last minute purchasing advice!

[JDP1988]

Hey guys,
I figured I'd post up here to try to ease my fears of I can get a response in time. I found a cruuser that I'm thinking about buying today. It's a 99 with the locking diff, which is what I was looking for, but it has 212,000 miles on it. It drive really well but the were a couple small issues.
First, the passenger side power mirror doesn't move by the adjustment switch. second the rear side window defrosters weren't doing much at all (it was a very Rainy/humid day and it was fogged up inside pretty good). And lastly, there was some body damage reported in 2003, the paint is still intact, but there is a spot about the size of an open hand where you can tell they tried to repair the dent.

Anyways, I've got the guy talked down to $7,000. Does this sound like a deal any of you would do? The cruiser is around $3,000 less than anything else I've seen out here. I will be wheeling it, so I'm not really concerned about cosmetics, just mechanicals.

Thanks,
Jake

 

[brosama]

What kind of service records and history?

 

[JDP1988]

Here's a pdf of the carfax. Looks like the majority of the scheduled maintenance was done. Called the last toyota dealer it was at and they said they recently serviced the "actual differential" on the 10th as well.

 

[JDP1988]

He said he has service records aND pictures of the damage when it happened but they were at his house yesterday. I'll make sure to see those before I buy

 

[hankinid]

Have the dealer print out a service history...that will indicate services done by dealers as well as services recommended but declined by the owner.

You can also get a service history from the Toyota's web page of services performed.

Still no pics coming up.

 

[aljollano]

I would buy it.

 

[G-Cat]

No red flags from what you posted.

 

[blatant]

Did you buy it? You can go to toyotadotcom and open up an owners acct with just the vin number and you can see all of the dealer records (or should be able to)

 

[JDP1988]

I didn't buy it. Test drove it again yesterday and noticed a couple more issues. the oil pressure would drop below 1/4 on the gauge at idle, the air vent direction controls (switch from feet to head to defrost, etc...) didn't function, and biggest, the rear locker wouldn't engage. After bringing the locker up saying it was the biggest issue for me he became agitated, arguing with a friend and I, telling us we don't know what we're talking about and he doesn't believe our description of a locking differential, and drove us back to our car going 60 in a 35 through traffic... Needless to say, that put a sour taste in my mouth and I didn't feel comfortable buying from him. Back to the search for something that can be used as a DD/overland rig

 

[Brian Anderson]

Good use of instinct to pass.

 

[blatant]

yeah, good call, where are you located?

 

[JDP1988]

I'm in portland, Oregon. Seems like everything I'm seeing in my price range are really high mileage cruisers that people buy, slap leather patching compound on the seats and flip for $16k+

 

[stonepa]

Oil pressure as indicated isn't a problem. They all show that from idle, from new.

 

[JDP1988]

Good to know about the oil pressure. Thanks!

 

[SWUtah]

If you can wait another 4-5 years I will sell you mine for $15k it should have 160k miles on it by then

 

[Brian Anderson]

I'm in portland, Oregon. Seems like everything I'm seeing in my price range are really high mileage cruisers that people buy, slap leather patching compound on the seats and flip for $16k+

There is a Northwest premium for some reason out here. Maybe lack of rust, Keep hunting.