thinking about buying this 04 with low miles

[Sungod]

Used 2003 Toyota 4Runner For Sale | East Swanzey NH

Another horse has entered the race...a 2003 with low mileage and a V8. I'm heading up to check it out this weekend....they say it was one owner and bought at auction in New Jersey. what do you guys think? Are the problems with the 03 AC and clutch legitimate?

Lots of cars are sold at auction. I wouldn't let that necessarily push me away. As SUV with a V8 in some parts of country may not fly off the lot so they send them to auction. Obviously you would want to check it out as you would any used car.

I would think $10K for that one would be a good deal. I recently sold my 03 v8 SR5 4x4 with 160K that was as close to excellent condition as you can get and got $7K for it and had to wait to get that.

 

[YetiX]

$15k seems high for the '04 SR5. I paid $15k for my '06 Sport Edition last month. Granted, no leather (didn't want) but mine is in immaculate condition.

 

[ben550]

I guess she figures its a done deal...b/c its a work car and tax write off I told her if my mechanic signed off I would meet her price. Maybe I was being a little soft. She seemed really nice and laid back and the car was a gem. Plus she had a dog like mine who recently passed...

I smell a scammer...

Just remember you are buying a car not making new friends. Don't fall for the sob stories and tugs on emotions that pull you away from logic and facts.

Its a 10 year old truck. Age can put just as much wear and tear on a vehicle as mileage. If thats the actual mileage it appears it was her errand running vehicle, lots of short trips, which would be classified as "extreme driving conditions"...

If it was a commercial vehicle/work car, also realize they did not do anything "extra" to it.

Offer what you think its worth. You are in control. If they want to sell it they will accept a reasonable offer. If I was here I would have jumped at the 13k.

 

[seekerIV]

$15k seems high for the '04 SR5. I paid $15k for my '06 Sport Edition last month. Granted, no leather (didn't want) but mine is in immaculate condition.

How many miles? and it it's a two wheel drive?

you guys are geniuses I didn' make the sandy connection. so glad I joined this forum.


I talked about this situation at length with my uncle last night. he's a small business CEO and a truck guy. mostly the F 150 XLT- he drives them about 250,000 miles in three or four years and then turns and in. Lives in his truck. wasn't too crazy about the 2008 idea. After I drove the truck I told the dealer I knew that in 5k the timing belt was supposed to be changed and would they do that for me at cost. guy went to talk to the service department and came back with a figure of 1250. I asked him if that was retail. he said no that's our cost.
perhaps he meant the fact that the sales department pays the service department?

then he cut that in half and tacked it on to the invoice- along with the fee it was going to be 900 over the sticker. I called him today and told him to let it go. I said I'd ask for a deal and I don't feel like I got one because I can have my mechanic do the work for roughly the same amount and I'm not buying a car from him. He said "the car is the deal."which didn't seem very friendly. and then he said make sure to send any friends who want to buy a car our way!

Ok...so now it's down to two...

 

[seekerIV]

I drove the v8 all over these back roads near Keene, NH (where apparently some kind of pumpkin fueled riot had recently occurred) loved it, but interior wasnt as clrtan and I just didn't know what I was buying. Closed verbally with the v6 owner today for 14.2. Not as enthusiastic about the 6, but it has more hp, and maybe without my gf riding shotgun ill enjoy it more. Ready.

 

[YetiX]

I drove the v8 all over these back roads near Keene, NH (where apparently some kind of pumpkin fueled riot had recently occurred) loved it, but interior wasnt as clrtan and I just didn't know what I was buying. Closed verbally with the v6 owner today for 14.2. Not as enthusiastic about the 6, but it has more hp, and maybe without my gf riding shotgun ill enjoy it more. Ready.

Congratulations. Post up pics when you get it. The V6 isn't a race engine, but when you put your foot into it, she'll motor!

 

[NJshadow93]

Seems like it's too late but that's way overpriced IMO. I bought my '06 V8 over 2 years ago for $11,500. Double the miles, but still. I personally don't think low miles is worth $4-5k. As mentioned, those miles are probably short trips/hard miles on the truck. Regardless, that is my opinion and hopefully you got a great truck. Good luck!

 

[seekerIV]

Seems like it's too late but that's way overpriced IMO. I bought my '06 V8 over 2 years ago for $11,500. Double the miles, but still. I personally don't think low miles is worth $4-5k. As mentioned, those miles are probably short trips/hard miles on the truck. Regardless, that is my opinion and hopefully you got a great truck. Good luck!

you may be right but the impression I got from driving the car and talking to the owner was that the car was used for bopping around town by a car-anal mom and I guess I would rather have a super babied, relatively young in miles truck than one that has been legit abused and/or driven hard off road through water, etc...thats for me to do :drummer:

I already talked to my auto body guy about sealing the undercarriage b/c I don't have acess to a lift. Should cost a few hundred and its a one time deal. Ill ask him what he is going to use.

The biggest problem is fear that I'm going to regret getting the 6 verse in the 8, especially after making my way through a dozen threads on the topic. But your right the runner is not a race car and I don't plan on doing any towing. I just want a car that will get me around and is capable and fun.

 

[delz05]

Don't worry about the V6 vs V8... I have had both and other than gas mileage, I did not notice any huge difference in how they drove. I did no towing, no crazy off-roading, just daily commute. At least with the V6, you don't have the timing belt change to save up for...!

 

[seekerIV]

Don't worry about the V6 vs V8... I have had both and other than gas mileage, I did not notice any huge difference in how they drove. I did no towing, no crazy off-roading, just daily commute. At least with the V6, you don't have the timing belt change to save up for...!

Thanks i am loving the truck so far and the v6 is plenty... have had two big passengers thus far and I didnt feel weighed down. Still adjusting to the headroom tho...im 6'1 205 and its A LOT tighter than the Pilot. Seems like Toyota could have raised it up 2-4 inches without giving up a lot?

Also my insurance appraised the truck at least a grand less than I payed. But driving it I feel like im driving a stripped down land rover or something (boo, hiss) what I mean to say is a very high quality vehicle in everyday suv/sheep's clothing. I get the overbuilt thing now. I still have the Pilot for now, and im glad to say I would much rather hop in the 4runner. My gf may buy the pilot off of me, keep it in the family.

I talked to a local audio place and they have an employee who is a 4Runner freak...looking fwd to getting his input.

 

[jonesmw10]

Still adjusting to the headroom tho...im 6'1 205 and its A LOT tighter than the Pilot.

That and the climate control were what I had trouble adjusting to. At 6'3", my head still hits the roof sometimes but I manage now. Lol still love my T4R.

Oh and :worthless

Just sayin'

 

[seekerIV]

That and the climate control were what I had trouble adjusting to. At 6'3", my head still hits the roof sometimes but I manage now. Lol still love my T4R.

Oh and :worthless

Just sayin'

Agreed. What are all these flower shaped buttons.

Okay I will get some pictures up although she's stock and I don't think there's necessarily anything to write home about...yet