icerunner

Hey,

A "Friend of a friend of a friend" is offering to sell me a stripped down/parted out 3.4L Runner engine from 98' automatic with the trans still attached to the engine for $800.00 cash. FYI, This is a Front end totaled 4 runner that appears to be just body damage mostly.
Stated milege is 100,000 Miles, yet I have no way to confirm this.
Why? All that is left is the Engine, trans (4x4 auto), sitting on a partially bent frame, transfer gear, both drive shafts, fuel tank and front and rear differentials. The radiators were trashed and removed and so is the powerstearing assembly (cracked) the timing belt is in good shape and the engine does not "look" pushed in.

"So..Deal or no deal?
What would you do...? Buy it and hope for the best..? THought about putting the engine on a stand and inspecting futher for damage and rebuilding if necessary. So dam tempting as I'm looking for some spare parts for my runner yet I dont want to turn my garage into a salvage yard either...?
I never bought a totaled vehicle... What should I look for and should I get involved in this steaming heap of metal ....?

nc994run

If he says the engine is still good and it isn't, and you relied on that statement when making the purchase, he would be legally obligated to take it back or you could take him to court over it.

I personally wouldn't buy it until it had been looked at by a mechanic.

icerunner

Good point, I'm a little worried that the addident may have warped the head or something...? Toyotas operate at such high tolerances and a front end collision can definatly negativly tweak things...There may be major hidden damage here. I going to offer 400.00 and see where that goes...(hehe)

icerunner

Crap, the way gas prices are going I'll be driving a Honda "fit" soon. That car is starting to look real attractive lately....(dam it)