Quote:
Originally Posted by AuSeeker
make sure you put it into 4WD LO especially as well as the other positions at least once a month or you risk the actuator becoming stuck.
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Thank you for your input! You are correct I am looking at that one for 5495 but definitely planning on negotiating it down (you'll see why below). I spent a whole hour looking at it today and wasn't able to test drive because of other time commitments, but depending on what this forum says, I will have someone from Lemon Squad go and inspect it and test drive it on my behalf (and I'll test drive it too).
But let's see if it's worth dropping $150 for an inspection in the first place; I was able to take pictures today,
it's in worse condition than I thought, but unless you guys see something catastrophic in the engine or underneath, it's something I could live with and afford to fix over time. I also don't have a good understanding of how the average 16 year old car should look:
Anything here catastrophically bad? Overall the interior is GREAT for 16 years old but there are some serious red flags elsewhere.
Timing belt was apparently done at 163k miles. That's kind of concerning right? Because they either did the 2nd belt early or made the first last until 163k where it could have caused damage.
Vin: JTEBT17R438004113
Frame
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I'm not good at telling whether or not the frame is too far gone and cannot be rust removed + prevented with spray. Can someone tell me if this frame is "walk away" bad? I didn't bring a screwdriver/hammer to tap anything. I don't think I saw anything vital perforated. In some areas it looks better than most frames in the north but in other areas seems like it could be a serious weak link but I'm not entirely sure. I would like to remind those of you from Cali and the south that this car is from the North lol and before IL it was in Atlantic ocean air Rhode Island. We have different rust standards here :haha:
What is that "--> FR" plate and why is it cut on one side and borderline missing on the other?
Engine/Hood
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Cracked engine cover? How would that even happen? But the v8 sounded fine, was surprisingly quiet.
Wheels
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How do you even get your wheels to look like this? If I can drive on these for 2 months the car will be paid off and I can get new wheels.
Damage/Other Red flags
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Front drivers side mud flap is indeed missing a few screws/bolts and therefore is loose as someone mentioned before. Also as someone mentioned before
Rear bumper is cracked and so is the tail light on one side. Panels on that side are no longer aligned because of it. Causes gas tank cover to not open as easily (back side of the gas tank cover rubs against the inside).
None of the running board lights work. Left turn signal rapidly flashes, right turn signal is fine. Missing left turn signal in the front.
Rear right trunk speaker doesn't work, and panels on the inside arent as tight fitting (this is on the OPPOSITE side of the rear left side fender bender).
Dash Lights
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One pic is with key half turned (not sure if anything is missing)
Other pic is with engine running (looks all good)
Interior
https://imgur.com/a/Gciw0dr
The highlight of this vehicle.
Edited Picture of Recent Service
https://imgur.com/a/JTbZ17m
It's been raining here, so I know for sure there's
no leaks. Interior looks like it's from a totally different vehicle haha. What do you guys think? I really need a vehicle like this but can settle for a cheap highlander
if this is "walk-away" bad. As I've said before I plan to pay this thing off within 2 months and can make whatever typical upgrades to keep it in shape to hit 300k+.
But is that possible given this frame and engine? If the frame is doable I plan on removing the rust and spraying it down. Replacing the wheels eventually, and getting some sort of replacement engine cover (low priority I would hope). I can live with the exterior damages and can repair/get them running boards, lights, etc eventually.
Scratches I don't mind because my company (Aitex) commercial wrap is going to cover the panels.
So what do you guys say? Worth having the inspector take a look and test drive or is this a lost cause? The service record from 20k miles ago has a previous owners contact so I'm going to give him a call as well.
Really appreciate everyone's input so far and hoping this car gives me a real reason to be on this forum haha. I'm pretty unemotional about the car, but would be very happy if I drove it home and could build it into great shape 6 months from now within reasonable spending.
To put this car in perspective, it's listed at 5495, an almost identical car (same year color and mileage) but without the damages and unknown frame condition is listed at 9k 140 miles from me in michigan.