4Runner Dilemma

[FshTaco99]

Looking at "upgrading" into a 4runner. My 99' Tacoma is longer appealing and I'm craving for more room. A local dealership has a 00' 4runner on their lot. The service manager was the previous owner and it truly is in good shape... So they said. The tires are square, pulls to the left hard, had a left rear quarter panel put on it, and sometime or another, someone painted the entire left side up to the fender. The repairs were done correctly, minus the tape line around the right rear window moulding, overspray on the inside of the doors all over. I work at a bodyshop so everything can easily be handled. Dealership went down to $10.4k yesterday. I offered $9k cash. NADA is $10.5k retail...in excellent shape. Thoughts or suggestions?

http://www.nucar.com/used-inventory/vehicle-details.htm?vehicleId=e8eacefc7f0000010026c7daf9d6 167a

[mtnbike28]

The pulling hard part would scare me! You said you work at a body shop, did you check the frame, or are the adjustments so out of whack, there is no more to adjust?

The last two used trucks I bought from a dealer, I have demanded they put on new tires. Even though both would have passed inspection, but I also paid more than you are...

The body damage being repaired isn't huge to me on an off-road truck but frame damage is!

Good luck

[FshTaco99]

Everything is square underneath. There was no frame damage actually. The pulling is from the tires most likely.

[mtnbike28]

If you like the truck, and it does look nice, then I say go with their offer and get them to fix and warranty the pulling problem. Including putting new tires on it. If the problem is causing really bad wear on tires, you will need the warranty ; )

just my 2 cents from some one who has over paid for a bunch of vehicles ; )

[ryguy]

If you're getting a bad pull its probably an alignment issue. Best bet is to get a carfax so you can find out how bad the accident was.

[FshTaco99]

It is an alignment issue. My concern is whether it's worth it. It's CLEAN overall though. Everything I was looking for and then some. Rear diff lock and loaded is what I wanted plus being under 100k. I've looked and looked at everything from a 4runner to a Xterra and really wouldn't trust anything else on my 600+ mile excursion to see the lady every month.

[Martinjmpr]

Sounds overpriced to me but I live in CO where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dozen 4wd Toyotas (seriously, there are like 6 on my block.)

I think $10k would be fair if they promise to fix the alignment problem. If it needs tires, factor that in. I paid about $560 for 4 235/85/16 Yokohama Geolander AT/S tires for my Tacoma in 2007. I think that's probably the least amount you could figure on paying for 4 tires.

Ad says it's a Limited: Does it have the locking diff? Not all limited's have them! Assuming there's no frame or front suspension damage, $10k sounds fair for a 2000 Limited with 89k on it.

[4x4mike]

I paid $10K for my '99 a year and a half ago. It has everything I wanted except the locker and only had 84K on the clock. Dealers and lots want thousands more than a private seller. Look around and you'll find what you want for a resonable price. I wouldn't pay what they are asking unless it was in perfect condition, low miles and the color I wanted.

[mtnbike28]

If I understand, the dealer went down to 10.4k and if you can get new tires thrown in, that seems like a good deal for under 100k miles, a locker, and you like the truck. I know a private deal can be found cheaper, but it takes a while to find what you like!

[T.Low]

My brother in law was a delaership mechanic for 15 years. He'd get dibbs on these low ball trade-ins, put a minimal amount of fixins to it, then sell them for a lot more.

I sold Dodge trucks at a dealership for 2 months. I forgot people that scummy existed. They will say anything at all. They have one goal and it doesn't include your best interest.

Car fax it, see how long this guy actually owned the car, if at all.

[FshTaco99]

Yes it has the locker in the rear. Everything but navigation (if that was even available). The previous owner is actually the service manager at the dealership. I hunted him down without talking to the salesman. The guy wanted a four door JK and they finally got one in used. Most likely received some obscene amount on trade-in and the dealership now doesn't want to loose their rear on it.

[sami]

Ad says it's a Limited: Does it have the locking diff? Not all limited's have them! Assuming there's no frame or front suspension damage, $10k sounds fair for a 2000 Limited with 89k on it.

Little known fact that the "Limited Edition" actually has little to do with whether there's a locker or not (a somewhat rare option 'DL' for Limiteds and SR5's). Seems to be an even less known fact that the 'Highlander Edition' is basically the pre-sport package to the later "sport Package", brought on the e-locker in 4runners. (Limiteds bring on leather, wood panelled interiors, and navigation type upgrades)

Reference this site for more info than you could ever need for the 'Highlander Edition' 4Runner. http://www.top4runners.com/ja/highlander.html I found this to be very helpful when I was getting into my '99 4runner SR5 Highlander Edition.

BTW I paid $7,500ish for a '99 SR5 Highlander Ed. 4runner w/ all new tires, new battery, IIRC about 115k miles, very clean.. This was last May or so..

***EDIT - After following the link to the ad, that is most definately a Limited with the 'DL' option (if it truly has the e-locker).

[Cackalak Han]

Sounds overpriced to me but I live in CO where you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a dozen 4wd Toyotas (seriously, there are like 6 on my block.)

Please provide pictures of this. :sombrero:


Little known fact that the "Limited Edition" actually has little to do with whether there's a locker or not (a somewhat rare option 'DL' for Limiteds and SR5's). Seems to be an even less known fact that the 'Highlander Edition' is basically the pre-sport package to the later "sport Package", brought on the e-locker in 4runners. (Limiteds bring on leather, wood panelled interiors, and navigation type upgrades)


The rear locker was an option regardless of the trim level. Limited, Highlander and SR5 all had an OPTION to include the RR DIFF LOCK option.

Also, there were no "navigation type upgrades" for the Limited model. Navigation is strictly for the 4th Gen models in the US. The two big differences that set the Limited apart from the Highlander and SR5 models is:

#1 - Multi-mode trans. 2WD, AWD, 4WD, 4WD-L. Nice option.
#2 - Auto climate control. I know some think it's not a big deal, but I've always found them useful. Wish my Tacoma had it.

And I think they can come down on the price of that particular 4Runner. I know it's got 89k, but figure in the $1000 or so you'll spend on the timing belt, water pump, various seals, etc. for the 90k maintenance.

[sami]

The rear locker was an option regardless of the trim level. Limited, Highlander and SR5 all had an OPTION to include the RR DIFF LOCK option.



Correction to your info ~ The RR diff lock was not an option on the Highlander, it was standard. :sombrero:

'SP' versions didn't come "standard", but that's probably a ratio of 1000:1 SX vs SP versions of the Highlander...

[Cackalak Han]

Correction to your info ~ The RR diff lock was not an option on the Highlander, it was standard. :sombrero:

'SP' versions didn't come "standard", but that's probably a ratio of 1000:1 SX vs SP versions of the Highlander...

Well, the "Sport Package" in 99-00 did have two options:

Sport Package
Includes P265/70R 16 tires, 16-inch
aluminum alloy wheels with cap,
large wheel arch molding, 13-inch
brakes, 4.100 rear differential
ratio, sport seat with hi-fabric,
sport seat material, fender flares,
four-way adjustable headrests,
cloth door trim, leather shift
knob and steering wheel, hood
scoop, fog lamps, color-keyed
bumpers and grille

Sport Package w/Differential Lock
Includes Sport Package with
locking rear differential and
4.300 rear differential ratio
* SR5 V6 4ECT 4WD models only

The second option that includes the diff lock was still an "Option". Though the diff lock may be more prevalent in the Highlander models, I've actually seen quite a few without it. Years ago, I almost bought a black 99 in Colorado, but found no diff lock and skipped on that option. There have been quite a few in our area without the diff lock, as well. Actually, I noticed just as many Limiteds with the e-locker.

Also, was the 4.30 gearing always included with the diff locker option in the Highlanders? My 98 Limited had a 4.10 and so does my Tacoma. IIRC, I think some Highlander guys said they had the regular 4.10 gearing?

Too bad they decided to discontinue this after 00. (Well, until the TE this year).

EDIT: Just wanted to comment that some of the stuff on that top4runners site has been proven to be wrong. But a good site, none-the-less.

[sami]

Officially, there is no such thing as a "Sport Package" ever offered in 99-00.. The "Sport Package" that you refer to, is officially known as the "Highlander Package" of said years.. It was considered a 'sport package', but officially called the Highlander Edition. Then Toyota shifted into calling it the 'Sport Package' after the introduction of the Toyota Highlander in '01, a completely all new car-based suv which shared no characteristics of the 4Runner.

I like the '99s, and I think '00s.. They have the low profile flares that are black plastic, rather than the body mathed painted flares...

[Cackalak Han]

Yes, I used "Sport Package" and "Highlander" synonymously. I was in no way referring to the jacked up stationwagon. :D

And since you're getting technical, they called it "Sport Edition", not "Sport Package". :D :D

Also, I think some, if not all, '00 models had color-keyed fender flares that were larger than the '99 models.

[sami]

Also, I think some, if not all, '00 models had color-keyed fender flares that were larger than the '99 models.

Which why I like my '99... Small non-painted flares, a locker, sunroof, and a non-functional hood scoop ;)

I knew you weren't refering to the later highlander car :elkgrin:

[Martinjmpr]

Please provide pictures of this. :sombrero:




Can't provide pictures right now but here's how it breaks down: I have a '99 4runner. Neighbor across the street has an identical 3rd gen 4runner (same color even, Desert Dune Mica.) Next to them (caddycorner to me, across the street) has a last-generation Hilux (89-94) shortbed, reg cab. My next door neighbor has a 1st gen Tacoma 4x4, ex-cab with a stepside bed, neighbor two doors down from her has a 1st gen Tacoma, ext cab, and the neighbor next to them has a Tacoma and a 2nd gen 4runner.

Also, my neighbor across the street is frequently visited by one of his kids, who drives a 2nd gen double-cab Taco. All of the above are 4x4s.

From what I've seen, this is all fairly typical for Colorado.

Go over to the CO4x4.org web site and you'll see that the vast majority of the vehicles are (1) Jeeps of various types and (2) Toyota 4x4s of various types. I've noticed the same thing out on the trails. Lots of Jeeps, lots of Toyotas, and only a smattering of other types of vehicles.

[ryguy]

If you provide me with the vin I can look up the trucks national service history.

[RusM]

I have definitely seen trucks in similar condition for similar prices in my area, but I immediately discounted these rigs from my search. Personally, in my area, I would not pay more than $7000 for this particular rig. The key to getting a good deal on one of these rigs is diligent searching, knowing the market, and having the cash ready to go when you find your deal. Good luck on your search!