Hi Guys,
Here is the story. I'm looking for a ride for one of best friends who just came back from 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. We live in Texas and he needs to get to Ohio for his next assignment. He told me he would like a camry or accord or basically something reliable that can get him to Ohio and back.
I use to own a 99 SR5 V6 4runner and loved it so I'd figure why not and searched for one.
Anyways, I found one today, and test drove it. The specs on it: 160K miles, 2.7 liter engine, base model but has power door locks etc . . . The back window does not come down, has it's fair share of dings, right fender has a baseball side dent, and rear tail gate has a good dent and rear bumper pushed down a little. Carfax showed it was hit in the front fender and pillar, and finally, when I popped the hood, there was dried oil residue around the valve cover. Has new battery and new starter. Asking price is $3600.
Here are my questions:
1) Is the 2.7 engine reliable? He can not prove to me the timing belt / water pump has been changed. He says he thinks it is done because his "mechanic is real good about keeping up with the maintenance schedule"
2) Oil around the valve cover. Is this something that I should be worried about or is it something as simple as taking off the valve cover and replacing the gasket? Is this fairly common?
I drove the car, feels good, less pick-up than my old 3.4, shifts are smooth.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
Here is the story. I'm looking for a ride for one of best friends who just came back from 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. We live in Texas and he needs to get to Ohio for his next assignment. He told me he would like a camry or accord or basically something reliable that can get him to Ohio and back.
I use to own a 99 SR5 V6 4runner and loved it so I'd figure why not and searched for one.
Anyways, I found one today, and test drove it. The specs on it: 160K miles, 2.7 liter engine, base model but has power door locks etc . . . The back window does not come down, has it's fair share of dings, right fender has a baseball side dent, and rear tail gate has a good dent and rear bumper pushed down a little. Carfax showed it was hit in the front fender and pillar, and finally, when I popped the hood, there was dried oil residue around the valve cover. Has new battery and new starter. Asking price is $3600.
Here are my questions:
1) Is the 2.7 engine reliable? He can not prove to me the timing belt / water pump has been changed. He says he thinks it is done because his "mechanic is real good about keeping up with the maintenance schedule"
2) Oil around the valve cover. Is this something that I should be worried about or is it something as simple as taking off the valve cover and replacing the gasket? Is this fairly common?
I drove the car, feels good, less pick-up than my old 3.4, shifts are smooth.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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