Opinions Please

[SSI Yakker]

Hi all, I've been on the hunt for a 100 for a little while. One popped up for sale nearby and I have some questions. It's a 2000 w/ 159k, silver w/ black interior that is clean. The owner is the 2nd owner and has owned it for 16 years.

Here's the catch:
The owner has replaced the motor at 90k due to the timing belt blowing and effecting the heads. It was $200 more to put a brand new 4.7 in i but it wasn't done by toyota - but a reputable shop nearby. The owner also had the trans rebuilt less than 2k miles ago due to a blocked passageway. Owner has good maintenance history w/ receipts for all work done. Passenger CV boot recently developed a small tear, but it's not leaking also.

I haven't driven it yet but it's clean with absolutely 0 rust. They're asking a little much in my opinion ($9950) but I wanted the mud forums' thoughts and opinions.

I'll try to update the post with photos soon.

Thanks!

 

[SF1911A1]

So you’re saying it’s a rebuilt motor with 69k miles and 159k miles on the body? Or 159k miles on said rebuilt motor and 249k miles on the body?

 

[planomateo]

Just my opinion, replacing a motor and transmission doesn't equal to good maintenance history.

 

[hickuptruck]

Timing belts just don't blow at 90k. They also don't affect the heads on the 2uz-fe, at most the valves bend. There have been timing belts on the 2uz that have gone 200k-250k without replacement that don't snap.

 

[SSI Yakker]

So you’re saying it’s a rebuilt motor with 69k miles and 159k miles on the body? Or 159k miles on said rebuilt motor and 249k miles on the body?

159 on the body, 60 on the motor.

The owner bought it from Toyota used, dealer said the t-belt had been changed and he took their word in it

 

[SSI Yakker]

Timing belts just don't blow at 90k. They also don't affect the heads on the 2uz-fe, at most the valves bend. There have been timing belts on the 2uz that have gone 200k-250k without replacement that don't snap.

I agree, it sounded suspicious. I searched the VIN on Toyota and it's very sparse as far as records at the dealer. But he has receipts for all work performed including oil changes since he's owned it

 

[SF1911A1]

If he has the records since the motor swap and the transmission was recently serviced, I would feel comfortable buying it. That is after getting a PPI of course.

 

[habakkuk007]

No

 

[SSI Yakker]

If he has the records since the motor swap and the transmission was recently serviced, I would feel comfortable buying it. That is after getting a PPI of course.

PPI will be happening for sure. Owner is going to let me test drive it for a day or two to inspect everything.

 

[vsatking]

Motor and tranny replaced? Was it flooded? Probably not. I see rust free 2000s with 157k MI for 8500. Motor and tranny miles matter way less then body milage in my book. Higher milage, great body condition, cheaper price = more money for PM, mods and playing. 2cents.

 

[G-Cat]

Black interior? That wasn’t an option in 2000. Fishy.

 

[SSI Yakker]

Black interior? That wasn’t an option in 2000. Fishy.

Didn't realize that wasn't an option in 2000.

We have had a few hurricanes with flooding the last few years where and the neighborhood the owner lives in got flooded bad. Sounding more and more like a hard pass. I'm having Me. T do a PPI on Monday and I'll make sure they check for other signs of flood

 

[nissanh]

Well maintained and a used engine and transmission. Black interior, broken T belt,..

Something is not right. My offer is 2500 because you will need $ to fix any hidden issues that might come up.

 

[neckbone]

If it were me, I wouldn’t waste money for a PPI on something that is looking like a hard pass with these questionable issues before the PPI.

 

[3_puppies]

Run, run away. there a re many good ones around, no need to mess with questionable ones.

 

[CloudCity]

Please post up some pics of the interior, or a link to the ad since it sounds like its a hard pass, but that black interior has got me really intrigued! The 100-series never had black of any sort to my knowledge so I want to see what the hell they did to this thing and how, like all the plastic panels, etc.

 

[SSI Yakker]

I'll try to post some pics when I drive the car. It's was getting dark when I looked at it so I haven't even seen it in daylight.

I say the interior was black, it may have been dark gray? Like I said, it was dark when I looked at it.

It's for sale locally, not posted on any site.

 

[flintknapper]

If it were me, I wouldn’t waste money for a PPI on something that is looking like a hard pass with these questionable issues before the PPI.

^^^^^ This. Too many suspicious events. I can pretty much guarantee you it will 'drive' well enough, they all do. But something just isn't right about it.

 

[SSI Yakker]

So I had a very in dept conversation with the owner. After a bunch of back and forth, he finally fessed up to the fact the truck was flooded during one of our hurricanes over the last 3 years. I had figured since the motor had 0 miles on it when installed, rebuilding the trans - oh and replacing the ECU about 2 months ago it had to be through insurance. Though it wasn't reported on the carfax he offered.

Thank you everyone for the input and opinions. It's unfortunate that there are folks who will try to hide details like this to potential buyers.

On to the next option - a 1 owner '98 with 180k and a factory rear locker and 150 pages of receipts since new. Though, it was never serviced at a toyota dealership...

 

[neckbone]

What a dirtbag.

Full documentation since new? That shows extreme OCD, whether it was at a dealership or not. IMO, the best thing about a dealership is the ease of getting records. If those receipts don't have any major issues in them and aren't receipts from Autozone and O'reilly for washer fluid and duct tape, I'd definitely look hard at that one. Good luck.