Looking at a 03 4Runner limited

[nicolachel]

Hello everyone, new to the forum and looking forward to buy a 4runner.

So I test drove a 03 4runner limited V8 (about 100000 miles on it) at a dealership yesterday and found that it's not problem free.

First of all, I noticed that the breaks are softer than other 4runners of comparable or even more miles on it from 03/04, its especially soft at low speed (meaning it at least seems to be decelerating okay at higher speeds but I need to press the pedal quite hard for it to finally come to a stop, missed quite a few stop lines due to that)

Secondly, the left front suspension was found to be leaking, I took a picture of it.
The dealership said that it's a leaky shock they'll replace it with a KYB shock(never heard of that before).

Lastly, I found that I could not engage the center diff lock while in 4L(the light for it keep blinking and VSC OFF does not come on), the manual said I need to accelerate and decelerate but that didn't work.
I could do it in 4H(solid lock light and VSC OFF is lighted), and after switching to 4L its still locked but again I can't disengage it in 4L, have to go back to 4H to free it.

All other stuff seems to be okay(except there's some vibration on the steering wheel at 70MPH and the dealer said they'll do alignment)

btw, no service record could be found by toyota and the status of timing belt/pump is unknown(no record on carfax as well,no sticker on engine)

If they do what they promised(change shock/alignment) and other stuff turns out to be okay after inspected by a toyota dealer, does it worth 15K?
(That's what KBB says and what asked by the dealer, but Edmunds has a much much lower price estimation(like 11K))

Is the center diff lock thing(can't engage or free while in 4L) normal?

Thanks a lot!

 

[Gatafly]

My opinion would be to turn around and walk away. Imo the price is too high with everything working correctly. As an example, I recently got an '04 sport 4wd with 92k in almost new condition for $13.3.

 

[xlaxx]

Rust, rust, rust.

The control arm bolt above looks like it is getting ready to flake apart that means more replacement stuff. Rust is cancer.

I'd walk on this one.

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

As they said, id walk simply because it is priced too high for the mileage and service history. I paid 11.5 for mine with 120k and service records showing all scheduled maintenance was done at the local dealer. They are also trying to get by wth repllacing a $1500 suspension setup with a $250 one. Id say stock setup is much better than kybs (although there are other options). You aalso need to look. At the transfer case, there's a black box (actuator) on the back of it and leaks arre pretty common there the box bolts to the transfer case.

Be patient, you can get a lot more bang for your buck if you keep looking.

 

[Jeff T]

Walk away... Too many questions for my $$$$$.

 

[S p a r k y]

Axle Boot is even more cost and time. WALK!!!

 

[thirstyturtle]

I'm with everybody on this one, walk away. You can find one without all these problems for less money.

Just be patient.

 

[nicolachel]

Thanks a lot for your inputs everyone, I'll pass on this one.

btw.

could anyone tell me how much should a clean 03 v8 limited cost(otd)?

How about a 05 one?

 

[ARK_SWAMP_RIDER]

It all depends on mileage and location. Around here, its easy to find them with around 100k miles for 14k or less.

 

[AddictedOffroad]

That doesn't look like a shock leak either. You mentioned the weak brakes, and it looks to me like that may be brake fluid leaking from some place.