Purchase Advice

[duke777]

I am looking to make the switch from Pathfinder to 4Runner. My Pathy has served me well for 6 yrs(1996) but it is needing a little more than i can justify putting into it. I told myself I'd wait until I found a great deal on a 4R and I think I got one. Though I consider myself a somewhat savvy used car and there are a couple inconsistencies that are making me worried.

First off its a 2000 SR5 with the Gold name plates, which i guess is a trim package. It only has 78k. It was his Dad's car then kept in the family when he passed. The current owner has kids in college so I imagine that they had a go at it too. But Carfax report says it has been in an accident. (now this was a carfax report he ran after I asked for the VIN in an email) He volunteered the accident info over the phone said his Dad hit the garage door. I ran an Autocheck report and no accident comes up so i am not too worried about that. The report said there were 3 owners when i brought up 3 the 3 owners he then volunteered that his brother owned it before he did - something he hadnt mentioned before.

He does not have any maintenance records - he says he's a mechanic turned truck driver and has done everything himself that said Carfax says there was a transmission flush at 54k miles that must have been done at shop.

Another thing I find troubling is the interior pic. I searched around and I'm pretty certain this is an aftermarket wood dash - it is different from anything stock online. The owner swears its stock and that there are toyota emblems on it? My friend has the same yr Limited version and I have never seen this. usually with used cars where there is smoke theres fire and if this is an untruth then how many more are there?

Also there's an air freshener on the a/c vent and its a nonsmoker car. Not sure why air freshener alarm me but they do - i dont tend to leave old food in my cars.

The pic of the trim on the wheel wells and running board does not look stock. Most 2000 4R i have seen have a touch of chrome around the wheel well and on the running board.

The reason I am so cautious is b/c this truck is 3 hours away - though the CL listing had it 2 hrs closer at the owners other home. I am looking to suss out as much as i can before heading up.

I will check for all the things people have warned buyers of on this site - milkshake - rust. He says its been garaged and has no rust on the exterior but underneath there is the normal amount - some on the gas tank and surrounding areas, but the frame is good. he said we'll take a hammer to all the rust to prove its just superficial. Brakes are kinda new and the front a kinda new too rears have 50% (i find this odd too - i rotate my tires so when i get new ones i replace all 4)

Anything else I need to keep a look out for? Any questions? Thanks in advance. I am a member of the Pathfinder site NPORA and have found it to be invaluable. I am sure when i get my 4R this site will be equally vital.
-Rich

 

[flyinbrick]

I can't help with the trim details. At only 78k (which is really low!), I bet the timing belt and water pump are original. Replacement interval is 90k or 10 years. The consensus seems to be that the belt should last longer than 10 years, but should be replaced by 100k. My mechanic says the same for the water pump. The 4.3L is a non-interference engine which makes it a bit less critical, but keep in mind you'll have to budget for that. Also, check how old the tires are, including the spare (DOT date code) - they may need to be replaced. I don't drive on anything over 10 years old. Good luck!

 

[Colorado Bulldog]

Honestly, the interior wood trim isn't that far off from my wife's 2002 Limited. Could just be the lighting that makes it look odd.

 

[packweco]

The stick on wood trim (that's what it is) is factory, my coworker has it. I think the SR5 4runners got that stick on stuff, and the Limited's got plastic that has a wood pattern on it. Don't quote me on that, all I know is that my coworker has the same stuff on his.

I would say the running boards and wheel flares are stock as well. Definitely seen the all black wheel flares, and the running boards seem to have the same shape as my OE ones.

On top of this, I have no idea why anyone in their right mind would lie about dash trim and running boards. I'd take the guy on his word. If anything seems wayyyy wrong when you get up there, call it off!!

 

[afg10000]

Check all pieces and parts for VIN tag numbers. Very quick way to tell if anything has been replaced. The truck looks pretty stock to me. If TB/WP have been done, there should be a sticker on the top of the front engine cover. Like the other poster stated, check spare and bottle jack, handles under rear passenger seat. You stated you checked the frame. Specifically check on the interior of the box frame on the rear passenger side adjacent to the muffler and both rear control arm mount welds. Does it gots a diff lock, center diff lock and 78k? That would be sweet-

 

[UTEP]

I'd suggest an OBD. I bought the $25 wifi dongle for my iPhone and $5 for OBD Fusion app. Gives the ability to read pending codes in case the owner is hiding something with a quick reset. Might even validate mileage…or not...

Sniff that transmission fluid!

Check radiator fluid, should be red not green (or brown!) Be prepared to replace radiator. See below about tranny.

Check the steering rack for leaking. I looked at ~6 4R's and most had bad leaks or were wet. Sounds minor but I believe no repair kit and it's ~$800 job! May be after markets I'm unaware of so don't hold me to it.

Also check CV boots for leaks. You gotta pull them to replace. Not a big deal but you could use it for price leverage.

Good tires can be pricey. I was on the fence with mine but the owner dropped brand new Nitto's on it! ~$800 for good tires installed.

Along with the timing belt add in a radiator and consider, seriously consider a remote tranny cooler. See reference page about "pink milkshake"

I always expect to put in $2K on a used vehicle just so I can KNOW what's up for most of it.

Good luck!

UteP

 

[Clancy]

Trim

I have the same wood trim on my 2000 sr5

 

[duke777]

Thanks for the responses. Maybe I was wrong with the wood trim. Maybe i was looking at the wood trim on the limited and the wood trim that comes with the SR5 is different. What had thrown me off was the slivers of wood that immediately surround the radio and A/C. That wood is on the Limited.

I got the Carfax on this car and it goes into more detail than the Autocheck report. After this truck came off lease at 27k it appears the next owner performed maintenance pretty regularly and always at the dealership. fluids flushed on time.

The carfax does show 4 owners which is one more than Autocheck. Several owners don't quite jibe with the owners story of it being a one family car, but it could be possible.

At any rate I think i have found a pretty good deal. No locking diff, but everything looks pretty clean from the picks. I will heed all the good advice and check the fluids, CVs and box frame.

I know i have radiator and TB/WP jobs in the immed future, but for an asking price of under 7k I think I'll bringing a truck home tomorrow. I will keep you posted and looking forward to making the switch from Nissan forums to Toyota. THanks again!!