1996 T4R Limited for $4,000???

[Kanger328]

I know I keep posting about possible T4Rs to get. Bear with me, please.

I have a friend who offered to sell me his '96 Limited 4x4 with 125,000 miles for $4,000. Engine looks clean, no rear axle seal leak, no issues he says besides some cosmetic wear (driver's seat leather ripped, etc.). Drove it around today, seemed okay. Takes a slight delay for the engine to start once the key turns, but no biggie.

Here's the catch: He got the T4R at a police auction when it had 88,000 miles. He had a mechanic buddy check it out before he bought it...said everything was good.

Thoughts? Thanks in advance fellas.

 

[Madakira]

if you trust your friend's mechanic buddy, and it hasn't been in a wreck since, then I would jump on that offer. Sounds fairly decent to me. 125k is nothing on a Toyota. it is a steal. Even if you had to replace parts, you should still come out ahead.

 

[Rc4r]

Does it have a title and everything?

 

[Kanger328]

I don't know who his mechanic friend is, and my buddy who's selling it isn't very car savvy. He just told me he used to use the 4wd when it rained on pavement, which I'm pretty sure is a no-no. Unsure about title either, he's supposed to get back to me tomorrow with that info. Anything I should look out for other than "salvage"?

My biggest concern is that it was sold at a police auction and I have no idea how it was taken care of for the first 88k miles. My buddy told me he found some .45 shell casings in the T4R when he bought it...prob seized after being used in some crime.

 

[Rc4r]

Sounds sketchy. But non the less if you find out it's in good condition go for it. I bought mine for 4500$ With a little more miles then that and mines in great condition. But I am also second owner.

 

[Trub]

Doesn't sound like a bad deal. Might can talk him down on the price if the title isn't a normal title. I just bought a 97 Limited 4x4 with 129K for $5150.

 

[kzak]

Find out if the timing belt has been done.

Once you confirm the title is good, offer him 3k. His price is reasonable, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Make a shortlist of cons to build a case for a discount: tell him it may need a new starter, tires may need to be replaced, there's no records so other issues may come up, somebody was murdered in it, etc.

I bet the truck is pretty solid if your friend has driven it for 40k miles since is was bought at auction. And it's a 4Runner.