Found a 4runner I need opinions.

S

Smobien

New member
First post: Been looking here for about a month.

I went to a local dealership and found a 4runner I am interested in however, I have some questions/concerns maybe you all can help me with.

2005 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SR5 Sport V8 - Hagerstown Maryland area Scion, Toyota dealer near Frederick Maryland

I test drove the vehicle last Thursday and fell in love. 1 owner dealer serviced from this seller. TB replaced at 87kish as you can see from the carfax. Runs good no known issues.

My concerns: Under the hood there is a lot of oxidation (white) "rust" on the valve covers. The owner of the dealer told me this is normal due to them being aluminum. There is lots of actual rust all over almost every clip/connector. The vehicle was from MD which is known for heavy salting during the winter much like VA. I can’t expect the car to be perfect with 100k miles on it but it raised an eyebrow when I looked under the good. The under body of the car does not seem to have any abnormal issues. The trailer hitch looks brand new. I would assume this means that was never used to tow anything. Over all it was a very nice vehicle except the engine bay.
Is this an indication to stay away?

Does anyone here have this same problem. Maybe they could post a picture so you get a better idea of what I'm talking about.

What do you all think about the price? It seems competitive to others out there. The service history was kind of a big deal. (Maybe I'm mistaken)

Any input good or bad is appreciated. This site has a plethora of information that has kept me occupied for weeks. Keep up the good work and thank you for your time.
 
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Hah, no pics of the engine on their site. I get more dust and crud under my hood than my wife's truck because mine is on the highway a lot. That might be the situation here, which is good for highway miles. Or the PO cleaned the engine frequently with something that took the paint off, seems more likely.

Simple Green can cause corrosion if not thoroughly flushed off, it leaves some sort of salt behind.
 
Yeah I'm kinda of kicking my self for not taking a picture.

Maybe I can request them to send me one. HA!

Do you have any other opinions about the vehicle? Price fair for mileage? Service history worth maybe payin more also having the major work already done (TB, water pump, etc)
 
yeah I would be curious to see what it looks like. it could be over or under cleaning....

yeah I would be willing to pay a little more for all that. I think it seems like a fair price. looks clean but I would want that engine and tranny expected, maby by a 3rd party just to make sure.
 
scottm said:
Simple Green can cause corrosion if not thoroughly flushed off, it leaves some sort of salt behind.
Click to expand...

100% agree. I used to clean my wheels with Simple Green and it DESTROYED the clear coat of the wheels. Fast forward a few years, there got all crusty with oxidation. I stay away from it. Chemical properties dry the crap out of whatever it hits. Pass

OP: my valve covers are little white, but not excessively. Can you post a picture?
 
My intuition tells me to shop around. The paint appears dull. Nothing special in my mind. I would also encourage you to look at the V6 in that year unless you are towing, it allows you to roll in 2WD. The Sport Edition will give you heated side mirrors, larger brakes, and a rock solid feel for about the same price as that V8:hello:
 
I have no idea if you can find one cheaper, I shop for months when I buy and still don't know if I got the best deal. I do like the sport V8, over my SR5 V6, but I found a screaming deal and jumped on it.

I do all my own maintenance, so I'd go for something I can get money off for needed maintenance. If you don't do your own it would be a lot of money, thousands of dollars. If it has documentation on all the maintenance I'd pay extra for that.
 
I have some rust too. Boston kills it with salt haha. My headers are white-ish too. Here are a few pictures, hope they help

aefc2129-6247-3fc3.jpg

aefc2129-6253-78fe.jpg

aefc2129-626d-cb2c.jpg

(That is the upper ball joint on the drivers side, just showing the drive train rust)
aefc2129-62b9-da1f.jpg


Look about the same?

I'd snag that truck if I was you!

-Alex
 
We just pulled an engine out of my friend's MR2 (2007 Lexus Es350 engine) and it looked the same. It's an aluminum thing. Don't worry about it.
 
I paid about the same about 2 yrs ago for my 2005 Sport Edition V6 w/ about 72k miles. I think you're looking at a fair deal, the V8 is a solid motor. I wouldn't be too concerned with the oxidation on the valve covers. Mine looks similar to what emelianenkov posted above.
 
Pictures to share

Here is what they sent me.

Let me know what you all think.
 

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alaskaman said:
My intuition tells me to shop around. The paint appears dull. Nothing special in my mind. I would also encourage you to look at the V6 in that year unless you are towing, it allows you to roll in 2WD. The Sport Edition will give you heated side mirrors, larger brakes, and a rock solid feel for about the same price as that V8:hello:
Click to expand...
This is a sport model. New rear factory shocks too.
 
scottm said:
I have no idea if you can find one cheaper, I shop for months when I buy and still don't know if I got the best deal. I do like the sport V8, over my SR5 V6, but I found a screaming deal and jumped on it.

I do all my own maintenance, so I'd go for something I can get money off for needed maintenance. If you don't do your own it would be a lot of money, thousands of dollars. If it has documentation on all the maintenance I'd pay extra for that.
Click to expand...
The dealer has all of the records for the service they did on the vehicle since 27k miles.

I try and do simple work. I just wont want to get into major repairs for a vehicle right out the git-go.
 
Based on the pictures you posted of the engine, that's pretty much what I'd expect when buying a car from Ohio rust belt, all the way to the east coast, and the upper midwest.

If you live in that area and don't plan moving area from that area or from the aforementioned areas I listed, then, I'd buy the car. I mean if you try to find a cleaner truck without any rust or oxidation, good luck preventing it.
 
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