The scoop: So I've made the decision to go ahead and get a fancy new 4Runner. My 2002 (SR5, 4WD) has over 300,000 miles, so I was told by people at Carmax and even a salesman at a Toyota dealership that my best option (aside from trying to sell to an individual) is to sell it to Carmax.
The situation: I took it to Carmax for an evaluation, and it came back at $1700. Hmm. I guess that's the best I'm going to get even though the KBB trade-in value listed $3400. Anyway, when I got back in my 4Runner after their test drive, I noticed that the 4WD was engaged WITH the center differential locked. I put it back into 2WD immediately and drove it around the block to make sure nothing seemed wrong. I then drove it on the freeway 30 miles in 2WD and even a few miles on surface streets in 4WD (without the center differential locked). Everything seemed fine. Thinking back, I should have gone back in and asked the girl if she locked the center differential before or after parking (and making tight turns on pavement), so I don't know if I have any reason to be concerned; I just don't want a failure in a drivetrain component right before I plan to find a new home for the car.
The question: If the Carmax girl locked the center differential while on the test drive, could she have damaged something that might break without warning in the little time that I have left with the car? Or would any damage have been immediately apparent?
The situation: I took it to Carmax for an evaluation, and it came back at $1700. Hmm. I guess that's the best I'm going to get even though the KBB trade-in value listed $3400. Anyway, when I got back in my 4Runner after their test drive, I noticed that the 4WD was engaged WITH the center differential locked. I put it back into 2WD immediately and drove it around the block to make sure nothing seemed wrong. I then drove it on the freeway 30 miles in 2WD and even a few miles on surface streets in 4WD (without the center differential locked). Everything seemed fine. Thinking back, I should have gone back in and asked the girl if she locked the center differential before or after parking (and making tight turns on pavement), so I don't know if I have any reason to be concerned; I just don't want a failure in a drivetrain component right before I plan to find a new home for the car.
The question: If the Carmax girl locked the center differential while on the test drive, could she have damaged something that might break without warning in the little time that I have left with the car? Or would any damage have been immediately apparent?
