is it worth it?

blizz86

blizz86

New member
I'm currently out right now but this deal has been eating at me...
Its a 1998 limited with 142k 4wd
Woodgrain leather etc. All window motors functioning and original body panels.. and no rips in the leather.. no undercarriage rust etc
Selle!r says starter brakes and coolant were recently changed but it unsure of the last timing belt and water pump change if any... and on the bottom surface theres a film of dirt/oil ..
This is kind of scaring me since I'm not sure if there are broken seals or gaskets or if its just overspill from some kind of maintenance


Asking price is 5k

Other misc stuff that doesn't matter much to me.... recently changed front tires to some no name brand and nearly bald rear Michelin with a spare Michelin .. clocks out (seen the fix threads) and a messed up antenna (somehow the radio reception is still superb)

Btw I saw an active recall on the 98 rear suspension? Anyone know what this is about?

Thanks
Ill link a Google album asap
Edit : Google album here https://picasaweb.google.com/116613424083804272588/98
 
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I haven't had much luck buying from private sellers, so I say no. But if he is willing, take it to your trusted mechanic to look it over. And make sure to use the buyer's guide checklist on this forum for 3rd gens. The price is a steal if there are no major problems. Makes me wonder too. Why is the seller selling it? Good luck.
 
Seller is selling because she has kids and needs a more gas efficient car.. I'm thinking the couple is short of some cash and doesn't have use for the 4runner
 
It doesn't look like anything special from the pictures. It's missing the front skid plate and doesn't look really clean. It will need a lot of little stuff that will add up. Timing belt, water pump, belts, shocks for the rear, matching tires if you wish will all add up to a few grand. I wouldn't spend more than $3500 on it but that's just me. Maybe hold out for a nicer one......
 
TOPSECRETTUNDRA said:
It doesn't look like anything special from the pictures. It's missing the front skid plate and doesn't look really clean. It will need a lot of little stuff that will add up. Timing belt, water pump, belts, shocks for the rear, matching tires if you wish will all add up to a few grand. I wouldn't spend more than $3500 on it but that's just me. Maybe hold out for a nicer one......
Click to expand...
Mmm, i didnt notice the front skid missing.. yea the engine is pretty dirty but the body is decently clean. True about that tune up costs + good tires.. i do live angeles county so ive never seen a decent condition 3rd gen 4wd for 3500 though..
 
Yeah, I have no clue about values in your area. I guess it just comes down to if you want a project or not. You can always pay more for a meticulously maintained 4Runner or look for a deal and use all the knowledge on this site to tinker with it.
 
TOPSECRETTUNDRA said:
Yeah, I have no clue about values in your area. I guess it just comes down to if you want a project or not. You can always pay more for a meticulously maintained 4Runner or look for a deal and use all the knowledge on this site to tinker with it.
Click to expand...

Off topic:
How did you get a Hilux Surf? Is it a diesel?
 
not bad...

If a mech. check turns up nothing, sounds ok... you should have great access to parts in SC... and no rust... Up here on the West Coast of Canada, $5K would be a steal! thats why I looked to import from the USA... time was the problem, but I was lucky enough to find mine locally. Good Luck!
 
TOPSECRETTUNDRA said:
Yeah, I have no clue about values in your area. I guess it just comes down to if you want a project or not. You can always pay more for a meticulously maintained 4Runner or look for a deal and use all the knowledge on this site to tinker with it.
Click to expand...

yea im going to keep my eye open for other 4runners in better shape than this one.. its just so hard to find in socal. all theses beasts have well over 150k ... or are just 2wd :ybrick:
 
what do you think of this??

JT3HN87RX20377241

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listingId=94195292&listingRecNum=9&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26mkId%3D20088%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D20482%26rd%3D75%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkId-mdId-yrId%26zc%3D92612%26rn%3D0%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf2Dir%3DASC%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%26yrId%3D20142%26sf2Nm%3Dmiles%26isDealerGrouping%3Dfalse%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national&listType=1

i want to go check out this one tomorrow morning.. from the dealers pics it looks pretty clean... and the engine bay is much prettier than the one i checked out before..



edit: ugh god i give up. for a while at least.. worst reviews i have ever read for a used car place : if you are in for laughs check out yelp and/or google comments for exquisite car sales in orange, CA
 
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Blizz,

Also keep an eye open on the forums. There are a few advantages to buying from a forum. What I like best is you can search their posts and see any problems they had with it.

Back in 2009 is was looking for an all silver 2000 Limited with the e-locker. I found one with 119k in Chicago so I had it shipped to Florida from a guy on the forum. Worked out good for me, sold it for my 2008 Limited.
 
TOPSECRETTUNDRA said:
Blizz,

Also keep an eye open on the forums. There are a few advantages to buying from a forum. What I like best is you can search their posts and see any problems they had with it.

Back in 2009 is was looking for an all silver 2000 Limited with the e-locker. I found one with 119k in Chicago so I had it shipped to Florida from a guy on the forum. Worked out good for me, sold it for my 2008 Limited.
Click to expand...

Yea, I've been keeping in on the classifieds... how was the shipping process and fees if you don't mind me asking?
 
I have bought a few cars sight unseen over the years. It's a bit of a gamble. Obviously you can't always count on a carfax so talk with the seller on the phone, maybe arrange an inspection with a third party dealer or mechanic. I have used Honesty First Auto Transport 3 times now and they are awesome. Most auto transport places are just the broker between you and the driver. Some places will quote you low, and it will sit forever waiting to get picked up. Drivers will haul the cars paying the most money first. Honesty first usually is a little more, but you can get it moved pretty quick. You pay the $100 or so broker fee and the rest to the driver when it's delivered. For example, my 4Runner from Chicago to Melbourne was $800. My IS350 from TX to Melbourne was $400 I think. Then my IS300 from NJ to IL was $650 but that was because of bad snow storms in IL and nothing was moving. I added $50 every few days until a carrier picked it up.
 
Hmm I honestly thought transporting cars would be more expensive then that.. thanks for the info!!

Yea auto trader seems to list the more legit sales that I've seen. Thanks as well

spotted this last night!!
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/3336902619.html
bit high in mileage though.. seems it had a milkshake problem and hopefully ill be able to get the vin to verify that toyota dd in fact change the tranny and radiator.. (dealerships do tranny jobs??) and he mentions a clean carfax so hopefully ill be able to see that..
 
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wow. what a weekend. after looking at so many classifieds and used cars websites my dad took his sienna to his local mechanic (daytime job is a toyota/lexus mechanic) to get a quote for a timing belt/water pump replacement and lo and behold! hes selling his brother's 1st owner 2000 limited.

only thing is its not 4wd, interior is a bit messy and driver's leather seat is torn..

everything is super clean: all maitenance/services done by him, no undercarriage rust, 5 nearly brand new michelin x radial lt2 (club version of lts ms2), and recent timing belt/water pump change.

all for 4500 ... i think im going to hop on it.. the deal is too good to pass up and 4wd is just a perk. after all it will be my DD and my dad's still has 4wd :D

i have a question for you guys:
does your windshield wiper not come down to the lowest point? I was using them today on the test drive and it would go all the way down and raise about half an inch before it stopped.
 
Not sure about the wipers but seems like a good deal on the 2wd if its clean. Back in 2009 I bought my dad a real clean 99 SR5 2wd. We were the second owners, Florida truck and it was spotless. You could eat off the undercarriage and it only had 127k on the clock. Someone clobbered it in a parking lot and I sold it after it was repaired. I initially paid $4900 for it and I felt I got a good deal. How many miles are on this one your looking at?
 
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