tre9er
New member
Did you call on the 97 auto that's left? I'd check out as many as possible in person, assuming they're within reasonable driving distance. You never know what you'll find good/bad and it's a great learning experience either way.
Looking at 3rd Gen
- Thread starter voldosm
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Did you call on the 97 auto that's left? I'd check out as many as possible in person, assuming they're within reasonable driving distance. You never know what you'll find good/bad and it's a great learning experience either way.
voldosm
New member
The one with the brush guard and racks? Haven't yet... Wasn't sure if the Auto was worth it... Castle Rock is about 45 min to an hour away (one way) from where I am too. Might see if I can travel down there tomorrow. That distance would prevent me from taking it to a Mechanic up here in Denver though.
tre9er
New member
Talk to seller first. Just ask a bunch of questions. Ask about maintenance that's been done and when. If they don't mention items we've talked about here, ask specifically if they've been done, or confirm that they haven't.
Sometimes I get a feel for a seller and don't even want to pursue it. Especially if a long-ish drive is involved.
Anything worth buying on CL is usually gone in a couple of hours.
tre9er
New member
I was a 40 minute drive away at a moment's notice from buying a 1st gen 22RE w/new longblock and numerous parts, etc. for $3k. First guy who looked at it drove it home.
voldosm
New member
'97 Black Auto was gone as well, called yesterday.
But here we go again... Looks like this one popped back up. Everything about the description is the same, but I remember the pictures being near a tree... Gonna call on it soon! Anyway:
[MENTION=96546]tre9er[/MENTION], [MENTION=108751]ARC[/MENTION], [MENTION=82920]1blink[/MENTION], [MENTION=89460]AirOlson[/MENTION]
But here we go again... Looks like this one popped back up. Everything about the description is the same, but I remember the pictures being near a tree... Gonna call on it soon! Anyway:
1997 Toyota 4 runner sr5 4x4 V6 5-speed. It has 200k miles and it runs great. The timin belt and water pump were done at 181k miles. Interior is in good shape. Body is decent no major dents. Paint has clear coat peel. It has a clean and clear title only asking $3450 obo must sell
[MENTION=96546]tre9er[/MENTION], [MENTION=108751]ARC[/MENTION], [MENTION=82920]1blink[/MENTION], [MENTION=89460]AirOlson[/MENTION]
Give him a call, go take it for a drive and report back. He may have re-posted the ad up because a previous deal fell through. You never know so maybe ask the seller why it was taken off and later put back on. Anyway, look it over top to bottom and go from there.
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
tre9er
New member
^This. Look it over, ask lots of questions, drive it, get under it and poke around, etc. Put it in 4H and listen for it to drop in, etc. Check the bushings, links, tie rods, etc. Get a feel for what you'll have to do to it, then negotiate with that.
voldosm
New member
So I went and checked it out yesterday. Guy had a lot of traffic on it, so I'm a couple pegs lower on the totem pole. Going to call him today to see if he still has it. If so, it will go to my mechanic to get checked out.
On to the truck! Exterior has seen better days, has a lot of rock chips, some small dents, and this weird two tone vinyl thing on the rockers. Would need some decent paint work to make it look good (not too high on the priority list). Interior is a bit stained, would definitely need a good scrubbing.
It seems to drive quite well, but with nothing to compare it to yet it's a little hard to tell. Rowed through all the gears, pretty light clutch action (lighter than my mazda actually). Put it in 4H and 4L and the engagement was there. No e-locker on it. All the electrical seemed to work. No wet spots or obvious rust underneath.
Guy doesn't have any service records for it though. I haven't ran a VIN check yet (doing that this morning) to see what it pulls up, but he claims he's had it for 20k mi.
On to some photos!
I'll keep you guys posted!
tre9er
New member
That body is rough. Frame rust looks fine. Better than mine, of course I'm in Nebraska where salt is all over the roads 4 months out of the year. Manual is rare, and if you're keen on them, it's cool. If it's not missing, runs fairly smooth engine/trans wise, I think you're good.
I'd offer him $2500 and see where he goes. Meet in the middle somewhere, but seems like a decent deal to me.
Are you planning to build this into an ORV? If so, that's a great initial investment price to get started. Leaves plenty of money for mods.
voldosm
New member
Yeah, the body is definitely in rough shape. I like that starting price, as that is right in the middle of the KBB and NADA range, so the if the guy is "offended" as some sellers seem to get, I can just quote that and mention all the body work. I don't plan on doing too much to it (I say that now, lol), just want something reliable to take the wife, dogs, and I up to the mountains in the summer for hiking and the winter for snowshoeing/skiing.
I am looking at a Toytec lift though, since they seem to be pretty reasonably priced. But a lower purchase price makes me feel better too if I have to drop a grand on the standard mechanical fixes for a truck this age. Really my first priority is bullet proof mechanicals
voldosm
New member
UPDATE: [MENTION=96546]tre9er[/MENTION], [MENTION=108751]ARC[/MENTION], [MENTION=82920]1blink[/MENTION]
He still has it, we're going to the mechanic today after work to get her checked out. I feel if I can nab it for 3k, that would probably be a great deal with no major mechanical issues, right?
As for the paint, what would be the best course to bring it back to life? I've known people who have plasti-dipped their entire cars with shockingly good results if you do all the paint prep you are supposed to do. Would that be the best route (cheap, semi-durable, easily fixable)?
He still has it, we're going to the mechanic today after work to get her checked out. I feel if I can nab it for 3k, that would probably be a great deal with no major mechanical issues, right?
As for the paint, what would be the best course to bring it back to life? I've known people who have plasti-dipped their entire cars with shockingly good results if you do all the paint prep you are supposed to do. Would that be the best route (cheap, semi-durable, easily fixable)?
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voldosm
New member
So I just ran the VIN... Is it weird to have practically NO odometer readings list on the report? The only one it states was from september 2011 where it says "EXEMPT" next to Colorado... I ran two reports off the NMVTIS (National Motor Vehicle Title Information System) website. Both correspond to each other (one from InstaVIN, one from VINAudit).
I'm not too experienced when it comes to this aspect of vehicles:
I'm not too experienced when it comes to this aspect of vehicles:
tre9er
New member
I'm not too experienced on that particular aspect myself. I wonder if the odo was listed as non-functioning or incorrect at some point? Hard to believe with the high mileage. Perhaps someone in CO DMV would know potential reasons for this?
Someone chime in here?
voldosm
New member
So I called the Colorado State DMV and they said it isn't particualrly strange to have the one title on the record... I asked him why it would say mileage exempt and he stated "After 10 years, you aren't required to claim the mileage when you title; unless it helps the value of the vehicle."
When I got a quote for insuring the truck, my insurance agent stated it was good thing (not fishy) that it has so few title events (this came up in small talk, USAA is very chatty).
So I'm not sure. When I ran the VIN on my motorcycle it had three title records that completely correlated to the known history of the bike. The first one when it was purchased and titled, then it was sold to the next guy, then sold to me. Mileage correlated close enough... I expected results like that for the 4Runner too, but I guess if there is an age limit on records maybe it doesn't show up? :wacko:
voldosm
New member
So,
Took it to the mechanic... They pretty much said run, don't walk from it. Apparently there was some rod/valve noise on the driver side bank. They claimed the motor was a gonner not if, but when. They didn't seem too optimistic about the prospects of it living. That on top of the paint/body condition, an apparent whine from transmission gears, power steering bushing bad... All the fluids were maintained though, and the brakes had plenty of life (but were "grabby").
But the mechanic (who specialized in 4Runners) didn't think it was likely I would find one in great shape in my price range either. As I said before though, if it has a good heart and things that are maintainable, that's what I'm looking for.
Essentially, I think the hunt goes on.
Took it to the mechanic... They pretty much said run, don't walk from it. Apparently there was some rod/valve noise on the driver side bank. They claimed the motor was a gonner not if, but when. They didn't seem too optimistic about the prospects of it living. That on top of the paint/body condition, an apparent whine from transmission gears, power steering bushing bad... All the fluids were maintained though, and the brakes had plenty of life (but were "grabby").
But the mechanic (who specialized in 4Runners) didn't think it was likely I would find one in great shape in my price range either. As I said before though, if it has a good heart and things that are maintainable, that's what I'm looking for.
Essentially, I think the hunt goes on.
