Real or Scam

[lem14]

So since most of us spend way too much time obsessing about 4runners, I thought we should start a Real or Scam thread about 4runners out there.

Having recently been looking at many 4runners (before lucking out) I looked at a lot of adds that were scams, then I met a few scam artists (used car salesmen that told me a car was in great condition and the CEL came on, etc.). The purpose is pointers for future buyers.

So I'll start. Two from the same dealer. An SR5 with wood trim=RED FLAG

Cars for Sale: 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SR5 in woodinville, WA 98072: Sport Utility Details - 311688630 - AutoTrader.com

Cars for Sale: 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited in woodinville, WA 98072: Sport Utility Details - 306897054 - AutoTrader.com

 

[the great him]

whats the scam other than they want too much for them?

 

[lem14]

whats the scam other than they want too much for them?

That is a great point. I can't find an exact reason to call either a scam for sure, but the SR5 with accident, incorrect trim, extra non-toyota button in Diff Lock location lead me to caution. It could just be someone who did a few mods, but in my experience people who love their vehicles enough to mod them love them enough to drive them more than 47,000 miles in 11 years. Just my $.02.

 

[JBorn]

Both of those are also listed on Seattle Craigslist, btw.

 

[BrianSD_42]

$20,000 for a 2000 with 27,000 miles ??????

Just where has this 4Runner been for the last 11 years?

 

[Bigmikelakers]

Man that 2nd one is way overpriced. I can find a 2006-09 Sport Edition here in overpriced Toyota land aka SoCal with low miles cheaper than that. I bet you anything that dealer would be to stubborn to lower the price.

 

[Kung]

$20,000 for a 2000 with 27,000 miles ??????

Just where has this 4Runner been for the last 11 years?

Yeah, I call BS on this one. Right before I found the one I have now, I found another 2000 in Mechanicsville, VA, that had been traded in on a Nissan of some sort. ybrick

Anyways, it was in cherry condition, and had 62K miles. They wanted like $9800 for it; I would have offered less, but it was seriously in fantastic condition. I missed it by literally 30 minutes. *lower lip trembles* lol

But my point is - what's so special about 27K miles that makes it worth another $11K? Squat.

 

[Maxil]

As for the ones with super low miles, I would be scared of something that has driven that little. Now one in the 100k miles range driven regular we be nice. As for the wood trim on a sr5, how is that a red flag? Mine has the same wood trim.

Just curious.

 

[GladeRunner]

I agree with Maxil. I'd rather buy a used T4R that someone has actually used instead of one that has been sitting around and not driven. A super low mileage T4R makes me concerned about the belts and hoses getting dried out or cracking from non-use.

 

[A.Wilson013]

I have some experience with 405 Motors. They are a "legit" lot, however, their morals are SERIOUSLY messed up.

They buy wrecked vehicles from out of state; when they are registered in WA their titles come up as clear, even if they're totaled or a total loss in say, Florida.

If you don't pay the $500 deposit or whatever they're asking, they'll never call you back. However, I have heard from 2 people that have gotten their deposits back. (I have not heard from anyone who did not)

A friend of mine has dealt with them at local auto auctions and advised me to NEVER purchase from them. They're handy with their body work, but man they're shady.

 

[lem14]

I have some experience with 405 Motors. They are a "legit" lot, however, their morals are SERIOUSLY messed up.

They buy wrecked vehicles from out of state; when they are registered in WA their titles come up as clear, even if they're totaled or a total loss in say, Florida.

If you don't pay the $500 deposit or whatever they're asking, they'll never call you back. However, I have heard from 2 people that have gotten their deposits back. (I have not heard from anyone who did not)

A friend of mine has dealt with them at local auto auctions and advised me to NEVER purchase from them. They're handy with their body work, but man they're shady.

Well the inside scoop, I like it. Ok, someone find a new one to pick apart.

And agreed on the body work, those just look too excellent to be 10-11 years-old.

 

[Nelsonmd]

As for the ones with super low miles, I would be scared of something that has driven that little. Now one in the 100k miles range driven regular we be nice. As for the wood trim on a sr5, how is that a red flag? Mine has the same wood trim.

Just curious.

Yeah, my SR5 has wood trim too. The wood trim in the SR5's is different than in the limited. The limiteds have fake wood grain (looks a little bit like turtle shell), whereas the SR5's have real wood trim with a thick clear coating.

The disadvantage of the SR5 wood trim is that it tends to delaminate. I like the look of it because it looks more real than the limited trim, but I also have a good amount of delamination that I am not happy about.

Those look to me to just be overpriced, not a scam. That is unless they aren't really low mileage but have been rolled back, but I don't think there is a reason to suspect that.

 

[Hepar]

I have some experience with 405 Motors. They are a "legit" lot, however, their morals are SERIOUSLY messed up.

They buy wrecked vehicles from out of state; when they are registered in WA their titles come up as clear, even if they're totaled or a total loss in say, Florida.

If you don't pay the $500 deposit or whatever they're asking, they'll never call you back. However, I have heard from 2 people that have gotten their deposits back. (I have not heard from anyone who did not)

A friend of mine has dealt with them at local auto auctions and advised me to NEVER purchase from them. They're handy with their body work, but man they're shady.

100% agree. Not to mention most come from rusty areas and they spray the undercarriages to cover them up. I wouldn't mind if they asked a reasonable price, but they're preying on those who fall in love with low miles and asking ludicrous prices for them. RUN from them and tell your friends too.

 

[brian4t]

Yeah, my SR5 has wood trim too. The wood trim in the SR5's is different than in the limited. The limiteds have fake wood grain (looks a little bit like turtle shell), whereas the SR5's have real wood trim with a thick clear coating.

The disadvantage of the SR5 wood trim is that it tends to delaminate. I like the look of it because it looks more real than the limited trim, but I also have a good amount of delamination that I am not happy about.

Those look to me to just be overpriced, not a scam. That is unless they aren't really low mileage but have been rolled back, but I don't think there is a reason to suspect that.

That SR5 has the exact same wood trim as my 2001 limited. If the other trim is as easy to remove as the trim around the radio it wouldn't be hard to switch out. Never seen your trim, you have a picture?

 

[TOY2G]

So since most of us spend way too much time obsessing about 4runners, I thought we should start a Real or Scam thread about 4runners out there.

Having recently been looking at many 4runners (before lucking out) I looked at a lot of adds that were scams, then I met a few scam artists (used car salesmen that told me a car was in great condition and the CEL came on, etc.). The purpose is pointers for future buyers.

So I'll start. Two from the same dealer. An SR5 with wood trim=RED FLAG

Cars for Sale: 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SR5 in woodinville, WA 98072: Sport Utility Details - 311688630 - AutoTrader.com

Cars for Sale: 2000 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited in woodinville, WA 98072: Sport Utility Details - 306897054 - AutoTrader.com

there are alot of scams out there but in this case i think there is nothing other than price and possible mileage fraud going on. SR5 with wood....
TOYOTA 4RUNNER 4 RUNNER SR-5 INTERIOR WOOD DASH TRIM KIT SET 1999 2000 2001 2002 | eBay

you can add that option all day long, that is like pointing a finger over a non factory stereo. ODO fraud is HUGE in the US and it may be that this thing is one of the many thousand. the fact that they are asking 20k makes me think they may have rolled back the old odometer. if it really has that few miles the factory 50K tires may still be on it.???

 

[WK15]

Just a bit on the overpriced side.

 

[Nelsonmd]

That SR5 has the exact same wood trim as my 2001 limited. If the other trim is as easy to remove as the trim around the radio it wouldn't be hard to switch out. Never seen your trim, you have a picture?

Yeah, It may not be a clean SR5 vs limited, maybe they switched over 100% at some point in time. There are definitely 2 different wood trims though.

Check out the link in my sig, there are some pics of my trim, and some from another guy of his real wood trim that he sanded down and stained himself to deal with the delamination.

 

[tonte101]

Scam? I'm thinking so....

Looks like a really clean 4runner, however there is no information contained in the post regarding transmission, engine type, 4wd or 2wd, or VIN. I emailed the point of contact and received this as a response to a few questions regarding aforementioned... I have also attached the additional photos that were sent to me via email. The OP on craigslist only had one photo, the first in the series.... "Hi there,
I'm selling a very clean 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4-Door. Well maintained, one owner, clean title. Really good shape, never 112 k miles motor. My husband passed away 4 months ago, and this car it brings back a lot of memories, so that's why I'm selling it for only $1,200. I had to move to my hometown and gave the car to eBay to take care of the selling/shipping process. The deal includes free delivery and it will arrive at your address within 3 days with all the necessary documents for registration. In addition, you will get a 5 days inspection period before making any purchase, and if you find something wrong with the car, you can just return it on my expense. If you are interested in knowing more info about how it works, please reply with your full name, full shipping address, zip code and phone #, so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my possible buyer, and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.
More pictures below.
Sincerely, Lisa Smith"

Thoughts?

 

[Bumbo]

Looks like a really clean 4runner, however there is no information contained in the post regarding transmission, engine type, 4wd or 2wd, or VIN. I emailed the point of contact and received this as a response to a few questions regarding aforementioned... I have also attached the additional photos that were sent to me via email. The OP on craigslist only had one photo, the first in the series.... "Hi there,
I'm selling a very clean 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4-Door. Well maintained, one owner, clean title. Really good shape, never 112 k miles motor. My husband passed away 4 months ago, and this car it brings back a lot of memories, so that's why I'm selling it for only $1,200. I had to move to my hometown and gave the car to eBay to take care of the selling/shipping process. The deal includes free delivery and it will arrive at your address within 3 days with all the necessary documents for registration. In addition, you will get a 5 days inspection period before making any purchase, and if you find something wrong with the car, you can just return it on my expense. If you are interested in knowing more info about how it works, please reply with your full name, full shipping address, zip code and phone #, so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my possible buyer, and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.
More pictures below.
Sincerely, Lisa Smith"

Thoughts?

I am sure Lisa Smith’s late husband would end up dying twice if he knew that 4Runner was being sold for $1200, with free delivery.

 

[Hepar]

"Hi there,
I'm selling a very clean 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4-Door. Well maintained, one owner, clean title. Really good shape, never 112 k miles motor. My husband passed away 4 months ago, and this car it brings back a lot of memories, so that's why I'm selling it for only $1,200. I had to move to my hometown and gave the car to eBay to take care of the selling/shipping process. The deal includes free delivery and it will arrive at your address within 3 days with all the necessary documents for registration. In addition, you will get a 5 days inspection period before making any purchase, and if you find something wrong with the car, you can just return it on my expense. If you are interested in knowing more info about how it works, please reply with your full name, full shipping address, zip code and phone #, so I can notify eBay that you are selected as my possible buyer, and they will contact you to explain the entire procedure.
More pictures below.
Sincerely, Lisa Smith"

Thoughts?

Totally sounds like an email that Lisa Smith would write.