Thinking about pruchasing this 4runner....

[KillaBeeSwarm]

Hopefully future 4runner owner here...had a dealer send me pictures of the undercarriage of at 2001 4runner sr5. Pasted below. How does this look? Is it too rusted, should i be worried? Any help would be appreciated...

Thank you for your help! oh, he's asking around 8500..

 

[animator]

That is not rusted at all, and would be what I (and I'm sure most others) would call *relatively* rust free. Surface rust is going to happen, no matter what. I just wish they hadn't painted everything, because that actually looks like crap.


That muffler, on the other hand, needs to be replaced before the vehicle is driven.

 

[absalom]

More details on the rest of the truck? The bottom looks relatively clean for an east coast car, but it's obviously been repainted on the bottom and I'd be curious how bad it looked before it was resprayed. I'd also inquire into maintenance records and timing belt. If it didn't have full records and recent belt, I wouldn't pay a dime over $6,000.

If the rust is an issue for you, you could just buy a Southwest truck (Arizona, New Mexico, California) and drive it home. Also in many states, if you buy private party you don't pay TTL, and save about ~10% on average on top of dealer markup.

After getting my 4runner for $4,500, I doubt I'd pay more than $5k for a mostly stock 4runner ever again.

 

[68dave]

These frames usually rust from the inside out. I always look into the frame and stick a small telescopic magnet into it to see if there is any rust flakes laying in the bottom. Long finger will do the trick also to feel around. Good luck.

 

[Chrizzouse]

Whats up with the muffler?

 

[SilverRidgeRunner1]

If your interested in traveling then head 8 hr south u can find some pretty clean
Runner with little to no rust..

 

[gamefreakgc]

Custom exhaust yo! Who needs a louder muffler when you can just punch a hole in it?

Unless this 4Runner is sub-75k miles or is totally decked out, you are paying way too much my friend. That's at California prices where I got mine, anywhere else in the U.S. and it's severely overpriced.

P.S. the undercarriage has been painted.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I've seen worse but I would not call that "clean" by any stretch. At least by western standards.

I wouldn't buy an east coast car period. They are always thrashed and rusty.

My sympathies lie with you guy's that live in the salt bath. The east coast is tough on vehicles.

 

[4-Ripcord]

That is not rusted at all, and would be what I (and I'm sure most others) would call *relatively* rust free. Surface rust is going to happen, no matter what. I just wish they hadn't painted everything, because that actually looks like crap.


That muffler, on the other hand, needs to be replaced before the vehicle is driven.

Sorry but this is not right. That undercarraige is rusty as Sh*t, its just been repainted.

Take a look at the shot of the rear axle housing..

 

[Scramble]

yep, rust has been painted over, you have to see it in person.

 

[animator]

Sorry but this is not right. That undercarraige is rusty as Sh*t, its just been repainted.

Take a look at the shot of the rear axle housing..

I see rust that is painted over indicating poor prep, but from the photos, it looks like surface rust that could have easily been wire wheeled off. What I don't see are typical rotting holes that are generally indicative of excessive rust. What I see from the photos appears to be moderate surface rust. Aside from the muffler, I don't see anything that causes me immediate concern.


If it were mine, I'd wire wheel all that off, then paint it and not worry about it.