I found a '97 4runner Limited 4wd e-locker in Iowa. It's in excellent condition and recently had $1K worth of work done on a tune-up, t-belt, water pump, e-brake, axle bearings and seals. It's rust free and runs great according to the seller. Tread on tires has 3/4 of it left. He believes they are the second owner.

The only downfall is that it has 162K miles on it. He's owned it since 143K miles.



Do you guys think it's worth $7K? BB is about $9500. I'd have to go get it and it's about 1000 mile trip. A plane ticket is $250 plus another 200 or so for gas, food, and hotel. Is it worth the trouble for that price?

Thanks guys.



I can PM the link as long as you don't buy it.

 

doesnt sound bad to me. where in iowa is it?

 

Cedar Rapids

 

$7k? I would.

ROAD TRIP!!!!

 

Get there, check the electrics and mechanicals top and bottom (little dirt never hurt anyone), drive it for awhile paying attention to everything with the windows both up and down, park it and recheck the mechanicals top and bottom again, have him get in it and drive it down the road aways while you watch, point out what you've found (if anything), pull out your wad and shoot him an offer of $5000, cash (be sure to bring cash), and you'll take it now.

Does'nt hurt to ask and haggling back and forth can be fun, but definitely get it if it proves to trully be a nice ride, it looks sweet.

 

We travelled over 600 miles to pick up our 99. So I think it is a good deal. Especially if the owner has all of the paperwork indicating proper maintanence.

 

ahhh, if it was around des moines ill go look at it for ya. ceder rapids is about 2hr 40 mins from me.

 

Why is he selling it so soon again?
I hope the spot under the engine is only water

 

probably from the ac, it drains from the front passenger side.

 

Are you sure it is safe to bring that much cash with you (mugged/robbed on street or at sale)?
I wouldn't be caught on the street with that much!

......if you were gonna exchange that much cash I would do it at the bank.

 

Assuming it's all in order, I think it's a good deal.

 

You can hire a 3rd party to do a used car inspection on it for $100 or so. There are mobile services out there, just search the net for that area. Heck, post something on Yotatech about an Iowa inspection needed and pay someone to check it out for you. I had mt goat check a 00 4Runner in OK City I bought off ebay for me and paid him $50 for his time. He took a bunch of pictures and drove it for me. It was a great piece of mind and turned out to be a real gem.

 

Christian nailed exactly what I would do. Assuming it checks out, that's a helluva deal! I paid recently $7500 for my '97 2-wheel dr 4Runner with 132,000 miles and thought I was getting a good deal -- with 4x4 AND a locker?! Now I'm pissed about the one I made.

Ed

 

Pack a "piece" and you'll have no worries.

The purpose of the on hand cash is to seal the deal before the guy can reconsider and/or the psychological factor of having that much actual cash available at hand right now for the guy, if he chooses to accept the offer.

 

I'm still giving it some thought. I don't know if it is worth it to go get a vehicle with 162K miles. I'd end up paying $7500 after buying it. I want to have a vehicle that will outlive the loan I have on it. I'd only have to borrow about $4K to cover it. And I guess since I will only be in school for another year, I should be able to pay it off pretty quickly. Do you guys think I can get another 4-5 years out of this 4runner?

Do you guys think maybe I should just wait and find a SR5 or Taco with less miles for the same price? The miles worry me a little but it is a Toyota.

If I decide that I want to buy it, I'll post a thread to have someone check it out for me.

Thanks for all the help.

And the debate in my head continues...

 

He said they've owned it for 3.5 years. I guess the guys wife didn't drive it too much.

 

I recently purchased a 97 SR5 4WD, supercharged, with 197K miles on it. It had been supercharged since 100K miles with NO fuel/timing mods . If that isn't a testament to the strength of the 5VZ, I don't know what is. The reason I bought it is because, well, I wanted the SC'r - but besides that I spoke with the owner (doctor, Navy admiral, had ALL the records in a file, etc.) All the doors opened and it was worth it for me. I bought it for $6K and sold it for $7300. I actually ended up breaking even after having the SC'r rebuilt and buying the mods for the SC'r. My time for R&R is not factored in to that equation though.

Anyway, my point is with the right maintenance records, etc., you could find yourself in a really nice rig. Make him prove it though.

 

Heck, if you're still waffling, I might go and get it.

Ed

 

Cedar Rapids is right in my neck of the woods! If you fly in to see it, PM me and I will come check it out with you. I know the area pretty well, and the good places to eat

 

Hmmmm...wonder why the second owner had it for less than 30K miles. if everything is in order its a good deal.