2004 4Runner - RUST --- TSB?

That's all surface rust. While NOT desirable...it's NOT fatal either.

It is a lot more then usual. That's more surface rust then I had on my 98 Pathfinder in 05 when I bought my new 4runner...And my pathfinder had 300k miles on it.

If NOT taken care of the rust will eat it's way through and cause a rust through condition. To fix it yourself...get a steel brush and remove any loose rust. Then apply one of the rust converters that are out there...Then when dry paint right over it. This should protect you for a few years.
 
DC runner said:
Inability to drive? I found it to be the other way around. Your flat, straight roads make ya lazy in your massive trucks.

Flame back at ya.
Click to expand...

:) alright then

Really, now the problem is cell phone. Doesn't seem to matter where you're from - talking on your cell phone while driving makes you a bad driver. And it's really bad here.
 
UPDATE

Ok, so I took the car to Carmax yesterday and they found no issues with the vehicle. lol. And they have offered to buy it for $9,630 on trade in. I owe $14,000 so I can just carry the remainder ontop of the new vehicle as long as the numbers play out right.

So they have an FJ I am looking at if my bank will approve and go through with it. Its a 2007 4x4 with 103,000 miles for $16,000. Great condition and everything works as should and no rust at all. This is below NADA prices which show the FJ should bring around $21,000. So I will be going to the bank on my lunch break to see if they will help save me.

What does everyone think of this?
 
I would not buy a go-cart from Carmax. It's a bunch of 21 year olds who go to the auctions and buy just about anything. Shop around Knoxville, you will find something and get just as good a deal as Carmax. I can't stand how they take you around showing the shop and how they fix everything that is wrong on the cars, then take you out to the lot and the cars look like hell. The last time I tried to look there the car hadn't even been detailed and the interior was nasty. The wheels had curb rash, and the paint was awful. I mentioned it and he said it would be detailed once it was sold. I told the sales guy there was no way I would buy a car before it had been cleaned. Some of the stains in that carpet wouldn't come out.

Go somewhere else. Shop around, you have plenty of time. And if Carmax has an 07 FJ on the lot for 16k, that is it's retail price. The reason it's 16k is because it has 100k miles on it.
 
RickC


I see your in Oak Ridge and thats where I work. Not to put you off or anything but could you look at my 4Runner in person and tell me what you think of it?

I could meet up with you after I get off work or whatever. If not, thats ok. Just thought I would ask. Thanks
 
I am not an expert in body work. And that is what you need I think. I would call Gary's Body Shop in Clinton and have him look at it. He will give you an honest opinion on how much damage you have and what it would cost to fix it. Gary Hamilton is the owner and he does work for me and I trust him. Tell him what you have, show him the rust and he will tell you if it's surface rust or eaten through and not worth it. Tell him Rick Cantrell sent you.

BTW, where do you work in Oak Ridge?
 
You are close. I am down by the Food Lion on Emory Valley. I could come up there during your lunch break and take a quick look, but you should still take it to someone who knows best.
 
On my lunch I have to go do some running over to Knoxville. I get off work at 4:30 would that be a time you could meet me somewhere in Oak Ridge?
 
Also. If carmax is offering 9, you can get more private party. Maybe the rust isn't as bad as you lead us to believe and you can get out close to the 14k you owe.

I always say private party. You will get easily 2k more, at least, for that truck.
 
4RTenn17 said:
On my lunch I have to go do some running over to Knoxville. I get off work at 4:30 would that be a time you could meet me somewhere in Oak Ridge?
Click to expand...

That won't work for me today, but yell back here tomorrow, maybe we can meet then.
 
But I owe the bank $14,000 so I would need the $14,000 for payoff in order to sale Private Party because otherwise the buyer would not get the title from the bank. Any dealers anyone recommends in the Knoxville or East Tennesee area?

Vehicles I would consider are:

FJ Cruiser
Jeep Commander
Jeep Wrangler
and possibly an Xterra
 
4RTenn17 said:
But I owe the bank $14,000 so I would need the $14,000 for payoff in order to sale Private Party because otherwise the buyer would not get the title from the bank. Any dealers anyone recommends in the Knoxville or East Tennesee area?

Vehicles I would consider are:

FJ Cruiser
Jeep Commander
Jeep Wrangler
and possibly an Xterra
Click to expand...

I would stay away from the Jeep Commander. It will lose value faster than pouring water out of a boot. The others are ok though. What about another 4runner?
 
When it comes time to buy something else, get an Autocheck unlimited subscription and run the VIN on any car you are interested in and stay away from any that has been up north. I do this every time I buy a used vehicle.
 
Oh sorry. Didn't realize you did not have the cash to cover the extra. So yes, private party will save you money in the long term, but if you do not have cash to cover the gap; your best bet is in adding it in.

You can negotiate on what carmax gives you. Let me pull up the Galves auto auction value. I was car shopping and bought a months of Glaves, which tracks what vehicles sell for at auction. Was right on the money and saved me a ton of money.

If you want an uber accurate auction quote, give me the trim and mileage. We can see if carmax is lowballing, and if you can bump them up.

Honestly, the degree of rust matters. If they are offering you 9k, I think you could negotiate up. Carmax doesn't negotiate on the new car price, but they will on the trade in value. So, it can help cover the distance for you.


Also. Try other dealers. Normal dealers will negotiate BOTH. I hate carmax by the by. Negotiating is part of the deal. It can be fun if you are willing to walk away. Find yourself 3 or 4 cars..... all with similar miles and what you want. Tell yourself you would be happy with any of them.. that why, when you are negotiating, you can walk away.

As a little proof. I walked away 1 month ago with a 2005 v8 4runner Sports Edition in excellent condition. New tires. 100k, just had pump and timing belt done for 12.4. I got him as LOW as he could honestly go. I know that at auction it sold for about 10.8 to 11.4, meaning I got him down to bare bottom. I wanted him to make a profit to stay in business, just not much of one. He, fyi, listed it at 15k, which is around what blue book is.

Never pay blue book. :) Always look at what auction is and work up. If a car sold is selling at auction for 11k, start at 11.5k and work up. Not down from theirs.

Carmax preys on people scared of negotiating. Blah! The first time cur buying, negotiating is a bit nerve wrecking.. but it is kinda a trophy to adulthood.



Anyway. If you get me your vehicle specifics and maybe some undercarraige photos, I can hook you up with a decent auction price. Auction price is what dealers sell cars to each other for.... so, it helps you figure out how low you might be able to go.
 
Galves is what is used in the Northeast mostly. In the Southeast, Blackbook is what 99% of the dealers use for auction values including the Carmax in Knoxville. www.blackbookusa.com


The suggestion above is spot on though. If you can find out the auction value, you know what the dealer has in it. I have a friend who is a sales manager at the Clinton Toyota store and I usually call him to look something up for me.
 
Last edited:
DC Runner if you could please look it up for me. Thank you,

Vehicle:

Year: 2004
Trim: SR5
Miles: 135,000
Color: Silver
Engine: V6

Includes: Tow Pkg, Roof Rack, Grill Guard, Tail Light Guards and spoiler. (dont know if this will make a difference)

BTW: Carmax could not find the rust on it and they said they thought it was in perfect condition and said because of the miles being over a 100,000 miles that it would have to be sold at an auction instead of the lot.
 
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