Selling the 3rd...buying a 4th gen

[soundmanlpte]

Hey guys,

I'm most likely going to sell my 3rd gen and upgrade to a 4th gen soon. Got a couple questions for you guys.

1. What are 3rd gens actually selling for? I see lots of listings for $4k-$6k. Mine is a 98 SR5 with 197k. V6 and RWD Auto. What should I list it for? KBB values it at under $2,500 which is bullsh.

2. What should I look for in a 4th gen? Any years that are better or worse than others? Is the V8 worth the knock in MPG? Hoping for a 4x4. But not many out there for sale with V6s. Looking like I can get an 07 with around 120k miles for about $14k.

 

[mrpurplepenguin]

Good luck with your upgrade soundmanlpte, you'll love the 4th gen.

1. Listing prices are going to depend entirely on your area, and these trucks hold their value fairly well so KBB is usually low for what the market will bear. Find similar vehicles (age/features/mileage) on craigslist/cars.com and price yours accordingly. I'd recommend you have a price in mind, then list yours for +20% of that and be willing to haggle; you'll end up near the price you want, and the buyer will be happy they talked you down 1/5 of your asking price.

2. 4th gens got a mid-generation refresh in 2006, most seem to prefer the newer style (projector headlights, LED taillights, minor bumper and wheel arch changes, minor updated interior) but they also cost a bit more (are newer and tend to be lower mileage).
Earlier (prior to 06) V6s had a rare problem with a head gasket leak at the #6 cylinder, expensive fix.
V8s are only 1-2 MPG worse than the V6, but have a timing belt instead of chain; this requires replacement every 90K, so check if it's been done on a higher mileage truck. They're also prone to cracked exhaust headers and exhaust leaks there. If you plan on towing heavy, I'd recommend the V8.
On 4WD models, the transfer case actuators can seize from non-use and is an expensive fix; make sure it shifts from 2hi (only available V6) to 4hi to 4lo, and that the center diff locks. Might take up to a minute before it shifts if actuators are sticky.

When I was looking all I could find in 4WD were the V6s, but I needed an 8 for towing (7k towing cap instead of 5k for V6). Took half a year to find the right combination of engine / drivetrain / model / color / options, and I had to drive 600 miles to get it! Just be patient, someone will be selling whatever you're looking for if you wait long enough.

PS here's a link explaining changes among the model years and various trim packages to help your research.

 

[soundmanlpte]

Good luck with your upgrade soundmanlpte, you'll love the 4th gen.

1. Listing prices are going to depend entirely on your area, and these trucks hold their value fairly well so KBB is usually low for what the market will bear. Find similar vehicles (age/features/mileage) on craigslist/cars.com and price yours accordingly. I'd recommend you have a price in mind, then list yours for +20% of that and be willing to haggle; you'll end up near the price you want, and the buyer will be happy they talked you down 1/5 of your asking price.

2. 4th gens got a mid-generation refresh in 2006, most seem to prefer the newer style (projector headlights, LED taillights, minor bumper and wheel arch changes, minor updated interior) but they also cost a bit more (are newer and tend to be lower mileage).
Earlier (prior to 06) V6s had a rare problem with a head gasket leak at the #6 cylinder, expensive fix.
V8s are only 1-2 MPG worse than the V6, but have a timing belt instead of chain; this requires replacement every 90K, so check if it's been done on a higher mileage truck. They're also prone to cracked exhaust headers and exhaust leaks there. If you plan on towing heavy, I'd recommend the V8.
On 4WD models, the transfer case actuators can seize from non-use and is an expensive fix; make sure it shifts from 2hi (only available V6) to 4hi to 4lo, and that the center diff locks. Might take up to a minute before it shifts if actuators are sticky.

When I was looking all I could find in 4WD were the V6s, but I needed an 8 for towing (7k towing cap instead of 5k for V6). Took half a year to find the right combination of engine / drivetrain / model / color / options, and I had to drive 600 miles to get it! Just be patient, someone will be selling whatever you're looking for if you wait long enough.

PS here's a link explaining changes among the model years and various trim packages to help your research.

Thanks for the tips! Very helpful. The V8 is certainly tempting if it's that efficient. This is a car I plan on keeping for a long time for truck uses. Camping, towing, carrying my drums etc. I'd like to get an old Celica as a daily driver in a couple of years. But in the mean time, this will be my daily driver. My 3rd gen gets about 17 for me. Looks like the V8 gets about that anyways. So it wouldn't be a downgrade if I chose the V8.

 

[yosh2000]

i had a 3rd gen and upgraded less than a year later to a 4th gen because of the v8 and some modern safety conveniences (will be my wife's mom-mobile in a couple years, want to keep the family safe!). not sure your market for 4runners out there in TX, but they usually go for more than KBB or NADA prices.

get the v8 and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. the power is just too great, and a nice, solid engine. i was averaging a hair over 17mpg mixed driving, hand calculated. this has since dropped just over 1mpg with the install of 265/75 DTs and a 2.5" icon stage 1 lift. in '05, the engine was updated to the VVTi variant. there are virtualy no header for the 05+ v8s to the required air inlets for the airpump. also, as noted, 06+ saw a refresh of sorts. there is a recent thread of all the changes/updates that was posted recently, search around for that if you are interested.

decent price for that truck. i picked up my truck with just under 100k that had $2500 work done to it (timing belt, plugs, battery, seals, etc) for $14k. i thought i stole it!

 

[soundmanlpte]

i had a 3rd gen and upgraded less than a year later to a 4th gen because of the v8 and some modern safety conveniences (will be my wife's mom-mobile in a couple years, want to keep the family safe!). not sure your market for 4runners out there in TX, but they usually go for more than KBB or NADA prices.

get the v8 and dont let anyone tell you otherwise. the power is just too great, and a nice, solid engine. i was averaging a hair over 17mpg mixed driving, hand calculated. this has since dropped just over 1mpg with the install of 265/75 DTs and a 2.5" icon stage 1 lift. in '05, the engine was updated to the VVTi variant. there are virtualy no header for the 05+ v8s to the required air inlets for the airpump. also, as noted, 06+ saw a refresh of sorts. there is a recent thread of all the changes/updates that was posted recently, search around for that if you are interested.

decent price for that truck. i picked up my truck with just under 100k that had $2500 work done to it (timing belt, plugs, battery, seals, etc) for $14k. i thought i stole it!

I'm leaning more and more to the V8... Full time 4WD sounds nice too!

 

[dchild]

I'm leaning more and more to the V8... Full time 4WD sounds nice too!

The V6 can run in full-time 4WD (I do) since it has the same Torsen center diff. I'd still advise the V8 - I wish I had one but budget and availability didn't allow that - but don't let the full-time 4WD be the deciding factor.

 

[soundmanlpte]

The V6 can run in full-time 4WD (I do) since it has the same Torsen center diff. I'd still advise the V8 - I wish I had one but budget and availability didn't allow that - but don't let the full-time 4WD be the deciding factor.

Good to know. Is there any reason NOT to run the V6 in full time 4WD? Slightly better MPG?

 

[dchild]

Good to know. Is there any reason NOT to run the V6 in full time 4WD? Slightly better MPG?

Not to my knowledge (unless the 4WD light on the dash bugs you). I have heard that the MPG difference between V6 and V8 is mostly due to the added weight of the V8 and not the drivetrain, though I don't have enough history to add my own experience. Regarding maintenance one school of thought says that you don't wear out the front drivetrain if you don't use it, the other says that splitting the torque results in less stress on each component so they last longer. My take is that the drivetrains don't seem to wear out on either vehicle under normal use so I don't worry about it.

Here is a thread that goes into more detail; it also has some V6 vs V8 sparring if you're interested in varying opinions.