What's it worth?

[humbucker87]

Hey guys,

I apologize because I feel like there is already a thread dedicated to this somewhere, but I searched and searched and couldn't find it.

Basically I need some advice to make sure I'm not passing up a reasonable deal on a 4runner I've been looking at.

2008
V8
4WD
Sport
w/ Nav

115k miles
timing belt not done
flashing TRAC/ABS/VSC Lights but no CEL

So, what does everyone think? What's the ballpark you think this would be worth before I throw out the current situation. Wondering how the rarity of Sport+V8+Nav makes the situation.

Thanks!

 

[ebg18t]

My 2 cents.

1.- OEM Nav sucks - so adds no value
2.- Sport means maybe having XREAS, but at 115k miles means you need to refresh the suspension
3.- timing belt needs to be done
4.- NADA puts the value between $14-16k (for my zip code)

So if it was me I would be thinking I would take their asking price less: $5-800 for timing belt, $4-700 for fresh shocks and the NAV is out of date. So I would probably not pay more than $13-14k if it were me. But local availability and local demand will dictate if I am low balling.

 

[black4vcobra]

My 2 cents.

1.- OEM Nav sucks - so adds no value
2.- Sport means maybe having XREAS, but at 115k miles means you need to refresh the suspension
3.- timing belt needs to be done
4.- NADA puts the value between $14-16k (for my zip code)

So if it was me I would be thinking I would take their asking price less: $5-800 for timing belt, $4-700 for fresh shocks and the NAV is out of date. So I would probably not pay more than $13-14k if it were me. But local availability and local demand will dictate if I am low balling.

I agree. Unless you can get the dealer to address the timing belt and XREAS issues, or if you can do the work yourself, don't buy that 4Runner for more than $12-13k.

Get a quote from the local Toyota dealer for the work to support your position - timing belt/water pump will probably be $1200 on it's own.

 

[vr4z06gt]

I'll third that!

timing belt, traction systems, and the unknown state of the suspension system will all be points of negotiation and concern.

Factory nav is ok. I like it if i'm not worried about traffic. However the moment you need to worry about traffic your phone is a better option.

To me I would also be concerned about what the previous owner didn't do, I.e maintenance. It is unlikely that the brake lights just came on after it was traded in. What is more likely is that the previous owner neglected the maintenance. I would have a reputable shop, not the place you are buying it from, give it a thorough examination. If that comes back ok, negotiate on the suspension components (all sports have X-REAS and all X-REAS systems will fail eventually), the timing belt change ($800-2000) depending on what dealer does the work, and the brake system.

Also make sure that the 4Lo and center diff lock work. These are known to seize and can be expensive to replace. The diff lock can be activated at any time (I don't know if there is a max speed however). For 4lo the truck needs to be stopped and neutral. If neither of these work figure another $2000 to have a dealer fix those.

Check for frame rust as well. Some trucks have cancerous rust, others are completely fine, but it is simple to check and very good to know.

If everything checks out well, and you can negotiate whatever isn't to a level where you are satisfied, buy it. These are great trucks. Properly maintained they will run for several hundred thousand miles with very few, if any, issues. I believe there is one on the forum over 600k miles, that isn't a typo, and numerous ones well over 300-400k miles will no major work outside of preventative/scheduled maintenance.

 

[humbucker87]

Thanks guys for your thoughts. You're definitely reconfirming my thoughts. This is a private seller and they first listed it at $18k which is obviously a little crazy. When I pointed this out they dropped to 16.5. I made an offer at 15.5 which I felt was strong and fair. Looks like we're not going to be able to come to an agreement.

Partially I'm just frustrated after looking for 3 months and missing several good candidates. But you guys have reaffirmed that I need to stay strong and just keep looking.

Thanks so much.

 

[vr4z06gt]

Partially I'm just frustrated after looking for 3 months and missing several good candidates. But you guys have reaffirmed that I need to stay strong and just keep looking.

Thanks so much.

That's a good attitude to have. There are plenty of trucks for sale. As you stated it can just be hard to find what you want. My wife and I looked for about 3 months before finding ours. After 1 month, and 3 trucks that sold on us the day we were going to look at them, I expanded my search area to nationwide, from 100 miles from my zip code. Even then it took 2 months to find what we wanted. When we found it, I checked online religiously several times a day, I called my wife, she confirmed what she was interested (it is her truck), I called the dealer, negotiated tie price, had some extra pics taken and emailed to me, and put a deposit down within ~4 hours of the truck being posted online. I was on a plane that weekend (I think I put the deposit down on a Tuesday) and drove it home over a thousand miles. I don't regret it one bit. Maybe I got lucky, but I knew what I was looking for, what to have them look for and take pics of, and most importantly I had how I was purchasing it all set up in advance so there was no last minute screwing around. According to the dealer, and I take this with several grains of salt, there
was a waiting list of people who wanted the truck if I fell through. When I first attempted to put a deposit down there was someone out on a test drive of the truck. I thought, shit, here we go again...better keep on looking. I got a call back 30 minutes later saying they didn't put down a deposit so if I wanted it, it was mine. I said hell yes. When I flew in to pick it up the dealer informed me that the couple who test drove wanted to think about it over a meal. They came back an hour later to buy it, but they were shit out of luck. The point of my story is, keep looking, be diligent and most importantly when you find one that you like/that works/at a good price, move quickly.

I'm happy to share my story because I think I got a smokin' deal. 2008 V8 4x4 Limited. Black on Taupe. Factory Nav, after market rear seat entertainment (quality looks top notch), WITHOUT 3rd row or air ride (I didn't want these features), with 45K on clock. All maintenance done at a toyota dealership. It was there every 5 thousand miles and if you plot mileage vs. time the slope is constant which means it likely never sat around and a 60K service just recently done for 22G out the door (all taxes and fees included). When I got it home I called toyota to see if was a CPO (I am the 3rd owner and second seller was a toyota dealership). The answer was no, however it did have a toyota platinum warranty good for another 2 years or 80k miles (total ODO miles). BONUS!!! The only complaint I (and by I, I mean my wife) have is the color. My wife was looking for Red but I don't mind black. For what we have I am thrilled.

Cars.com/Autotrader/Ebay/Carmax are all your friend. I recommend saving a tab for each since you can't set up notifications on any of them, and checking each two or three times a day.