Opinions on this MD T4R?

[MtnChick]

Other than the hideous painted stripes, anyone have an opinion on what can be seen on this Runner? I'm wondering if it looks like it could really have the low miles claimed, and maybe the driver's door isn't fitting perfect?
1999 Toyota 4Runner

How bad is DC for rust? Not exactly what I'm looking for at the moment but I'd buy if I can figure out it's a good one.

 

[BrandonF]

If its such a long distance away, I'd talk to the seller on the phone for a long while and get some information that way. If they seem like they know nothing about the vehicle, it's a big gamble to travel to see it in person IMO.

I hate it when sellers put such little effort into their ad. I think it says a lot about how much they know about their vehicle and how well they took care of it. Either that, or he/she speaks **** all for english.

 

[98OzarksRunner]

Given that it's in Maryland, and the rust on the trailer hitch, I'd look it over real well underneath. The frame might be a pile of rust.

 

[jgue467]

and maybe the driver's door isn't fitting perfect?.

I think the door just wasn't closed all the way, either way its an EZ fix. mileage, sure could be, what if someone's grandpa owned it, he's gone, went to estate, kids dump it on newer car at dealer, dealer dumps it to used car lots and poof now a dealer with poor English (lets face it they speak Spanish) is trying to move it.

checked out Edmunds, rated it in 'good' condition, basically its being sold at a pretty good price for a t4r, so like others said, be cautious. It listed like this: (wholesale/person to person/dealer retail) $4,159 $4,976 $6,445. I'd talk to the guy and ask for more pics of everything underneath, more interior pics, under hood pics (show me the oil intake) then decide to go see it in person, if its decent you could make $$$ of it. :banana:

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'd stay away. Drivers door doesn't line up. Hatch doesn't line up either. Any time is see an ad "this SUV..." It's a red flag.

 

[nor_cal51501]

It's a 5-speed with low miles, give the owner a call and talk about the car for a good while. Ask them to send pictures of the undercarriage and if is clean, I'd buy it. 5-speeds aren't that common, especially with low miles, it's at minimum worth the effort of some research.

 

[MtnChick]

I'd stay away. Drivers door doesn't line up. Hatch doesn't line up either. Any time is see an ad "this SUV..." It's a red flag.

I wondered about the hatch too. I think you're right- I'm a pessimist and betting it's a salvage, and maybe even a rollback. The photos blow, but even so it just doesn't look as pristine to me as it ought to for 76k. Something else that makes me leery is thinking about someone who would do a paint job like that. Doesn't really seem like he would take care of it otherwise.

My better half will be in the East in a couple of weeks and could drive it home, so the distance is mainly a challenge for trying to assess the thing.

 

[MtnChick]

It's a 5-speed with low miles, give the owner a call and talk about the car for a good while. Ask them to send pictures of the undercarriage and if is clean, I'd buy it. 5-speeds aren't that common, especially with low miles, it's at minimum worth the effort of some research.

I do think it's worth some research. Hopefully the guy speaks English and can get me the VIN and some more photos. Maybe things won't look so out of line in new photos? I'm not that hopeful, but I'm not going to write it off without at least looking a little closer.

 

[nor_cal51501]

I do think it's worth some research. Hopefully the guy speaks English and can get me the VIN and some more photos. Maybe things won't look so out of line in new photos? I'm not that hopeful, but I'm not going to write it off without at least looking a little closer.

Good idea.

 

[MtnChick]

Ha, ha! [MENTION=66735]PitbullRescuer[/MENTION] You were right. 5 owners and a bad CarFax. If it's too good to be true, it's not true! After a minor detour it's back to my search for a 2.7..