Need Advice For Buying 2011 4Runner (Rust)

Hello,

I am going tomorrow to check out a used 2011 4Runner SR5 with about 150,000 miles on it, it has a clean Carfax and the seller is asking about $14k for it. I am curious how bad the rust on the underbody is? I know I would need to treat it ASAP I just do not know how much it would cost and if this is a good deal? The seller seems very unwilling to negotiate so if I had some solid estimates on how much the frame would cost to treat I may have some wiggle room. The rest of the car looks great, but I know the downfall for many of these trucks are what lies beneath. Any advice would be greatly appreciated and if there are any follow up questions I will try my best to quickly respond!

 

I would pass on this one

 

How come?

 

Keep looking! No need to get a 4runner this rusty and then spend to treat the rust.

 

To me it's a lot of work to try and stop the rust there already, if it were me I'd look for one a little less rusty

 

Welcome here!
Good questions.

I think the frame rails aren’t terrible and surface rust can be treated to the point where maybe the rust pauses.
Radiator support area is typical, but a couple areas of rust worry me. Tell the seller this trucks needs new OE lower control arms, the level of rust worries me regarding cam bolts and your next alignment.
Any pics of the diffs?

 

Thank you so much for your detailed response! These were all the pics I could get from the seller unfortunately. But I will be sure to mention that to the seller! I do not know much about cars in general let alone 4Runners so having something specific to point to is very helpful.

 

No problem, best of luck! Be happy you got the photos you did, lots of folks here have gotten screwed by not getting to see underbody or by no poking around more.
I was just like you before I bought me in 2016. First Toyota, first 4WD, first new vehicle…and I let the poor girl rust on the pacific north west for 5 years before using products…and now I am slaving to remove surface rust.

*your biggest problem is the unstoppable rust that’s inside the frame

 

I have a vehicle of that age. The only reason it lasted this long was because I was very aggressive against rust and treated it the minute I saw it.
Infact just yesterday I saw a random surface rust at a weird spot below my battery and I
Wire brushed it, added metal etcher and POR15.
Point being, if you are looking at this as a transitional vehicle then go ahead but if you want to take this to 300k, this will not hold up to it.

 

Thanks! I did not even think of the rust inside the frame!

 

I was definitely hoping to take this to past 300k. I want a reliable car and was hoping to get a 4Runner since the alternative that I was considering of getting a Subaru does not exactly sit right with me due to their issues with their CVTs.

 

Rust condition is actually better than average for its age. Usually 4Runners this old already have the exhaust rusted out and replaced with cheap aftermarket parts. $14k is too high though. Would be a good winter beater for $12k, then you can just do the yearly $100 rustproofing spray before each winter to keep it going for several more years.

 

How long would you expect before eventually having to either total the car or replace the frame? In the midwest now, but should be out in Colorado in less than a year.

 

^With yearly rustproofing? Figure another 8 years before the frame becomes unroadworthy (defined by Toyota as rust hole on the frame exceeding 10mm).

 

Paint it black it'll be ok?

 

I agree, this frame has another 5+ years if you get on it with an oil spray.

The question that should be asked - given rust, is the price sufficiently lower than non-rusted examples to justify buying it?

 

That's not too bad. See my thread "Frame Rust" i dealt with something similar. Mind you will lower miles.

I think if you could knock the price down and spend a good 8-10hrs on frame prep and fluid film/Wool Wax, you could have a 4Runner that would last you for years to come.

 

Thanks! I’ll check it out!

 

yikes, I have a 2011 SR5 with 174,000 miles on it and it looks mint compared to that one. Steer clear.

 

After all these replies I think I will thanks! I really wanted to be a 4Runner owner but it’s just not in my budget for a clean one

 

I wouldnt say that. Honestly im surprised theyre asking $14k. This is what my 2011 looked like at 159k.
What’s the outside, interior and engine bay look like?

 

this is the listing, exterior is fine, interior is a little rough. https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/...=atempest3&utm_campaign_id=3&utm_trusted=TRUE

 

I would keep looking for something that’s been taken care of just a little more!

 

Agreed on the exterior and not too bad interior. At a minimum you’ll need to replace, if it hasnt been done at that mileage:

upper and lower control arms
Lower control arm cam bolts
Inner/outer tie rod ends
Front and rear shocks
Front and rear calipers
Spark plugs
Serpentine Belt
Front/rear end links and sway bar bushings
Trans service
Full frame clean and protection coated.

if you could get it for $10k, it might be a good deal. Guys/Gals, thoughts?

 

That is a nice example. I would not hesitate to get this if I was in the market for one. That color is a little to colorful for me though but that is irrelevant.
If the frame checks out, the interior though rough can easily be touched up. The exterior obviously has been given the nail polish treatment but that's common.
Your list of items will cost between 2k to 2.5 k in OEM parts and another 2k in labor from an independent garage.
For 18k, you can get a vehicle that will give you years of service.
However, keep a small fund on the side annually. High mileage cars Toyota or not will have random parts that would need replacement due to its age. For eg, blower motor, wheel bearings, TPMS, seat modules, rubber parts, hoses etc.

 

Thank you so much for your advice!!! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day and being so thorough with your parts list.

 

Thank you! I may have found a good deal for less than $18k my budget isn’t that high! I know this is not a Subaru forum so I’m not expecting any advice! https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/590c2d4b-e1a4-440a-811f-227d95f6da24/

 

nonproblem. I may have missed some thing but you get the point. See if you can get it for $10k and go from there. Good luck and let us know.

 

I'd avoid it just for having a CVT. Carfax shows 3 previous owners.

 

I was considering a subaru for an extra car a while back. The CVTs turned me off completely. Seems that failures are regular occurrences whether you buy new or used. If you buy a 10 to 12k used example (which is what I was considering), the expense of replacing a CVT nearly justifies scrapping the car.