Potentially buying my first car ever today. A used 4th Gen 4Runner. Help?!

[MikeFrazier]

I'd gladly pay anyone with mechanical skills and within an hour of New Haven CT to go take a look at it under the guise of being interested.

Lol. Worth a shot. If I knew anything about cars I'd be in a better spot!

So let's recap
1. no one really knows what the mileage is at
2. body repairs or a tire replacement(says the stealership)
3. won't allow for a 3rd party inspection for reason unknown
What's a bigger waste? An hour of his time for an inspection or 12k of your cash that you can't get back....easy choice. Plus that engine sounds like it has water in it. Maybe it was just my computer though

 

[njfastlife]

Gonna go look at this guy Saturday

Expecting a rust bucket

4Runner Limited -V8 - 2005

 

[MikeFrazier]

Gonna go look at this guy Saturday

Expecting a rust bucket

4Runner Limited -V8 - 2005

Why expect that? It looks actually pretty rust free. The engine bay, rear hitch, and trunk bolts shown in the pics are a pretty good indication of the rust your going to see, just from a picture standpoint of course. Looks really clean IMO

 

[njfastlife]

Why expect that? It looks actually pretty rust free. The engine bay, rear hitch, and trunk bolts shown in the pics are a pretty good indication of the rust your going to see, just from a picture standpoint of course. Looks really clean IMO

Just being pessimistic.

The v8 will need to have belt replaced, correct?

 

[LOBO79]

Yes unless it has already been done

 

[TrdLtly]

What about a mobile inspection service? Not sure about the cost, but if this one is nice enough, than it could be worth the, say $500. Just a thought.

 

[Sporin]

... If I knew anything about cars I'd be in a better spot!

I think that is the key that a lot of guys here are missing when they tell you to just go for it. Buying your first car, and you aren't mechanically inclined. You are aware of these shortcomings (no offense meant) and are taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself. That's what you SHOULD be doing.

If you were a more seasoned buyer, with mechanical experience and knowledge, you might approach this sale differently. But I think you are acting very smartly by being wary given your own situation.

These aren't rare trucks, you'll find another one that isn't setting off red flags for you.

I can't judge the motor noise by that video, it seems all muffled and messy and I don't know what it sounds like in person. I will say that it doesn't sound like how I expect it to sound given what I know my own V6 sound like.

 

[ben550]

Just being pessimistic.

The v8 will need to have belt replaced, correct?

When you go and look ask to see records for the timing belt change if there are any. It looks to me like the coolant reservoir is only filled to the minimum line and there is some dried coolant at the top cap of the reservoir. This could indicate a water pump leak. Just check it out. If you see dried white residue around the engine compartment this could indicate coolant hitting the fan splattering. It is not the end of the world to fix. It costs around $800-$1000 for the complete timing belt/water pump job.

Take lots of pictures for us.

Use a better camera to record the sound of the engine on this one too. the last video audio was crap or the engine was recently drowned at a boat ramp.

 

[BOSMECH]

That looks like a great deal, ooks like mine but mine is a sport.
Go to Toyota with the VIN and they can look up all that has been done with it by Toyota.

 

[BOSMECH]

By the way that is a good price for it with that low mileage.

 

[njfastlife]

When you go and look ask to see records for the timing belt change if there are any. It looks to me like the coolant reservoir is only filled to the minimum line and there is some dried coolant at the top cap of the reservoir. This could indicate a water pump leak. Just check it out. If you see dried white residue around the engine compartment this could indicate coolant hitting the fan splattering. It is not the end of the world to fix. It costs around $800-$1000 for the complete timing belt/water pump job.

Take lots of pictures for us.

Use a better camera to record the sound of the engine on this one too. the last video audio was crap or the engine was recently drowned at a boat ramp.

Thank you!!!!

You guys rock.

 

[njfastlife]

That looks like a great deal, ooks like mine but mine is a sport.
Go to Toyota with the VIN and they can look up all that has been done with it by Toyota.

I already did that.

 

[BOSMECH]

Then you have learned well Grasshopper.

 

[wadle5]

Then you have learned well Grasshopper.

It didn't show jack. No recent service history at least at a Toyota dealership in the past 40-60k miles depending on how much are really on the truck?

 

[RPS13]

IMO, you guys want weird stuff (full Toyota service history from very old SUV) for this level of vehicle.

$12k for a ~$30k SUV that holds its value very well without a ton of miles on it isn't much. Wanting some sort of pedigree like "dealer service history" is stupid. I also don't understand the PPI, and it isn't hard to tell if a vehicle drives fine or not. You can never remove the small risk there is from buying a used car, and attempting to do so is a fool's errand IMO.

If you want that level of assurance and are so risk adverse, buy new and pay the premium. Simple as that.

 

[wadle5]

IMO, you guys want weird stuff (full Toyota service history from very old SUV) for this level of vehicle.

$12k for a ~$30k SUV that holds its value very well without a ton of miles on it isn't much. Wanting some sort of pedigree like "dealer service history" is stupid. I also don't understand the PPI, and it isn't hard to tell if a vehicle drives fine or not. You can never remove the small risk there is from buying a used car, and attempting to do so is a fool's errand IMO.

If you want that level of assurance and are so risk adverse, buy new and pay the premium. Simple as that.

I feel like you missed the point of discrepancy in miles. Yes for the price and claimed miles its a steal, but as someone pointed out if it's too good to be true it usually is. Not asking for a brand new car and multiple history records. Just some. And for the owner to push off any other blue collar mechanic to look it over is an automatic flag. Dealerships screw people over, hoping the general population of private sellers doesn't as well. Also as stated the OP isnt a backyard mechanic so,the last thing he needs is a vehicle with fraudulent miles and service history. Just trying to help him out so this deal doesn't give him a bad taste in his mouth about the vehicle if in fact Its a lemon from the seller.

 

[strathcona]

IMO, you guys want weird stuff (full Toyota service history from very old SUV) for this level of vehicle.

$12k for a ~$30k SUV that holds its value very well without a ton of miles on it isn't much. Wanting some sort of pedigree like "dealer service history" is stupid. I also don't understand the PPI, and it isn't hard to tell if a vehicle drives fine or not. You can never remove the small risk there is from buying a used car, and attempting to do so is a fool's errand IMO.

If you want that level of assurance and are so risk adverse, buy new and pay the premium. Simple as that.

Yes they hold their value well and for the most part are very reliable.

To suggest that a buyer, especially a first car buyer, shouldn't do their homework when the seller is being less than forthcoming is a bit odd in my opinion.

Yes there is always a risk with a used vehicle, however, some due diligence and heeding good advice can save many headaches down the road.

 

[Paisano]

IMO, you guys want weird stuff (full Toyota service history from very old SUV) for this level of vehicle.

$12k for a ~$30k SUV that holds its value very well without a ton of miles on it isn't much. Wanting some sort of pedigree like "dealer service history" is stupid. I also don't understand the PPI, and it isn't hard to tell if a vehicle drives fine or not. You can never remove the small risk there is from buying a used car, and attempting to do so is a fool's errand IMO.

If you want that level of assurance and are so risk adverse, buy new and pay the premium. Simple as that.

I disagree, this isn't weird stuff. If you don't have the money to throw down and buy new, then checking out a used vehicle thoroughly is important.

Service records don't have to be from a Toyota dealership. Records from wherever the work was done is fine. Zero records is unacceptable IMO - I wouldn't buy a vehicle when the previous owner didn't keep track of anything.

OP isn't going to remove all the risk of buying a used car, but these things are normal, not weird at all.

 

[Dylan]

Just being pessimistic.

The v8 will need to have belt replaced, correct?

Based on the pic of the engine bay, the T-belt service has not been done. There will normally be a sticker on the grey plastic part listing the mileage it was done at. Unless they forgot to put on the sticker (unlikely) or the owner pulled it off (not sure why they would), expect to have the T-belt replaced and water pump as well while they're in there.

 

[Flyingbread1]

I disagree, this isn't weird stuff. If you don't have the money to throw down and buy new, then checking out a used vehicle thoroughly is important.

Service records don't have to be from a Toyota dealership. Records from wherever the work was done is fine. Zero records is unacceptable IMO - I wouldn't buy a vehicle when the previous owner didn't keep track of anything.

OP isn't going to remove all the risk of buying a used car, but these things are normal, not weird at all.

I agree with Paisano. You have to make the best purchase decision you can based on the inventory available and information provided by a seller. The more information the better. A one owner with all service records is ideal but not a guarantee. Most of the time you are buying a vehicle that someone has decided that they don't want to spend more money on, which is why a pre purchase inspection is so important. You will most likely have to spend $500 to $1000 more than the purchase price to get things fixed.