Should I buy this 2001 4Runner?

Hey guys! I'm not a new user, but I lost my account I had from many years ago. I currently own a 2002 4Runner with 215K miles that's pretty beat up, but works. I've had it for like 15 years now. I was thinking about having it repainted, dents fixed, all of that, but I saw a 4Runner for sale that's a 2001 with 237K miles. The asking price is $3,700 but there are some concerns.

1. Check engine light is on, but I didn't get time to get the code read.

2. I'm positive it's leaking some kind of oil or something

3. I did a little Carfax search on it and in 2014 it had 232K miles so that means from 2014 to 2020 it's only been drive 5K miles which is odd

4. It had paper tags on it, but I checked the car out at someone's house... I assume a dealer is trying to sell it without repairing it because it has a major issue.

The owner said the check engine light was the gas cap, but we all know that is NOT it. Also when test driving it felt perfect, but the temp gauge did not work. So if the owner knew the check engine light was on and it was because of the gas cap, why not fix that? However, they would have also said it was one because of the temp gauge. Something is fishy about the whole situation but I've had a 4Runner long enough to know there's not really an issue on these cars that can't be fixed without pay too much. However, I fear the catalytic converter is broken or it has some hidden transmission issue.

I could always use my 2002 for parts to fix whatever, but the ultimate question is...

Should I but this care for $3700 and if not that price, then what price?

 

If it were me, I would run away from that 4runner and just use the 3,700 to fix mine up a bit.

 

X2

Especially considering yours is a year newer and has about 17K fewer miles!

 

Thanks for the quick reply. If you were going to buy it, how much would you pay for it?

 

Ha, you and the poster above make a lot of sense. If you were to put a price on this 4Runner, how much would you pay?

 

$2,000-$2,500...?

 

lol, my apolgies

 

Its a two wheel drive with issues; don't buy it.

You didn't even touch on the most important subject; frame rust.

 

I will lift on the hoist and check under carriage before deciding. Check the code on engine light. As I am certified detailer, any pro detailer can make car looks great on outside and interior. Even engine bay. Internal organ, it is hard to see. This is just MHO.

 

Yea, I'm thinking that's what is going on. A dealer had the car, it had issues where they couldn't get it to pass inspection, so they got a friend to private sale it at their house. That's only thing that makes sense as to why a car that's barely been driven for 6 years has paper tags.

 

Ah, this would make sense of why it has been barely driven for 6 years.

 

Do you have anyway to run VIN? It will show history of purchase. Previous owner purchased it, and could not pass inspection. Let is sit and drive here and there, but tired of problem, so decided to get lid of it?

 

I didn't get a full detail Vin check as I didn't want to pay for it, but I got one that let me know it hasn't been inspected or taking to a certified mechanic since 2014 and that the mileage from 2014 and now (2020) is only a difference of 5K which is weird.

 

Owner transfer may not be done correctly, and could not go through inspection. I see this in California sometime, and new owner has to go through all process with cost. Would very very careful with this one.

 

Paper tags seem odd, I would run away from this one. 2wd at that price, just wait for something else to show up that doesn't seem so odd

 

Lol. Gas Cap. I love sellers who say "it's an easy fix".

That says 2 things if true. The seller is a cheap ass lazy SOB that won't bother fixing something small. The car has been neglected badly its whole life and needs THOUSANDS in repairs.

If False? Engine\Transmission has major issues.

Trust me, if this rig is attached to a dealer, they saw a huge pile of gold in it...and got BURNED. They know exactly what the issue is and if they won't have their mechanic do a quick fix to flip it for big bucks...then it's no good.

 

lol, exactly. I was like... man, if it's too good to be true, then it is! I'm walking away from it.

 

trainwreck. avoid. not worth it. in my opinion. good luck with your decision