Opinions needed: is this 1994 4runner 4x4 a good buy?

[lance317]

This is being advertised in my area, and am wondering if it's worth checking out.

I spoke with the shop that is selling it on consignment, and it needs tires and a new windsheild.

Supposedley a Toyota dealer installed a new long block at 120,000, and now the car is at 241,000.

Said he's a bit flex on the price in light of the windshield/tires:

94 Toyota 4 runner SR5 clean inside and out, 1 owner, has new timing belt, water pump, idlers and tensioners, A/C works, 4X4, 5 speed, gray with gray cloth interior, slight blemish on drivers seat and that's it interior is in great shape. New engine put in by dealer at 120,000 has 241,000 on it now. tow hitch, roof rack, pwr sun roof, this thing is loaded. Vehicle is currently in non opt. If it's still listed it's still available I'll delete the post as soon as it sells. 3200.00 OBO

Thanks for any advice, have to buy a car by this weekend as my current rig is near death

 

[blacksc]

I say offer 2800 if you really want it

 

[lance317]

I say offer 2800 if you really want it

Thanks - too funny, as that's the figure I was thinking (or maybe even start at 2500 and see what happens)

An intro-level set of tires is about $450, and the Windshield is about $175 around my kneck of the woods.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

This is being advertised in my area, and am wondering if it's worth checking out.

I spoke with the shop that is selling it on consignment, and it needs tires and a new windsheild.

Supposedley a Toyota dealer installed a new long block at 120,000, and now the car is at 241,000.

Said he's a bit flex on the price in light of the windshield/tires:

94 Toyota 4 runner SR5 clean inside and out, 1 owner, has new timing belt, water pump, idlers and tensioners, A/C works, 4X4, 5 speed, gray with gray cloth interior, slight blemish on drivers seat and that's it interior is in great shape. New engine put in by dealer at 120,000 has 241,000 on it now. tow hitch, roof rack, pwr sun roof, this thing is loaded. Vehicle is currently in non opt. If it's still listed it's still available I'll delete the post as soon as it sells. 3200.00 OBO

Thanks for any advice, have to buy a car by this weekend as my current rig is near death

Thanks - too funny, as that's the figure I was thinking (or maybe even start at 2500 and see what happens)

An intro-level set of tires is about $450, and the Windshield is about $175 around my kneck of the woods.

What does the seller mean by 'non opt'? Is that short for not operational?

Everything is flexible. If the seller wants to get rid of it - start at $2,000.00 and stop at a price that's comfortable to you. If he's not willing to negotiate - just walk away. There will always be another 4Runner for sale.

Like ever used vehicle - expect to put at least $1,000.00 in it (not counting tax, and licensing) to get it up to road running status. With that - remember it is an older Toyota so this price may be on the low side.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!.

:usa:

 

[lance317]

What does the seller mean by 'non opt'? Is that short for not operational?:

Non-operational.

He claims that if I am serious about buying it, he'll get it smogged...

I'm kind of leery about a 1994, as a lot of folks here recommend a 3rd gen, so just wanted some opinions

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Non-operational.

He claims that if I am serious about buying it, he'll get it smogged...

I'm kind of leery about a 1994, as a lot of folks here recommend a 3rd gen, so just wanted some opinions

Get the one YOU want. I have a 2nd Gen, and love it. If I could have bought a 1st, 3rd, 4th for a decent price that was fixable I would have gotten one.

I got a good deal on mine, and have had my 93 for years. Don't be in a hurry, and don't be afraid to pass up one for something better down the road.

:surfer:

 

[lance317]

I checked this out a few hours ago. The ad and person I spoke with on the phone said they had previous records for servicing and the Toyota long block replacement, but when I got there they said they didn't have it, and were waiting on it from the consignee.

The body, paint and interior were very clean - not much to report there, very good for the age and price. The front end however, was not. The joints and suspension appeared to have some kind of oil or power steering fluid on the undercarriage, and the seller claimed there had been a power steering leak at some point, but didn't know if it had been dealt with (?) As well, the shocks and surrounding areas had rust that the seller said "was just a little beach rust", and then went on to say that "you can buy a can of black paint and just spray right over it, good to go".

There was some light rust/corrosion around the battery housing and terminal areas, but I couldn't determine whether it was substantial or not (I wanted to take some pictures, but didn't want to make a big scene about it)

Evidently, the car has been sitting for 6 months, and they had to charge the battery to get it started. Once they did, it started smelling like burnt oil, but I didn't see any leaks anywhere, or any smoke, etc. The seller's employee drove it south on the 5 for about 2 miles, but traffic kept him from going much over 45 mph. The car seemed way out of alignment, as the guy continually had to steer left; I commented about the alignment, and he said "it's probably the angle of the freeway", and then went on to say "just get some new tires for it"".

So we stopped, and I got in to test drive it myself. From the get go, it seemed way underpowered....The clutch seemed good, and 1st and 2nd gears were fine, 3rd gear though seemed really sluggish and just had a kind of rickety feel to it, and in general the car seemed kind gutless. Maybe it was me, I dunno. I commented on it, and the guy said "every Toyota V6 I've driven is a slug". When we got back, the underside of the car didn't appear to be leaking fluids, but it smelled like burning oil. Told him I was good to go and thanked him for the test drive and that I'd mull it over.

 

[crutchy]

If things start to get a little off, which it sounds like they are, then just walk away. 2nd gens are a dime a dozen and he was mostly right, the 3.0 is a dog on the highway. If you come from 4.0 Jeeps or the full size wheeling scene then the 3.0 feels like a complete pig. Most of the ones that I saw when picking up my last one had leaky valve cover gaskets, so that is worth a look. If you really want it I would personally offer $2k and not budge much, but then again I'm not sure of the market where you are.

 

[BucknutBob]

Just from what you've described about the way the owner talks, I would walk--that is the way a guy who has plenty to hide talks. Like others said, there are plenty more out there--DON'T get attached to the first one you look at. Too much fishy-sounding about this "deal".

 

[lance317]

I forgot how much fun buying a used car is, sheesh!

Thanks for the responses, I'm holding off on that 94, and postponing my 4 runner search, as I've been looking daily for 3 months to no avail, and just sick of the dishonesty and scams out there (or at least here in my area). All 5 4runners I went and saw in the last week were advertised as having records, and none of them had it when I drove to look at, frustrating, time consuming, and a waste of gas!

The other frustrating thing is, there are so many scams with these 4 runners on Craigslist, it's crazy. Since Friday, I inquired about 3 different 4 runners advertised in SD county (none of which had phone numbers listed in the ad) but I thought let's give it a try, so after I sent emails out inquiring about the cars, they all responded back with excuses, but asked for my contact number to call me back, which I stupidly sent. None of them called back or texted, emailed, etc., then not more than an hour later each car was re-posted, and the car's year and selling price was changed, and the ad descriptions slightly modified (a $3200 '96 became a $2900 '97, and so on). There is evidently money to be made selling phone numbers and email addresses, so lesson learned on responding to ads without phone numbers!

Seems like if you have a budget of $6000, you can get a good deal in my kneck of the woods, so I'm just going stash a few pay stubs away for a month or so. Thanks for all the advice!