Would you buy it?

A

a216vcti

New member
I'm looking at a 1999 4runner that I found on craigslist. The owner wants $2900. It has 250k miles. It went through maryland state saftey inspection and the only two things wrong with it were the lower ball joint and the rear axle seal. It seems like the engines only problem is that it has a leaking valve cover gasket but that's not included in the safety inspection. It seems to run fine. No check engine lights or abs lights.

I just blew up my vw so I need something to drive right now. I would eventually like to turn this into a trail rig but it's not something I can do until I have a backup ride. While I wouldn't mind rebuilding the engine if it did blow up, I'm just worried I might be without a vehicle again in a few weeks because the owner is trying to get rid of the vehicle before it dies. It may just be me being paranoid, and his story seems to check out. He said he is selling the 4runner because he bought a civic because his job is down moved farther away and the 4runner takes too much gas, which I can understand. But I'm still just paranoid.

Perhaps I'm just looking for someone to easy my mind. I've been screwed over on craigslist before.

What would you do if you were in my situation?
 
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My thoughts would be to buy it. See if you can talk him down a few hundred, and if not still buy it. The repairs you stated aren't really all that difficult (I'm not 100% sure on the difficulty of the axle seal, haven't done that maitenance yet), just time consuming. If you can talk him down, then you can use the money towards the repairs.

Also, it's a Toyota! You can run these things hard, with relatively minor issues. They're also worth quite a bit more than 3k, so you could come out on top in the end, if you put a little bit of money into it.
 
a216vcti said:
I'm looking at a 1999 4runner that I found on craigslist. The owner wants $2900. It has 250k miles. It went through maryland state saftey inspection and the only two things wrong with it were the lower ball joint and the rear axle seal. It seems like the engines only problem is that it has a leaking valve cover gasket but that's not included in the safety inspection. It seems to run fine. No check engine lights or abs lights.

I just blew up my vw so I need something to drive right now. I would eventually like to turn this into a trail rig but it's not something I can do until I have a backup ride. While I wouldn't mind rebuilding the engine if it did blow up, I'm just worried I might be without a vehicle again in a few weeks because the owner is trying to get rid of the vehicle before it dies. It may just be me being paranoid, and his story seems to check out. He said he is selling the 4runner because he bought a civic because his job is down moved farther away and the 4runner takes too much gas, which I can understand. But I'm still just paranoid.

Perhaps I'm just looking for someone to easy my mind. I've been screwed over on craigslist before.

What would you do if you were in my situation?
Click to expand...

First off check out the buyers guide out, it is full of great information when buying a third gen. next take the truck to get looked at by a tech. This may cost you 50 bucks but worth it in the end if he finds something major wrong with it (not likely it is a yota)

At 250k if there are no records I would do a timing belt job on it to play it safe. It is not hard to do at all and can be done in the drive way. There are plenty of write up one that hear.

Next, even at asking price and a little work on it I feel you are going to be in it pretty good. Dose it have the E-Locker? Auto or Stick?

Anyhow throw some pictures of it up it will help on getting a better idea of this beast.

If you do buy it you will thank your self. I have owned 40-50k cars and I love my 4Runner the most so far. I miss the speed of those cars but that is it. There is something very special about a 3rd Gen. I guess it is the feeling you can take it and all your gear about any place you want to go and get home after the trip there.

Blue
 
if you are really that worried about it, spend $100 and take it to a mechanic for a pre-sale inspection. They would do a compression test to get a good picture of the health of the engine.
 
Seems like a good deal to me. Read up on the buyer's guide and check it out thoroughly. LBJ's and rear axle seals are just about the most common fix-up issues these trucks have, so nothing to be worried about there. Valve cover gaskets are a non-issue to me. Let it leak oil, or just cinch down the bolts a little.

I buy tons of used cars, all off craigslist. Most have worked out for me, and I don't think any of the previous owners have intentionally misled me. An old car is an old car, and stuff happens.
 
Talk him down

Talk him down more. I just picked up a 99 with 154K for $1200 and i am in your neck of the woods. Post a link to the ad....is it the red one? Also, my brother is a toyota tech and could probably help you out.
 
jeff88 said:
My thoughts would be to buy it. See if you can talk him down a few hundred, and if not still buy it. The repairs you stated aren't really all that difficult (I'm not 100% sure on the difficulty of the axle seal, haven't done that maitenance yet), just time consuming. If you can talk him down, then you can use the money towards the repairs.

Also, it's a Toyota! You can run these things hard, with relatively minor issues. They're also worth quite a bit more than 3k, so you could come out on top in the end, if you put a little bit of money into it.
Click to expand...

I got him down $400 from his asking price. I tried to get him to sell it for $2600 but he wouldn't budge. I read the how to and the axle seal looks doable. Thanks for the input, it means a lot.
 
Ol'Blue said:
First off check out the buyers guide out, it is full of great information when buying a third gen. next take the truck to get looked at by a tech. This may cost you 50 bucks but worth it in the end if he finds something major wrong with it (not likely it is a yota)

At 250k if there are no records I would do a timing belt job on it to play it safe. It is not hard to do at all and can be done in the drive way. There are plenty of write up one that hear.

Next, even at asking price and a little work on it I feel you are going to be in it pretty good. Dose it have the E-Locker? Auto or Stick?

Anyhow throw some pictures of it up it will help on getting a better idea of this beast.

If you do buy it you will thank your self. I have owned 40-50k cars and I love my 4Runner the most so far. I miss the speed of those cars but that is it. There is something very special about a 3rd Gen. I guess it is the feeling you can take it and all your gear about any place you want to go and get home after the trip there.

Blue
Click to expand...

I checked out the buyers guide and it looks like the pink slime isn't an issue. It recently had a timing belt done but the guy switched to the green coolant. I plan on buying a new radiator and will switch back to the pink toyota stuff when I do that.

it's an auto without an e-locker.

Thank you for your input. I greatly appreciate it!
 
audiness said:
if you are really that worried about it, spend $100 and take it to a mechanic for a pre-sale inspection. They would do a compression test to get a good picture of the health of the engine.
Click to expand...

I did get the inspection. All that they found wrong with it is the ball-joint and axle seal. Thanks for your input!
 
white_n_slow said:
Seems like a good deal to me. Read up on the buyer's guide and check it out thoroughly. LBJ's and rear axle seals are just about the most common fix-up issues these trucks have, so nothing to be worried about there. Valve cover gaskets are a non-issue to me. Let it leak oil, or just cinch down the bolts a little.

I buy tons of used cars, all off craigslist. Most have worked out for me, and I don't think any of the previous owners have intentionally misled me. An old car is an old car, and stuff happens.
Click to expand...

Sounds good! Thank you for your input!
 
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The previous owner took the wheels of before he sold it. It now has the stock wheels.
 
jeff88 said:
Congratulations, looks clean!

Can't wait to see what you come up with after the maintenance is all done.
Click to expand...

So, it needs a Right front lower ball joint and a rear axle seal. I wanted to buy the OEM parts. Do you know which site to go to for the replacement?
 
a216vcti said:
So, it needs a Right front lower ball joint and a rear axle seal. I wanted to buy the OEM parts. Do you know which site to go to for the replacement?
Click to expand...

Nice truck, I am glad someone bought that, had been on cl for awhile i think. 250K is nothing for that truck. How does the undercarriage look? Any rust?

Get your parts from Camelback toyota, 20% discount and fast shipping, free shipping over like $150.

Not sure if your interested but I have chrome trim rings that go over the fenders and running boards that just came off my 99, let me know.
 
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