Need advice/feedback

[palooka23]

I just purchased an '07 SR5 with a little over 14k in miles for 20k from a local Toyota dealer. The inside of the vehicle was very clean and free from all the usual wear and tear. Being a used truck, the outside has a few "dings"....if you will. Although I went over the truck prior to purchase, you dont fully discover all the flaws until you detail the vehicle.
Well, when detailing, I have discovered quite a few more scratches and bumps and marks. I have learned that the truck is quite a bit dirty in the undercarriage. I suspect the driver lived on a dirt road because of the amount of dirt. Living in FL (where the car was registered) there isnt too much off-roading that one can really do to cause damage, so even if it was used off road, it should have been ok.
I guess I question why someone would purchase a truck as nice as mine and trade it in with less than 15k miles after only one year of ownership.
I keep wondering if there is something wrong that is not visible to me. The truck was "certified" (not that it means anything). Drives well, looks good (aside from the minor scratches and dings). I guess I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Is there anything I can check or do to ensure that mechanically the truck is fine? Like I said, it is a "certified used" auto, but what the hell does that mean?
Taking it to a mechanic would be an option, but I am wondering if there is anything I can do myself.

Thanks in advance.

 

[simple]

1, When I bought my truck 34k, he said there wasn't much I could check because no real problems should develop that early, so I figure you're less likely to find anything more. He just told me to make sure they had good maintenance records, and to look around the vehicles for leaks, and grease and just stuff like that.

2, as far as why'd they trade it in? Millions of reasons. There was a guy here who returned his 4runner after driving it a day. They may have been too tall for the truck, or they may have found the seats uncomfortable, or maybe when gas prices shot up over 4 bucks, they were like, "**** that, I'm out!"

 

[FoozGrind]

Yea exactly, there could be millions of reasons why the truck was turned in. You got it certified and its still under warranty!! Enjoy it!

 

[Civardi]

Did you run a carfax?

 

[palooka23]

yes a carfax accompanied the paperwork and came back clean.
There are no leaks the engine bay looks new.

Like I said, the truck itself has some minor scratches and little dings here and there, but is in good shape.
One thing I know for sure; those minor dings saved me a boatload of cash on the deal. Most '06's are going to 21-22k. I got an 07' for 20. Here in South FL, thats a pretty good deal.

I guess I think along the lines of "how can someone have ANY damage on a truck that is a year old?" Our other vehicle (Mazda CX-9) is more than a year old and is absolutely in mint condition inside and out and I have 2 kids and a dog.

I dont get it. But then again, I dont understand lots of other people's decisions.

 

[ALt4r]

You got a pretty good price!
Is the the v6 or v8? 2wd?
Like everyone said, i think you will be fine. Toyota certified vehicles go for a little more than the non-certified ones. I don't know if it's just a local thing but the ones that were "certified" usually went for a bit more. Certification might count for something...

 

[FoozGrind]

Hey maybe this link will help you.

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/cpo/articles/101119/article.html

 

[2003-4x4runner]

The 4 Runner could have been a loaner car or the sales MGR car. Or it could have been a repo. Does the carfax state "Lien" on the it? I bought my runner 3 years ago with only 16K miles on it and It was driven by the sales MGR.