Would you buy this salvage/rebuilt 4runner?

I know, I know, this post might be better off on another board, but I wanted yals opinion.

Been shopping around for the wife a 4th gen 4runner and I stubble upon an ad for a 2005 limited 4x4 with 50k miles for 13k. Seller is honest that its a rebuilt title. I google the VIN and find the damage.

If I took this in to a Toyota dealership, showed them the damage pics and have them inspect it and they say it checks out, would you buy it?

 

Here is that front end now:

 

I would say away from it. The dealership would rather sell you one

 

I would go with a 150k mile clean title before that.

 

In a word, no.

 

Also keep in mind that in 40k that 4.7 is going to be due for a timing belt.

 

My vote is no

 

Even if it's fixed properly, part of that fix most likely included bending metal back into it's original shape. I would not be comfortable putting my girlfriend in a vehicle that had been bent, and then rebent. I just don't think it would perform the same if it was wrecked again in the future.

 

Ya... I feel the same way about salvage titled vehicles.
And for $13k?
My '08 5-lug was $13k with 53k on the clock.

That kind of damage on the '05, maybe $5k.

 

If that is what I wanted, sure. I'm the exception to the rule, all my Toyota's have been rebuilt vehicles. Everyone has been safe and dependable.

Everything that was repair on that 'Runner is a pretty stright forward fix. If the air bags were not deployed, you are in even better shape.

Be aware that there usually isn't financing available for salvage titled vehicles. Banks don't like to loan against the value, because they are hard to sell, as you can see from the post above.

I buy mine with personal loans. So what if the interest rate is higher, I pay mine off very early, so I could give a shit what the interest rate is.

It was put back together by a Toyota dealership as well, thats a plus. There is a better chance that the body parts are actually toyota and not aftermarket. My experience has shown that aftermarket are fine for everything except fit and corrosion resistance.

Just remember, when you go to sell it, you will be in the same boat. Less interested buyers because of the title. With that said, you will have over 200k on the clock and it will sell for the same as the same truck with a clear title.

Hope this helps.

 

There would be no "bending metal back into shape" for that repair. those parts did exactly as they were designed to so. Crumple and absorb energy by distortion.

I hope the
$13k price is the starting price, just like in a clear title vehicle. the seller knows that there are not as many buyers, they had better not be firm on their price.

Toss out $10250 and see what the counter offer is.

My last project truck was the '08 tundra you see in my avitar. The damage was similar and I paid $12k for it wrecked, and I still had to fix it.

 

Didn't say that.

He asked if he took the damage pictures and truck to a dealer and they checked it out if it was cool. No indication who did the repair.

 

Missed that. Oops.

It would be easy to see if the parts are Toyota. They are all embossed somewhere on the steel.

How much it that truck selling for with a clear title?

 

Another advantage to buying this will be the paint. The factory paint on Toyota's is just crap. This is wone place that repair work will alway exceed the original equipment. At least it has a hood, fender and bumper with some quality paint on it.

 

Not in my case.

New bumper on my '03 Tundra, the paint started chipping from the plastic bumper within 6 months.

And it is doubtful that they repainted the entire vehicle, so now there is a vehicle that has 9 year old paint with the crappy clearcoat on 75% of the vehicle, and new paint on that front quarter.

 

I would stay away from it.

 

Your little 5 lug is a complete base model. Not a family hauler. This has leather and a v8. And it's rebuilt. How are you about to say it's only worth 5k? That's just dumb.

 

I may be wrong and my eyes may be tired but....
The first two pics vs the repaired look a different color completely.

2nd the repaired pic also looks to be a hefty scratch on the fender right above the tire.

 

It's also a complete wreck that persons unknown put back together.

Market value may be $20k for a clean title, but I wouldn't pay for than $5k for that one, regardless of what my 5 lug was worth 2 years ago.

 

There is no way in hell that they repainted the entire vehicle.

My experience with places that fix up totalled cars and resell them cut as many corners as possible and you can easily tell. I wouldn't trust those at all.

Having said that if I bought the car in the condition it was after the accident and had it done by a quality shop I would have no issue with it.