sketchy dealer?

[T4r22re]

Hey everyone, so I have been searching for the right 3rd gen 4runner for a while and I *think* I've found it. I found one on eBay and without listing every detail, here is the link Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 No Reserve | eBay

okay so I am the winning bidder, mind you I bought this sight unseen and I live in GA, I have never bought a vehicle on eBay before so I am very nervous as to the actual condition although it looks to be superb.

anyway the point of this post is, I didn't see any good detailed pics of the undercarriage and I saw on the car fax it came from New York. So BEFORE the auction ended I inquired about getting pictures of the underside and especially the rear axle. I requested by email and was told I would receive pics later that day.
A day goes by and no pics, so I email them again and was told the same thing, the next day I am the winning bidder and yet again I ask for pics. mind you I have not paid for the 4runner yet and I will not until I get those pics, but then I call them and explain the situation and was told (today) I would receive the pics today. well the day is over and still no email, messages or notifications etc. I will call AGAIN tomorrow but I was wondering if any of you guys have any experience with this dealer/seller? and if so what was your impression or experience? they have made me skeptical of buying from them as if they are trying to hide something.
judging by what I can see, the 4runner looks to be in great condition and well taken care of and has all the options I have been searching for the past year, and the miles are even better!
but if anyone has any input PLEASE let me know, be it good or bad, it could save me a headache. thanks a lot for any input guys!

 

[98WhiteT4R]

Sounds sketchy, the dealer has decent feedback so I would call and ask to speak to the online sales manager and explain the situation.

 

[gamefreakgc]

From the one picture of the undercarriage, it looks to have rusted and then painted over. I might be way off, but that's how it looks to me.

Do they offer any sort of warranty or returns?

Edit: the engine bay brackets are showing rust as well.

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

Looks like the rust has been painted over IDK how good this would do but heck could only imagine what else is under there

 

[lgc285]

From the one picture of the undercarriage, it looks to have rusted and then painted over. I might be way off, but that's how it looks to me.

Do they offer any sort of warranty or returns?

Edit: the engine bay brackets are showing rust as well.

+1. I could be wrong but looks like the gas tank skid has been painted or undercoated.and rust painted over on the body mount and Lower control arm bracket. tough to tell tho from the pic. not necessarily a bad thing if it was done right. all trucks rust. I bought mine with some rust., just quite alot of $$ imo to spend on a 16 yr old truck never seen or driven. not everything shows up on car fax... accident or bodywork... chances are it is fine, looks to be in great shape heck it only has 75k on it.

 

[T4r22re]

thank you for the input guys, I appreciate it.
I did notice the gas tank skid but did not see the motor and body mounts or the control arms. thanks for pointing those out.
I would be okay with a little surface rust as I understand the 4runner is old. but it depends on to what extent, and I cant really tell form the pics provided, as long as I could sand it and coat with POR 15 or similar I would be fine with that but if I can poke any holes or if its deep then im out.

anyone have any ideas as to how to tell the severity or "depth" of rust?
living in the southeast I have no experience with rust.

 

[HammerHead]

Just curious why you titled your thread Sketchy Dealer? Seems to me that there is more than enough pictures on there along with their contact information. You should have addressed your concern about the frame before the auction was over. You could have also paid for a local inspection. It's obviovous that you could have afforded the inspection by what you paid for the 4Runner.

Looking further at the car fax it shows that the 4Runner has to pass a state inspection. Do you think they would allow a rusted through frame pass? I don't think so.

Sounds like you're having second thoughts and are just trying to find an excuse to back out.

 

[alico268]

From the one picture of the undercarriage, it looks to have rusted and then painted over. I might be way off, but that's how it looks to me.

Do they offer any sort of warranty or returns?

Edit: the engine bay brackets are showing rust as well.

^This

A good indicator of rust is by looking at those brackets and fastener bolts in the engine bay (especially in the center of the firewall, right fender and throttle control. Some sellers have gone to the trouble of removing the rust from those and you can tell from it being more silver than is the yellowish hue it has from factory.

It's best to check the vehicle history to see where the car has been most of it's life and have a greater scrutiny if it's in the salted road areas, as far as rust is concerned.

The weld in that undercarriage picture looks to be depressed (eaten away) rather than being a black weld. If it were me, I would try to get out of the deal.

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

thank you for the input guys, I appreciate it.
I did notice the gas tank skid but did not see the motor and body mounts or the control arms. thanks for pointing those out.
I would be okay with a little surface rust as I understand the 4runner is old. but it depends on to what extent, and I cant really tell form the pics provided, as long as I could sand it and coat with POR 15 or similar I would be fine with that but if I can poke any holes or if its deep then im out.

anyone have any ideas as to how to tell the severity or "depth" of rust?
living in the southeast I have no experience with rust.

Take a screwdriver and poke around the frame right next to the muffler. This is "thee" area like shows rust first. Mine rusted there and someone hid it with bodyfiller and that expanding foam crack stuff. Quite a masterful job. My rear dif housing was also rusted through and leaking.
That pic looks painted over which tells me they are covering up something, whether it be just surface rust or more. If the truck spent it's whole life in NY, unless it was immaculately kept or garaged, I guarantee you it has rust and really the only way to discern the extent of it is to get up there and start poking and scraping. Good Luck!

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

That gas tank skid plate looks more rusted/pitted than mine, but yet painted over. I bought mine with 149,000 miles for $5,700. Also, strange and maybe of little consequence, there's no covers bolt/legs that bolt the seat to the floor, front or rear.
Nice to see the side of the drivers seat not ripped or the steering wheel not worn through. I guess with that mileage, that's what you get.

$11,400 wow. Truck looks like a slightly cleaner version of mine.

 

[jeremyc74]

$11,400 wow. Truck looks like a slightly cleaner version of mine.

It blows my mind that people are paying that kind of money for these. Don't get me wrong, I love 'em, but that kind of money for a 15 year old vehicle is a lot!

Good luck with it OP. I would have cleared up the rust issue before bidding. It was clearly disclosed where the vehicle was from in the Carfax, so rust should have been a concern right from the start. Driven for this many years up north, rust is just a given. It's just a matter of how bad it is.

On the other hand, it's not uncommon at all for dealers to pain the underside of a vehicle even when they're not trying to hide something, so hopefully it works out.

 

[scrap metal]

"The vehicle is being relisted due to a nonpaying bidder. Please do not bid if 1. you do not intend to pay for the vehicle, 2. you do not have the amount of funds that you are bidding, 3. you are financing and do not have loan approvals in place. We are a small business. THIS IS HOW WE SUPPORT OUR FAMILY, please respect that before bidding. Serious bidders only. Thank you for your understanding."

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

"The vehicle is being relisted due to a nonpaying bidder. Please do not bid if 1. you do not intend to pay for the vehicle, 2. you do not have the amount of funds that you are bidding, 3. you are financing and do not have loan approvals in place. We are a small business. THIS IS HOW WE SUPPORT OUR FAMILY, please respect that before bidding. Serious bidders only. Thank you for your understanding."

Big red flag here also.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Yeah I don't mean to scare anyone off, since a little surface rust won't hurt anything. It's just a bit of a bummer than you can't actually see the vehicle until it's 100% paid for and there's no going back.

 

[Brique]

I'd have a hard time buying a vehicle sight unseen.

 

[sawguy]

The whole truck seems to have been "carefully" detailed. Rear deflector, trailer hitch etc. seem to have been painted as well as the under carriage. With only 75k miles the drivers door seal is really torn up. Mine is a '97 with 235k and doesn't look that bad. Been to the auction twice. Could have been a 3 yr lease on the 1st go around, but why auction on the second? I'd steer clear. JMO
The brand new tires make it look good too.

 

[T4r22re]

Okay the dealer finally sent me the pics, I'm not sure how to upload them here though?
I would like for you guys to take a look..

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Okay the dealer finally sent me the pics, I'm not sure how to upload them here though?
I would like for you guys to take a look..

Just post a message, click the advanced box, and click the paper clip (attachments) button. Pics have to be on your computer. Drill down to the pics and upload them.

 

[jgue467]

Yeah I don't mean to scare anyone off, since a little surface rust won't hurt anything. It's just a bit of a bummer than you can't actually see the vehicle until it's 100% paid for and there's no going back.

You guys need to learn how ebay motors works! You don't have to pay 100% to see the vehicle!!! You only pay $500 (use your cc just in case) when you 'win' an auction or use "buy it now". That entitles you to go see the vehicle or have someone go in your place (e.g. a mechanic local to the vehicle). Then if you for WHATEVER reason decide against it you get all your deposit back. Its that simple, there are no variations on this policy. I have bought 3 vehicles this way, best purchases ever made and 40-60% less expensive than local, just gotta do your homework. Luck all! :cowboy:

 

[T4r22re]

Exactly^^
Well I'm having trouble with my computer downloading the pics from my phone, but I have looked through them thoroughly and I don't see anything that turns me off enough to stay away.
I am going to go through with the purchase. Wish me luck!!
Oh and of course once I receive the 4Runner you all will get lots of pics! ��
Thank you for all the input I really do appreciate your concerns.

Last thing, does anyone know of a reputable but cost effective shipping company? I was quoted $650 from one company that routinely ships for this dealer. I understand it is not a short distance so I'm not complaining but would like to know if there are any better options?