Advice on Used 4Runner with Cosmetic Wear

[tomar]

I found a used 2012 4Runner Limited at a local Toyota dealer, however it has some cosmetic blumishes concern me. The interior handle on the drivers side has several scratches and chips, presumable from the ring of the previous owner. It may seem minor but I would be stretching my budget to purchase this vehicle so I want it to appear as new as possible. Is there anything I can do to "fix" or hide the handle marks? I imagine the cost of replacing the handle (and likely the door panel) is pretty expensive but I'm not ruling it out. Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[cjacob316]

I found a used 2012 4Runner Limited at a local Toyota dealer, however it has some cosmetic blumishes concern me. The interior handle on the drivers side has several scratches and chips, presumable from the ring of the previous owner. It may seem minor but I would be stretching my budget to purchase this vehicle so I want it to appear as new as possible. Is there anything I can do to "fix" or hide the handle marks? I imagine the cost of replacing the handle (and likely the door panel) is pretty expensive but I'm not ruling it out. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Looks like it was grabbed with keys in the hand a lot. That, honestly, should be a minor concern.

 

[Repsol13]

Should be able to just replace that piece if it bothers you. Wouldn't be a deal breaker for me

 

[JayceeP]

I get what you are saying, but if this is all you can find wrong with the vehicle, it's probably worth buying. Good luck.

 

[Boardmember]

My Tundra (yes, currently have 2 4Rs so am allowed to be here) has identically painted plastic surrounding the shifter. I used a swirl-removing wax on it. No, it likely won't fix these handle scratches but wonder if you could use a slight amount of touch-up and some plastic polish/wax to make it acceptable.

I agree this -if the only issue - shouldn't stifle your potential and warranted 4RUNNER pride...

 

[ILIR]

I just bought my 2012 sr5 2 months ago, it had 40K miles on it, and also some minor cosmetic stuff that you would expect from a used vehicle. Totally worth it, this truck is awesome and you will not be disappointed. If it really bothers you, its nothing a fresh coat of paint cant fix.

 

[LandCruiser]

Looks less trashed than mine.

You should also see the steering column around the ignition key.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

Mine looks the same. If I recall a similar question came up a while back and simply replacing that piece is very expensive as it only comes as a package. This may have changed, but who knows. Have you thought about Plastidip? It's black so it could match the interior fairly nicely, and when it becomes worn you can always just remove it and reapply. $5 solution... They probably should have used a non painted plastic on a surface that sees that much use lol

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Yeah it sucks, but guess what? It's used! The paint is really thin on the interior pieces, and scratches easily. You won't feel as bad when you scratch it yourself. As long as it has good maintenance records and is mechanically sound you shouldn't worry about it.

 

[philsey]

Why don't you get the dealer to fix it as part of the deal? At a minimum, get the part, and DIY.

Agree with others, if this is all you can find, it is near irrelevant imo.

 

[3wbdriver]

Hmmm. Total it. Walk away. There is no telling what other evils may have been wrought on it.

 

[HerT4R]

if its a huge concern, spend the extra cash and buy a new one. or spend $5 on some plastidip and call it a day.

if you plan on going offroad, camping, down narrow forest roads, any road where semi trucks drive, or even any walmart ANYWHERE, this cosmetic issue should be low on your list of worries, as you will likely soon have rock chips on the hood and windshield, door dings from people who must exit their cars as if its on fire, people will likely back into you inadvertently, in addition to rogue shopping carts, hail storms, and many other maladies that can adversely affect your car.

Cars are meant to be driven and worn in, unless you want to keep it garaged forever as a trophy car, but i seriously doubt thats why you are considering a 4runner...

I guess you could always attempt the "bubble car" mod... let us know how that goes...

 

[ben550]

A scratched door handle is not a big deal. If the interior is stained and you smell smoke and the dash is missing knobs... ect then move on to a different vehicle.

If its only small things its no big deal but if the small things add up and you can tell the previous owner did not keep the car clean then you know they probably didn't give two hoots about the maintenance either.

 

[mnofpeace]

its a character line at best

what are the miles, whats the service record, how was it used by the previous owner...all things that truely matter.

as another has said, plastidip it, or find a matching paint...its just a door handle.


i was lucky enough to find a 2014 SR5 that used to be one of these Toyo dealership rental cars...it has a scuff here, a scratch there at the rear bumper and on the internal trim...but with 20K miles and perfect service (being a dealer inventory car) plus still full factory warranty, it all washed out in the end when the price was 7K less than a comparably used 2014 from anywhere else.

i think what we all are saying, some imperfections should be doublechecked...but scratches on a door handle...meh :decision:

 

[Jayhawk5G]

Looks less trashed than mine.

You should also see the steering column around the ignition key.

Glad to know I'm not the only one with some scratches around the ignition lol

 

[jasonv]

the interior silver pieces scratch ridiculously easy. its bizarre that a truck so solid and dependable is so chintzy in some spots. in the big scheme of things its just not worth stressing about.

 

[Mikey01]

Adds character, just like the clay stains on mine.

 

[tomar]

Thanks for all the responses and advice! I have decided to pass on this one. I have seen quite a number of used 4runners over the past several months and this type of wear is the exception, not the rule. I may present my concerns to the dealer and see what he can do. Perhaps he will make me an offer I can't refuse. Otherwise, the search continues...

 

[kapp_badbloodz]

If you come across another one just vinyl wrap it. I use dip for outside parts and 3M vinyl inside. Also, pull open the air box and check the filter. I was looking at a used 2012 limited before I bought my 15 trail. First thing I asked was to pop the hood. It was completely smothered with beach sand. So I opened the air box.... full of sand and a little passed the filter also.... so I was like uhhhhhhh and walked away.