buying a 3rd gen

[blitzilla]

Ok so I think i found the perfect 3rd gen for me heres a list of info on that car
2000 Sr5 t4r
-no rust ( shooted every year)
-68k mile ( that is crazy!!!!!!! )

Some stuff been replaced muffler and a few things under ( i have no clue and the seller is a 70 years old woman)

Basicly its a single owner car bought new in 2000, it was the mans car he drove it to work everyday until he got some cardiac issues a few years ago and decided to stop driving compltly. since then theyve been running the 4runner around just to maintain it ( the lady drives a 2011 lexus). theyre parting ways with it cuz they dont have any use for it anymore.

asking price is 5700. the body is 100% mint ( i drive a 08 mazda3 & 2010 ford focus that are mint but the t4r is even more mint i mean 0 scratch no rust on body ) only a lil bit of rust on the front bumper ( btw how much a new bumper cost, id like also those slick projector thing, for no reason it just looks sick.

it comes on 100% new winter tires on original t4r mags. I have to go and buy new tires. Id like to know without any modification how big can i go. im a fan of those huge wheel ( even tho i dont do any offroading) + id prolly need to buy new mags for the summer tires.

No trailer hitch. everything works in the car beside the antenana motor she told me it sometime works sometime not. i hear the motor working but antena doesnt move.

beside that you think im making a good deal?

by researching the net the avg price for these car is 6k-9k , most 9k are limited edition with ~ 125k-160k miles )

the one im getting doesnt have a sunroof
on a side note whats the use of the ECT button on the dash?

 

[LittleCaesar]

It sound like a good deal. No 4wd?

Take some pics and post them, including shots of the engine and undercarriage.

 

[blitzilla]

yes its 4wd, I will post pic of the car once I have it in my parking lot. I have a few of it here the white tape on the front bumper is to cover some rust due to parking lot incident ( ppl backing into the car and stuff)

 

[Hepar]

Looks pretty clean. Does it feel like it was well taken care of? I think your gut can go a long way.

Oh and the ETC button stands for Electronic Transmission Control. It changes the shift points to shift at a slightly higher RPM.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

This isn't the one from the dealer in Bucks County, PA is it?

 

[blitzilla]

No its in mtl quebec canada

 

[LittleCaesar]

Looks good. I'd ask why you need three autos but I have three, so I am just as guilty. Buy it.

Common problems we face collectively are the ATF connectors in the OEM radiator go south; this allows antifreeze to get into the transmission fluid (pink milkshake); lower ball joints failing; the rear inner axle seals leak like crazy.

The antenna does not go all the way down on the one in the pic. The badges between the rear window and rear door window are missing. Whomever mounted the wheels did not do it correctly (hub vs lug centric).

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'd just look it over REALLY well. The back door and front door look like they're different colors to me. (may just be the picture).

 

[Hardway]

Does it not had a roof rack or am I just missing it in the pictures? It appears to be a base model SR5 since it has the mini-flares. What kind of seats are in it? For the mileage and the money its probably a good deal. If it drives well and has no unusal noises or issues I would say go for it.

 

[So Many Roads]

LittleCaesar - you said "Whomever mounted the wheels did not do it correctly (hub vs lug centric)."

Can you help me understand how you identified that and what you are referring to? Thanks.

 

[T4R_Finally]

Does it not had a roof rack or am I just missing it in the pictures?

Looks like the rails or there - just no crossbars.

Decent deal it sounds like but, at 68k, probably never had timing belt and water pump changed. Even though it's not at the recommended mileage yet, based on the age, I'd plan on going ahead and doing that - and I'd probably go ahead and swap out the radiator too. But that's just me.

 

[blitzilla]

how much shoudl i be prepared to pay for that?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Did you buy this already?

 

[blitzilla]

seller expecting me to go get it by the end of the week why?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'd be really careful on this one. Not trying to rain on your parade but even just from the pictures it doesn't look that clean to me. Panel fit looks off, the front and rear look like they're two different colors.

Do you have any kind of vehicle history report on it? (Carfax) I wouldn't rely solely on that but it might be a good start. Every panel should have a VIN sticker on it, check them to see if they match. If they're missing, tell tale sign it's an aftermarket part.

Again, not trying to spoil this for you at all, I hope I'm wrong but I've bought and sold too many cars to count. Ask member TomP. I helped him avoid a train wreck of a 4Runner just by looking closely at the pics of it he sent me that was 1,000 miles away from me.

 

[blitzilla]

i dont see where it doesnt seem to fit, i saw it in person and didnt notice any color difference next time i go see it ill look at the vin numbers and see if they match