I'm lookin at a 2nd gen Runner. 2.4 5spd. I test drove it today. I can't friggin make up my mind. The inside is a bit dirty & needs some serious cleaning, the outside looks really clean, but someting about a new t. chain & head resurface and gasket job @ 142k makes me unsure. Pain'ts faded on roof, rest looks good. No power anything. Plain Jane. I got the price down from $2800 to $2350. What do you guys think? Need to decide tonight. Here's some pics:

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I get this feeling that the rest of the problems will show up after you buy it.
I say leave it.....sounds like it was not taken care of properly.

 

Yeah, the head resurface doesn't sound good. But a timing chain and HG at 142K miles wouldn't bother me. If it was done by the book, taking the head off to do the timing stuff is technically right. Who knows, maybe it was done by a Toyota dealer and they replaced the HG. Tough call. Head resurface could also mean it was overheated at some point. Looks pretty straight on the surface from your photos, I kinda of like that light blueish silver on the 2nd gens.

 

Thanks guys. Yeah, I called him and told him I was going to pass. I'll just keep looking.