5 spd manual 4Runner SR5
125000 miles
3.4L V6

Exterior is bright and 90% with only a few scratches, and one 4-6" long scratch/mild dent down by the passenger door.

The interior is pretty much trashed (in my oppinion its less than desirable), the dash and trim has a bunch of marks/scratches, and the front carpet will need mats/carpet, as its stained nicely. It looks like the headliner had a fight with a 6 year old and his permanent marker and lost. The driver seat shows wear, and has one tear from getting in and out. The rear seats are ok. The front side windows have some kind of dirt/mud lines where they roll up and down on the tracks, no idea what thats about. So do the rear.

The front has wood trim with a small black toyota emblem on it...looks fake to me, but the salesmen claims its a toyota option and real wood (huh? thought only limiteds had this option?) The finish looks cheap to my eyes.

Truck wasnt test driveable as it needs a new clutch. They originally wanted 11.800 with a new clutch, 10.500 without. I told him to make a better offer or I would walk and he went down to 11k and they replace the clutch. Supposedly the timing belt was replaced at 120,750 (per the sticker on the belt cover) - the salesman claims its a toyota sticker meaning it was done by a dealer and warrantied, but doesnt have a single maitenance record for the truck. He also claimed there was no recall on the 3.4L V6 and that the head gasket wouldnt go bad (this also goes against what ive read here.) He said he could "try" to find out if it had been done on this truck yet. I have no idea if they keep any maitenance in a nationwide system, do they? This was all at a toyota dealership.

So basically, the NADA value on this thing in good-excellent condition is 10,400. Im willing to pay that with a new clutch installed. The salesman claims its 1300-1400 for a clutch change at the dealer - this sounds ridiculous to me. What does it usually run through them? I dont know if ill be able to talk him down, but he says call him tommorow if I want it and he can have the clutch installed. I personally want the clutch installed, THEN a test drive, and all the maitenance records he can dig up on his desk before I sign any paperwork.

Am I too anal retentive and expecting too much out of these people, or are some dealers just shady and to be dealt with accordingly?

Just looking to not get screwed...

Thanks as always for your help guys

 

Sounds like the interior is in pretty crappy shape...I would shop around some more but leave that as a backup personally. Wait to find what you want...it paid off for me

Fink

 

With everything you described I'd stay away from it. Your description sounds worse than anything I saw while looking for my runner. Like Fink said, you could probably do better with a bit of patience. That way you can get a runner you actually want and not just settle for one.

 

I personally would walk away and never look back. Shop around, you can find better. I would recommend autotrader.com to start with.

 

Yeah, I'd look elsewhere. The quote for the clutch is about right. At a dealership/toyota specific repair shops I was quoted around 1200, through a local garage it was $730

The reason I say look elsewhere is, the interior is all shot, you don't like the trim/finish, the clutch needs replacing, and all the stuff you listed wrong with it. But the icing on top is this dimwit for a sales guy. He doesn't know his stuff. The HG recall is well known here, and should be at dealerships. He should know about the national maintenance database (they just use the VIN, that's how carfax works).

For the money, you could find another toyota, that some old person drove (so you know its been babied) for cheaper I am sure. Good luck!

 

Run for the hills on that one!!!
Sorry, but I would keep looking for sure.

 

Sounds shady. I know I'm not in your region, but around here I know of a guy selling a 97 limited 4X4 with 140k hwy miles and in great shape except the 4x4 engagement is being flaky, and says kbb is about 10,500 and is taking any offers (I'd expect he'd take 9,500). Just a thought.

 

Thanks guys, I thought as much, Ive just never purchased a 4x4 before and didn't know if they are babied as much as all the sports cars ive owned in my past. Hell I cant believe any of you read all the way through that book of a post - thanks for the help!

Ill keep looking around for a 96+ 100k mileage 5 speed....in better condition and with a better salesman than that @sshat internet sales guy!

Thanks again guys!

PS: you should have heard his stories about how he was the co-founder of some jeep trail club in Colorado in 1992...and how he rolled a toyota T100 with 6 miles on the odometer, on the lot, with a customer in the passenger seat...yep, flipped it right over on a mound of dirt out in the parking lot! and he kept his job...because he was a manager! yeah...right....

 

10,000 eh?

when i was looking into selling mine, i thought i'd only be getting around $5,000. mine's an anthracite grey with 115,000 miles.

unfortunately, i'm looking into buying a house within the next year, and i don't think car payments and mortgage payments both fit into my paycheck...

i definately think you can find a better deal. have you browsed around e-bay? or carmax? you many not want to buy from e-bay, but it may be a good place to get a feel for how much things are going to cost. so the next time you hit up a stealership, you can have the upper hand.

 

Its not a 5 speed is it? If it is, ill take it - just ship it on over

I love the anthracites....yeah the dealers around here are all charging WAY too much...as lame stealerships, naturally they would. The lucky break I got was selling my WRX back to the subie dealer, they are giving me a good amount as opposed to me having to sell it privately.

Im serious though, if that anthracite is a 5 speed, you have a buyer

unfortunately carmax.com doesnt sell in the Washington area...bummer...thanks for the suggestions!