Am I crazy to buy a 3rd gen on eBay site unseen?

[intechrity]

That really looks as nice as an eBay listing can look. I can add one data bit that is not in the listing or Carfax for some strange reason. The original selling dealer was Toyota of Morristown (New Jersey). I recognize the new vehicle document pouch with the Ridgedale Avenue address (identical to mine). It would appear it spent the first 5-6 years around here and then moved to Fair Lawn/Glendale. My '99 has about the same amount of rust. It's there, but nothing to worry about.

Nice catch man. Detail oriented, I like it. I feel like I have a team of detectives working for me.



Looks like the car was moved out to Fairlawn before Sandy in '12. Good thinking BrianSD.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Now that I see all the pics, the rust really isn't that bad. Far worse than mine, but if Durk and others, who see such more than I do say given their location it is OK, then I'll let them pass judgement on the rust.

I do say I think the screw is missing out of the driver's door handle. I'd also inquire why the temp gauge background is bubbling up (water maybe). Also make sure they have the wheel chuck key. The light for the climate control must be burned out.

But overall it is nice. It was the color I wanted but could not find.

I have had two friends buy cars off Ebay. One got screwed, but at $2000, I can't say I was surprised. The ad stated it had issues. Another buddy bought an Acura Legend for $7500 back in 2000, had to drop another $600 to get it running in good condition, yet the 94 Legend is still running today with over 245,000 miles on it. It got earmarked to be the kids car, with the youngest sister driving it today at 17.

 

[THatfield]

for some reason it is common for the circuit boards for the temp gauge and fuel gauge to get warm and cause the graphics to bubble on the cluster. Similar thing on my truck, just to the fuel gauge.

 

[Hepar]

In my opinion, if you're even thinking about buying a car on Ebay, you might as well buy one from a know rust-free area. Just by looking at the engine bay you can tell that rust is a serious issue and as many of us know, the frames can be susceptible to rust.

 

[TheDurk]

I guess it would matter if it moved from Jersey before or after hurricane Sandy.

Be sure to check for flood damage.

There was no major flooding to speak of from Sandy away from the coast here in northern NJ. No worse than a good summer thunder-boomer. It wasn't even a hurricane when it hit us. The wind was a whole different story.(I was without power for nine days.) I'd be surprised, given its service locations, if it were exposed to flooding from Sandy.

 

[T4R2014]

There was no major flooding to speak of from Sandy away from the coast here in northern NJ. No worse than a good summer thunder-boomer. It wasn't even a hurricane when it hit us. The wind was a whole different story.(I was without power for nine days.) I'd be surprised, given its service locations, if it were exposed to flooding from Sandy.

+1

North Jersey wasn't hit too bad. I'm by the GWB and at most we had some flooded streets but it was nothing that you couldn't drive a 4Runner through. That 4Runner looks good and it looks like the one owner it had took good care of it.