Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
So after our 5000+ mile road trip (and several shorter ones this year) with our new T@B trailer I've decided that as much as I like the 4runner, it's just not a suitable tow vehicle, so I'm going to put it up for sale probably some time after the camping season is over (which for us will the Thanksgiving.)
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I know Toyotas do well on the used market but I learned when I sold my 3rd gen in 2012 that the more "modified" a vehicle is the less it appeals to the used market. So I've decided to remove all of the easily removable "mods" I've made like the custom bumper, seat covers, Yakima rack, etc. Fortunately, when I had the new bumper fabricated I kept all the old parts in the loft in my garage so I'll put those back on, to include the factory fog lamps.
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The "mods" I won't remove will be the ones that are impractical to remove like the FJ Cruiser lift and the FJC steel wheels (I already sold the factory alloys), the trans cooler, the aftermarket stereo, etc.
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I may or may not put the running boards back on (I still have them after unsuccessfully trying to sell them), it depends on whether I have the bolts or not (I should have kept them but not sure where they are) and whether they will clear the BFG 265/70/17 tires I put on.
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My question for the group is this: Have you ever had a vehicle "detailed" professionally prior to sale? If so, how much did you pay and did you think it was worth the money spent? In my case, my biggest concern is the paint - for some reason the SRP (Maroon) paint seems to scratch and chip very visibly and I'm thinking if I could have the exterior buffed and rubbed out with rubbing compound, it would make a lot of those little scratches disappear. I also wouldn't mind having the inside professionally cleaned and particularly the engine compartment which is filthy.
.
Obviously I could do some of this myself (except the paint buffing - I've never done that and would be reluctant to start now) but if the cost was low enough and/or if the payoff (in the form of a higher resale price) was high enough, I'd be willing to pay to have it done.
.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any input people might have regarding this. I'm not in a hurry, as the 4runner is 'adequate' for its current towing duties, it's just not what I want and since it's approaching 140k miles, I think I would want to replace it soon anyway.
.
I know Toyotas do well on the used market but I learned when I sold my 3rd gen in 2012 that the more "modified" a vehicle is the less it appeals to the used market. So I've decided to remove all of the easily removable "mods" I've made like the custom bumper, seat covers, Yakima rack, etc. Fortunately, when I had the new bumper fabricated I kept all the old parts in the loft in my garage so I'll put those back on, to include the factory fog lamps.
.
The "mods" I won't remove will be the ones that are impractical to remove like the FJ Cruiser lift and the FJC steel wheels (I already sold the factory alloys), the trans cooler, the aftermarket stereo, etc.
.
I may or may not put the running boards back on (I still have them after unsuccessfully trying to sell them), it depends on whether I have the bolts or not (I should have kept them but not sure where they are) and whether they will clear the BFG 265/70/17 tires I put on.
.
My question for the group is this: Have you ever had a vehicle "detailed" professionally prior to sale? If so, how much did you pay and did you think it was worth the money spent? In my case, my biggest concern is the paint - for some reason the SRP (Maroon) paint seems to scratch and chip very visibly and I'm thinking if I could have the exterior buffed and rubbed out with rubbing compound, it would make a lot of those little scratches disappear. I also wouldn't mind having the inside professionally cleaned and particularly the engine compartment which is filthy.
.
Obviously I could do some of this myself (except the paint buffing - I've never done that and would be reluctant to start now) but if the cost was low enough and/or if the payoff (in the form of a higher resale price) was high enough, I'd be willing to pay to have it done.
.
Anyway, I'd appreciate any input people might have regarding this. I'm not in a hurry, as the 4runner is 'adequate' for its current towing duties, it's just not what I want and since it's approaching 140k miles, I think I would want to replace it soon anyway.