Who would you choose?

[DavidB]

Hi, very first time post, have read a lot and searched.
There is a 2000 Limited 145k miles available for $6500
at a local dealer here in Phoenix, AZ.
I've seen it through a fence today and want to see it
up close and test drive.
Any idea as to who to take it to for checking it out?
I have a good Nissan shop-Pitstop Performance
on 7th Ave. and a good general shop- National Automotive
off I-17 and Thunderbird.
This vehicle is a Right Choice Automotive on 7th St.,
don't know a thing about them.
Thank you.

 

[shootmymime]

if im not mistaken, 7th ave is the gay street. are u gay?

Dont answer that <----- (or was it 11th?) i used to live on 48th st n van buren


well that sounds like a smoking deal. 3 year ago my parents bought mine for around 10k, limited 4x4 locker the whole shebang.

if i was there i would gladly take a look at it with you. sorry i dont know of any shops that you could take it to to have them look at it.

but some things to just ask them is the
1. Timing belt and water pump done around 100k miles, as well as the rear axle seals (like to quit around that time)
2. check the tranny dip stick, should be a nice clean light light red/pink and not smelled burned.
3. when you test drive. test EVERYTHING! (windows, door locks, sun roof, mirrors, all transmission gears, seats move forward back up down.)
4..... i couldn't think of anything else.

 

[jsukey]

I know it's not really an issue in AZ but I would still get underneath it and check for any rust on the frame/suspension. It may not have lived its entire life there. If its a 4X4, check to make sure that the 4hi engages easily. Note any issues whatsoever and use them as bartering chips! You can't really go wrong with the 4Runners! I'm at 155,000 and it's never once left me stranded! Open the hood and look on the front right side of the engine for a sticker saying the timing belt and water pump has been replaced. That's another good bartering chip as well. Don't freak out too much if it hasn't though...I'm still rolling on my original. Going to get it done next month.

 

[TOPSECRETTUNDRA]

Plus one on checking underneath real good. I brought my 2000 limited e locker from Chicago to Florida where I later sold it. Decent amount of surface rust on everything!

 

[DavidB]

I went to the lot Friday am, someone was looking at the vehicle.
The salesman/owner came over, asked what I was looking for and
then started in on a story about the odometer (yes, I've read the
sticky!).
I asked him about setting up a pre-purchase inspection and he said
that I could do that after buying the car as I would have 24 hours
to bring it back for any major problems.
Of course my reply was no thanks.

 

[jsukey]

Ha...dumbest thing I've ever heard!! Does he need someone to tell him the meaning of the phrase "PRE-purchase inspection"?!! Seems super shady to me. Carfax?

 

[jsukey]

You never did specify whether or not you wanted 4X4 but I found a few with fairly low mileage in your area for sale but they are 2x4. The last one has already dropped his price by $600. Best of luck!
2000 TOYOTA 4RUNNER SR5

Toyota 4runner Limited Edit. *Low Miles Great Mileage

Toyota 4runner Limited Edit. *Low Miles Great Mileage

 

[jsukey]

Even better:
Toyota : 4Runner 4dr Limited | eBay

In my experience getting cars shipped, (3 different times) it only ran me around $700 to get a vehicle shipped across country.

 

[WrexHAmm]

I'm not sure what your standards are for your 4runner but I personally think that interior in that last one looks like hell. I also don't know if it's the angle of the picture but it looks like uneven wear on the front drivers tire. Possibly a sign of poor maintenance.

Then again I wouldn't even buy a used car with 170K from a dealership. To much risk IMO. Only way I would but one with such miles if from 1 one owner private seller with records. This thing could have gone through 4 owners and have a cracked head for all you know.

On a positive note the body looks good.

 

[jsukey]

I would never buy a vehicle without checking the Carfax first and then getting a pre-purchase inspection. The interior may be dirty, but it appears to just be the floormats. Even with 170,000, as long as it came back clean from Carfax, and got an approval from an inspector...I wouldn't hesitate. The 4Runner's are beasts!!

 

[audiness]

Wait for the right truck, these 3G 4runners are very common, the hardest thing is finding one that's been maintained....

 

[Gerdo]

Be aware of post-hurricane relocated vehicles.
They will relocate vehicles that have been swamped and cleaned to areas that you would never think about that type of damage. Along with the hurricane damage can come the previous years of decay from winter salts.