Concerns about Low miles

[hamdog]

I have been looking hard for either a 4th generation or 3rd generation for while now. I have gotten great advice from both the 4th gen and 3rd gen forum.

Unfortunatelly all of the decent V8 4th gens I have come upon are sold before I can start negotiating with the dealer (I have to purchase through deal due to a trade which I'm not having any luck selling privately).

Anyways I just noticed today during my lunch break a 2002 SR5 V6 4x4 red sitting on one of the dealers lot. It has only 6K miles on it and is from long island NY, one owner. That is only 600 miles/yr WOW!. I confirmed with dealer and they looked into before they took it on trade because it is unheard of to find something 10yrs old with only 6K miles on it. Anyways like something with many miles on it is there any concerns with something that was only driven 600 miles/yr. Now I do not know the maintenance record, but would assume that all fluids should be changed, timing belt, water pump, etc.

They are asking $13,995 for it. Thanks!!

 

[tbst]

1. Something is fishy.
2. If not #1, you can buy a rock solid 4Runner with 120k on it for 7 grand less.
3. No go.
4. Just my opinion.

 

[Hepar]

If it is true, I'd see where it was stored. If it was outside on Long Island, then it's probably going to have quite of bit of rust.

 

[T4R_Finally]

If you could get a solid, honest story from the owner as to what is up with the mileage, and he can convince you that it was cared for like it should have been even though it wasn't driven much, you might have the find of the century. But without all of that, there are more questions than answers. If you could get a Toyota tech to check it out thoroughly and assure you that everything is fine, that may satisfy you too. Mine averaged out at about 11k per year by the time I got it. And I was thinking I couldn't ask for much better than that. When I started looking into the history, I could tell the original owner averaged more than that and it went lower as it passed on to the next owner. Nothing wrong with that, at least it had been driven and taken care of.

 

[hamdog]

I stopped by last night and checked over the 4runner. It was owned by a couple who had a second house on Staten Island, NY. This was their vehicle that they left parked at the second house the reason for the low mileage. I crawled all around the vehicle, inside perfect, body perfect, engine seemed to be in great shape except for where it looks like mice might have chewed on a couple things. The underneath rusted bad, worst than a vehicle with 200K miles on it used in Vermont. The bottom skide plate I could pull pieces of the metal off, the supports holding the fenders to the frame just about rusted through.

The dealer wouldn't budge on the price of $13,995 and low balled me on my trade and I walked out. Hopefully one of these days I will find a decent 3rd or 4th gen that I can trade for.

thanks guys!!!!

 

[GladeRunner]

engine seemed to be in great shape except for where it looks like mice might have chewed on a couple things.

I was thinking that may happen....

I'd rather have a higher mileage 4R that I know has been used than one sitting around becoming a mouse condo or the rubber drying out from under use.

Good luck with your search

 

[BWXT]

My brother bought his '99 Jeep TJ in '06 or '07 with 7k miles on it. The Jeep belonged to a CEO or something who went out for groceries one day and came home with a Jeep. lol. It had been driven to Canada and back a couple times by the guy's assistant, and around town occasionally. It had been stored indoors and had not a spec of rust and no UV light damage(Jeep plastic is notorious for fading quickly). The Jeep now has 80k miles with no major issues, just the usual Jeep stuff. These things are out there, but it's obvious that the vehicle being stored indoors is key. A vehicle that sits outside, especially on a dirt, grass, or gravel driveway will rust rapidly.

 

[Nelsonmd]

I stopped by last night and checked over the 4runner. It was owned by a couple who had a second house on Staten Island, NY. This was their vehicle that they left parked at the second house the reason for the low mileage. I crawled all around the vehicle, inside perfect, body perfect, engine seemed to be in great shape except for where it looks like mice might have chewed on a couple things. The underneath rusted bad, worst than a vehicle with 200K miles on it used in Vermont. The bottom skide plate I could pull pieces of the metal off, the supports holding the fenders to the frame just about rusted through.

The dealer wouldn't budge on the price of $13,995 and low balled me on my trade and I walked out. Hopefully one of these days I will find a decent 3rd or 4th gen that I can trade for.

thanks guys!!!!

Well, if the dealer knows that rust is there and is still demanding 14k, then he is a crook. I'd say he belongs on the blacklist.

 

[Hepar]

I stopped by last night and checked over the 4runner. It was owned by a couple who had a second house on Staten Island, NY. This was their vehicle that they left parked at the second house the reason for the low mileage. I crawled all around the vehicle, inside perfect, body perfect, engine seemed to be in great shape except for where it looks like mice might have chewed on a couple things. The underneath rusted bad, worst than a vehicle with 200K miles on it used in Vermont. The bottom skide plate I could pull pieces of the metal off, the supports holding the fenders to the frame just about rusted through.

The dealer wouldn't budge on the price of $13,995 and low balled me on my trade and I walked out. Hopefully one of these days I will find a decent 3rd or 4th gen that I can trade for.

thanks guys!!!!

Yeah, I had a feeling...

Well, if the dealer knows that rust is there and is still demanding 14k, then he is a crook. I'd say he belongs on the blacklist.

There's a dealer around here where they'd ask over 20k for that if they had it.

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

Seems fishy to me. I would buy it if I was very assured, but not with that rust.

Go to CarMax, I bought my 03 SR5 V8 there with 55,777 miles for $15,748. Traded my 2003 Toyota Highlander Base 2.4L for $5,000 (it was salvaged, and had 114k miles)

Plus they have a huge selection, if you live up north you can look
Down south for a non rusted one. I had mine transferred from N.C to Georgia for free, and I wasnt obligated to buy it. Will defiantly buy
From CarMax again.

 

[hamdog]

Thanks Everyone for the help.

20034RunnerV84x2, I have been looking at a lot of vehicles in North Carolina. The issue being is finding a dealership that will take my car in trade and also driving down their to seal the deal. I have found a couple nice 4runners but were sold shortly after I contacted the dealer. I need to learn to put a deposit down instantly when I find something I'm interested it. Any 4runner in decent shape with the V8 does not stay on the lot for long.

Anyways my search continues. I see the local deal dealer just got a 2008 SR5 V8 with 14K miles on it. they want $29K for it though. I can buy a 2011 Trail edition with 5K miles on it for $4k more. The 4th gen V8s hold there value.

Thanks again for the help!!!

 

[PitbullRescuer]

Have you driven a 4th Gen with the 4.0? I think they move better than the 3rd. gens do with the 3.4. I would limit the search to a V8 if I were you. Just my $.02

 

[kman55]

Wow 600 per year is insane