HELP FAST! 2000 4Runner Pre-Purchase question

[Precision]

I am talking to a guy with a 2000 4Runner SR5 with 81,000 miles on it. Its a two owner automatic with a tiny rust spot below the passenger side door. He said the only thing hes really had to do was replace the rear bumper but other than that no rust really. Never towed anything or been off road, he had it since 60k and doesnt use it because he has a company vehicle...

Red flag: He said the radiator was replaced because of a rotted out hose? (Milkshake?) is this a good or bad thing. Also the timing belt service is due at 90k... or is it due now because its a 2000?

He wants $7,295... or should I just move on. He doesn't know if he can provide records, he said basically oil changes and what not. The brakes were done 6-8k ago?

I havent got much info from him... I do NOT want to get into a vehicle that I'm going to have to throw a bunch of money at but this one has low miles so what do you think?

 

[Brian757]

That is low mileage for a 2000. KBB says you put roughly 12,000 miles a year on your vehicle so normal 2000's would have 156,000 miles on them. So he might be telling you the truth when he says he uses his company vehicle more.

That is a okay price but I would haggle to maybe $6,800 to $7,000 but its a good price. The radiator doesn't make sense though. Usually if you have a rotted hose, you change the hose, not the entire radiator.

Take it for a test drive and send us pictures. The only thing I can say is that these vehicles are worth throwing money at. Not a lot! But they treat their owners relatively well and live long. That 4Runner hasn't even been broken in yet! Haha

Go with your gut. Feel how it drives. Feel how it changes gears. Feel the steering. Usually when you let a vehicle sit for a long time and dont drive it, depending on where you live and how you storage it, parts will begin to dry rot and rust. Just do normal maintenance work and you will have a perfect truck in no time.

 

[Golfinz]

Is it a 2wd or 4wd? If 4wd, thats cheap! I just paid 7850 for a 2002 limited 4wd with 153k miles. I didn't get the worlds best deal, but I think I came out alright and it was local so I didn't have to have something shipped. If you don't know what has been done maintenance wise, try to haggle down and then do everything yourself once you get the truck.

 

[Precision]

It's 4wd, for the lack of records I am concerned. Also with the radiator thing I don't need a transmission blowing.

 

[Golfinz]

If it doesn't feel right in your gut, then move on. You can always have a pre purchase inspection done to put your mind at easy. Either that, or move on. The price is right though, imho. Finding a car in the NE without rust seems tough. Have you checked the toyota owners website?

 

[PitbullRescuer]

There are no hoses to rot out. Rubber radiator hoses will burst before they rot out. If it was a 78 FJ40 and he said the hoses rotted out, maybe, but not a 2000 4Runner. Look it over carefully for evidence of the pink milkshake. And when you go to look at it, ask him about it specifically and gauge his reaction. That will usually tell you a lot. See if he has the receipt/work order for the radiator replacement and see if that says anything specific.

I've said this multiple times on this forum but it's worth saying again: low miles aren't always a good thing. Case in point, all the upcoming maintenance that will be due on this truck. You'd be better off buying one with 100K on in it that has already has the TB/WP, ball joints, etc done.

And yes, the TB/WP are due simply because of age at this point.

 

[audiness]

crawl under the truck and look for other areas of rust, don't take the owners word for it.

 

[afg10000]

I agree with Pitbull. Just dealt with this same issue at a dealership. They had a 98 Limited w/108k on it. They were asking right on BlueBook #. No service records (bad automatically $500 less). TB/WP (they didn't know and I have no way to be sure). Automatically assume it's not ($800 less). The salesman did not like my vehicle inspection. Underbody and rust assessment, I check all VIN stickers all they way around to make sure everything matches. Assessed all the odds and ends -spare tire, jack, bushings, links, all lights, etc. In my opinion, your purchase would probably require a lot of other work as well (shocks, bushings, LBJs, etc.) I'd offer $2000 less or wait until you find one with records and some of this stuff already done -

 

[Precision]

Unfortunately for me I'm a solid 2 hours away and can't just swing down. I'd need more to justify the trip as in enough info to feel good about going and still willing to walk away as a last resort. For reference if I get a 96-02 4runner what are the key things that should be done of its between 80-140k. That's the mileage range I'm looking at and should surface rust or any rust be a deal breaker?

 

[rjaudi]

The rear heater coolant lines could corrode. I do not know why they would replace the radiator though. Your going to need to thoroughly check it out underneath for rust if you have rust on the lower door. I recommend considering buying one in the south and driving it back.

 

[threadlessclimber]

--quote from pitrescue--"I've said this multiple times on this forum but it's worth saying again: low miles aren't always a good thing. Case in point, all the upcoming maintenance that will be due on this truck. You'd be better off buying one with 100K on in it that has already has the TB/WP, ball joints, etc done."

Well said about the miles. What is worse--something that is used on a daily basis and mantained or something that has sat and aged? I didn't hesitate buying mine with high miles because I know it had been mantained and driven for the last 14 years and not sitting around and not being used.

 

[Precision]

I found a 1 owner 00 limited with 134k e locker no rust and records for $6,500 but the damn seller won't give me dibs. It's 5 hours away and naturally I can't get there until this weekend but "first with the cash" bla bla. What a tool.

 

[MCObray]

I found a 1 owner 00 limited with 134k e locker no rust and records for $6,500 but the damn seller won't give me dibs. It's 5 hours away and naturally I can't get there until this weekend but "first with the cash" bla bla. What a tool.

Sounds like a good deal to me. You might even try offering them a hundred, or two hundred dollars, more just to hold it. Chances are though, one will end up popping up for the right price, with all the option you want, at the right time.

When I was purchasing my 4Runner, I talked them down close to $1000, but they wouldn't hold the vehicle to me, so I could inspect and hopefully buy. I ended up paying $200 more for them so hold, so it eventually worked out. Patience... it's going to pay off!

 

[JohnsD90]

If there is rust on the body, there is more than likely rust of the frame.

 

[vincer77]

Unfortunately for me I'm a solid 2 hours away and can't just swing down. I'd need more to justify the trip as in enough info to feel good about going and still willing to walk away as a last resort. For reference if I get a 96-02 4runner what are the key things that should be done of its between 80-140k. That's the mileage range I'm looking at and should surface rust or any rust be a deal breaker?

I think the price is good, maybe too good. I would ask him to send you lots of pictures. If he doesn't, then walk away.

 

[BlackCat914]

I found a 1 owner 00 limited with 134k e locker no rust and records for $6,500 but the damn seller won't give me dibs. It's 5 hours away and naturally I can't get there until this weekend but "first with the cash" bla bla. What a tool.

no offense dude, but I wouldn't give you dibs either. He's trying to sell a car, not please somebody he's never met. I don't know how many times I've sold something on craigslist where I've had somebody say "oh pleeeease hold it for me, I can't make it until the weekend", and I never heard from them again. Cash is cash, he's trying to make money, not a friend. For you to call him a tool is pretty tool-like IMO.