Would you purchase this 2008 Sport 4Runner?

[LinuxHack3r]

First, here is a link to my collection of research regarding this specific vehicle.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ecv2swgy1yn1sp0/AAB_TEoiSiRN435RZw2DefPoa?dl=0

You'll find the Carfax, service report, NADA, and quite a few photos.

It's from Maryland and I'm in Tennessee. I am concerned mainly about rust. It seems very clean interior and exterior, and has basically a perfect maintenance record. However, I think most people share my concern about salt and northern vehicles. However, this particular vehicle has me wanting to break that rule. 67,000 miles on a 10 year old vehicle!

So, thoughts? Is that rust scare you away? Should I just be more patient and find a similarly clean but more local to me vehicle with less rust? Or do I just jump in and go for it?

 

[Rhinle]

First, here is a link to my collection of research regarding this specific vehicle.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ecv2swgy1yn1sp0/AAB_TEoiSiRN435RZw2DefPoa?dl=0

You'll find the Carfax, service report, NADA, and quite a few photos.

It's from Maryland and I'm in Tennessee. I am concerned mainly about rust. It seems very clean interior and exterior, and has basically a perfect maintenance record. However, I think most people share my concern about salt and northern vehicles. However, this particular vehicle has me wanting to break that rule. 67,000 miles on a 10 year old vehicle!

So, thoughts? Is that rust scare you away? Should I just be more patient and find a similarly clean but more local to me vehicle with less rust? Or do I just jump in and go for it?

I don't know much about the rust stuff, but what I do know is it's not going to be the last 4Runner you find like this with low mileage in good condition. They may not come up often, but they are out there. My point being never feel like you NEED a particular vehicle. If you aren't totally satisfied, more will show up eventually.

 

[LinuxHack3r]

I don't know much about the rust stuff, but what I do know is it's not going to be the last 4Runner you find like this with low mileage in good condition. They may not come up often, but they are out there. My point being never feel like you NEED a particular vehicle. If you aren't totally satisfied, more will show up eventually.

That is very good advice. Thanks! I've been searching...about two weeks. A few have popped up closer to me and sold the same day. They had much higher mileage, etc.

So, it may take a while, but you are right, I can find a closer and just as clean/cleaner vehicle. I'm trying to keep that in mind.

 

[Supersonic]

Yes, but I don't know the asking price and I don't see enough of the frame, but what I do see isn't horrible. I also like that the oil got changed regularly. I would say up to $12k, but $8 to 10k would be closer to my risk tolerance if I had that kind of money.

That said, just bought the 2010 Sienna, and it fits me better. I also have 2005 4Runner V6, probably the best built mass produced automobile that I've owned and being it came out of New Mexico the frame is in good shape, I might have that one forever unless given a very good offer. My 4Runner runs great even at 297k, I just don't off-road or have a farm, so it's kinda a great spare truck to have around for now.

Point being, make sure you really want a 4Runner, unless the price is right.

Okay was able to find dealer site and price is $16k,
CarFAX History Based Value: $17,850
Younger Value Price: $16,000
You Save: $1,850

My initial answer is out of line with their pricing and CarFAX. I must be frugal on the buying end.
That said, try
https://www.autotempest.com/results...es=&transmission=any&bodystyle=any&saleby=any

This was a generic search, but you can put in your Zip and a distance preference. And if you work through the autotemptest - Craiglist link you'll find a few too.

 

[LinuxHack3r]

I setup a Cars.com watch for my criteria.

So, for that pictures, it doesn't look too bad to you? I imagine your frame, etc looks better though, right?

 

[LinuxHack3r]

Wow. I didn't realize AutoTempest existed. It looks better than Cars.com because it includes Cars.com as well as others!

 

[duffdog]

image 0355 says most of the story. That would be absolutely not. I don't know where you are in the US, but that truck looks like it was in a rusty area of the country like New England or somewhere where people don't care about their vehicles. I only buy completely rust free cars from CA and AZ, if not from one of those areas, they can keep it. If you want a cheap rusty 4runner, the Philadelphia area has dozens of them for super cheap on craigslist.

For reference, consider the bottom of my 05 t4r. I have accidentally drove it into the ocean before and also completely underwater in a lake while doing very hard rock crawling regularly and driving in the snow every winter. My truck has possibly a few inches of rust on the entire thing, the vehicle in your pics looks like a totally abused rust bucket that could not even be sold in CA for parts as nobody would buy it.

 

[LinuxHack3r]

image 0355 says most of the story. That would be absolutely not. I don't know where you are in the US, but that truck looks like it was in a rusty area of the country like New England or somewhere where people don't care about their vehicles. I only buy completely rust free cars from CA and AZ, if not from one of those areas, they can keep it. If you want a cheap rusty 4runner, the Philadelphia area has dozens of them for super cheap on craigslist.

For reference, consider the bottom of my 05 t4r. I have accidentally drove it into the ocean before and also completely underwater in a lake while doing very hard rock crawling regularly and driving in the snow every winter. My truck has possibly a few inches of rust on the entire thing, the vehicle in your pics looks like a totally abused rust bucket that could not even be sold in CA for parts as nobody would buy it.

It is a Maryland vehicle. Single owner, Carfax shows as such. They took care of maintenance, but my concern from the very beginning has been "how bad is the rust". Today the salesman sent me those photos.

So, we have one person saying "definitely not". That's good, I like people who are willing to give strong answers.

 

[Bluesky 07]

I wouldn't buy it unless I could see it personally. Too many people have talked about buying vehicles they thought had acceptable rust only to get them home and poke holes through parts of the frame.

Also, an observation about what [MENTION=122163]duffdog[/MENTION] said. It's good advice, but I would be open to buying from any state that doesn't need frequent winter road treatments. AZ and CA may be the ideal, but my '07 spent its life in NC and had very little rust when I bought it in 2014.

 

[Supersonic]

RE image 0355, I did see the differential is not ideal, but this is where I just can't see enough of the frame to make a call, but maybe just like judging by the radiator support you can guess it isn't one to pay top dollar for. I'd still think what I can see is not horrible, just not ideal. A rusted differential can be replaced and it looks mostly on the bottom where you'd kinda expect that some.

And yes, the frame on my 2005 4Runner does look better though it has some light surface rust going on, there's nothing that's crusty or scaling in any significant way. I'm sure it's been in the rain and came out of Illinois originally it's first year. It does look so good though I am not going to drive it in the winter weather.

I'd point you to try a little higher mileage and lower price points, you may like me, $2k(dealer wholesale), find one that may need some mechanical work but otherwise is solid frame wise. I can replace a head gasket or even a motor but maybe not fix a rusted frame as easily. I would consider the rusty ones as a short term/low price vehicle if choices limited as such.

Actually mine just needed the service work updated, otherwise it runs great, not all rusted out and don't burn oil, the simple criteria you'd look for in most any Toyota.

 

[rwh963]

if that is the original unadulterated underbody, i would say it looks pretty good to me. seems like the "rust" is just surface stuff on the heavy steel parts. you can wash/wire brush/re-coat those areas.if it checks out mechanically and is priced right, i would consider it.

 

[Burt]

Looks good to me. I,d offer 14K on it. That rust just looks minor.

 

[Flash Runner]

Based on image 0355, alone I'd agree with "definitely not". Given the other photos on the underside though, its surprising that the rest doesn't look like that. First thought is that the whole underside looked like that at a point and was "re-done" by being treated (who knows if properly) and then painted over. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. I find it hard to believe, but maybe given the regular maintenance, just that one area got that bad bc the other parts were treated properly/regularly.

In regards to what Supersonic said, while a rusty frame is the normal issue that a car will get dumped, people out there have done a frame swap. So given all the other aspects on the car given its an URBAN EDITION (not a sport, they're different, Urbans are harder to find as they're only 08/09), mileage, condition of all the other components, etc.. It comes down to how much you're willing to fix it, mainly will you pay for a frame swap?

I agree with never being pressured into buying, salesman love it and use it against you. Something else will always come up, but that is dwindling given that almost being 2019, the "newest" 4th gen you'll find will be 10 years old.

I would not buy it without seeing it in person first, or even bother with it if you're not prepared to put money in to keep it longer.

 

[0verland]

Based on image 0355, alone I'd agree with "definitely not". Given the other photos on the underside though, its surprising that the rest doesn't look like that. First thought is that the whole underside looked like that at a point and was "re-done" by being treated (who knows if properly) and then painted over. Just because you can't see it, doesn't mean it's not there. I find it hard to believe, but maybe given the regular maintenance, just that one area got that bad bc the other parts were treated properly/regularly.

In regards to what Supersonic said, while a rusty frame is the normal issue that a car will get dumped, people out there have done a frame swap. So given all the other aspects on the car given its an URBAN EDITION (not a sport, they're different, Urbans are harder to find as they're only 08/09), mileage, condition of all the other components, etc.. It comes down to how much you're willing to fix it, mainly will you pay for a frame swap?

I agree with never being pressured into buying, salesman love it and use it against you. Something else will always come up, but that is dwindling given that almost being 2019, the "newest" 4th gen you'll find will be 10 years old.

I would not buy it without seeing it in person first, or even bother with it if you're not prepared to put money in to keep it longer.

I would pass. Hold out for a 06+ V8 Limited and install an ARB locker. Personally I get that the Urban and Trail Editions are limited production but for the very slight variance between those and the Limited, unless your REALLY want the rear locker I can't see where one can justify the up charge.

 

[cooper30]

Doesn't look bad to me. Fluid Film it every fall and forget about it. It looks like normal surface rust.

Now please understand that my point of view is coming from northern New England. I don't really equate Maryland with the rust belt.

 

[Berty_K]

Definitely go see it in person and make sure nowhere in the frame has rotted through. In all honestly, it just looks like surface rust. I disagree with the people who are telling you to hard pass. Picture 0355 is literally just surface rust on the rear axle.

You've also found a cherry- the trim, year, and mileage. Dealer is definitely asking for too much in my opinion, however.

 

[woodman60]

I wouldn't buy it, but I'm in CA where things don't rust like that. None of it looks fatal, but it would be a lot of work to clean it up, and everything you work on underneath will be a pain in the ass. I see lots of cutting off old nuts and bolts in your future.

 

[stuffinit]

Rust is a slow disease and thats not bad at all.

I just bought one thats much worse off and I plan to keep driving it in the northeast for many more years. I don't think the previous owner knew they needed to add undercarriage wash as an option at the carwash.

Rust just needs to be dealt with. Im going to fluid film this winter. then clean it up in summer by scrapping and descale, hitting it with chemical rust converters, then painting with chassis saver or similar product. Then i will fluid film annually and get car washes.

If they dont salt your roads then id would just brush it off and hit it rustoleum paint over rust paint.

 

[stuffinit]

of course when you look at it, just make sure to check underneath for holes. Thats what i did.

 

[cloud]

I used to sell cars, tell your salesman to get a ball peen hammer and make the video you need. If I can't hit it with a hammer I'm not buying it.

That said. If all truly is well and no surprises await you. Buy that truck!

The v6 makes ME not even willing to consider it in the first place. We're I to consider the v6, $15k out the door is a very happy day (keep in mind vehicle sales tax here is 10% and minimum wage is double the federal minimum). I wouldn't complain about $14k before fees.

I happily paid $10k for my 03v8 @ 176k miles and would do it again.

From an "enthusiast" standpoint I'm VERY happy not to have the vvt-i V8 upgrade that happened in 05 I think. I spent six months seriously searching to find one I'd buy. One look at the frame on mine and I skipped the hammer rule. I dare you to find rust on my truck.

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