Hi all,
I'm in the process of buying a 4runner 4th gen Ltd (2004) in Santiago, Chile. It's from the official Toyota dealer here, and the garage and mechanics look like they know what they're doing.
As with all 2nd hand cars here, there's little service history - it had regular services up to about 80,000km (50,000Mi), though now has 170,000km (115,000Mi). I checked the oil and it was dark, but not disgusting (I've seen some real cases of molasses here), so I'm assuming it has been serviced in that time.
The dealer agreed to change oil, transmission fluid, oil and air filters for us. I further asked him to check and change the fuel filter if necessary (cost to us: $100). He's come back and said to do this, he should also change the spark plugs, coolant and transfer case oil (apologies if that's not the right term), for a price that's just shy of $US500 including labour.
I'm wondering if anyone can confirm if this is logical combination of replacements? Whether the price is reasonable? and whether it is a good idea?
We intend to put about 30,000Km (~20,000 Miles) on it, through some pretty remote parts of south america. It appears as if the car has probably never been off road, given the state underneath, and the state of the backseat showing compelling evidence of this being used to taxi kids around. I'd like not to have problems... but don't want to pay $500 for something i probably don't need!
Thanks in advance,
Luke.
I'm in the process of buying a 4runner 4th gen Ltd (2004) in Santiago, Chile. It's from the official Toyota dealer here, and the garage and mechanics look like they know what they're doing.
As with all 2nd hand cars here, there's little service history - it had regular services up to about 80,000km (50,000Mi), though now has 170,000km (115,000Mi). I checked the oil and it was dark, but not disgusting (I've seen some real cases of molasses here), so I'm assuming it has been serviced in that time.
The dealer agreed to change oil, transmission fluid, oil and air filters for us. I further asked him to check and change the fuel filter if necessary (cost to us: $100). He's come back and said to do this, he should also change the spark plugs, coolant and transfer case oil (apologies if that's not the right term), for a price that's just shy of $US500 including labour.
I'm wondering if anyone can confirm if this is logical combination of replacements? Whether the price is reasonable? and whether it is a good idea?
We intend to put about 30,000Km (~20,000 Miles) on it, through some pretty remote parts of south america. It appears as if the car has probably never been off road, given the state underneath, and the state of the backseat showing compelling evidence of this being used to taxi kids around. I'd like not to have problems... but don't want to pay $500 for something i probably don't need!
Thanks in advance,
Luke.
