Using Timing Belt Change As Negotiating Point

[zw470]

First time poster, long-time lurker here. I've been looking at 3rd Gens for a while now and I think it's about time I pick one up. I've been putting waaaay too many miles on this guy...



Plus I want something that's better in the winter than my wife's FWD Traverse. One thing I'm noticing is that just about everything in my price range (less than $6,000) has pretty high miles. This doesn't bother me, but it does mean that they should be on their 2nd timing belt by now. I haven't been able to find any proof online that they've even been changed once, let a lone twice, but I haven't had a chance to see them in person yet.

Assuming they still need changing, what's a reasonable amount to reduce the asking price by? I'm thinking $1,000 - $1,500?

 

[Rock_Rat]

First time poster, long-time lurker here. I've been looking at 3rd Gens for a while now and I think it's about time I pick one up. I've been putting waaaay too many miles on this guy...

Assuming they still need changing, what's a reasonable amount to reduce the asking price by? I'm thinking $1,000 - $1,500?

Best you'll do is 5-$700.

 

[PWD4R]

They should probably be on their third if going by maintenance schedule. Mine is on its second and I have 221k. Not too worried right now. I inspected the belts and they look great. That service is probably $500-$600 or so though. I'd worry more about diff fluids and tranny and radiators than a timing belt. Just my opinion


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[Rock_Rat]

They should probably be on their third if going by maintenance schedule. Mine is on its second and I have 221k. Not too worried right now. I inspected the belts and they look great. That service is probably $500-$600 or so though. I'd worry more about diff fluids and tranny and radiators than a timing belt. Just my opinion


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It's hard to negotiate fluid changes when purchasing a vehicle. His best bet is to negotiate the T-belt, w/p etc. He should be able to get $5-700 knocked off. Next would be to look at the tires and brakes. Usually good for another $2-$400.

 

[PWD4R]

It's hard to negotiate fluid changes when purchasing a vehicle. His best bet is to negotiate the T-belt, w/p etc. He should be able to get $5-700 knocked off. Next would be to look at the tires and brakes. Usually good for another $2-$400.

I wasn't meaning trying to negotiate fluids lol sorry if it came off that way.


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[T5RUNNER]

Unless they had it changed at the dealer there is no proof either way, so it is really not a strong negotiating position. You are going to get a lot of eye rolls from sellers by asking for a maintenance discount on a 15 year old 200k+ mile vehicles. Overall condition is much more importantand the way you get to the final price is irrelevant.

 

[HuntG212]

I'm on the other end of the spectrum. The 5VZE is a non-interference motor. Sure changing it will give you some peace of mind, but I don't see the need. If it breaks, tow it to Toyota and have them replace it. Good to go.

Can you haggle the price down some because of it? Sure, but not much.

If I were selling mine, I would not come off the price at all. Over 200k on my belt.

 

[zw470]

Hmm maybe I'm thinking it's a bigger deal than it really is... Is it really that cheap to have the belt replaced? I thought I read that it was $1,000+

Also I just saw that one of the ones I'm looking at is at a "no-haggle" dealer so it would be a moot point anyway :dance:

 

[Rock_Rat]

Hmm maybe I'm thinking it's a bigger deal than it really is... Is it really that cheap to have the belt replaced? I thought I read that it was $1,000+

Also I just saw that one of the ones I'm looking at is at a "no-haggle" dealer so it would be a moot point anyway :dance:

Hey OP, there's always room for negotiating. I just went through this with my son's new car. Picked him up a 2003 Acura TL and knocked off $900 for the T-belt, brakes and rotors. We showed up with cash and when he couldn't produce receipts for the T-belt et al, I began to negotiate. Took it for a test drive and I knew right away the front rotors were warped. Picked it up for $2600 and spent $1000 afterwards.

Here's the link FWIW http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-topic/221986-searching-used-car-under-10k-son-suggestions.html

On a side note, the belt usually goes because the water pump fails. Scheduled mtx calls for a TB change under 100K so it should have been done. Buying from a dealer you'll be hard pressed to get any maintenance records.

 

[zw470]

The dealership was closed today so I went and looked at this guy in peace and quiet.



207,000 miles and they have it listed at $5,632. Small crack in the plastic middle part of the lower front bumper, piece of rubber fender-flare trim is loose, antenna is missing somehow, and there's some small dents and surface rust on the rear bumper. Tires look fresh and it's recently been hosed-down with an undercoating. They're open late tomorrow so I'll probably swing by after work and see how it drives.