Greeting soon to be bestties and opinions wanted!

[hpimtracer]

Hello everyone, im new to the forum and Looking to be a 4runner owner soon aswell. Would like a few opinions on some choices on hand.
1st option
2002 SR5 4x4 Gold with 198K $4300
Cloth interior
No hitch
needs a battery
possibly tires(one has a leak)
bent/inoperable antenna
fluids checked out fine, clean for the most part with no smells
At a dealer who bought it from auction the same day i noticed it on the lot, soo not much for history
starts, idles, and revs good, but wasn't able to test drive due to tire.

2nd option
1999 Limited 4x4 with 292K Two tone black/gold $3800 wiling to take $3300
leather interior but both driver and passenger have a "Duct tape Job" covering that first rectangle of the seat
hitch
CEL light on 0420, says the cat had "work" done im assuming gutted with the anti-fouler trick but code is still present sooo??
new coils last month
typical climate control problem
owned since 48K miles

I want a limited due to the options and don't really mind mileage if the price is right. I like the fact the 02 can be had at what i feel is a steal considering most private want 6k+ in my area. Sight unseen, what would be the most you'd spend given my descriptions?

 

[thebrandon]

If either of these are going to be daily drivers I would say no. Auctions cars can be gold mines or land mines and not something I would risk for a DD, or for that price. The nice thing about these vehicles is that there are a bazillion of them out there, and the right one may just still be out there for you.

 

[Volley]

I also say if it's a DD you will have better luck buying one from someone on here. I also ended up putting mine on Craiglist for local buyers. Be patient and shop around.

 

[Jdog]

I Vote with thebrandon and volley. My current car was a auction car and after the replacing the ignition system the passenger side head snapped its cam and after that the oil pump started leaking. Just be patient and go on the 4runner hunt.