I'd like to point out that when a dealer offers a lot of money for your non-running or damaged vehicle, they aren't doing it out of the good of their hearts. They plan to make the money back somewhere, usually through interest on financing... I'm not trying to be a downer but the "push, drag, or tow it here" sales/events are really kind of a pseudo-scam...

I would recommend doing a little cost-benefit analysis to decide if you can get more money than it would cost to fix it, otherwise plan on getting a little less and sell it private-party. If you pay $1000 to fix the rig, but can charge $1500-2000 more, it might be worth it.

Just a little heads-up is all. I would also check out www.carbuyingtips.com for some great insights on how to shop for a car at a dealer. It's worth it's reading time ten fold!

 

I would agree with Mastacox on doing your research.
Another issue is what are you going to get to replace the 95? If this dealer is going to give you $3500, I can bet you that if he has anything in the late 90's he is gonna want 9-12K+ and when you subtract the 3500, you're still gonna be paying around $10K.
Also do the math yourself and look at your vehicle as what its REAL world value is. In its present condition, it may only bring REAL world, $1500 so when you start crunching numbers use THAT figure not the dealers $3500 then you can see what the real price he is asking.

Find a dealer who you know is honest and straight up there are some out there. Get a sales guy who can deal without having to keep running back to the sales manager everytime you counter offer. Know the market in your area, know what the product is, know MORE then the sales guy or even the Used car manager then you can deal from a position of strength. Decide what you are going to pay based on your research then if he doesn't want to deal, walk!

Shop, look, ask around then shop some more. They are out there. I bought my 95 with only 90K miles on it and the interior and exterior were PERFECT! I had been looking for about 3 months and found it on the way home from a business trip, heck I was driving back from the airport when I spotted it on the dealer lot. Stock, 31x10.5 Michelins (90% tread) on 15" factory wheels, Pioneer multi disk sound system with Sony amp and I paid $6650 and that was at a local Subaru dealer so even at dealerships you can find a gr8 deal, you just gotta watch and dig. Good Luck!

 

 

Definitely not a fan of car dealerships. They offer you $3500 on your trade in but then wont give you a dime lower than sticker price. I bought this runner for $5,000 at a Nissan dealership. They had it listed for $7900. I managed to talk them down almost $3000 and remove the dealership fee. Even though I got a heck of a deal, I still resist dealerships at all cost.

I'm leaning more towards trying to sell it private party. I have my eyes set on a 2000 and 2001 4Runner for around $11,000.

 

You always get more for private party, a dealer will give you the lowest value for the car that KBB lists.

I could have traded my camry to a dealer once, they said 1500 bucks. I later sold it for 2500 and took a loss of about 700 bucks but I had to get rid of it.

 

didnt read the whole thread, no time... but are you sure its rod knock? there are lots of things in there that could make a knocking noise....

 

Pretty sure. Take a listen.

http://www.modtheater.com/Audio.wma

 

Sold for $3400

 

To dealer or private party?

 

Private party. Now the task of finding a replacement before Saturday.

What do you guys think about fleet/company cars. I found a runner with 68,000 for a really moderate price, but after CarFaxing it, found out it was a fleet car.

 

Any opinions on company/fleet cars before I throw down the cash?

 

Depends on what company owned it. I know that our company has some rigs that they let supervisors and higher salary workers drive, and they drive the piss out of them. My parents worked for another company where they were able to drive fleet cars home, and they were very nice, though. Maybe call the company who is selling the rig and ask them how hard they normally drive them. The worst they can do is hang up on you.

 

I second that opinion

is it a 4cyl? i'd be less worried about that because no BHG issues to worry about (at least...less than the 6cyl) because running a car hard would accerate the BHG process.

anyway... try and call the company but not the number that is selling the car...maybe try and talk to some of the drivers themselves because they might not even realise you're inquiring because of a sale. then ask the actual person in charge of the sale. that way you get some other opinions and less chance of being lied too.

just curious about this but, how much are they asking and what year?

 

Finally got it replaced. Ended up with a 1998 Limited 4Runner with 80,000 miles. Excellent condition. Tires needed road forced and probably could use some new rotors as there is a slight shake when braking. I'm way happy with it overall, just $10,500 later