Thoughts on this 4runner for sale ?

S

seczdbz

New member
Really considering purchasing this if everything is legit and works out in my favor. BUT a couple of red flags to me are that there are no badges on the truck besides the Toyota emblem front and rear....It looks repainted to me but he claims it hasn't had any paintwork. I think I see a little bit of rust forming on the hatch (which isn't anything major but he claims NO RUST and says the frame is spotless as well).... It just almost seems too good to be true and the fact that it's been for sale for weeks at that price seems strange to me.


What are your thoughts/opinions ? Any input/advice is appreciated before I drive 2 hours to check it out.

[EDIT: IT HAS NOW BEEN REMOVED BY SELLER]


Here's the 4runner in question : https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/d/2002-toyota-4runner-4x4/6605268741.html
 
Last edited:
Register to hide this ad
too good to be true...

probably is, the rear hatch trim looks like it has been painted but hard to tell from photo... see if you can get a VIN and check it, make sure it matches the vehicle has described before making the trip. might just be that it has that many miles, my sister in law has a similar truck but they had the frame welded/patched and are considering selling it and it would be for about the same amount or a little less...
 
"Limited" badges missing on the C pillar as well. Looks like the left rear bumper cap doesn't match the rest of the paint. It looks like it's had a major detail job done to it, and the fact that there are no permanent tags mounted just screams that it's a wholesaler just flipping a car.

Have the seller send clear underside pics of the frame/body. I just have a personal grievance w/ wholesalers/dealers in general but even more so with the way they pollute and deceive prospective consumers on CL.
 
2ndhandyotaman said:
"Limited" badges missing on the C pillar as well. Looks like the left rear bumper cap doesn't match the rest of the paint. It looks like it's had a major detail job done to it, and the fact that there are no permanent tags mounted just screams that it's a wholesaler just flipping a car.

Have the seller send clear underside pics of the frame/body. I just have a personal grievance w/ wholesalers/dealers in general but even more so with the way they pollute and deceive prospective consumers on CL.
Click to expand...

I tried. The seller is difficult to communicate with, he takes hours to reply IF he even does when I ask questions....he sent me two pics of the frame and they looked like a child took them,didn't really show me what I needed to see at horrible angles, he then reiterated the frame has no rust at all
 
seczdbz said:
I tried. The seller is difficult to communicate with, he takes hours to reply IF he even does when I ask questions....he sent me two pics of the frame and they looked like a child took them,didn't really show me what I needed to see at horrible angles, he then reiterated the frame has no rust at all
Click to expand...

Ehhh, just my opinion but to me, that's the biggest red flag that you need to see before wasting any more time.

The '02 doesn't have a factory diff lock. It will have the lock switch for the multi mode t-case in the same spot. It just sounds like the seller knows nothing at all about what he's selling. He just wants a quick sale to someone else that doesn't know what they're buying or what to look for.

Sorry if I'm sounding pessimistic, it comes from having dealt first hand w/ a$$clowns like that.
 
2ndhandyotaman said:
Ehhh, just my opinion but to me, that's the biggest red flag that you need to see before wasting any more time.

The '02 doesn't have a factory diff lock. It will have the lock switch for the multi mode t-case in the same spot. It just sounds like the seller knows nothing at all about what he's selling. He just wants a quick sale to someone else that doesn't know what they're buying or what to look for.

Sorry if I'm sounding pessimistic, it comes from having dealt first hand w/ a$$clowns like that.
Click to expand...

You don't sound pessimistic. I was thinking the same thing but I also want to believe in my mind that I found a good deal that I should jump on Haha if it wasnt 2 hours away I would've at least already checked it out just so I could know for sure what the deal is with it. Now, the more I think about it the more I don't want to pursue it anymore....I dont need another one but wouldn't mind having another to play with.
 
seczdbz said:
You don't sound pessimistic. I was thinking the same thing but I also want to believe in my mind that I found a good deal that I should jump on Haha if it wasnt 2 hours away I would've at least already checked it out just so I could know for sure what the deal is with it. Now, the more I think about it the more I don't want to pursue it anymore....I dont need another one but wouldn't mind having another to play with.
Click to expand...
That 4Runner has been posted several times on CL. I'm always checking CL and I've seen in on and off for a few months. The legit ones never last that long. Are you in Indiana?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
 
nwebb01 said:
That 4Runner has been posted several times on CL. I'm always checking CL and I've seen in on and off for a few months. The legit ones never last that long. Are you in Indiana?

Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Ok I knew I had seen it a few times. Didn't know if he takes it down and reposts or if it's just been for sale for weeks.....that worries me because if it's as nice as described I feel like it wouldn't have lasted this long...I get offers for more than that for mine all of the time and it's a 97 with way more miles...I'm in Kentucky.
 
T4R2014 said:
The license plate surround is from a 96-98. The hatch likely isn't original.
Click to expand...

Damn, good eye. I never would've noticed that....it just doesn't look like original paint to me in the first place. Something looks "off" about the whole thing...
 
nwebb01 said:
The legit ones never last that long.
Click to expand...

True statement.

You shouldn't even consider buying it until you run the VIN to be sure. I've looked at a hundred ads for these lately and its a sketchy truck and sketchy ad. I will say whoever did the body work did a pretty damn good job at matching all the paint. Its got some early signs of rust in the engine bay too.

The most impressive thing about that truck is the steering wheel.
 
Last edited:
True story... I actually went and test drove that 4Runner when I was in Indianapolis visiting my parents about a month ago. It was a mess. There's a 7-8 inch area of significant rust on the hatch. I took it to a local mechanic to have it checked out. I don't recall the details but the vehicle needed new shocks and it had a handful of dash lights on that needed to be addressed. Hope this helps.
 
I think there are enough signs both from the seller and the vehicle itself to warrant staying away from it.
 
Oakley4Runner said:
True story... I actually went and test drove that 4Runner when I was in Indianapolis visiting my parents about a month ago. It was a mess. There's a 7-8 inch area of significant rust on the hatch. I took it to a local mechanic to have it checked out. I don't recall the details but the vehicle needed new shocks and it had a handful of dash lights on that needed to be addressed. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Damn ! Thanks !! Saved me from making the trip. I figured it was too good to be true :/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 633 (members: 2, guests: 631)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,083
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top