need some input on a 2000 4R please.

[RoyBell]

A local fella is selling a decent looking 2000 SR5. It's a manual, but no E locker. Has all other options from what I can tell though- Leather, roof, limited style fenders and steps.

4 main issues

1- Head liner was wet. Along the windshield approx an inch wide and along the front grab handles to the windshield. Looks like it could be something with the sunroof. Drains are clogged or something is cracked from looking around this site. Other issue could be windshield gasket not sealing properly. It looks a little shrunk but tight.

Assuming I fix it, what are the chances the headliner is damaged? Also, what are the chances other stuff is damaged as a result? IE: Rust starting where I can't see it which will pose an issue later on?

2- Rear hatch has a nice dent in it and the plastic part and rear lock are missing. The window operators correctly though. Is this something to have Bondo'd or replace the rear hatch completely?

3- The brake light is on. He claimed the parking brake cable needed to be tightened? Would that cause the light to go on? It seemed to slow the car down a little from a slow roll but a parking brake is an important feature on a manual car. Fluid looked full from what I could tell so I don't think that's the problem.

4- Hood and roof pretty faded. Not sure if this will come back with paint correction or if it would need a whole repaint. I thought 4Runners were 2 stage paint which makes me think a little wet sanding would bring the shine back? I am not sure what color it is, but it is silver and more of a matt finish. I was able to fix my '99 and bring the shine back with some paint correction, but that was more from scratches than sun damage.

Other than that, with 250K miles, it drove surprisingly well. Engine pretty oily so likely just gaskets needed hopefully. It's at a decent asking price and the frame is pretty rust free being it was a NV car. Just not sure what I would have invested in the above issues. Any input appreciated!

 

[WWRD99]

The wet headliner could be the windshield not sealed in the upper corner...check the sticker on the glass and see if it's toyota or not...it may have been replaced and not glued in right...the drain for the sunroof could be clogged up but the roof needs to be open for water to get in there with the exception of heavy rain...the main concern with the leak would be the wiring on the drivers side kick panel...there's a bunch of connections that could get wet that could corrode...the brake light concern could be the level sensor in the master...I think the 2000 has the separate master and booster...you should be able to unplug the sensor at the master and the light could go out if the float is stuck down...if it doesn't you're looking at the parking brake set up...the parking brake lever has a switch on it that grounds when pulled up...you can pull the cup holder out and pull the connector off the brake lever...if it's a stuck switch the light should go out...the parking brake should stop the car and if adjusted right lock up the rear wheels...I'm not into paint stuff so that's a tough call.

 

[Hepar]

I feel like it all depends on price and how much work you're willing to put into it. In just reading the list, I'd personally avoid it. I like to look for signs that the previous owner(s) loved and babied it. And that definitely doesn't sound like the case. But many people look for other signs. The diamond in the rough sort of speak.

 

[RoyBell]

He was asking $5,500. I thought that was fair based on the pictures. He then claimed someone offered $6,000 and that's the new price. I assume he realized it was a little under valued and trying to get a little more. However, with the work mentioned, I think $6K is a little strong. The frame is virtually rust free living the majority of it's life in Nevada. That's near impossible to find around here.

The neglect has me worried, as does his nonchalant attitude that the wet head liner isn't a big deal and that the engine is in good shape, despite the entire thing being covered in oil. He bragged a little how well the seats were wearing and which point I called him out on the front seat being reupholstered and he quickly admitted to it.

Weird seller, but that's what the open market brings I guess. The plus is the decent drive train, trans shifted smooth and didn't appear to slip, has new springs, shocks, and airbags (same thing I did to my '99 when I got it)

I walked away from the deal to do a little more research. The fact that he's had it for sale for a couple weeks and still has it tells me I am not alone in being a little worried. However, if it's minimal work to get up and running, then I don't mind it. If I find out the floor is going to rust through from the leaky windshield/sunroof, I would be pretty bummed.

 

[808Waterman]

The issues that you pointed out would have made me walk away as well. Signs of babying and caring are super critical for me when I buy a used vehicle. Keep looking, there are more out there.

 

[Hokie-Pokie VT]

For what he is asking it doesn't seem like this is a worthwhile deal. Maybe if he was closer to 3 or 3.5k it would be worth considering if you budgeted out 1-2k to put into it, but for 6k you can definitely find one that would require much less of an initial investment to get it up and running the way you want it. Even just locking down that water leak and new gaskets in the engine can get pretty pricey. Im with everyone else in saying look for something else unless you are really mechanically inclined and want a project to try and tackle yourself to save some $$. You don't know how often this guy changed the oil, and with the condition its currently in Id venture a guess that it may not have been all that often.

Hope this helps.

 

[Johnny0]

He was asking $5,500. I thought that was fair based on the pictures. He then claimed someone offered $6,000 and that's the new price. I assume he realized it was a little under valued and trying to get a little more. However, with the work mentioned, I think $6K is a little strong. The frame is virtually rust free living the majority of it's life in Nevada. That's near impossible to find around here.

The neglect has me worried, as does his nonchalant attitude that the wet head liner isn't a big deal and that the engine is in good shape, despite the entire thing being covered in oil. He bragged a little how well the seats were wearing and which point I called him out on the front seat being reupholstered and he quickly admitted to it.

Weird seller, but that's what the open market brings I guess. The plus is the decent drive train, trans shifted smooth and didn't appear to slip, has new springs, shocks, and airbags (same thing I did to my '99 when I got it)

I walked away from the deal to do a little more research. The fact that he's had it for sale for a couple weeks and still has it tells me I am not alone in being a little worried. However, if it's minimal work to get up and running, then I don't mind it. If I find out the floor is going to rust through from the leaky windshield/sunroof, I would be pretty bummed.

the price seems high for how much work it will need and the uncertainty of the leak.

sometimes the bolts that hold the sunroof in get loose and fall out. headliner is not too difficult to remove

 

[gamefreakgc]

He was asking $5,500. I thought that was fair based on the pictures. He then claimed someone offered $6,000 and that's the new price. I assume he realized it was a little under valued and trying to get a little more. However, with the work mentioned, I think $6K is a little strong. The frame is virtually rust free living the majority of it's life in Nevada. That's near impossible to find around here.

The neglect has me worried, as does his nonchalant attitude that the wet head liner isn't a big deal and that the engine is in good shape, despite the entire thing being covered in oil. He bragged a little how well the seats were wearing and which point I called him out on the front seat being reupholstered and he quickly admitted to it.

Weird seller, but that's what the open market brings I guess. The plus is the decent drive train, trans shifted smooth and didn't appear to slip, has new springs, shocks, and airbags (same thing I did to my '99 when I got it)

I walked away from the deal to do a little more research. The fact that he's had it for sale for a couple weeks and still has it tells me I am not alone in being a little worried. However, if it's minimal work to get up and running, then I don't mind it. If I find out the floor is going to rust through from the leaky windshield/sunroof, I would be pretty bummed.

Oh gosh, no no no run! Let me break down the costs for you:

New windshield - $250
Rear hatch - $500 (not to mention you'll not find a matching lock for the rear hatch)
New headliner (mildew/mold) - $100
New parking brake cables and mounts (if it were just a matter of tightening it he would have done it by now) - $150
New paint job - $1000-$2000

So after paying $6k, you're in it another $2k-$3k just for repairs on things he neglected. That's assuming there's nothing else wrong with it which is a HUGE assumption. He's only addressing the painfully obvious repairs, there's usually more he's not disclosing. And he rose the price on you? Sketchy.

Not worth the time or money. If you want a west coast vehicle that bad, you would be much better off flying out here, buying one in decent condition (there's plenty of good ones in the $6k range that need little/no repairs with great paint) and driving it home. Not even joking. If the only reason why you are considering it is because it's rust-free, buy from a rust free state.

 

[Airmapper]

Sounds kinda junky to me. I gave $4650 for a 2000 Limited with nothing like the problems you mention from a used car dealer, so that guy is out of his mind on the price in my opinion. If it was like a super good deal it might be worth it to make some repairs and fix it up, doesn't sound like that is the case. You can get one without dents in it for that kind of money.

 

[RoyBell]

I appreciate the confirmation from everyone. My costs added up to roughly the same for the repairs. I am very mechanically inclined, but rather short on time. I pulled the carfax and it had a good history of oil changes. This current owner did not have much listed for the 3-4 years he owned it though.

I emailed him yesterday that I would be interested for less than asking should his "high buyer" not come through. I just feel sorry for anyone that travels from out of state to buy it that he alluded to. He obviously played the "I can wait for him to come around" bit. It's been listed for 2 weeks now..... The clean ones don't last long around here, I know because I have missed out on a fair share from not getting to them quick enough. My '99 I bought 2 days after it was listed because of the shape it was in.

 

[BostonJon]

Overpriced by at least $2,500.

 

[gamefreakgc]

I appreciate the confirmation from everyone. My costs added up to roughly the same for the repairs. I am very mechanically inclined, but rather short on time. I pulled the carfax and it had a good history of oil changes. This current owner did not have much listed for the 3-4 years he owned it though.

I emailed him yesterday that I would be interested for less than asking should his "high buyer" not come through. I just feel sorry for anyone that travels from out of state to buy it that he alluded to. He obviously played the "I can wait for him to come around" bit. It's been listed for 2 weeks now..... The clean ones don't last long around here, I know because I have missed out on a fair share from not getting to them quick enough. My '99 I bought 2 days after it was listed because of the shape it was in.

I think you made the right choice. I agree, clean ones go super fast and if you don't contact the day they are posted you'll be on a waiting list. I bought my 98 4 years ago and contacted the day it was listed and paid his full asking price of 7k (with supercharger). When the right one comes you just have to go for it but the one you looked at was not the right one.

That's actually pretty decent dating advice too... I got married out of college and when the right one comes you don't let her get away Marry that girl lol