Good Buy?

[Baw]

Hi all,

New here and hopefully soon I'll be an owner of a new to me 4runner.

I've been waiting for a good deal to come around and I normally stay away from dealerships, but I've found a 4runner at dealership that actually seems like a decent price, but it may be a bit of a risk.

It is a 2003 4runner sr5 160k miles for $7000. It is is being sold as is. The most obvious problem right off the bat is non functional AC. Blower works fine, just not cold. Anyone with experience fixing the AC unit care to chime in on the likelihood of this being more than a relay or in need of freon recharge?

Other minor things are a sorta tight steering, ripped cv boot, real minor looking leak around the rear diff. Just a bit of minor surface rust underneath.

Thoughts anyone? Good buy?

 

[strathcona]

Does the AC light flash? Check the relay. The original ones crapped out and a part change was made. I can't attach the TSB PDF, but if yours has the part number 90987-02022 it should be changed out to part number 90987-02028.
At that age I would have the freon checked anyway.

Those are the Toyota numbers, others have sourced non-OEM relays and made them work.

I'm in Canada so I can't give you an accurate price range.

 

[Nervo19]

IMO that's a great deal. It would be worth spending the $$ for a CarFax. When I was looking last winter I found at least two that had false odometer readings and one 4Runner had been totaled in another state and yet it was in VA with a clear title. I know people say CarFax is not perfect but I found three instances where it probably saved me a headache.