Need Opinion on a New to Me Runner

[csevel]

I'm considering purchasing my third 4th Gen TR4. Sadly, I've had a ton of repairs this past year on my current '04 Sport. I live in the rust infested snow belt! Repairs have included a whole new exhaust, speed sensors, power steering pump, spare tire winch, rear calipers and a new alternator and a few more items I can't recall at the moment.

I stumbled across a 2005 V8 Sport locally for $15K with 54K miles. It is exactly my current truck except one year newer and less miles. (I have 153K) I've been looking for another V8 for some time with low mileage hoping to find one in a sunshine state. NO LUCK really in my price range and time frame to go look. I do tow a trailer (3200#) and really want the Sport V8.

My concern is that the Carfax shows a minor accident in '07. It looks like the Runner was towing a trailer at the time and got side-swiped. The report on one line says:
"Trailer being towed was damaged" "Vehicle was not damaged" On the next line the report says "Vehicle involved in a sideswipe collision w another motor vehicle" "Functional Damage Reported" "Airbags did not deploy"

Both lines of the report show the same date.

I'm inclined to think that the trailer was hit and not the truck. The outside looks flawless and seams all look even with no new paint overspray. I'm having my mechanic/body man take a look at the frame and hitch on Monday to make sure there's no damage.

The truck has had only one owner and all of the maintenance records are available. The previous owner traded it in for a Tundra just this past week. I would like any good or bad opinions on whether I should pass on this truck or not....??

 

[rileyru]

You say your guy is a mechanic / "body man" - if he checks it and says it is good, you should be OK. Remember CarFax doesn't show everything, so even a vehicle that shows clean may still have been hit at some point. My F150 has been in a minor wreck with another vehicle while I was driving that I know is not on CarFax.

 

[RunnerAK]

You say your guy is a mechanic / "body man" - if he checks it and says it is good, you should be OK. Remember CarFax doesn't show everything, so even a vehicle that shows clean may still have been hit at some point. My F150 has been in a minor wreck with another vehicle while I was driving that I know is not on CarFax.

+1

If it passes you and your mechanic's inspection, I would say go for it. You can use the accident as a negotiating point to get a better price.

 

[lj4r]

the miles are enticing but the price seems high. Based on prices out west and the lack of corrosion, I would think that truck would be in the $11k to
$12.5k range. I wouldn't worry about the accident, if it looks and drives well you are probably good to go. Cheers. Phil

 

[littlehandegan]

the miles are enticing but the price seems high. Based on prices out west and the lack of corrosion, I would think that truck would be in the $11k to
$12.5k range. I wouldn't worry about the accident, if it looks and drives well you are probably good to go. Cheers. Phil

11,000 to 12,500 for a 50,000 miles 4runner.

Where do I find these???

 

[RCs4Runner]

11,000 to 12,500 for a 50,000 miles 4runner.

Where do I find these???

Phil's on that sauce tonight. :beer:

 

[Code2]

What does Nada.com say? KBB isnt the standard anymore no bank uses it nor dealership.

No big deal if the car was involved in a crash most insurance companies dont play with it comes to get the work done right.

Heck look at the 7g crash I had when a lady pulled out in front of me and then look at the work after

Funny she told the police that I was at fault and swore up and down it was my fault. then he asked me what happened and all i did was hit play on the windshield camera which showed otherwise thank you work for installing them after two previous crashes also :O) since we tend to hit a lot of things

After fix

 

[csevel]

Nada says it's priced right at retail 16K. I have no doubt we will be working the dealership down as I've never bought any car for the asking price!

I added up my repair costs for 2013 for my current '04 which started around 140,000 miles... whopping $5,600!

I'm hoping this one passes my guy's inspection so I can hold off on repair costs for awhile!

 

[NuclearN8]

I wouldn't sweat the accident. It was 7 years ago so after all so the vehicle has had to time let any lingering issues come to light if there were any to begin with....

I agree nada is the way to go both on what the dealer has in it on trade and what the max is the bank will finance it for... I generally offer 1500 over good nada trade in value. It's fair in my eyes because the dealer makes some money and I don't get ripped either... a win win.
No dealer I know worth doing business with ever gives more than good nada value on a trade-in unless a vehicle essentially is showroom condition new.

 

[csevel]

So now I own TWO 4Runners.. yes we bit and it's mine! Mechanic/autobody guy said rusty but looks good. Frame and the hitch are straight. Left quarter panel was repainted so it must have been hit but minor. Been looking for awhile now to find a low mileage V8 Sport. I must say they are hard to find. 15K:car: out the door... Please someone tell me where the 11K 4Runners are cuz I've never seen 'em!

So I've got one for sale .. '04 Silver Sport V8 153,000 miles..

 

[DarenS]

So I've got one for sale .. '04 Silver Sport V8 153,000 miles..

And it can be yours for only $11K! :nod:

2004 Toyota 4runner SR5 4x4 - $8950

Daren

 

[csevel]

Ha! :israel:

I'm asking 9K as well.. and stands to reason that there's a difference in a V8 Sport as opposed to the SR5.

 

[DarenS]

And lack of rust. Luckily, the snow season is relatively short here and they use pumice on the roads, not salt.

Daren