Buyer said my frame was rusty

Hey guys,

This is my 4runners frame. Its a 2003 v8 4x4. A buyer came to look at it and said it was rusty. Is this considered rusty?

 

Its 22 years old and its fine for its age.

Find someone else to sell it to. Don't drop the price if he still wants it just because of that minimal rust. Would look worse if you painted it may look like you are trying to hide something.

 

The buyer is looking for a price reduction based on the only thing he could see. Give him 50 bucks off, if he wants more tell him to KMA. Welcome to the forum!

 

Welcome @framerust
Great name

 

Well, that’s technically rust.

Depends on location, price, individual opinions/standards.

All that matters is whether you can agree on a price or not.

 

Welcome

 

Welcome from Wisconsin! For a 2003 that would be considered pretty good where I'm from. It's rust ok, but is the frame on the verge of collapse? Tell prospective buyer you'll throw in a few wire wheels, 2 of them brand new, for the rust.

 

Welcome

 

OMG that is so NOT rusty. Screw that buyer, he/she doesnt know what rusty is

 

welcome

 

That is surface rust and looks really good - appears to be some minor pitting. Significant frame rust results in penetrations in the steel rails. You can take a screwdriver and poke holes in it.

 

Shhhhheeeit. That ain't nothing compared to what I've seen in upstate NY. Got pictures of the body of your rig?

 

In my opinion, no there is nothing wrong with that. Based on the pictures I did notice something. Good Michelin tires. A tell that someone takes care of their stuff. A V8 4Runner for sale!? Post it here. You will get what you are asking for it. Period.

 

Welcome from Arizona!
No problems with rust.

 

For a 22 year old vehicle thats not bad, the worst I potentially see is in pic 4 where the cross member joins on the left, is that just light flaking or the beginning of a hole hard to tell from the pic. Otherwise everything else seems to be just the weld's which is the first to rust and usually only surface deep
As a buyer as long I could see this in person and tap on a few places I would be OK with this but offer a bit below asking as its 2 weekends work and $150 in paint to get that frame rust free and coated.
As a buyer I would consider wire wheeling and painting the frame inside and out and adding the cost of that to the price.

 

Welcome

 

Agree with everyone. That is mostly surface rust on the welds. Perfect time to do some rust mitigation by spraying onto the frame any one of a number of petroleum-based products, and calling it a day.

 

Looks mint for a 23 y/o vehicle. They're either trying to low-ball you, or just completely clueless about these.

 

Some hours labor and the right products inside the frames and all over the underside can slow that rust. Lots of life in that frame with proper care.

 

Yah, that looks pretty clean and minimal rust for an 03! Here in Massachusetts you can't find that old a frame with that minimal amount of surface rust.

 

Right? My 2013 didn't even look that good when I bought it in 2019.

 

Advise the tire kicker to have a nice day and move along. They are simply trying to put a doubt in your head that he would be "doing you such a favor" to take it off your hands at a discounted rate. Chances are this type of customer would be more than happy to know that he could flip for a profit.

 

Sounds like the dumbass who came to look at my Honda Element that I sold in 2011. This dude said, "There's a ticking in the engine." Yeah right. Sent him on his merry way, cheap bastard.

The chick who would up buying it called and wanted me to drive it to where she was in Elmira, NY and I laughed at her on the phone and told her, "Do you think the dealership is going to bring the car for you for a test drive?" Needless to say she came down that weekend for a test drive and bought it there on the spot.