Looking at a 2002 255k $7k

My daughter has fallen in love with a 2002 green 4Runner with 255,000 miles. Is it worth $7,000?

https://joycarsales.com/inventory/40449/view/1333/Birmingham-AL/2002-Toyota-4runner

 

High mileage and 2wd plus no maintenance records, big no for me.

 

https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?partner=CUL_1&vin=JT3GN86RX20243147&compCode=nXjfUvX260oUJfdljtMs1Fzi6FKKQFCv

 

2WD? Hell no! It's a 4-5k car if it's a 2wd.

 

Other than oil changes, not much as far as maintenance has been done. 3rd owner did very little unless they did it themselves. No mention of timing belt replacement.

 

If it's 2WD most people on 4Runner forums won't like it. But... If your daughter does not do off-road stuff, then the 2WD will use less gas and have lots less drivetrain things to go wrong and maintain. And perhaps the 2WD has led a less stressful life up to now than an equivalent 4WD. I love my 1999 2WD with a little over 200K. It drives like new.

• How will your daughter use the vehicle?
• Is your decision based on your daughter's needs or how the purchase will rate on a 4Runner forum?
• 2WD's are a lot less popular and you may be able use that as a negotiating point to get a better price.
• With proper care, a 4Runner this old will probably not depreciate much at all. You may get most of your money back when you sell it.
• A point I've heard that is hard to refute - "If it's a 2WD, why not get a Highlander?"

 

As I see it, 2WD is a BIG plus for a daily driver - improved gas mileage over 4WD and less maintenance. A 2WD 2023 4Runner SR5 weighs 275 pounds LESS than its 4WD counterpart and 400 pounds less than the full-time 4WD Limited. This 2002 2WD would be a wonderful vehicle for driving around town. It's a Japanese-built, body-on-frame J120 Land Cruiser Prado platform badged as a "4Runner" that is far and away superior to a front-wheel-drive Highlander as I see it (referring to the comment above).

In today's market $7,000 is not a lot of money for a decent car. Dealers use NADA values and the average price for this vehicle in the dealer's zip code is about $5,200 with a high price of around $6,700. See screenshot below. You can also check the Kelly Blue Book but that value is usually lower and not used by dealers, insurance companies and banks.

You might consider getting it inspected by a trusted mechanic who can put it on a lift and check the brakes, ball joints and the rest.

 

it looks like it sold

 

It is now. If it looks like the interior has been taken care and clean, yep. Someone will always buy a 4 runner.I paid $5k with 265. I could replace a under 100k that was 10k a couple years ago is $24. I hear people on radio trade and sale looking for good used 4runner.

 

If you find one you like, jump. Someone will. It was $4800 about 3 years ago.