money I saved or not and install a super charger.

1997 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4wd - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

Came across this one as well. Agreed that it seems like a good alternative if the owner can provide good documentation. Looks like it needs a driver seat cushion and the back side of the rear seat as well.

 

[sawguy]

Agreed, this looks like it's mid-roll from 69-70



That being said. I wouldn't pay $9k for no-record 4Runner.
I've seen too many buy-and-flips from shops in SoCal.

Basically you find a popular car, like a 3rd gen, for sale for 3 or 4k. You clean it up, do a basic tune up and thorough detail, oil change, etc. Mark it up and flip it fast hoping to make 1-2k. The 5-7k is the target range to appeal to buyers because people will expect it to be strong and reliable whereas selling something for 2k they KNOW it will have problems.
I would go in and low ball at 4-5k or something ridiculous and hope to negotiate way down from 9k - if I absolutely had to have this exact one.

But if he's already ready to spend 9k, keep looking for something just as clean with the features you want... but with all the records with it. That's top dollar price. and you can higher expectations for every single detail to be checked off your list. Things like a cargo cover - which aren't in photos - are 100 used on the forums. So there's a cost right there if you want a cover later on.

I feel like for 9k you can find one with similar mileage, do the work the yourself, know that various things actually have been done recently, and still save money

After looking again I believe you're right about the numbers, but explain why it was purchased from an auction. Vehicles are usually taken to the auction because they won't sell for one reason or another or because it was from a lemon law state. Dealers typically don't take vehicles to the auction until they are 90 days old. Stale merchandise goes to the auction.

 

[dogtail]

That's a high price, but if he's willing to travel he can save a ton of money, even worth the air travel and hotel. I see you're in CT, I'm in MA. Prices around here are a lot cheaper, just have to hunt for rust free, they are around, just have to hunt a lot.
Look at this for example, 2000/SR5 auto, and I see a locker switch on dash, I'll bet they don't even know what the switch does. Says no rust, it is possible, I find them.....146K miles for $2,900 near Boston, I'll bet this is scored quick if its good, just posted 4 hours ago. In fact, if I didn't have 3 in my driveway now, I'd probably be looking at this myself.
2000 Toyota 4Runner - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

 

[Mark_BC]

Came across this one as well. Agreed that it seems like a good alternative if the owner can provide good documentation. Looks like it needs a driver seat cushion and the back side of the rear seat as well.

That one has had the rear bumper replaced, you can tell because the little side bumpers are sloped down at the top. The aftermarket cheap knockoffs don't fit well. So do some further investigation. Could be more rust underneath or damage to the body from an impact.

 

[Mark_BC]

Look at this for example, 2000/SR5 auto, and I see a locker switch on dash, I'll bet they don't even know what the switch does. Says no rust, it is possible, I find them.....146K miles for $2,900 near Boston, I'll bet this is scored quick if its good, just posted 4 hours ago. In fact, if I didn't have 3 in my driveway now, I'd probably be looking at this myself.
2000 Toyota 4Runner - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle automotive sale

Wtf people dont even know what their trucks are worth. There's more than $3000 in parts on that thing

 

[jremus]

After looking again I believe you're right about the numbers, but explain why it was purchased from an auction. Vehicles are usually taken to the auction because they won't sell for one reason or another or because it was from a lemon law state. Dealers typically don't take vehicles to the auction until they are 90 days old. Stale merchandise goes to the auction.

Oh I'm not disagreeing that it's a bad idea to buy it. Everything else I said earlier said as much. For $9k I'd expect full records and a clean history. Auction cars leave too much to be questioned. It _could_ be perfect... but it also could have it's fluids all swapped to new stuff and full of additives to mask problems juuuust long enough for your test drive and for them to take your money

 

[Sawdog]

I agree that the price is high, but 4runners in Colorado and California seem to fetch a premium. But if they've lived their life there, they are likely going to be rust free so that's always a plus.

I just paid $2900 for a '99 5 speed, 143k, e locker, leather interior in great shape, with all service records since new in Virginia last month. It needed a new rear bumper, e brake repair, and a new antenna. Underside obviously wasn't Colorado clean, has some mid Atlantic rust but it was pretty minimal compared to vehicles I've owned and worked on in the past. A day with a wire wheel and some paint and she'll be good to go. I figured if the engine fell out and the wheels fell off on the way home I could part it out for what I paid no problem.

5 speed just posted in the classifieds here in the Chicago area looks nice if you haven't checked it out yet.

 

[onemanarmy]

^ thats a steal if the frame truly is still one piece.

That dealer has been watching too many recent 3rd gen Bring a Trailer auctions.

 

[Snowden]

My post may not be favored in this crowd but we are a 'community' so I'll put in my $0.02 .

Are you guys done yet shredding the valuation of our coveted 3rd gen 4Runners...? As some day future potential sellers of our vehicles, we thank you.:flipoff:

These vehicles are worth; exactly what a buyer, for whatever their reasoning, is willing to pay for it. Period. Are some purchases emotional, yes. Is there anything wrong with that, no. I'm sure we are all guilty of that at some point in one way or another, that's human nature.

If someone wants to spend small money then so be it, there are plenty of high mileage, run down, rusted, non-modded, non-cared for, non-appreciated 3rd gens out there. Are some; factory originals in clean shape, slightly to well modded, well-cared for and loved... Yes, and they are worth far more than a simple mathematical calculation bent on driving a price down to as cheap as possible. :thumb:

Haters begin. But I am not wrong.

:grouphug:

 

[muellernautique]

Side note: a manual is often on T4R completely overrated and a 200k mile gear box with old syncros and grinding gears or expensive clutch issues it's far from guaranteed happy times. Don't assume that owning an old old manual will be closely like the experience of a new car manual. At least with our automatic transmission they usually either work great or start slipping and failing but not too much in-between.

couldn't agree more with this. if you haven't driven one before, it may not be what you're expecting. it's not going to be as fun around town as a two door sports car. i held up my search for my truck trying to find a manual i liked until i drove two of them and decided i really didn't want to mess with all of that. my auto shifts fine 30K later.

also, swapping out the clutch on a 4wd vehicle is a big ass job. you can't just lower the trans and put it back in by yourself like it's a small car.

$0.02: wouldn't pay more than 6-6.5 for that truck. over 200k, no real value adding modifications, and it's an older model year, it's just not worth it.

 

[calimobber]

I would just like to add. It doesn't matter if the frame is good from a rusty area, I would stay away if possible. Even surface rust will make doing any maintenance a nightmare.

Back 2011 I paid 10k for a 2002 4wd with 145k miles on it. It was auto and in clean shape. From California so no rust.

 

[RandyBobandy]

I used to work as a buyer for used car dealers so I have a general idea of what they pay for these vehicles at least in the northeast. Around here an example like that would probably bring $5500 at a dealer auction and that’s with typical northeast surface rust on the undercarriage. With super clean 4runners black book, nada, and blue book don’t mean anything

 

[Sawdog]

I would just like to add. It doesn't matter if the frame is good from a rusty area, I would stay away if possible. Even surface rust will make doing any maintenance a nightmare.

Back 2011 I paid 10k for a 2002 4wd with 145k miles on it. It was auto and in clean shape. From California so no rust.

You mean a grinder and a torch aren't the first things you reach for when it comes to maintenance?

 

[raKnizek]

couldn't agree more with this. if you haven't driven one before, it may not be what you're expecting. it's not going to be as fun around town as a two door sports car. i held up my search for my truck trying to find a manual i liked until i drove two of them and decided i really didn't want to mess with all of that. my auto shifts fine 30K later.

also, swapping out the clutch on a 4wd vehicle is a big ass job. you can't just lower the trans and put it back in by yourself like it's a small car.

$0.02: wouldn't pay more than 6-6.5 for that truck. over 200k, no real value adding modifications, and it's an older model year, it's just not worth it.

Agreed on the price.

Of course it wont be anything like a sports car but neither is any other part of these vehicles. They have their own joy and experience and part of that for me personally is shifting my own gears. It is not my daily so that helps my case. But it also makes for a different and often more challenging off-roading experience. I certainly see the argument for both transmissions.

The clutch job isnt great but not too different than any other RWD car.

 

[sawguy]

Looking through my owners manual yesterday as the wife was driving and found the bill of sale for my '97 SR5. I paid $9000 in 2005 with 108,000 miles.
Doc fee was $20