Want to Buy a 3rd gen Manual 4x4 with more than 37k miles PLEASE :)

[Kadmon428]

Hey Everyone,

I dont know who would ever sell a 3rd gen, but if anyone out there is, you can send it to a good home here! I am in southern AZ right now, but have the schedule flexibility to travel anywhere out west (and San Antonio...)

1996-2000
Manual Transmission
4 Wheel Drive

That's all the main requirements, I am planning on putting in a ARB airlocker, and a Sonoran Steel lift kit, and would kinda like the experience with these installs, but a factory e-locker is fine with me too!

Of course it would be nice to know the history of the vehicle and nice full description of where everything's at right now. I don't know how demanding a used car buyer can be, but i don't like craigslist posts that say "4runner, ac works, engine strong" It would be nice to have some assurance that its had some decent upkeep. I am not holding out for an "all-new" used car though, but when you can't see the car in person and talk to the owner face-to-face its nice to know as much as possible.

And if i find one on CL I will put up some pics and updates (even though im not going to be making an offroad monster or anything) AND THANKS a lot for all the car-smart people here for posting so much info that i feel confident about being a great 4runner owner! (ive only had a g/f's 95 limited and 93 pickup, never one of my own)

 

[mtbtim]

I suggest you use the search engine "Auto Tempest". You can search multiple craigslist areas at the same time and they also give you Ebay, Auto Trader and Cars.com results. Anyone in this forum who has searched for a good deal on a 3rd Gen will tell you it's a definite commitment because these vehicles are desirable and they go super quick when they have low miles and are priced right. It took me a month of searching Auto Tempest multiple times each day to finally be in the right place at the right time. Good 3rd Gens will be snatched up within minutes because there are also phone apps that will alert you when something fitting your search criteria pops up. I suggest looking into these apps because it could be super helpful to you.

If you don't mind paying well over Kelly Blue Book, you can find one pretty easy. I found most people have listed them at least $1000 over KBB and the real low miles ones are even worse sometimes being listed for $5000+ over book. I held out and found one for high book, but as it goes, I had to put money into it right away because it needed tires. So, I guess you could say I paid $1000 over book for mine.

Anyway, good luck searching. My last recommendation is to have cash ready to go so you can run out the door and get to the seller first ready to grab it before someone else does.

Tim

 

[bugman-74]

Some guys have all the luck and find 5-speeds quickly, but it took me about 9 months to find "the one" and required a 1300 mile trip back to AZ to bring her home. I lost count of how many 5-speed, 3.4, 4x4 rigs listed and sold in MINUTES. Patience, dedication, and preparedness are key.

[MENTION=120071]mtbtim[/MENTION] made a lot of good suggestions. Additionally: Read the buyers guide if you haven't already. Set up a search on craigslist with notifications, but also keep an eye on other sources (the forums, local classifieds, ebay, etc.) just in case. Before dropping cash or buying plane tickets, get the VIN and run a Carfax (this saved me more than once). Get as many pics as possible beforehand, especially undercarriage with flash on. You can also try to plug the VIN into the Toyota owners web page and search for dealer service records.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[MCObray]

Here is one in my area:
1997 Toyota 4Runner - Excellent Condition! Low Miles!

 

[Kadmon428]

Thanks

Well the good thing is that i do have cash in hand. I've never considered KBB to mean anything.

I have about 9k to spend, but a chunk of that i want dedicate for tune-up, tires, locker, ss lift, battery, clutch maybe. I know it all doesnt need to happen at once, but im not that good at having a 'job' to make more $ either.

I will try Auto Tempest, i might have already, i remember some of the CL 'Search-Alls' to really suck and give a lot of very old/expired results.

Right now i have 13 tabs on the favorites bar of firefox with CL for all over the west with the 3rd gen criteria saved in it and i check twice a day.

I feel close, and thought it would be good to try here to since people seem to have heart for their t4r's. Thanks for the reply. I am committed!

 

[mtbtim]

Kadmon428, I realize many don't think KBB values are accurate but I figured I needed to use some sort of tool to figure out if a particular vehicle is priced fairly since the asking prices for these trucks can be anywhere from reasonable to completely absurd. I recently saw a 2002 with 34,000 miles listed for $14,900, which was $6500 over top KBB. Somebody thought it was a good deal because it sold recently but I definitely wouldn't have paid that much over book.

Do you use something like KBB to figure a potential vehicle's value or do you just go with your gut that the deal feels good? I thought the insurance industry still used KBB for vehicle values so that's why I chose it. I thought it would be unwise for me to pay way over KBB, because if the vehicle got totaled, I would lose part of my investment.

Anyway, good luck searching. Hope you find a good one.

 

[Kadmon428]

@ mtbtim

@ mtbtim

I am no expert at all on cars and finances and i am not a frequent used car buyer at all.

I just have never heard how kbb gets its value? To me the car is worth how much i have to pay vs how much they want to get. That's all i know.

It's true that banks and insurance uses it, but what does that mean? They dont know value. They know cheating, lying, deception, greed, monoply. So who wants to know what they think.

If i had the cash to spend 200 or 300 percent over kbb i'd do it, cash cant drive me up a mountain. I know how much i got to pay and when someone wants that it'll happen..

And also i am glad that you did eventually find what you were looking for!

 

[Kadmon428]

Here is one in my area:
1997 Toyota 4Runner - Excellent Condition! Low Miles!

Thanks, i just called that guy, said he's got a 'handshake buyer' right now and dont think he's willing to negotiate price. The ads been up for 2 months but he's "getting calls up the yin-yang"

Its in really nice condition, but it was actually a Minnesota truck, and wants to put his brand new highway tires(?) and $800 bike rack in the price..

If there was an e-locker, and receipts for all the 'new' parts id go for it.

 

[bugman-74]

A few more tips:

Craigslist: Login to your account online, and you can setup email alerts (under the "searches" tab). You will have to set one up for every area you are looking, but it might be worth it. The alerts arent perfect, but sometimes they help.

Once you have the VIN, you can use the toyota owners web page and/or japan-parts.eu/toyota/us/ to get the basic build info (engine/trans/color code) - this can often be helpful to confirm the seller hasn't cobbled it together, or changed the paint color for some reason... During my search I came across quite a few salvage/rebuilt rigs. I found a gold 5-speed, but Toyota said it was supposed to be silver. It also had limited cladding, which is unusual. Carfax said it was rolled!

When you go look at one, your first step should be to verify the dash and door VIN #'s match each other, and that this number also matches the VIN #on the title. If the seller does not have the title, or there is a lien on it - strongly consider walking away.

Additionally, you should be able to find VIN stickers on the hood, front fenders, both bumpers, all doors, and hatch (note that the rear bumper vin sticker may be under the plastic trim). While not necessarily a deal breaker, a rig with these stickers intact with matching VIN #'s is a good sign.

Also confirm the seller is the person listed on the title (ask for photo ID). If the title lists multiple people with "and" or "and/or", you will need both signatures - so make sure both parties are present or no deal.

Dont forget all the "normal" stuff like a good visual inspection (check for rust!), test drive, etc. Bring an OBD scanner and check for codes too.

 

[g3ran3t]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/sale-...r-4wd-sr5-sport-5-speed-manual-san-diego.html

 

[BigGuyRye]

I've just listed my 1997 V6 4x4 manual trans with 160k on rocky mountain craigslist if your interested. Looking to get 9700 for it.

 

[demetricochran]

I just posted a 98 5 speed 4x4 172k miles in decent shape. Its not perfect more of a weekend warrior / daily. For info call or text me 915 276 5948

 

[TXLX1]

Kadmon428, I realize many don't think KBB values are accurate but I figured I needed to use some sort of tool to figure out if a particular vehicle is priced fairly since the asking prices for these trucks can be anywhere from reasonable to completely absurd. I recently saw a 2002 with 34,000 miles listed for $14,900, which was $6500 over top KBB. Somebody thought it was a good deal because it sold recently but I definitely wouldn't have paid that much over book.

Do you use something like KBB to figure a potential vehicle's value or do you just go with your gut that the deal feels good? I thought the insurance industry still used KBB for vehicle values so that's why I chose it. I thought it would be unwise for me to pay way over KBB, because if the vehicle got totaled, I would lose part of my investment.

I think KBB is definitely underpriced, especially on older vehicles. I like using BlackBook... it's only goes back to 2001 and shows trade in and retail, but I think it's a better representation of the market.

I'm also looking for a 3rd gen 4x4 automatic or a good deal on a 4th gen, in Texas, and it's been tricky to buy at the right price before someone else gets to it so far.

BlackBook Link
http://www.blackbookportals.com/bb/products/usedcarhtmlportal.asp?color=d&companyid=cudirect.co