Good buy?

Hi everyone I am currently looking at purchasing a 4th gen 4runner. The dealership that has the one I'm looking at is 2 to 3 hrs away. It is a franchise dealer for Volkswagen so not a no name dealer. Of course before purchasing I plan to get a pre purchase inspection form a mechanic and look at it and drive it myself.

I am slightly concerned as it is an 07 v8 with 152xxx. It was originally a ohio car. It had timing belt done around 80k according to carfax. I asked about rust and they said there is a small amount of rust underneath and these are the pics they sent. Im wondering if its worth even making the trip to look at. Since from the research I have done rust is an issue on these. They are asking 15k for it which is a lot but its the lowest mileage cheapest one I have found so far. Pics below. Thanks for an input or other things to look for when checking it out.

 

That's very minimal rust. I would not be concerned.

 

There is plenty of black on that frame. Actually looks pretty good for an Ohio truck. Go get it....or you will regret not getting it.

 

Seems to be pretty clean relatively speaking.

That said… I dont think a used 4runner nowadays is a good buy. That’s almost twice what an 07 v8 was going for 3 years ago when I was looking, with that mileage.

Also, timing belts for V8s are a pretty big job. Maybe $1000 bucks? It’s pretty much due for a new timing belt.

 

That exhaust piping looks pretty unhappy. But the frame looks pretty good actually. If thats the only issue of note then in todays market thats a good buy.

 

Just get her fluid filmed and start protecting after you buy it. I would think that small rust can be cleaned with POR15 and then put some fluid film on as a new happy owner.