Can you tell me whether this used car seems like a good deal?

February 9, 2013 9:52 PM

Can you tell me whether this used car seems like a good deal? I'm currently out of the country, but I'm looking to buy a used Toyota 4Runner. I would like to buy a truck/SUV that will last me FOREVER. In other words, I want to keep it as a second car even when it has 200k+. I think that the 4Runner might be good based upon what I know.

Anyways, I am returning soon, and I've been snooping around. I tried KBB, Edmunds, and NADA, but their prices are DRASTICALLY different for the same car. Could I get your thoughts? I plan to send out an inspection service to look at it. Thanks

posted by denverco to shopping (6 answers total)

4Runners have a decent rep for longevity but they do seem to rust fairly easily, so keep that in mind depending on where you live. Personally I'd look more towards a Land Cruiser in that vein. For a truck, a Dodge Ram with a cummins engine will last forever.
posted by mannequito at 12:34 AM on February 10

You won't get a 'good deal' from a dealer by paying the asking price; they don't volunteer to sell cars cheap. If you want a good deal, ignore the sticker. Consider your own budget carefully so you know what you're comfortable spending. Get pre-approval for any loan you might need. Figure out which models, in what sort of condition will fit that budget, then go find two or three specific cars (not just one), at different, unrelated dealers, that are in the range of models / years / conditions you know you want and can afford, and negotiate to arrive at the price you already know is reasonable.

If you read the 'where do these prices come from?' info, you'll find that KBB is suggesting asking/sticker prices while Edmund's is trying to report actual average selling prices. I know less about NADA, but I think they're fairly similar to KBB's dealer retail prices.
posted by jon1270 at 3:53 AM on February 10 [1 favorite]

time and abuse don't kill Toyotas, rust does. Been true since the landcruisers and even recent tacomas have had some problems. Photos are never going to show rust either. To really ferret it out you need to put the vehicle on a lift and dig around underneath and under carpet and even use a magnet to find soft spots.

4runners are essentially toyota pickups with a full body on them. They are great all around SUV and off road vehicles. The landcruisers are bigger and tougher but get atrocious mileage and require more maintenance. AT that I woundn't buy any later than the fj80 series if you wanted a good off road vehicle. The current fj100 series is really more of an escalade by toyota than a real off road machine.

I would also look at nissan Xterras and jeep grand cherokees. Very comparable vehicles if maintained well. The jeep will have the worst interior but with the straight 6 the best engine ever made by jeep. The Nissans are pretty good all around and pretty much functionally identical to the toyota 4runner.

as to this one? no idea. You don't need to buy sight unseen. There is always another car around the corner and there is no replacement for a personal inspection.
posted by bartonlong at 9:32 AM on February 10

That's a decent price for that car - assuming it is in the represented condition. There are better deals than that, but it's not a total rip-off.

4runners tend to hold their value, so expect to pay a premium. The 4th generation (03-09) seem to be particularly popular since the 5th gen (10+) redesign is larger and a bit more expensive. We had to search for a while to find a really good deal on my wife's 4Runner - and they weren't staying on lots for very long.
posted by Pogo_Fuzzybutt at 9:41 AM on February 10

Even though it comes from a dealer, get it inspected by a mechanic. Take your time negotiating; always be prepared to walk away from a deal you don't trust. I've had very good experience with Toyotas.
posted by theora55 at 12:07 PM on February 10

To add to theora55 - a safety inspection will cost less than $100 (maybe as little as $30) and a responsible mechanic will take the opportunity to give you an estimate of what could be repaired and talk you through what needs to be repaired. This once allowed me to knock 30% off a vehicle's price tag.
posted by jander03 at 9:29 PM on February 10