Thinking about buying an '06 Sport Edition V8

[zerowkul98]

Hi crew,

I think ive seen the error of my ways.

In Aug. i bought a 2010 Sequoia, mostly because i need the V8 for towing and im not a fan of V6's due to past experiences with them. Also, the dealership needed to move it and i got nearly 10k off the price.

At any rate, ive come not to like it. I'll refrain from going into my reasons why.

Im looking at an 06 T4R Sport Edition V8 with 43,890 miles.

When I bought my 03, it had only 16k on it, so i knew it hadnt hit those "30k service" milestones.

Basically, what questions are good to ask the salesperson in regards to the 06 im interested in?

Thanks!

 

[zimm]

Don't ask the salesman anything- they are not trustworthy and say anything to make a sale.

Get the VIN and do a carfax report on it. Is it a Toyota dealership? If so, they can print you the service history. If it's a private dealership, spent the $100 and take the truck to Toyota for a pre-buy inspection.

How are the tires/brakes, etc? If anything is worn, that's a bargaining chip to reduce the price.

Go on edmunds.com and see what the TMV (true market value) is. Don't pay any more than than.

 

[sonerick]

Also, go to this website: Toyota Owners - Official Toyota Owners Website and register using the vehicle's VIN. Usually most, if not all, of the service records for the vehicle can be found for free.

 

[CNJ Runner]

check the rotors and brake pads, before purchase if possible, definitely after. Some places and people have a nasty habbit of puttting on ****ty pads that get too hot for the stock rotors. and these trucks have a tendency to eat rotors every 40,000 miles so if you can finagle a new pair go for it

 

[hgill]

few more items for the list.

1. check under hood by fender on both sides, there should be VIN's (indication if part has been replaced)

2. Check underneath vehicles for signs of rust.

3. Make sure 4wd (4Lo) engages.

4. Make sure all lights (interior, exterior) are functioning.

5. Check your indicators, emergency lights.

6. I was also told by another member to check the hinges on the trunk and doors to see signs of replacement.

7. Make sure to test drive on road and highway

just a few things that came to mind, im sure more members will chime in.

Also I ran Carfax and AutoCheck. Sometimes something gets reported to one and not the other.

 

[zerowkul98]

Thanks for all the info you guys!

Here's what i did: I went to the Toyota Owner's website and registered the VIN to see the history on the vehicle, and there was a lot of info there. Normal oil changes and wiper replacements (and senior citizen discounts!) but i was alarmed to see there was not the info i would expect at the 30k interval. My 03 T4R V8 was METICULOUSLY maintained! I recall the 30k and 60k services were $600+ and drained-n-filled the tranny, transfercases, oil n filter, flush n fill the coolant, etc etc. There is nothing detailing that on the 06 T4R, so im weary.

Im shying away from this vehicle...

Forgive me if this is too much info for a post, but if anyone sees anything that stands out, please give me your 2 cents:

SERVICE RECORDS
Service History for VIN: JTEBT************
Service Type Service Date Service Provider Mileage Repair Order# Service Description
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 TOYOTA CERTIFICATION
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE OIL AND FILT
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE ENG AIR FILT
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE INT. CABIN F
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 WIPER REPLACEMENT
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE KEY
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE BATTERY
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE 4 TIRES
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 NJ STATE INSPECTION
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLACE FRNT DIF FLU
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 REPLC REAR DIFF FLUI
By Dealer 11/19/10 Toyota 43,812 0400463 RPLC FLUID TRAN CASE
By Dealer 10/08/10 Toyota 42,443 0252683 EXPRESS LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 10/08/10 Toyota 42,443 0252683 MISC

By Dealer 07/13/10 Toyota 39,729 0245412 REPLACE FRONT BRAKES AND MACHINE ROTORS

By Dealer 07/13/10 Toyota 39,729 0245412 ANY DISCOUNT,COUPON OR
By Dealer 07/13/10 Toyota 39,729 0245412 SENIOR DISCOUNT

By Dealer 07/13/10 Toyota 39,729 0245412 MACHINE REAR ROTORS AND REPLACE REAR BRAKES

By Dealer 07/02/10 Toyota 39,002 0244549 ROTATE TIRES

By Dealer 07/02/10 Toyota 39,002 0244549 LOF COUPON,FULL MULTI-POINT INSPECTION AS PER COUPON,CHECK AND TOP OFF FLUIDS,CO

By Dealer 07/02/10 Toyota 39,002 0244549 PASSED 5592563

By Dealer 12/04/09 Toyota 32,958 0226808 EXPRESS LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 12/04/09 Toyota 32,958 0226808 MISC

By Dealer 09/25/09 Toyota 30,234 0221289 EXPRESS
LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 09/25/09 Toyota 30,234 0221289 WORLD CLASS INSPECTION

By Dealer 02/20/09 Toyota 24,069 0204960 EXPRESS LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 11/21/08 Toyota 21,197 0199019 EXPRESS LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 11/21/08 Toyota 21,197 0199019 ROTATE TIRES

By Dealer 11/21/08 Toyota 21,197 0199019 INSTALL WIPER INCERTS

By Dealer 09/20/08 Toyota 18,869 0194521 HEADLIGHT UNIT (ONE SIDE) R&R

By Dealer 09/06/08 Toyota 18,497 0193615 EXPRESS LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 09/06/08 Toyota 18,497 0193615 ROTATE TIRES

By Dealer 09/06/08 Toyota 18,497 0193615 ORDERED HEAD LIGHTS AND WILL CALL CUSTOMER WHEN PARTS ARE IN

By Dealer 07/25/08 Toyota 16,552 0190447 PASSED 5461312

By Dealer 06/20/08 Toyota 15,383 0187855 EXPRESS LUBE REPLACE LUBE OIL,FILTER TOP OFF FLUIDS AND FREE 25 POINT INSPECTION

By Dealer 04/09/07 Toyota 2,778 0158042 PERFORMED DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND EXCESSIVE RUNOUT AND RUST PITTING ON ROTORS-REPL

By Dealer 05/24/06 Toyota 8 0227462 PDS 4RUNNER

By Dealer 05/24/06 Toyota 8 0227462 PDS 4RUNNER

 

[sonerick]

I wouldn't shy away just yet... If it really was an older person driving the vehicle, I'm sure it wasn't abused. The fact that regular 3k oil changes were done is a plus.

Also, coolant in the 06 is rated to 100k, so that shouldn't be an issue. Toyota also claims tranny fluid is "lifetime" fluid. I don't necessarily agree with that, but it still probably doesn't need to be changed out until the 100k mark, unless the vehicle is used for towing, then it should be flushed between 45k and 60k depending on use.

Having the diff fluids changed at ~44k vs. 30k also probably is not too big a deal. Toyota doesn't even recommend changing these unless you tow. I don't agree with this either, but I bet the extra 14k had little to no impact. The first time mine were changed was at 73k when I bought the vehicle, and the fluid didn't look THAT bad when I changed it out for some synthetic stuff.

I would have a mechanic check over the rest of the mechanicals on the car (esp. brakes) and go from there. It looks like they're all new though, that's nice! Depending on the price, it could still be a relatively good bargain. Then again, it all comes down to what YOU feel comfortable with, so anything about it bothers you, I'm sure you can find another T4R out there that fits.

Good luck with your search, keep us updated!

 

[Glock_19]

Didn't they do all the things you were expecting just at 43,812 instead of 30,000? Toyota makes a pretty tough product, I would wager that changing all the fluids at 43 instead of 30 didn't hurt it.

 

[DaveS]

It looks like the dealer changed the diff and tc fluids according to that report - I would just have them check the front calipers are in good shape - does not look like they ever got replaced but a lot of rotor machining in that report makes me wonder if they are ok..

If they put the stock Dunlops on I would negotiate them putting something better on - they would not be a first choice for anyone..

For sure make certain it will go in and out of 4Lo - some folks have had difficulties getting the actuator replaced under drivetrain warranty and its a big ticket repair. Be certain as well that there is no sign of fluid leakage from the transfer case - there is a seal in there that can fail and its expensive to fix.

 

[progress4m]

...
Im shying away from this vehicle...

...

Obviously this is your call… but if I would be looking for 4Runner right now and if the price, trim level, color and everything else is there (no signs of accidents, rust, etc) I would get this one.
There is nothing needs to be done to this truck (with V8) at 30K… (Dealers just milk you at that service) with exception of normal oil changes, the only other thing is gear oil change, but it is only if you tow… and gear oil was changed at 43K so you are good regardless. You also have records of oil changes, adult driver, new gear oil, new front brake, new battery… common what else is there..

 

[DaveS]

Reading the detail further I would ask for new rotors, brake flush and service of the calipers - it looks like it is on the original (machined) rotors still - you won't get much more out of them.

 

[zerowkul98]

Glock, youre right. Im just a bit more picky when it comes to taking care of items on time, you know?

Son, thanks for the info. BTW i grew up out near your town. I miss going to the Old Mill to for Sunday Brunch for the hushpuppies n' syrup!

This dealership is a hike and a 1/2, so im thinking i might have to go to my local one and see if they can get one brought to them. Wishful thinking, but we'll see.

Again, thanks for the input.

 

[sonerick]

I live five minutes from the Old Mill, literally right down the street!!! That place is the best! Are you still in the area?

 

[zerowkul98]

Nah, i moved out to the Berkshires.

One other point in the haggle-process that Ive been going back and forth with the dealership...they want my Sequoia 2010 SR5 that I have as a trade, but they say "we only go by Edmunds.com for trade value", which they claim was $33,000. If i look at Edmunds' value of the 4Runner that they are selling, then its $20,280 instead of the $23,904 theyre asking! I wonder what their reaction to that would be...

 

[zerowkul98]

Just checked the CarFax on it. Vehicle had been in an accident with another car in 07. Bleh.

 

[zimm]

Great! I love the power of the internet. Glad you did some research. I would keep looking for an 2006+ with under 50k miles.

Although that truck was maintained very well- all new fluids and recent brakes. That collision might have been minor and that's what the headlight was for...but no telling how bad it was.

 

[hgill]

just keep looking you'll find one eventually. I ended up flying out to Las Vegas to pick mine up. The 4 hr drive back in the V8 was sweet through the mountains.

 

[zerowkul98]

Yeah, i hear you. I found one on the Autotrader website thats an 08 with just under 40k, but these dudes want $28k for it!...not to mention theyre in Indiana....and im in Massachusetts. Ugh.

Regardless, thanks to all you guys for your input. Believe me, it is MUCH appreciated.

 

[zerowkul98]

Ok,..as this saga of mine continues, im hoping someone in here might have experience in getting a car SHIPPED to them from a different state?

Before you all tell me about the "alarms that are going off in your heads" about the mere possibility of such a thing, let me assure you that I wouldnt buy any car unless i saw it first, drove it, inspected it, had a mechanic go through it, etc etc.

My question is just "has anyone here had one shipped to them for purchase?"

I found an '09 titanium silver sport edition V8 with under 40k and its Toyota Certified, Carfax clean and im toying with the idea of seeing what can be done.

 

[chaz]

just at a guess id say its gonna cost 800-1200 to ship, insur. will most likely raise it more. http://www.dasautoshippers.com/