Should I trade my car for this SR5?

[Bigspender101]

So I'm looking to get a 3rd gen but I need to sell my car first. I have a 2003 Mercedes c230k sedan with 99,000 on it. I put it on CL and at the bottom I said I would be willing to trade for a 1997-2002 Runner. A guy near me said he would like to work a trade for his 2002 SR5 sport. It has just over 171,000 miles on it. He is the 3rd owner. I ran the Car Fax and he has only had it 3 months. Pics below. I am going to check it out this evening. Has no accidents. but does have a dent in the bumper. Does this sound like a good deal

His Runner

My Car

 

[THatfield]

I'd thoroughly check over the truck and figure out why he wants to get rid of it. Of course check and see what maintenance needs to be performed or has been done recently and factor that in to if maybe he should be throwing in some extra coin.

 

[Bigspender101]

That's what I was thinking. Our cars are about the same blue book, but If the timing and water pump need replacing I think I would need an extra $1500 on top?

 

[WillK]

You probably know this, but you gotta do your homework on anything like this.

Check the thread below for more info on Gen 3's, but if you're interested, go over it really well. Check maintenance history, including radiator and lower ball joints. Those two items aren't probably deal breakers, but can be costly.



http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

 

[Bigspender101]

Thanks Willk! I have been researching and poking around here for a few months. I even printed out that thread. LOL! Im just wondering if I should just sell my car so I have cash to plunk into the runner just in case....

 

[2002tii]

I would be a little suspicious that he only owned it for 3 months.

Does it have all of the service records? Or any of them?

If it's a 4WD, it would be worth around $7,000 private party (real world). The 02 Sports are toward the top of the 3rd gen pecking order, at least in terms of value.

Bumpers aren't too expensive to replace.

 

[Brian757]

I would be a little suspicious that he only owned it for 3 months.

I couldn't agree more with this comment.

Something doesn't settle right with me about how he only owned it for 3 months, unless he is the "Buy and Flip" sort of guy. And as much as I love 4Runners, your Benz is beautiful OP.
I would tread carefully throughout your decision making process. Good luck andd hopefully you get what you want!!

 

[Bigspender101]

Thanks Brian. I really want a 4runner but I get 32 MPG on my benz so its going to be hard to get rid of..... :nod:

Here is one of the emails he sent....

"anything wrong with your car? I have weekends off and get off at 4:00 pm every day if you want to meet up.reason i'm selling is i don't need 4wd.just want somthing different.I bought it because my aunt gave me a good deal on it."

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'd be looking for cash on top from him. They may be similar in book value but your Benz will bring more real world.
IMO, cash is king. I'd sell the Benz out right and look for a cleaner 4Runner.

 

[the great him]

i have owned and worked on enough benz's to know that id trade this in a heart beat, while your benz has low miles, its getting to the point where its gonna start costing you a fair amount with upkeep, the 4runner on the other hand isnt gonna be as needy, but yeah look things over, test drive it, the timing belt isnt a big deal, nor is the water pump. and personally i wouldnt touch the either untill the water pump starts to leak, origonal timing belts can last 200k + even though toyota says replace at 90k. even if it breaks so what nor harm no foul it wont hurt the motor, it just will stop running. put a new belt on it and your good to go.

C class MBs are a night mare to work on, i have worked as a tech for an independent german car shop/tuner and honestly i hated MBs after working on and owning a few, and the C class was at the top of my hate list for the MBs. i sell it while its still trouble free and you can honestly sell it as such. you can try to use the timing belt and water pump as a bargaining chip, but i wouldnt let it keep me from the trade if everything else checks out. -you can get a timing belt, water pump and new thermo along with all new belts kit for like $250 and it can be done in an afternoon in your garage, its not complicated at all. the only thing that would keep me from this trade is if the 4runner was not 4wd, if its a 2wd tell him to go kick rocks

 

[Bigspender101]

I agree the kid. I have worked on my benz for the last 4 years and they indeed are a ***** to work on. The 4Runner is 4wd. I just don't want to trade it then all of the sudden things start falling apart. Don't get me wrong, I want this 4runner so I can mod the crap out of it eventually, but I need it as my daily driver right now. I am going this evening to take a look at it. I will keep you all posted as to what I do. This may be a stupid ?, but I guess by trading we sign over out pink slips? Then go to DMW to register in our names?

 

[the great him]

yeah, id get a copy of eachother DL, and a pic of the guy... if he doesnt want to agree to those terms then yeah i might not go through.

the reason i say that is the truck could be stolen(highly unlikely) and he is trying to turn it fast for a legit vehicle.... so by getting a copy(cell phone pic is good enough) of his DL and a pic of him as well(this can be done discretely) you have some thing to go to the authorities with to track the guy down.

another thing, open all the doors and hood and back hatch, along the doors jams and door frames will be a sticker about 1/2" x 2 - 2 1/2" that has the vin number on it, this will tell you that the pannel are all original and have not been replaced or swapped out to fix damage. make sure the numbers match. no biggie if they done, that just tells you that the truck has been in some sort of fender bender or had some sort of repair done to it -these stickers are also on the hood and fenders, and bumpers(but those will be hard to find as they are typically hidden on the back side and covered with tons or dirt and grim from road spray and the likes. check the 4wd, put it in 4wd make sure it works ect. these trucks are not typically problematic trucks so there isnt much to worry about, really. and remember its a truck(4wd on a full frame), not a luxury sports sedan on a sub-frame/unibody design they will not drive the same. but they do drive very well.

 

[Bigspender101]

Good advice! I never thought to take a picture? I'm sure he is lagit but we can never be to sure these days? Thanks guys! This forum rocks:clap2:

 

[the great him]

just be willing to offer the same back to him, meaning a copy of your DL.

 

[Bigspender101]

Oh for sure. I am even writing up a bill of sale/trade as we speak

 

[nissanh]

One more thing.

Check for under-compression: While engine is running, pull the dip stick(engine) and look for any visible smoke. Rev the engine and look any smoke.

Check for bad headgasket: TRY THIS WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. While the radiator cap is closed, open the reserve tank cap (plastic tank next to the battery). Look for any bubbles coming out. If it bubbles continuously, I suspect the head gaskets.

Drive the truck on the free way. See any slipping clutches. My friend bought a MB and the seller pretended that he was in a rush and did not allowed my friend to drive on free way. He bought it and at high speeds, transmission slips. The seller is no where to be found!

Look for any corrosion underneath.

Why he is selling such a beauty within 3 month?
Check everything carefully.

 

[Bigspender101]

I really hate to part with my MB because its such a gas saver even for the millage but I need a 4x4..One other thing, I keep looking at the pics and cant figure out what color the 4runner is? Is it pewter? Like I said Im going to take a look at later this evening but thought one of you would now?