Just curious how many on here have bought their used 4Runner from out of state without ever driving or seeing it in person. I just bought an '04 V8 Sort 4WD with 91k on it based solely on the pics and talking to the dealer. It looked flawless and he described it as a "10" inside and out. . . . I am expecting a "9". . . and it has been gone through by the dealer. I also knew it was a 1 owner accident free and feel pretty comfortable about it, but still there is the unknown. Anyone want to share their experience in doing the same. . . .good or bad?
Anyone buy used without seeing in person?
- Thread starter Gatafly
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Don't be like my old Manager that bought a Corvette on Ebay from Florida by just photos & had it ship to California.
Don't think anything was wrong w/ it.
If you're going to buy a vehicle w/o seeing it in person or driving it, might as well just burn your money in a campsite fire.
Don't think anything was wrong w/ it.
If you're going to buy a vehicle w/o seeing it in person or driving it, might as well just burn your money in a campsite fire.
4-Ripcord
New member
Every vehicle my family has bought in the last 15 years has been from out of state (including when I bought mine).
But we always either roadtrip with an extra person to take it back, or fly out to get it. Being sure to thoroughly check it over before handing the check over. Paying sight unseen is one of the worst ways to go, and having it shipped is much more expensive than going to get it.
But we always either roadtrip with an extra person to take it back, or fly out to get it. Being sure to thoroughly check it over before handing the check over. Paying sight unseen is one of the worst ways to go, and having it shipped is much more expensive than going to get it.
Rockdawg84
New member
I bought my wifes 03 V8 out of state. I got all the records and had lots of pics taken. then flew to San Diego to look at it. It had some blemishes that I hadn't seen and I got them to drop the price some and ended up buying it. then drove it to get all the fluids changed then drove it home. That drive set my mind at total ease that I had gotten a good deal also I found some small projects that I needed to address that I had missed. Do not buy without seeing it. a plane ticket home is better than ending up with a total lemon. Good luck.
Hepar
New member
I bought mine in CA and I live in WA. It was a single-owner vehicle which helped. Plus the owner sent me about 60 pictures including service records. That and it being a Cali vehicle its whole life made me pretty comfortable buying it. Spend $100 (ended up getting a free first class upgrade) on a one-way and they picked me up from the airport! Not to mention I averaged 350 miles per tank the whole way home and I know I'm never going to see anything close to that again.
Well it comes with a 30 warranty and I have had many pictures of it and even got some info from the previous owner so I feel pretty good. I am stretching the $$ to buy it and could not afford the $ or time to fly out and look at it then fly back again to pick it up. It is being delivered to my mom and step fathers house a couple days before my wife gets there to pick it up and drive it home. He will have a couple days to look and go over it a bit in case there is any problems. Am I taking a chance? . . . . . yes, just like anyone that buys used. I did the best I could checking it out and digging into its past and am comfortable with the decision. There is always the chance of issues, but I do almost all my own work on my vehicles and will be changing all the fluids when it gets home and I will look it over real well at that time also.
Hepar
New member
Where are you buying it from? I started expanding my search slowly to out of state because I wasn't finding exactly what I was looking for here and not to mention the prices are pretty high. One thing I was picky on was no rust, so I always had them send me pictures of the undercarriage.
I have seen lots of pictures and believe in Toyota quality. Actually, I have been looking for a few Months and this is the only one I have found that after digging I have been comfortable with buying and not being able to drive first.
It is coming from MA and I am picky about rust also. This one is almost squeaky clean with only a trace on the frame from where water runs down. It has been very well kept.
Hepar
New member
A MA Runner with only a trace of rust?!?! Buy it now!
I did. I didn't get the exact details, but it sounded like they may have gone south for the winter and it was always garage kept.
quicksilvr
New member
I don't agree with that at all.
I've purchased.....8 vehicles on eBay out of state, all sight unseen in person. Some from dealers, some from private parties. You just have to know what questions to ask, and you have to trust the seller. If you don't trust them, then don't do the deal. Going through eBay is pretty safe too. Also, never pay until you are there in person. If you don't want the vehicle, don't hand them the money.
Only 1 of the 8 times have I arrived to get the vehicle and had it be less that I was expecting. And in that case, I paid $400 less for it, but still bought it.
I agree. I don't trust Carfax all that much, but it is good for some things. It is also good to see if you can talk to the previous owner.
gptoy96
New member
Depending on what the price of the vehicle was would be my deciding factor.
I bought my 04 from Edmonton, 4hrs away. Mind you it was only 4 years old at the time and a Certified Used from a Toyota dealer and I had the salesman send me the carfax, pics, service records etc. first. After all that looked good I put a deposit to hold it, rented a car for a one-way trip (with possible 2 way option) and checked it out in person before I actually handed cash over.
For me, the amount of money I was paying was too much to buy sight unseen.
You never know, you could get a good one....or a bad one... all in what you're willing to risk.
I bought my 04 from Edmonton, 4hrs away. Mind you it was only 4 years old at the time and a Certified Used from a Toyota dealer and I had the salesman send me the carfax, pics, service records etc. first. After all that looked good I put a deposit to hold it, rented a car for a one-way trip (with possible 2 way option) and checked it out in person before I actually handed cash over.
For me, the amount of money I was paying was too much to buy sight unseen.
You never know, you could get a good one....or a bad one... all in what you're willing to risk.
Well, my '04 sport is on it's way home. My wife is almost halfway home (Mass to Minn). She says it looks like new in and out and is running great . . . . .of course I expected that because it was gone through before I bought it. Can't wait to see it tomorrow night. Only rust on the 4runner is a few light spots on the frame. I really want to keep it that way and think I may have Ziebart take a look at it and touch up the undercoating. The wait is killing me.
psquared77
Member
How ironic I came upon this thread tonight? I am negotiating on an '08 Urban Runner with 49K and getting what I feel is a good price (just under $23k). Shipping is $250 to me in NJ from South Carolina. Beats the plane ticket down and gas coming back. I am doing it site unseen, other than lots of pictures, carfax, and answers to LOTS of emailed questions. I know it is a risk, but getting even a short warranty is peace of mind that it isn't a lemon coming off the truck. I would easily pay $4K to $6K more for this vehicle in my area, assuming I found one. I'm a 4runner guy, and I don't buy 'em new. I'm hoping this '08 will be my 3rd Runner, and last me another 9 years and 200K miles like my current '02 Sport. If you do your homework on the truck, get some warranty in writing, and still think you are making a good purchase-you probably are. That said, check your states lemon laws and return policy (some states have a 72 hour policy to return a vehicle-it is not a myth.) I returned my '02 in Virginia and made the dealer get my check out of the safe unless they put new tires on to make it CPO.)
It wouldn't hurt to ask your local Toyota Service Technician to give it an independent inspection. I've asked mine for an inspection, gave him $100 cash and a case of beer. Best money I spent the day I bought it.
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It wouldn't hurt to ask your local Toyota Service Technician to give it an independent inspection. I've asked mine for an inspection, gave him $100 cash and a case of beer. Best money I spent the day I bought it.
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Good luck with it psquared. With only 49k and it being a Toyota I would not worry one bit as long as you know for sure it has never been in an accident. For the price you are getting it would not be a big deal if you did have to put a few dollars into it fixing something since it would still be cheaper. My wife will be home tonight after driving it from the east coast. It has been purring like a kitten for her. My problem now is she is threatening not to give me the keys now because she has fallen in love with it. Just got off the phone with her and she says she wants to save for one of her own. People warned me not to let her drive it. . . . . . starting to wish I had listened.
psquared77
Member
Good luck with it psquared. With only 49k and it being a Toyota I would not worry one bit as long as you know for sure it has never been in an accident. For the price you are getting it would not be a big deal if you did have to put a few dollars into it fixing something since it would still be cheaper. My wife will be home tonight after driving it from the east coast. It has been purring like a kitten for her. My problem now is she is threatening not to give me the keys now because she has fallen in love with it. Just got off the phone with her and she says she wants to save for one of her own. People warned me not to let her drive it. . . . . . starting to wish I had listened.
I hear ya. My wife "stole" my current truck several times over the past 9 years. I had to buy her a highlander to give her the best of both worlds and get my baby back.
