2002 4Runner would you consider it?

[Stewart Fan]

We've been looking for a smallish SUV for winter time driving,and I'm having a hard time finding anything I'd like to drive for the money we wanted to spend.

I have found a 2002 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 that is in really nice shape. The car fax shows that the original owner had virtually all maintanance done at the dealership. Brakes,oil changes,alignments,timing belt,etc. Looks to be very well maintained

It was traded in at the same dealership it was purchased at.
It has 169,000 miles on it,and the dealer is asking 11,995 for it. I know Toyotas are known for holding their value,but 12,000 seems rather high for a 10 year old vehicle thats closing in on 200K miles.

Whats your opinion on price? Do Toyotas really hold their value that well?

 

[Quest]

Avg mileage for a 9yr old 4runner, I'd say.

no, won't pay 12k for it...more like 9~10k if checked to be in respectable condition.

Q.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Offering 9K was my thought as well.

I forgot to add that its also got leather and its an auto.

 

[bepperb]

They are tanks. I'd think my 04 Highlander would retail at a dealer for 12 and wouldn't be nearly as nice as a V6, 4x4, body on frame 4runner.

On the other hand 9,10,12 grand for a car with 170,000 miles is a lot. You can't get a 4wd Highlander/V6 Escape with half those miles for that price?

 

[mongo161]

I've had my 1997 V6, T4R, SR5, 4WD since new and it's in very good shape.....IMO.

Considering the mileage and the maintenance....you may have a very good vehicle. The price is always ALWAYS negotiable on a used T4R. However, IMO.... especially the 3rd and some 4th generation T4R's are hard to find in good condition.

Try negotiating with the dealer to get your price. The tires may have to be replaced soon, battery, exhaust system, the timing belt changed and possibly a brake job might be needed. Use these points as your bargaining chips along with any other items that are original even though they may not have to be replaced.

IMO...this vehicle has been the best I've ever owned in my life.

 

[ARB1977]

My Tacoma goes for 10K private party. It's a 4X4 with 127000. If it drives good see if you can come down.

 

[Spazdog]

It's not uncommon.

I remember a 2.4l manual Tacoma access-cab 4X4 with 150,000mi. They wanted $10,000 for it.

I liked the truck. I didn't like it enough to pay $10,000. I could buy a loaded B4000 4X4 with under 100,000 miles on the same lot for virtually the same price. Maybe the "Mazda Ranger" doesn't have the reputation that the Taco has but they are plenty durable. So the price disparity seems to be on reputation alone.

And this was a few years ago when used cars were still relatively cheap. I don't know if it's the same everywhere but used car prices have skyrocketed here. It's ridiculous.

I really planned on replacing my Mazda with a Camaro RS. But everytime I find one with decent mileage, it's within $2,000 of the one I "built" on the GM website. And I still gotta' add a spare, half the tire life is gone, and I don't know what kind of gas, oil, driving style, break-in...etc... the previous driver had.

 

[Stewart Fan]

Originally Posted By: mongo161


Considering the mileage and the maintenance....you may have a very good vehicle. The price is always ALWAYS negotiable on a used T4R. However, IMO.... especially the 3rd and some 4th generation T4R's are hard to find in good condition.

Try negotiating with the dealer to get your price. The tires may have to be replaced soon, battery, exhaust system, the timing belt changed and possibly a brake job might be needed. Use these points as your bargaining chips along with any other items that are original even though they may not have to be replaced.



You're right about finding a clean 4Runner. Most everything I've seen is a POJ.

Its got new tires and brakes (both replaced at the dealer) and the timing belt was changed at 100K. It really is a nice rig.

 

[SrDriver]

Make an offer and let them sweat for a few days.

$9,000.00 sounds about right.

 

[kkreit01]

Never! I wouldn't pay $5K for it. Sorry, I would never buy a vehicle with that high mileage -- I don't care what name is on the rear.

For $12K around here, you can buy an 06 Explorer with 60K, 04 Jeep GC Limited 4.7 with 70k...just to name a few. I know they aren't Toyotas, and they won't last forever blah blah blah, but 100K less miles is a lot.

 

[hattaresguy]

Way to much, its a $5k truck. I don't care what it is 170k is 170k miles. At $12k its only a transfer case and transmission away from being a $17k vehicle...with 200k miles on it.

Pass.

 

[dishdude]

Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
Way to much, its a $5k truck. I don't care what it is 170k is 170k miles. At $12k its only a transfer case and transmission away from being a $17k vehicle...with 200k miles on it.

Pass.


+1 No way would I spend that kind of money on a vehicle with that mileage.

 

[CBR.worm]

It's too much of a gamble. If you knew its previous owner, that would be one thing. It could have 200K left in it, or it might not make it to 200K. It could have been owned by a family and been the teenagers car for the last 50K, and they traded it in due to fear it was about to break.

I was looking for similar vehicles and kind of came to the conclusion that as solid as those are, a few year old explorer for the same money has to be decent.

Then I ended up deciding I wanted an '03 or newer with the V8, then worked my way up to an '05 with the stronger V8/5 speed auto and somehow ended up with an FX45. I have to say though that the Toyota V8/auto is more refined than the FX45's.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I'd try and offer $9k on it. That VZ-series engine is a real nice one, and the transmissions seem durable enough. My father-in-law still has the 1995.5 Tacoma he bought new with the same powertrain. The interiors on Toyotas from that vintage seem to hold up well also.

You'd have to give it a long test drive, inspect it, and go with your gut. With vehicles of that mileage, it's more about the condition and records than the nameplate. Does the dealer have proof the timing belt was changed (with a service record, or maybe it was done at that dealer)? Are there any other service records with it?

 

[caravanmike]

i think it is way too expensive for mileage.

if you bite on it, things to look for:

1) rear axle seals are known pattern failures on the 96-02 t4r
-check the rear drum brakes for signs of leaking
- if not caught in time rear axle grenades

2) rear spings have known sagging problems on 96-02 t4r

3) rear bumpers rust out if the vehicle wasn't garaged.

4) elec rear window problems

5) you have to be a magician to get the starter out
- know pattern failure of solenoid contacts

it is a gamble not knowing maintenance history. this is a 3.4L never maintained at 120k

it is a solid platform but if it wasn't maintained it could be sludged!


this is NOT a known sludger but if the oil was never changed with 170k you could be dealing with this (just like any 170k used car)?

i would take the gamble for 7000K but not what they are asking! Mike

 

[brendan310]

Imo, you should search craigslist for a private party selling one. I checked the LA area craigslist and found several clean title/lower mileage at much better prices. The dealer's always charge 20-30% markup above private parties.
Now, i'm considering this for my next car, lol.