Getting a 97 Limited Checked by a Mechanic

M

MattDyer94

New member
Hey guys,

You've all been so helpful in helping me in my search and have certainly helped me in dodging some death traps. I said I would post next time I checked one out so here it is!

I found a Limited 97 4Runner with 178k miles that I think is absolutely beautiful for $4500

- Bigger tires with lots of tread still (I think they were 275/75/17 or something - like that?)
- Brand new leather interior that was recently installed
- New catalytic converter/exhaust
- tinted windows
- Decent subs
- Brushguard on the front and over taillights with mounted lights
- Records dating back to 106k miles
- Pretty new center console
- From the records presented everything has been taken care of regularly

This thing is beautiful and I was in love the second I pulled up and saw it!

Everything looks an seems great! Hopefully it comes out clean from the mechanic.

Thanks for all the help and there will be pictures to follow assuming I pick it up tomorrow!
 
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Sounds nice but brand new leather? Check it out real good to make sure it's not a flood car. Remember about 6 months ago there were floods everywhere? Could very well be this is one that didn't have full coverage insurance and just now got put back together.
 
PitbullRescuer said:
Sounds nice but brand new leather? Check it out real good to make sure it's not a flood car. Remember about 6 months ago there were floods everywhere? Could very well be this is one that didn't have full coverage insurance and just now got put back together.
Click to expand...

I'll check the date of when the seats were put in. He's got the paperwork for it. Nice thinking, Pitbull! Much appreciated. It's his daughters suv..based off of how it looks, it looks like he got it and kinda tried to "primp" it up for her. Daddy's little princess I presume haha.
 
PitbullRescuer said:
Sounds nice but brand new leather? Check it out real good to make sure it's not a flood car. Remember about 6 months ago there were floods everywhere? Could very well be this is one that didn't have full coverage insurance and just now got put back together.
Click to expand...

I'm with PitbullRescuer, could be a flood car. New leather? Probably the only interior component that could not be cleaned and salvaged. Also, new cat and exhaust. I imagine that if they sat in water for a few days they would be ruined.

Otherwise it sounds like a good find.
 
Just curious..I'm no genius mechanically at this stage yet. I'm planning to learn a lot when I get this 4runner but what should I be looking for when you say "check it out real good"? My dad knows a fair share so I'll mention it to him but would the mechanic not be able to catch this?

Regardless, I'll take this as a learning experience. What should I look for?
 
MattDyer94 said:
Just curious..I'm no genius mechanically at this stage yet. I'm planning to learn a lot when I get this 4runner but what should I be looking for when you say "check it out real good"? My dad knows a fair share so I'll mention it to him but would the mechanic not be able to catch this?

Regardless, I'll take this as a learning experience. What should I look for?
Click to expand...

Timing belt and water pump replaced?
Check coolant and tranny fluid real well.
Check rear heater lines.
Check for play in the lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends.
Look under it real well for rust.
Drive it and listen for noise in the differential. (humming noise while moving)
Obviously use all the electric windows,sunroof, rear hatch glass, locks, etc.
Check all the body panels for a VIN sticker. (otherwise most likely hit before)
Test the 4 wheel drive.
 
PitbullRescuer said:
Timing belt and water pump replaced?
Check coolant and tranny fluid real well.
Check rear heater lines.
Check for play in the lower ball joints and outer tie rod ends.
Look under it real well for rust.
Drive it and listen for noise in the differential. (humming noise while moving)
Obviously use all the electric windows,sunroof, rear hatch glass, locks, etc.
Check all the body panels for a VIN sticker. (otherwise most likely hit before)
Test the 4 wheel drive.
Click to expand...

Will do! I appreciate all the information.

From what I was able to check when I saw it all the lights, power locks, seats, etc worked properly. There was next to no rust underneath, just what you would expect out of a car from 97. I'll be sure and check out all that other stuff.
 
Going to check it tomorrow at 1 but I did talk to the guy and ask about if it was a flooded car. He said it wasn't that he knew of. He bought it in 2010 and replaced the seats because they were cracked (back leather seats are still original) and the reason the catalytic converter was replaced was because he claimed it was stolen. His whole reason for selling was because there was a large number of catalytic converters stolen from cars at his daughters school so he wanted to get her something that sat low to the ground so that it didn't happen again.
 
If the cat was replaced with aftermarket, they won't steal it again, they don't get any money out of the new ones, only the original cats, so that won't be a problem anymore....ask me how I know....

The leather, if he replaced the seat bottom on the drivers seat, that's common, there is a guy on ebay that sells only the bottom leather seat cover, I wouldn't worry about that.

I've had mine since new, it now has 171k on it and so far, I've only had to replace the starter back in 2010 as I was having intermittent problems with it. It's been a great vehicle....you'll be happy with it.

-Ian
 
Leaving in about a half an hour to go pick it up and take it to the mechanic. I'll post pictures when I drop it off for you guys! I don't want to post the pictures the seller posted..They're the most hideous pictures I've seen and do the 4runner NO justice.
 
Yeah, man!

The only thing was it needed a new timing belt and a tune up for some tiny things. Total is gonna be around 1200.

I asked if he could come down and he dropped it to 3500 without any questions. He was a super nice guy. I appreciate all the advice and help!
 
I was going to buy a 97 SR5 V6 4x4 with 205k (miles).

Was so nice, it needed a alignment, new front tires, and valve cover gaskets. They were going to do everything before I bought it. They were asking $6,000 ($5,998).

Went to see if they still had it. Sat there for a hour being completely ignored so I walked out and said kiss
My @$$.

I really wanted it but I was not ping to buy from such a rude & disrespectful dealer. Pics below, it was so nice and I wanted it
So bad but they weren't getting my money treating me like that.

a6890c7d-c181-33b6.jpg
a6890c7d-c1aa-39c7.jpg

a6890c7d-c1d4-7d7c.jpg
 
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