furtherlane@aol.com

I've narrowed it down to two 4Runners, both 1999 SR5 4x4 w/low mileage...But how to choose?

1. BLACK SR5 w/ 46k miles; sunroof, cassette player, cloth seats; unused towing bar; three "dings" of which one large one needs immediate attention on the rear hatch before rust sets in; other negative: someone spilled grape or cherry juice on the rear passenger side floor, leaving a deep and huge stain. The carfax is perfect, revealing one owner who traded in the SR5 for a new Nissan SUV.

I managed to talk with the original owner (who spoke poor English) He was surprised the dealer was only asking $15.9k, as he recalled getting more toward his trade in (might have been inflated for an inflated new truck price.) He never off-roaded or towed; he did smoke, although the truck doesn't smell bad, despite the cloth seats. Although the NISSAN DEALER I'm working with is a major jerk, he agreed to drive the truck to the local Toyota place for a diagnostic tomorrow AM. The DEALER never mentioned the three dings or the grape juice when he sent me the $15.9k invoice, and still claims he's losing $$$.

CUT TO:

2) As I was passing a major Mitsubishi dealership in NY today, I noticed a SILVER 1999 SR5 in PERFECT shape with 55k miles. It was marked "$24,500" HA.
I showed them my other invoice (for the $15.9k truck) and asked them to match it. The store manager was called over, and he pulled out a manifest & invoice, showing that their actual purchase price was $16,400. It didn't appear to be a bogus document. As a matter of fact, the salesman wasn't aware it even existed. The store manager said that even with 9k extra miles, his truck was better, and for the following reasons:
1) It is metallic silver with clearcoat. He said Toyota's black and their white finishes aren't metallic, and won't wear as well, especially in New York's harsh conditions.
2) His SR5 also has an immaculate LEATHER interior, no rips, no wear, and no GRAPE stains on the floor.
3) His SR5 has a CD player (not a big deal)
4) His SR5 has no dents to fix. (A big deal)
5) His SR5 has a sophiticated alarm system
As a negative, the town hitch appears to have been used.

He agreed to 1) drop the price to $16.9
2) Finance the SR5 @ 5.9% for 60 months;
3) He'll let me bring a mechanic on the lot, but won't let the SR5 get driven to a Toyota Service Dealership. The CARFAX which I pulled myself, shows one owner in Pennsylvania; No damage of any kind, no accidents, and no odometer rollback.
The finish looks brand new, so I believe it was garaged. they did buy the SR5 at auction at the lease end.

Becauser they're a HUGE and respected dealership, he said I shouldn't waste extra $ on that; that they have their own lift, and they put the truck through the paces. . . but if I want, I can send a mechanic over.

I like the metallic SILVER a lot better than the BLACK. But how critical is the mileage differential (46k vs. 55k)? I also have a chronically sore back, so the leather seats might help. (Although I must say, the BLACK truck was SMOOTH, and had 4 new tires. The Silver truck tires looked like they only have 20% left)

Now, I can ask the $15.9k selling dealer to shave off $1,000 for the dings and the grape juice stains. But if the dealer stays firm and I fix them myself and buy a CD player, there's the $1,000, jacking the price to $16.9k, like the SILVER one.

You, honorable board members, no doubt have experience in matters like this. You've already helped me with car buying hints; but the hour of decision is coming up fast!

WHAT DO DO???

I thank you for all of your thoughts and comments.

Churnd

I say go with the silver one. 46k and 55k for a Toyota is almost a non-existant difference. There when you start to approach 80k, that's when you need to worry about the bigger maintenence things getting done... like timing belt, etc.

Dings and dents are more expensive to repair than you'd think. I know a guy who had a quarter size dent in a door on his Honda Accord that he was quoted $500 to repair. So figure at least a thousand for a "couple", and that's assuming you go to a mildly competent shop.

Find out what kind of alarm system is in the silver one. Find out it's features and whatnot and make sure they all work. The CD player is a nice bonus but if you're anything like us, you'll probably be replacing it before long anyway.

I don't know much about financing, but I know enough to say that seems like a good deal on the Silver Runner. The leather seats, alarm, and the other bonuses are well worth the $1000 difference between the two. Plus you won't have that ugly grape stain to get out of the carpet.

IMO, your best bet is to go with the Silver SR5.

butnut

I'd go with the silver. The carpet will have to be replaced and body work/repaint... nothing beats an original paint if well maintained. If you never owned a black vehicle...well, ask anyone who has...nice but high maintanance if you're anal. Good luck.

doink

my vote is for the silver one. sounds like it has less things to worry about

Cebby

Go with the silver one. Get some Husky Liners if you get a hankering for grape juice...

ChitRod

The silver one. You don't have anything to fix, and it's a nicer color, with more options. 55K vs 45 K isn't anything really. I bought my 96 with 56K and it has never had any trouble and it's on up to 114L now.

furtherlane@aol.com

So everyone loves silver, I guess. I'm surprised nobody's said anything about those swell leather seats. . . Aslo, IMHO, silver brings out the amazingly well designed and rugged lines of the 2nd & 3 gen. 4runners. Black seems to hide them more. Any thoughts on metallic vs. non-metallic paint?

Firefyter-Emt

Go for the silver one.. It will show it's age better as well, Black is a PITA to keep up and it is dirty before you get donw takeing the daily wax coat it needs just to keep it looking scratch free...

Henryv

The silver one sounds sweet and from your explanation, the black one sounds somewhat like a fixer upper but the silver one sounds like its already good to go. Oh and are those prices you got out the door?

Bumpin' Yota

Id say silver 99 over the black 99.

1. Easier color to maintian, though I DO, oh so much, love a BLACK truck with 5% tint, completely blacked out....
2. No external problems
3. Spotless interior
4. A tiny bit less milage

And one final point, find out when that interest compounds or get the total ammount you'd be paying in interest on top of the 16.9k over that period of time.

Vato Loco

I'd say go for the silver, I bought my '97 Limited with about 50k and still going strong I know this off-topic but it got me wondering, is the Desert Dune metallic?

furtherlane@aol.com

Dear Bumpin' Yota: Thanks for the thoughts. The SILVER, however, is the one with a little more mileage on it. Also, isn't all car financing similar? That it's 5.9% of the principal until paid off?

butnut

Yes, it's metallic.