Lookin at buying: What say the masses?

[AC78]

Saw this posted on one of my other frequently forums. I was just wondering if you all who have way more experience with these think about purchasing? Here is the ad:


"I have had this since I was a junior in high school (2005) and have many memories with this truck. The only reason I am getting rid of it is I have another child on the way and it's time for the ol minivan life to get started.

Anyway, it's a solid car. 191,xxx miles. 4WD. No accidents. Never had had a problem with it.

Here is my photobucket album with pictures.

http://s1359.photobucket.com/user/andrewloganjones/slideshow/4Runner

$3200

 

[UnderFire]

Looks clean enough on the outside, and the few small problems on the interior are cheap easy fixes, it all comes down to what it looks like underneath.

 

[AC78]

Cool. I have read the newbie guide about the rust. I sent an ail to the guy with some other questions from that guide about radiator, service records and how the underneath looks.

 

[War Sprout]

mini-vans are ghey

Don't forget to ask him about the timing belt, water pump, etc. Also, check the engine bay with a flashlight and inspect the valve covers. Mine leaked.

 

[AC78]

Didn't ask those in the email. Will do. If he hasn't done those things how should I proceed? Just say "Oh" and then replace them immediately. Seems like those are fairly cheap fixes considering the savings of the vehicle cost.

 

[AC78]

He says water pump and timing belt were replaced around 150k and he has all service records.

 

[AC78]

Someone beat me to it. Oh well, plenty more to choose from.

 

[AC78]

Ran across a great condition 1997 Limited, pulled strong, no rust, all options work, but Vehicle shows 133k Carfax says this:
11/23/11
115,140 mi.
Motor Vehicle Dept.

Dealer took title of this vehicle
while it was in inventory
EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS TITLE ISSUED
Vehicle color noted as Black
CARFAX Advisor™
An EML title is issued when the owner discloses an odometer rollover to a DMV. Rollovers occur on vehicles with 5-digit odometers that go from 99,999 to 100,000 every 100,000 miles.

Mileage reported after this reading is potentially unreliable.

 

[AC78]

I also looked at a few other today, I didn't like the looks of them. These are bad right?

 

[chimpy]

:scared: Walk away from that one.

 

[NL99]

I also looked at a few other today, I didn't like the looks of them. These are bad right?

Is that a milkshake!?!? :doh:

 

[AC78]

Looks like it. The guy at the dealership gave me the keys and said to take a look a the ones I wanted. The pictures are from different ones. All of them were pretty bad.

 

[EraSevera]

The strawberry milkshake is a definite deal breaker.

 

[shadow247]

Stay far away from a dealership if you are purchasing a 3rd Gen. They just won't be a good value and they will try to hide problems from you. You need to wait around until you find one that really fits, otherwise you may end up with a bad truck that you hate. The first one you posted looks promising. I wouldn't worry about any of the missed maintanence items, as you will want to do some of those to become more hands on with your Runner. Expect to get a little dirty every once in a while, as a vehicle like this will require plenty of wrench time to go the long haul.

 

[AC78]

Yeah the first one already sold, and the one I was just talking about also sold this past Saturday the guy said. Thanks for the advice on dealerships.

 

[pluton]

Dealers AND independent car lots both have the same overriding issue: You will pay at least $2000, and as much as $4000 more just because it's at a lot or dealer.
Actively covering up defects is not exclusive to commercial operations, though they may be better at it than an amateur.
I looked for seven months over a wide area to find my slightly overpriced 3rd gen 4Runner. Just keep slogging away.

 

[AC78]

Will do. There were obvious rust cover ups on a couple I looked at today. I just have to be sure and get all I want and try not to hurry up and settle.