MellamoPOUND

hey, I FINALLY think I found the one. Its a 1997 4runner limited 4x4 with a rear locker. It has 80k miles on it, but is in great shape. The lady selling also wants to buy my CR-V so it works out perfecty. Should I run a carfax on it, or is the price of doing that not worth it. Anything else I should do? Thanks

X-AWDriver

Nice find,I wish I would have remembered a locker when I was looking for mine but I unfortunatly wasn't a member of this board til after I got mine and didn't know better.

How much was she asking?

MellamoPOUND

asking 14,500 so she said we can work it down to around 14 or 14,200

Bob_98SR5

mellamo,

always run a carfax. that fee is tiny compared to finding out that the vehicle was salvage titled or something bad like that.

also, maintenance costs. expect to pay around $500 to $1k in maintenance and other costs. more if you mod/upgrade as im sure you will.

around 90k, you'll need to do the timing belt and possibly the thermo and water pump. look in the maintenance section and run that vehicle's year and mileage in the maintenance engine. you'll get an idea of what you'll need to replace.

if it were me, id do the following:

- change out all trans, diff, and oil with syntehtics
- for the oil, i might even suggest that auto-rx stuff that dr.z and midiwall are using
- change out the spark plug wires and plugs
- clean out maf and maf wire
- deckplate mod w/ amsoil filter
- lube driveshaft
- top off other fluids

i think you might need new tires at this point too. if so, go Revos.

as you can see, this stuff adds up REAL quick on the maintenance side. you will pay around $700 to $800 for the above stuff, some of which is dealer installed (timing belt, etc)

just keep that in mind when you purchase the vehicle.

bob

PoBoy

$14,500!!?? That seems like a LOT. Dealers around here have 98's for that much! A private party 97 limited should be around $12k.

But if you are getting rid of your CRV at the same time...it's a very appealing deal...especially if you get a GOOD price on yours.

MellamoPOUND

hey, thanks for all the suggestions! Yea 14.5 seems kinda like alot but really all we are going to do is trade vehicles then I will be her the difference of the cars which will be 3k. I hope it all works out, and I will keep ya'll posted if it does. thanks again

PoBoy

Thats not bad then...Ive been trying to do the same with this jeep and I would do the same. Selling cars isnt fun...I can see why so many people just trade in.

MellamoPOUND

Yea, trading sucks, but is the easy way out. I was at a dealer today and they only offered 8k for my cr-v. Luckly this lady will pay 11k. Dam Dealers suck.

MTL_4runner

I think 3K to get into a 4Runner while dumping your CRV is a great deal!
Make sure to get the truck up to date on maintenance right away....
....females are usually not the best on proper mantenance.

lee

ouch.

lets see what 4route has to say about that

SLC Punk

The price is a little high. But since she is willing to trade, it may be worth it for you.

1997's are the best year you can get! Hopefully yours is the Desert Dune color, those have an extra 5 HP over the other colors!


In addition to Bob's maintenance suggestions, I would like to also ad:
Alignment
Fuel Filter

lee

lets get some pics!

X-AWDriver

Yes,most of the time they aren't but even since my mom split from my dad she takes very good care of her '99 Limited even if she pays other people to do it but of course I do the stuff I can for cheap. Her Runner now has 48k on it and it looks like she drove it off the showroom floor which would be considered about as much off road as it's seen in it's life. :pat:
She even has a locker in her's and it'll never be used.

X-AWDriver

I bought my '97 just about 7 months ago and I've got about $2k in maintenance and mods but I've gotten good deals from friends and several members on this board have saved me some $$$.

MTL_4runner

I am obviously make a rather large generalization when I said that.
It is all relative.....yes there are guys who don't do squat for maintenance either.

MellamoPOUND

I also forgot to add that she is bringing to a dealer on Monday to get a 20pt inspection. Thanks again for all the tips. Here is a link to it with a picture. http://autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ca...lor=&cardist=6

X-AWDriver

Oh yeah,I knew that;I didn't mean to come across that I was implying anything toward you,sorry. I was just kinda talking my mom up since maybe when she sells it I'll get a good deal and know that it's well cared for.

lee

first thing to do after picking it up?

change your sig

MellamoPOUND

hahaha yea, i might, but i like that sig. Its when I took my 2wd Cr-v off-road and it got stuck pretty bad. Trying to get it out I put it in reverse and floored it, and a HUGE oil spill type wave of mud shot into the air. I also have it on video which is an awesome video, for a CR-V.

MellamoPOUND

ah... I just realized you were talking about my sig, not my avatar. I guess I will have to change both.