A warning to all 4Runner owners

[DeathCougar]

This serves more as a warning to anyone buying a vehicle, really.

On top of Carfaxing a vehicle, google the VIN!

Perfect example:

2000 Toyota 4runner sr5 on Craigslist

2000 Toyota 4 runner sr5, 4x4, automatic, V6 3.4L.
Drives very nice and smooth.
179k miles on the truck.
All powered, sun roof.
Tires are about 65% thread, still good for another 10-15k
Does have oregon reconstructed title. VIN:JT3HN86R2Y0297698
Replaced parts: front bumper, grill, hood.
Please call 503-xxx-xxxxthanks

Googling the VIN brings this up:

Damaged 2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR for sale in OR - WOODBURN, Lot 22132333 | Copart Auto Auction via EasyExport.us

As you can clearly see, the frame is BENT.

Always, always, always start with Google and Carfax. And if they say clean and clear, you can start your investigation from there. I deal a lot in 4Runner parts, and the number of these things at the auction that get rebuilt is astonishing.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Not sure what you're warning people about. The seller isn't hiding anything. It clearly states an Oregon reconstructed title. I know in Va, it's called a salvage title which means the vehicle has been totaled at some point in its life.

 

[DeathCougar]

"Replaced parts: front bumper, grill, hood."

More parts were replaced than that. And seller says nothing about frame damage.

Point isn't necessarily about THIS particular vehicle. The POINT is, do some research first. Maybe people never though about googling the VIN? If it makes a few people stop to think about it, I say its a worthwhile post.

Btw, "reconstructed title" is a very broad ambiguous term as it doesn't tell you how totaled the vehicle is. If you are ok with buying a rebuilt wreck, more power to you. But I would want to know how much damage was done and we all know sellers rarely tell the truth.

 

[DeathCougar]

And I guess the title should have been "A warning to all people looking to buy a vehicle"

 

[OTB]

I always skip over vehicles with salvage titles. I know some are not that bad but I am just not willing to take that risk to save a few bucks.

That being said, if you willingly buy a salvage vehicle without either being an expert or having a trusted expert go over the vehicle with a fine tooth comb then you deserve the outcome for being a fool.

What you posted may be a good initial warning for some insight but should not be used to replace an expert inspection of the vehicle especially if it has a salvage title.

BTW, Carfax only lists reported accidents.
Many accidents are never reported but vehicles are still repaired.

 

[white_n_slow]

I have bought cars that were previously wrecked, and depending on the damage and the quality of repair, they can be an awesome deal. I had a 2005 Saab 9-2x Aero that was repaired from an elk collision--drove like the day it left the factory and didn't give me any hint of trouble in 2 years. Accident was not on the Carfax and the title was clear--but the seller fully disclosed the accident and provided receipts/insurance reports.

I also know a used car dealer in the Denver area that specializes in auction-bought collision repaired 4th gen 4runners. They document all the work they do, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

 

[Evilmunkey]

Yeah I did a complete background check when I got mine from Battles GMC on Cape Cod, MA. Turns out now I'm the 2nd owner and the previous owner did all maint. early or when requested, so far no issues w/ mine except for a slight misfire that I already took care of w/ new NGK plugs and wires
But seriously you have to be extremely careful when buying a used car from a small used car dealer or private seller as you never know what they're trying to hide. I had a '09 Accord roll into my shop had been previously stolen in NY, pads were metal to metal due to 2 locked up calipers, and I could see where body panels had been replaced/repainted. So until they brought it in for a pre-purchase inspection they would have never known.

 

[Millerad1651]

Just like White n Slow said, if its got records and the work was done well, I wouldn't mind it. I bought mine as a salvage title. An old man bought it new, drove it for 10 years, then wrecked the front end. A guy bought it (builds hot rods on the side), fixed it up for his wife, and then sold it to me. I saved at least $2k on it...and its been perfect the two years I've owned it. If he wouldn't have told me, I would have never known, that's how good a job he did.
Don't get me wrong, I know there are scammers out there. But you can't dismiss rebuilt/salvage titles just because of what they are...

 

[SweetWaterSurprise]

Is there anything that people don't Google if they are interested in it theses days?

 

[DeathCougar]

Is there anything that people don't Google if they are interested in it theses days?

Bacon. Because everyone has Bacon.

 

[hearno]

A salvage title doesn't always mean the vehicle was written off due to a wreck. All that needs to happen is the cost of repair exceeding (not 100% on this number but) somewhere around 70% of the vehicle's current value. So if you have a truck that gets vandalized and the interior was destroyed along with exterior paint damage, the insurance company can total it and the title gets branded. It gets repaired and sold as a salvage vehicle which sounds bad but there was never any structural damage. My point is, buying a salvage vehicle might be a great deal if you can find out what happened to it.

 

[audiness]

never buy a salvage title unless you 100% intend to never sell the vehicle, or use it as a beater or something. Salvage title pretty much reduces the re-sale value by 1/2 or more.

 

[Millerad1651]

never buy a salvage title unless you 100% intend to never sell the vehicle, or use it as a beater or something. Salvage title pretty much reduces the re-sale value by 1/2 or more.

That would very on the state you are in and what the vehicle is. As stated, if there was proper documentation, and the repairs were well done, I would consider buying a vehicle that had a salvage title...

 

[white_n_slow]

never buy a salvage title unless you 100% intend to never sell the vehicle, or use it as a beater or something. Salvage title pretty much reduces the re-sale value by 1/2 or more.

Well the assumption is that you will be buying the car at a reduced price, so therefore selling the car at a reduced price will have no worse effect than buying and selling any other car. I would not pay a salvage price for a rebuilt vehicle and then expect to be able to turn it around and sell it at full market value.

 

[OTB]

Is there anything that people don't Google if they are interested in it theses days?

Unfortunately yes, you wouldn't believe the stupid questions I see asked in message forums where a simple google search would yield the answer quite quickly.

 

[SR5Runner97]

To me, I'm not looking for outstanding prices. I would rather spend the extra 2-3k on a vehicle that has a clean carfax/title/vin than a salvage one even if it was just vandalism. On CL I just click exit when I see a branded/salvage/recon/dirty title. To someone, they might be okay but I just don't want that hassle of selling a dirty titled car if/when I plan on selling it. It's just peace of mind to me. But I would never talk down to someone for buying one. They're just not for me.

 

[Drcoffee]

A good habit to get into is to google the phone number of anyone listing on craigslist. So many listings make it sound like it was their personal vehicle when you quickly find out they sell auction cars from home. If the listing has more than 4 pictures, its a reseller. Paid accounts allow more than 4 pictures.

I have yet to find an honest seller on craigslist unless they are a reputable dealer and even that's questionable..

Be Leary out there.

 

[nissanh]

A friend of mine bought an 02 4runner with clean title and he was very excited about the truck. I inspected it and found out the front radiator support core replaced and dents on the front frame.

When the other party is at fault, people total it and sell the truck. If the fault is with you, then you fix it and sell it with a clean title. So it is hard to say that you are safe even if you buy a car with a clean title.

 

[pattycakes77]

Working in a body shop every day I see some TERRIBLE and DANGEROUS stuff done by some shops and DIYers to get a car mobile again and cash in on unsuspecting buyers. I agree that you need to do some homework and maybe even get an expert opinion before 1) slapping down some hard earned money, and 2) putting yourself and/or family in an unsafe vehicle.