Sooo close to a 2000 LTD....

[swiftparks]

Hiya guys!

I've been a lurker for a while, but I never joined b/c I don't have my 4Runner yet. But now I need your help!

I've found a huge deal (so I think). A 2000 LTD, with the works. The only problem is that there are 97K miles on it. It was originally priced at the Blue book value of 17,9K, but now there's a new price on it....15,9K!!!! I'm so excited, but my hubby could care less. He refuses to pay the $$ for a 4 year old car w/97K miles. I've tried to remind him that Toyota's ratings are pretty good, but he is not budging. Besides the extra "favors" (hehe)that I'm giving him, how can I convince him to trade in my car for this one?

BTW I have a 2002 Mitsubishi Eclipse and a new baby. I've had the car for 3 years and only have 23,4K miles on it. I told him that the miles on the LTD would even out b/c I don't really go anywhere. I've already told him that I need the extra space, and 4WD in the snow, what else can I say to convince him? Is this really a bad deal???

Thanks!

Shae

 

[<<<<]

Does he drive domestic brand? I'm not sure about price, though. I always buy new. There are good things and bad things about that 2000 Limited. Good things first: 4-Runners hold their resale value pretty well, reliable and fuel efficient when compared to other SUVs. Bad thing is 97K, that means 100K mile service is due (some times it's 90K), which includes oil & filter change, rotate tires, lube drive shaft, replace spark plugs, replace engine air filter and cabin air filter. That can get $$$. Ask sales person to do that service at no cost to you. Good luck

 

[peter78]

I moved the thread to 3rd gen T4R's. Us 3rd gens need to stick together. The big mantianance was at 90,000 with a need timing belt, water pump, belts, transmission oil change, new anti-freeze and a host of other things. If that is not done, expect to pay $800 for the service. I would check and if it is not done, I would lower the price even more.

Looking at used 4Runners is tough to do, as they seem even high to me. If he looked at a Mitsubishi Montero Sport with the same miles & year it would be about 40% less, since your a Mitsubishi fan maybe you can go that route. I would not be overly concerned at 97,000 miles on a 4Runner if it has been mantianed well. Another person on the board asked about a 99 with 170,000 miles, now that I feel is a lot of miles.

My best friends step Son just bought a 2002 4Runner with 72,000 miles for 17,500 and I felt it was the right thing to do. Well see what happens in the future.

 

[swiftparks]

Thanks for the advice!

Yup, he's a domestic car kinda guy. Both of his parents retired from GM last year. I really love the T4R, so to find one in our price range was pretty exciting. We've never had to buy used before and I was willing to do so for this one.

Yeah, I'd thought about the Montero...but then, I wouldn't be able to be a member of this great board.

Here's the link to the car:

http://dunningtoyota.com/phoenix/index.cfm?dealercode=0010-0001-999-01-7349977600

I'm trying to consider other vehicles, but it's just so darn pretty...

Edited to add: Sorry had to change the link

 

[Good Times]

If you're looking for a 3rd gen 4runner, you can look as far back as 96 as there really wasn't any significant changes thru the years (i.e. minimal differences such as cup holders, loss of the rear locker on the latter yrs etc etc).

Anyway, if you are seriously interested in this 4runner, do expect that if the previous owner has taken good care of the 4runner, it should last well beyond the 250k (in general). I would ask the dealer to perform all the 100k check that everyone has already suggested along w/ replacing all the fluids (literally everything that has liquid in them - tranny, axle(s), etc etc). Also change all the belts as well. Just to be safe and then go from there. You don't want to buy it and then experience problems and leave a bad mark on the import community.

Good luck as toyota's are built to last. (literally!)

 

[peter78]

Looks pretty sharp. What is going on with the blemish in the front bumper?

 

[swiftparks]

Peter,

YOU'RE pretty sharp. I didn't even notice. My brother went and checked it out for me, he didn't mention it. I'll check it out!

Thanks guys for all of your help!

Shae

 

[whomhead]

well, did you buy it??

 

[swiftparks]

NO! He only wants to buy me a vehicle that HE wants to drive. He said that if he was going to buy me a vehicle it would be a Dodge Magnum because he likes those. He said that there's nothing special about a T4R. He would've had a fit if I'd told him that his precious 94-96 Impala's weren't much to excited about.

Thank God it's still on the lot...Yeah, I keep checking.

I ran off of the road 3 times last year in the snow, while I was pregnant. And I vowed that I would get an AWD before the next snowfall. He's suggested that me and our lil' guy drive his cavalier since it's good in the snow. He just doesn't want to get another car.

Am I missing something? Really, maybe there's a guys thing that I'm missing here...We're paying $323 for this little sports car, when we could pay the same(or less) for a bigger, more convenient vehicle. I just thought that it was logical - when you have a baby, you get a bigger vehicle...

 

[lee]

cavaliers are good in the snow?

wait till you use a t4r w/4wd in the snow.

thatll change his mind.

 

[whomhead]

I don't know how far north in michigan you live, but I find it really hard to believe a cavalier does ANYTHING in the kinda snow you guys get!

Have you drug him down to the dealership yet for a test drive?? That's all it's going to take to sell him on the runner, trust me!

By the way, has he convinced you that a cavalier is a sports car?

 

[peter78]

After I took my test drive, it was all over for me. Make sure both of you drive the 4Runner at least once. When I read your comment about your Husband only wants a car he likes driving, I need to tell you about MY 4Runner. I would say after about 2 months my Wife started driving once in awhile and after 4 months she basically took over the 4Runner. This is the first time this has happened in our 20 years of marriage. So if you get one, he may change his mind and then take it over. :awais:

 

[97RUNNERltd]

I just bough a 97 w/ 54k Miles for $14999. Limited, super clean. It was a little older than I wanted but in the toyota line it was a great deal for me. it will last for years yet, has all the toys on it, low miles compaired to the blazers i was looking at that where newer, old resale value, and with no major changes untill 04 you would never know it was a 97 unless I tell you or you are a toyota nut that knows everything about 4Rs. I drive a impala at work and what a peice of junk the Chev is!!!!!! offer them 12 or 13K for the 4R if they still have it. Toyota motors run forever!!!!!1
1997 4R Limited
V6 4x4 54k miles

 

[2000t4r4wd]

I just bought a 2000 4runner and I didn't even take it on a test drive. I drove it 4 blocks from there sub lot to teh main lot and sat down and starting filling out the paperwork. Trust me from a guy that comes from a family of Ford lovers everyone in my family loves the 4runner, why you ask because for the money you don't get a better value. Compare his Dodge that he wants to a brand new 4runner and let him see the difference in value for the money. Plus what other car manufacture besides Honda and Toyota can you buy a car or truck with close to a 100K and know that it will last 100-200 thousand more. Plus the fact that it got a pretty damn good crash test rating. Ask him if he wants to put his kid in something big and safe or big and unsafe?

That should change his mind

2000t4r4wd

 

[rearviewmirror]

Check Carmax.com for lower mileage 4Runners at a good price. I bought a 2000 LTD 4x4 w/ 28k miles for $21k.

 

[PupaScoopa]

Check Carmax.com for lower mileage 4Runners at a good price. I bought a 2000 LTD 4x4 w/ 28k miles for $21k.

Interesting that you mention that! I bought one from Carmax: 2000 LTD, 4x4 w/103k mi for $15,000. Add their 3-yr warranty and it can't be beat.

I have a Honda with 90+kmi on it and don't have any problem with the mileage on the 4runner.