Whats this 3rd gen worth?

Hi all,

I am considering buying a 3rd gen 4runner. I don't do a lot of off roading, so some people say it might be wasted on me. However, I need a vehicle I can easily haul landscaping supplies around in and I want something I can sleep inside of while camping. I was considering a pickup with a camper shell but a friend suggested a 4runner. Other people tell me I'm better off with a rav4 since they tend to go for a lot less. I'm only looking at manual transmission since thats all I've ever driven. My previous (and only vehicle, since I'm only 25) was a 1997 e36 318i BMW, but it needs a new engine so I'm back on the car market.

The 4runner I'm most drawn to is listed for $8,900. Its being sold by a private individual, not a dealer. Oddly he's selling like 3 or 4 other 3rd gen's and his friend also has 2 or 3. I'm not sure why they have so many and are selling them all. Between them there are only 2 manuals.

I'm mostly drawn to this one because it seems that their affinity for the 3rd gen 4runners and their service records will serve to have really well taken care of cars. My brother is a BMW mechanic and worked at Toyota for 5 years so I can get things taken care of that break but I really don't want to have to do a big restoration and I really don't want a lemon.

Heres the cars description and pic.

"1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 manual transmission 4WD

1999 Toyota 4runner. SR5 258 k miles. 3.4 V6 5 speed manual 4x4/4wd. Bluetooth stereo. Roof rack. Running boards. Tow package. Power windows/locks Cruise control. Sliding rear glass. Much more Smogged recently good for 90 days. Timing & water pump @ 195k. You won’t believe this truck has 258k . Always maintained and taken care of. Never abused. Ready for any adventure. Great commuter or first car. R are 5 speed transmission. No pets or smoked in. These 3rd gens are high sought after. Thank you for looking."

What do you think? Whats something like this worth?

 

Too high I think. Not sure where you are located but on cargurus I saw a whole lot in the 4-6k range that seemed pretty nice. Not saying this one isn’t nice but i think the price is high. Someone else may chime in that knows a lot more about the 3rd Gen

 

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/l-Used-1999-Toyota-4Runner-c4017

 

I'm in the San Francisco Bay area, California. Everything costs more here. I've seen prices on the low end at $4,500 up to $9,000.

Manual transmissions are really rare. How do automatics compared? I've never had driven a 4runner and only ever had a manual transmission car.

 

If these guys have as many as you say, they know the rarity of the manual and they are worth more. Sounds high to me too but whereas 1 year ago, you could get any 4x4 3rd gen for under $5k...not really anymore.

Automatics are fine. They are slush boxes. Driven lots of manuals but never in a 4runner and manuals are always better IMHO.

When was the following replaced?

Ball Joints, Radiator, Shocks, Struts, Springs, bushings, AC Clutch, battery, fuel pump, T-Belt, Cam Seals, Crank Seal, Valve Gaskets, engine hoses, IAC, TPS, Plugs, wires.

All these things go out at about 200-250k miles and NEED to be replaced.

If nothing was replaced other than the T-Belt and water pump? Then I would list that all out and negotiate from there.

 

Make sure there is no frame rust. By the way, I do believe that this 4runner has the highly coveted Highlander Package which was the predecessor to the sport package in 2001.

 

it's up to the buyer....if he feels the 'high' price warrants the consideration, then it's a no brainer...you can't put a price on pleasure...and finding very clean and well taken care of 3rd gens, is getting far and few....go thru it...check fluids...most of all, crawl underneath ..or put it on a hoist....eye ball the frame and floors.....then go thru your checklist.....manuals are great...but the automatics, are by no means, a dog sled. My '97, is automatic...and it's stout. holds up well....can handle whatever I toss at it....and it's the first automatic I've ever owned in over 50 yrs of vehicle ownership...heck, I had a 5 speed for 25 years, via my first gen isuzu Trooper...and my automatic '97 4 runner limited, is just as good, even better than the 5 speed....again, go thru the vehicle...look at your budget, and decide...if not, you will eventually find one ..that you'll like..and buy......good luck !

 

Just bought our 1999 SR5 for $2500.00
I’ll be putting more into it but I know these 3.4l engines. Our 1999 Taco is now in Hawaii with our son where he’s asked all the time if he wants to sell. Don’t pay too much because you need to have cash to fix things here and there. I’m a maintenance freak so I’m constantly doing this and that, but it pays off with these 3.4s.