cnmrosko

I found a 2000 sr5 4runner with 95k that's about a 2 hr drive for me to go look at. That's really low mileage even though this is in the rust/salt belt.
The current owner bought it from a private seller about 2 months ago and says the reason he's selling is he found a 99 sr5 with stick shift which he prefers.
The current owner told me that the previous owner had a problem with occasional misfires but it does not misfire now.
The current owner says the check engine with catalytic sensor code occasionally comes up.
Records indicate that the previous owner had the throttle body and idle control valve/motor replaced in 12/17.
Records also indicate that exhaust pipe was replaced in 11/17.
From photos the frame looks fair regarding rust but really would require a hands on look. Interior is leather and looks to be in excellent condition.

I'm concerned that a 4runner with 95k mi. would have had misfire problems, that check engine with cat code comes up and that the throttle body and idle control valve/motor had to be replaced.
I am wondering if the engine maybe wasn't serviced properly with oil changes which might have led to these other problems.
I don't want to buy a headache even though it has low mileage.

Opinions / experience with similar issues?
Much appreciated. Thanks

RAD4Runner

Ask if lower ball-joints had been replaced or inspected. Search forum regarding that. Good luck.

Malcolm99

seems like a lot of issue for 95k, have you asked for vehicle history, if this 2000 fell under the fuel tank level gauge TSB, it could have had its circuit board replaced which would wipe the milage to Zero., also ask check if the rad has been replaced, eventually it will fail exchanging fluids with the transmission, sometimes people try to save the tranny but usually the damage is done before you realize whats going on.

cnmrosko

I think the mileage is accurate as indicated in carfax and all of the leather seats are in excellent condition. The 4 runner leather driver's seat usually start to show wear after 120k.
I can't figure why a throttle body and butterfly valve/ motor would need to be replaced at 95k. I currently have a 98 4runner with almost 330k and never had any problem with the throttle body or butterfly valve. I also am concerned that with 95k there is a history of occasional misfires.
The carfax shows that no previous owners took this 4runner to Toyota for regular maintenance.
Records show the first owner up to 67k regularly took it to a ford dealership for inspections and there are no records of oil changes.
This all worries me.
Even though the low mileage is really attractive I'm gonna pass on this one.

plandy

Good idea, I agree.

sharrack

PS.....to anyone buying low mileage 99 4runners.
Check the odometer because some of them actually have mechanical odometers. I went to look at a low mileage 99 4runner and it had a mechanical odometer.....lol.....and it looked and had the wear of a beaten 250,000 runner.
Everything replaced, leaking, worn off including the brake pedal rubber. Lol......pleeeeze!!