Had a guy approach me in a parking lot and said he would give me $7,000 cash today for the 4runner. I told him to let me think about it and get his phone number. I am just getting into modding it...but would it be a good decision if I did sell it for that price?

 

Ask yourself this? Can you come up with more cash to get a 3rd gen?

 

I have a similar slightly modded Runner that just blew it's 2nd head hasket. If someone would have made me that offer last week, knowing what I know now, I would have took him up on it in a heart beat.

 

hell, have him toss in another grand or two and i'd consider selling my 4runner with a SAS, ARB 5.29s, and the supra motor

for a stock 4runner i'd jump at that offer

 

Why would someone offer you $7K in a parking lot? It's not like these are hard to find. Sounds fishy to me.

 

I agree, be very careful.

 

its not shady as long as the check clears, just dont have over any keys or title till then. . .

 

well he had cash on hand. he was at a local car show and travels and picks up vehicles i'm assuming for his car lot. this is my daily driver so i gotta get something else lined up before i sell it. i am getting a car fax on this runner as we speak...can't break tradition! heres the 4runner....i figure i can get him down to $5,500 or lower.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...p=y&cardist=84
also just found this 3rd gen
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...981&cardist=88

 

another 3rd
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...=y&cardist=200

 

Well guys gimme some inputs on if i do shop for a 3rd gen. what to look for as usual things that go out on the 3rd gens. i already know what to look for on the 2nd gens because i have been over obstacle after obstacle on this one! appreciate it...

 

You should have taken then money and ran to the bank ...

 

well i would have...but that means we have no transportation until i did get a vehicle. with 2 kids thats kinda hard...but trust me i wanted to sooo bad

 

picked up a rental hatchback for a week till you find something

 

i guess theres an idea...never thought about it. i got the guys # and called him and he said he would be back next friday to talk more about this.

 

For $7K you are going to get an older 3rd gen with really high mileage, there is no way around that (unless it is a beat 2WD). Therefore, do not buy ANYTHING unless they have proof of maintenance. No exceptions.

I still think something is fishy here. I would NEVER hand over the rig unless I met him at the bank and he had cash or a cashiers check. Even then I would be skeptical.

 

Well I am going to meet him next weekend. I'm going to feel him out a little and get to know what he is after. Maybe he loves 4runners? I don't know....but if he flashes the cash and asks for the title....then it is his! But cash in hand...is the only way I will do it. If he has a check....I will ask him to go to the bank with me before I sign the title over. Well it has 218,000 miles on it right now so a 3rd gen with 150,000 will still be better. I will look the 4runner over first before I buy it...thats all I have ever owned is used cars so I've grown quite accustomed to the looksie portion of it. The guy said he goes to car shows and noticed my 4runner in town....since it is a small town and it is a unique looking 4runner so ya couldn't miss it. I will be cautious though. I know these 3.0's cost alot to build up so if I had a 3.4 then I could at least get a good portion of horses out of it and it would be worth the rebuild. All these mods I see for the 3rd gens and up makes me feel limited on the 3.0.

 

I thought the 3.4's were known for good mileage too? I will do a car fax on the vehicle i choose and ask them who the previous owner was and if they have his contact info that way I could hear it first hand.

 

Well, given the proper maintenance they will go forever. My point is that without the maintenance records, there is just no guarantee. And a CARFAX won't tell you a whole lot about how the vehicle was maintained. Heck, even with the maintenance records there is no guarantee. But your chances of scoring a rig that will last you a while are much higher.

I bought a one-owner 97 supercharged 4Runner with 197K miles for $6K a month or so ago. The owner had all the records and was a stand up guy. Otherwise I would have never bought it. So they do exist for $7K or so, but they are going to have high mileage. It was a 5-speed SR5 4WD by the way.

 

i justed noticed your in pulaski, you ever go to any of the minor league games?

 

I would just keep it.