Good 2WD Project 4Runner?

[gamefreakgc]

Saw this one show up on a local salvage yard for dirt cheap. $800 gets you a fairly clean 4Runner (hatch needs replacement) with a blown engine that could be repaired or replaced. The interior looks clean.

I never see them go this cheap. I say a project car because it's a salvage title, which means it'll be very hard to sell (which is why I haven't bought it already).

But for CA prices, $800 is stupid cheap. It's located in Roseville, north of Sacramento.

2002 Toyota 4Runner for Sale - Stk#R14089 | AutoGator - Sacramento,CA

 

[ThomasGS4]

Had to zoom in to see if there were tires on the thing.

 

[nissanh]

I've been to autogator in like 2010. I have a friend in Big Cloud Way near Walerga road. Didn't realize you live in that area.

Ok, back to 4Runner. He says a "possible" hole in the block, so you know what he means.

$500 is good but not $800.
Things you may have to replace: Engine, may be trans because you cannot test drive it. May be 3rd member etc., Needs tires too.
Engine and tires will run $2000. Can't you get a good running 4runner 2wd for $2800 there? I bought my 4x4 at SLT for a decent price.

 

[ThomasGS4]

I've been to autogator in like 2010. I have a friend in Big Cloud Way near Walerga road. Didn't realize you live in that area.

Ok, back to 4Runner. He says a "possible" hole in the block, so you know what he means.

$500 is good but not $800.
Things you may have to replace: Engine, may be trans because you cannot test drive it. May be 3rd member etc., Needs tires too.
Engine and tires will run $2000. Can't you get a good running 4runner 2wd for $2800 there? I bought my 4x4 at SLT for a decent price.

I paid $2800 for my '99 Limited 2WD, it can be done!

 

[tomatuvm]

I paid $2800 for my '99 Limited 2WD, it can be done!

The interior is also the "base" interior and not the sr5 sport seats (not sure the right terms here). I have that interior in my sr5 and I've been trying to replace it for 8 months. No bolstering, no support, pretty uncomfortable, especially when it's 15 years old.

Unless you got an engine sitting around and can swap it yourself, this doesn't seem like a great idea. You'll have a salvage titled 2wd truck with a replaced engine and an uncomfortable interior for the same price as just getting a running one. And yours will have no resale value.

On the other hand, maybe they're wrong about the engine. I had a civic once that overheated and stalled. Mechanic said engine was dead, provided estimate to replace. Turned out spark plug wire had melted when the valve cover got hot. Replaced plugs and wires and drove off. It'd be a sweet score if it just needed a hundred bucks in work

 

[gamefreakgc]

I've been to autogator in like 2010. I have a friend in Big Cloud Way near Walerga road. Didn't realize you live in that area.

Ok, back to 4Runner. He says a "possible" hole in the block, so you know what he means.

$500 is good but not $800.
Things you may have to replace: Engine, may be trans because you cannot test drive it. May be 3rd member etc., Needs tires too.
Engine and tires will run $2000. Can't you get a good running 4runner 2wd for $2800 there? I bought my 4x4 at SLT for a decent price.

No, a 2WD will start at $3000 with high mileage and needing repairs. I sold a clean 2WD with 216k miles for $4200.

That's why I said it's a bargain for CA prices, maybe that's specific to NorCal. They sell like hotcakes up here.

 

[nissanh]

Really?

No, a 2WD will start at $3000 with high mileage and needing repairs. I sold a clean 2WD with 216k miles for $4200.

That's why I said it's a bargain for CA prices, maybe that's specific to NorCal. They sell like hotcakes up here.

Really? Guess toyota prices went up since I bought mine. And no wonder the seller said (showed text messages) there are 7 in line after me. Thankfully, I was the first person to respond to the AD in Reno CL (truck was located in south lake Tahoe).

I still think wait for the right moment. There will be someone listing a 4runner without consulting KBB. I spent nearly 8 months to find my 2nd 4x4 (cruiser). As a habit, browse the CL specially after 6 PM.

Did you do a complete inspection of the truck? like any oil draining from trans, diffs. steering rack etc.? Also check the drive shaft play at U-joints. If all seems good and hoping it is only the engine that is bad, you can go ahead and make the move. Keep the bad engine for parts. Any peeling paint?

 

[gamefreakgc]

I've decided to stay away from salvage titles, so I'm not interested in this one. I didn't look at this specific vehicle too much, paint is decent enough but the exterior does have some dings. But would be perfect with someone on a tight budget to get a great platform (I mean, come on, $800?) and is willing to do their own work to get it back into shape. Project vehicles can be fun if you have the time.

 

[nissanh]

Salvage titled cars/trucks are not always bad. It can be a simple bumper/fender dent. Check every single body panel (doors, body, hood, tailgate etc.,) for the same VIN number. Or ask pictures before and after damage.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I think this one is a salvage only because it was sold to the auto dismantler. I doubt it was ever salvaged from a wreck.

 

[ThomasGS4]

I pulled a carfax on it for you; started life in CA, moved to HI, then back to CA with 6 previous owners in the mix. While the carfax does not indicate a "total loss" status or airbag deployment or even frame damage, it has had a rebuilt title since 2003 (stolen and recovered?) Also, it was involved in a side accident in 2004...




Regardless, I'd steer clear of this one. :cheers: