good deal or beware?

[toyfour]

Hey guys,

New guy around here, I've been searching and researching 3rd gen's for awhile now. I can't seem to find exactly what im looking for, for the right price. I stumbled on this 00 sr5, silver, 144k, hood scoop, gray leather, the pictures showed a incredibly clean looking t4r. I found in on auto trader but now the add is gone but i just received this email from the seller responding to my inquiry. I think the price is a steal, but that is starting to make me worry about a potential scam. this is the email, what do you think? what should i be looking out for?

email........
I apologize for the delay but I was busy. Thanks for being interested in buying my car 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4. It is in a good condition, no scratches, no damages, never been implicated in any accidents, no problems at the engine, runs very well. It has an 3.4L V6 engine, 144,603 miles, clear title, a perfect car. The price is not negotiable $5,250.00 firm. The only thing because i am selling it, because i divorced with my husband and after the divorce i own this car, now as a woman i don`t need it anymore ...

I know that this is a low price for such a good car, but I need to pay some debts at the bank and I decided to sell my car. I hope that you will agree with my price and there will not be any argues regarding my price. I would like to complete this transaction asap, cause I need to pay the debts at the bank and I don't have so much time at my disposal. If you have any other questions, please reply me.


I replied, asking for the vin so i can do a carfax. Is there something im missing? good deal or what? thanks.... and a side note, this truck is in Ct, and the plates in the pictures where from tenn.

 

[2000Black]

Scam

I am almost 100% sure that it is a scam. I've heard of this before where a lady says shes divorced. She'll probably ask you to send her the money or deposit and then she will send the car. But hey it might not be. Thats just my 0.02

 

[brian2sun]

If the $$ is being sent in anyway, it's probably BS so DON'T do it. If you meet in person to exchange the vehicle for cash, then you aren't at any more risk than any other type of private car deal. You don't like it - you don't give the cash over, simple as that. I would definitely inquire about the registration state before you go out to look at it.

 

[brian2sun]

Another thought..
As a rule, if you don't know them personally, I never buy a used car from anyone unless they have the pink slip in hand. In other words, if they still owe on it and say, "I have to pay the bank off with the $$ you give me and then I (or the bank) will send the pink slip to you" - stay away.

 

[Muti007]

If you cant talk to them and see it in person, its always a scam. Always. Ask to have a look in person. If you cant, theres nothing to talk about.

 

[Duhockey]

If you cant talk to them and see it in person, its always a scam. Always. Ask to have a look in person. If you cant, theres nothing to talk about.

Ditto, and that "Im a woman, got the car in a divorce" is a flat out scam, every time...

 

[toyfour]

thanks guys, yeah, ill wait to see if she sends me the vin, then i'll inquire about the title, ie; is it hand. Then i'll take it from there. Not going to take the drive unless she seems on the level. Least of my problems right now, some old lady just smashed into me on my motorcycle.....at least i walked away.

 

[Muti007]

thanks guys, yeah, ill wait to see if she sends me the vin, then i'll inquire about the title, ie; is it hand. Then i'll take it from there. Not going to take the drive unless she seems on the level. Least of my problems right now, some old lady just smashed into me on my motorcycle.....at least i walked away.

Hope youre ok. Some bas**** ran my mom off the road yesterday, her car is likely totaled. Really hairy accident, she could have been killed. Thank God she too walked away, her car be damned.

 

[bigtimeweb]

+1 for scam. I just did what you are doing - I searched the entire country for my needle in the haystack 3rd gen. It was probably taken off autotrader because it was a scam. Ive never seen someone remove their vehicle from listing when they still have it for sale. The english is also slightly off kilter

 

[toyfour]

I knew it was too good to be true, she just sent an email with pictures of the truck. I was studying them and noticed that its sitting on a lexus dealers lot. with Tenn, plates. She sent the vin so i ran it through carfax, says its currently at a lexus dealer. Then she sends another email with a bunch of S*** about using ebay to finalize the purchase. oh well.....back to the search

 

[Stick Figure]

What exactly are you looking for in a 3rd gen? maybe some of us can keep our eyes out.