New Buyer!

Hey,

I'm deciding whether to buy a 2003 4runner 8cyl 4x4 for $1875. The issue that I see with it, is that it says that it has mechanical issues but it does not specify what exactly. However, it does say that the 4runner does run and drive. Just so everyone knows I'm trying to buy it through an auction. Should I risk it? What do you guys think could be wrong with it?

 

With any older vehicle and high miles,you need to be prepared to dump in more money. 500 here, 300 there, 1200 there. You may be up to 5K invested by the time all the "mechanical" issues are solved. Then ask yourself if that 5K could have been put towards a newer model with less issues.

My 04 jeep had 180K miles, and I dropped about $2500 getting it back up to par, (wheel bearings/hub, rotors, brakes, steering pump, headlights replaced, bulbs, drive axle, sensors etc.. and other items were breaking that I'd need to replace soon. There just is a point where its not worth it.

An easy way to figure this out is cost per day, per month etc.. a big drop of 2500$ to fix something, plus the initial cost of $1875 purchasing the vehicle, could be $364 per month to drive it for a year. Hell at that rate you might as well get a loan and buy new rig with no problems.

 

I would be very weary of buying a vehicle at auction especially for that low of a price. Can you see pictures, especially of the undercarriage. Mechanical issues could be anywhere from an easy fix to needing a tranny.