Should I buy?

[oreogaborio]

Hey guys.... So my brain is having trouble convincing my gut to purchase this vehicle.... Brain says "buy", Gut says "hold on..." But I'm in the position where I need a new vehicle by next weekend

Need some help/advice.

Quick run-down:
'05 4Runner Sport
77,650 miles
Exterior: GALACTIC GRAY MICA
Interior: DARK CHARCOAL Leather (driver's seat is pretty worn... I'm pretty sure those miles aren't highway)

Downs sides:
Dog owner (but they did a great job of cleaning out the hair & the smell. Scratches in the cargo area were the only obvious sign)
Slight clunk in the suspension up front (they said they'd fix it)
Brakes shudder (they said they'd fix it)
4wd system was a little sensitive to switching back & forth and clunked a few times going though 2H, 4H, 4L, Locked diff, DHA.
Will need a timing belt/water pump at 90k miles???
Little scratches/paint cracks/flakes on the front bumper
Driver's window clunks
And it sounds like the valves on the driver's side talk a bit... not sure if that's normal or not? I don't recall hearing a lot of ticking on the 06 that I checked out last week (which has since been sold, dammit)



Here's the ad
2005 TOYOTA 4Runner 4dr SR5 Sport V6 Auto 4WD Peabody MA


Here's the carfax
CARFAX Vehicle History Report on JTEBU14RX58041672


What do you guys think? What would you pay? $15,5 out the door (including tax, doc, everything) if I give him my worthless 01 Lincoln LS with 250k on the clock a good deal?

 

[CookieRoe]

No timing belt............V6 doesn't have one, it's a chain and doesn't require replacing. MAKE SURE they do the repairs they said they will.

 

[oreogaborio]

Okay, good to know. I thought it had a chain but wasn't 100% sure. Thanks for confirming before I had to get off my lazy arse & go searching the net

 

[MikesToy]

Go with your gut "Hold On".

 

[Armyguy872010]

Is it Toyota Certified??? I would look at that, the truck is 5 yrs old be nice to have that peace of mind.

 

[oreogaborio]

So from what I've read, these things do not require valve adjustments.... what, if anything, would be causing the ticking noise on the right side of the engine?

 

[DaBoostCreep]

So from what I've read, these things do not require valve adjustments.... what, if anything, would be causing the ticking noise on the right side of the engine?

I don't own a V6, so I really can't say with certainty. I think I do remember hearing somebody saying that a change to synthetic oil lessened the noise drastically. Whether this is what the parts really wanted to operate well, or its a disguise, I don't know.

 

[chaz]

you may be referring to the normal noise of the v6, it does make a somewhat ticking sound that almost sounds like a valve tap, my 08 highlander does the same thing. the v8 is very quiet. heres a link to posts on it. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/search.php?searchid=543472

 

[T4RME]

I would hold on. None of my vehicles would ever have those kinds of issues at 5 years. It tells me the mindset of the previous owners. Looks great - but there is always another out there. And by timing belt on the V6 I take that to mean serpentine belt. If I am wrong let me know.

 

[oreogaborio]

Yeah, this is drivin me insane... Sure, it's got some minor issues, mostly cosmetic, but the guy came down to 15,5 out the door... taxes, fees, everything.

I won't find a better deal anywhere, that's for sure... but do I wanna live with those little issues?

 

[WhiteChevelle]

you may be referring to the normal noise of the v6, it does make a somewhat ticking sound that almost sounds like a valve tap, my 08 highlander does the same thing. the v8 is very quiet. heres a link to posts on it. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/search.php?searchid=543472

completely normal!