New guy - should I buy 1999 2wd 4runner limited?

Hi, new guy here saying hi and asking advice.

I have opportunity to buy a 1999 limited with 140,000 miles, 2wd, leather seats in poor condition and the top of dash severely sun damaged/gap visible from outside, southern california car, faded paint and trim, no rust on body. I know the owner.

I have not driven it yet and wanted to understand what I was getting in to before bothering the owner.

My first impression is I hate the front bumper, it has go! I read that the 1996 bumper bolts right on if you remove a hidden bar that the 1996 doesn't have. No prob, I can do that and I can weld so what ever is hidden under there I can probably modify it.

Next, top of the dash is in very poor condition. What's the fix, is it costly and time consuming?

Leather seats badly cracked and need replacement - how hard are they to reupholster?

Thanks in advance!

 

Remember - make it stop first, make it run next, make it nice last. Restoring any car is always more expensive than finding a good example. If what you see is trashed, what do you think is condition of mechanical components?

The only way to fix destroyed dash is to replace it. Fillers, etc. don't tend to hold for long but I have seen people attempt. It is a big job to replace and expensive part (due to size) to ship.

The only way to fix cracked leather seats is to remove them and take them to the upholstery shop. That is not cheap.

My recommendation is to find a donor car, if you have one costs of such project is manageable. If not, it will cost you a lot of money. It will always take a lot of time, so don't plan on it being a daily driver.

 

Yup, find a better one

 

If the interior and exterior is in such bad shape, I wonder if they actually took care of the maintenance of it. Unless they have records, I would definitely pass.

 

Thanks the the replies. As recommended, I'll look for something in better condition.