Ok guys. First of all thanks for coming.

We are looking at buying a Toyota 4Runner for our 15 year old's first vehicle. He thinks things out and the 3rd gen runner is the one he wants. We love Toyota and have another Tundra with 140k and we HAD a 2004 sienna until the A/C died and no mechanic could figure out what was wrong ($1000 down the drain). Traded for a new Honda van and was the biggest mistake ever. But no A/C in 110 Louisiana weather didn't mix.

So onto the 4runner. It's a 1999 Limited with 242k miles. The craigslist ad is as follows:

"THIS IS A 1999 LIMITED 4RUNNER THAT IS IN GOOD CONDITION. IT RUNS GOOD, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GOOD, 4 WHEEL DRIVE WORKS GOOD, AIR CONDITION BLOWS COLD, AND LOOKS GOOD!!! I HAVE BOUGHT A FULL SIZE TRUCK AND HAVE NOT BEEN USING THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE REFURBISHED IT : 1) CHANGED REAR ENGINE SEAL 2) PUT A NEW (not rebuilt) FUEL PUMP 3) NEW LOWER BALL JOINTS 4) NEW FRONT STRUTS 5) NEW SWAY BAR BUSHINGS 6) NEW BATTERY 7) NEW TEMPERATURE SENDING UNIT 8) HAD DRIVERS SEAT RECOVERED 9) BOUGHT NEW REAR SHOCKS BUT HAVE NOT INSTALLED. THE FUEL GUAGE HAS STUCK AFTER CHANGING FUEL PUMP!

FULLY EQUIPPED WITH AM/FM CASSETTE CD, MOON ROOF, ALL ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS, DUAL ELECTRIC FRONT SEATS, CRUISE CONTROL, REAR CARGO AREA SLIDE OUT COVER, REAR DIFFERENTIAL LOCK, FORMED PLASTIC MATS FOR FRONT & BACK SEAT AREA PLUS CARGO AREA, ORIGINAL 4RUNNER LIMITED FRONT FLOOR MATS"

$4300

So I called him up and got this info:

242,800 miles (no wonder it wasn't listed!)

Bought at 73k

No accidents except his son backing into a parked vehicle.

Something fell on the roof before you got it and if you look it is slightly noticeable.

Service history was oil change every 5k. He went from conventional to synthetic and back to conventional.

He had a tranny vibration at one point, replaced with a used, no warranty tranny apparently out of another 4runner. Didn't fix the problem and it turned out to be a simple nut on the yoke. (this concerns me. seems like a dumb mechanic worked on it and what was the condition of the "new" tranny?) No idea what the mileage was when this happened.

Radiator never replaced.

No problems with it.

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So later I'm doing research and I go on ebay for fun. I plug the 3rd gen numbers in and sure enough it pops up. I get more pics and new info:

Could use some cleaning

Came from New Jersey, 3 owners.

Possible insurance claim as a loss or total loss or something in 2005. Obviously it wasn't and the report said no accidents so what the heck? No damage from any category reported. Not a carfax though. Just Ebay's auto-check.

I'm not sure if I can post a website on here since I'm new but if you want to check it out on ebay it's a black with tan trim being sold by
"johns1940truck" in Vidalia, Louisiana.
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So my questions to you guys are this:

Should I drive an hour and a half one-way to go look at it?

How long can I expect the vehicle to last? I think engine oil was about all he did.

What is a good price? He claims his son works at a dealership and they would give him $4200 and sell for about $7000. I call bull on that!

KBB says Private Party tops out at $4400 excellent to $3400 fair. Trade-in is $3300 excellent to $2350 fair.

Is this a vehicle that, provided we get it for a steal and baby it, would last through med school? He has 2 years of high school left so we are looking at 10 years.

Plus what else should I ask him when I call back?

He may do minor offroading. But no offroad mods like lifts or big tires. (so far, when you get mod fever, who knows)

Ok. I thank you for reading and value your opinion! Thanks for the help! I will pass any new information on to you when I get it.

-John

 

Anyone?

 

That Runner will go way over 300K miles most likely....but I see it needing a new radiator right away....and fluids all changed...rear diff oil will need to be inspected and changed. Auto tranny fluid needs to be looked at making sure it's red and not brown. I think it's worth a looksy....if the oils are dirty then it's your call if you want it that bad. Ken

 

Run like hell. Was it one of the flood vehicles from a big storm. That would give you a total claim without an accident. Too many red flags for my comfort level.

You can plug a VIN this website and all maintenance records from toyota can be viewed.

Toyotaowners.com

 

Thanks guys. I'll check out the website.

I was wondering about flood damage because of Katrina in 2005. But ebays cheapie report said no. Anyway I'm leaning NO! On this one. We have until next Feb. I'll get another opportunity before then. Thanks!

 

if you found different info on this vehicle than what this guy is being up front with, why would you even consider it?

 

Well he sounded like the average non informed car owner.

Plus this was before he bought it so he probably didn't know. He was very straightforward with me about what he did know.

 

AS A GENERAL RULE OF THUMB STAY AWAY FROM PEOPLE THAT TYPE IN ALL CAPS. IN ALL DEALINGS OF ANY KIND ANYWHERE AND ANY TIME.

 

I think you could find a much better deal, I'm sitting at 310k miles on my 00 tacoma, and the only thing I have had to replace it my alternator and regular maintenance, to me if all that stuff had to be fixed either someone ran the vehicle hard at some point or there is a missing part of the story, not sure about where you live but in WA state I can find fairly good deals for 4runners with lower miles and pretty good condition, pretty commonly, personally I would keep looking

 

Well that pretty much settles it. I'll wait. I also did not think that it was that good of a deal. With that much time i'll find a low miles low price one.

What I really want is an all silver (including bumper) 2002 4x4 Limited. Hard to find the perfect one in the right color...