Good buy?

I found this 2003 V8 with 203,880 miles. Going for $4500. I don't want to spend over 6 just because I want to actually be able to work on a car and I would love to make this car what I want, in terms of lift kits and wheels and whatnot. As of now, it is completely stock. Do you all think this is a fair price, or should I keep searching?

 

For a v8 thats a great price, IMHO, if it's in good shape. What trim level? Got pictures? Particularly ones of the underside are helpful.

Usual 4Runner buying advice:
- check the frame for rust, particularly around the engine mounts up underneath
- try and find out the last time the timing belt was done, I think it should be every 60-90K miles (not a v8 owner, sorry I don't have the specifics)
- It might have an exhaust manifold leak, that's a known issue on the 4.7L
- I'm always a fan of running a carfax on it. It won't have everything by any means, but for $50 if it catches a major accident or something it's worth it

 

The V8 has a belt not chain. I 100% agree that the biggest issue would be frame rust. Also make sure maintenance was done on a regular basis if possible. That low of a price tells me something might be wrong. Is it 2wd or 4WD.

 

potato, tomato.. point still stands it’s something that needs to be done regularly

 

Not really. Timing belts have a service interval, typically 90 - 105K miles. Chains are theoretically good for the life of the engine. You only service them if they fail or possibly in a case where you're removing them to make other repairs and it has high mileage and you basically replace them "for good measure".

 

What??? Timing chains is not "something that needs to be done regularly".

Timing belt is "something that needs to be done regularly"

 

Y'all are misunderstanding my potato tomato. On the V8, the timing belt needs to be changed regularly as a maintenance item. I mistakenly called it a chain, my freaking bad, I just edited my post to say belt instead of chain, no more potatoes or tomatoes.

And yes, the v6 timing chain is good until it's not and does not have a specified maintenance interval.