Dealership claims only damage to exterior, none to interior. Still hard pass?
https://preview.redd.it/94wcvzyql67d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87332e5a528e8bd5a9e55fd63e501b0da6aac38b
Yeah that's a big pass. Especially when it's around the engine bay at all, if those components got heated up they'd have had to replace pretty much everything and who knows what has been properly fixed. Anything with fire or flood damage isn't worth it
Don't be afraid to buy older with these vehicles if you're looking for a lower price, they're practically identical from 2014-2020 and they added some safety stuff to 20-24 but the engine/trans/car is identical. Maintenance/rust is key, if you could find a one owner properly maintained 4runner, no matter the age they will run forever.
My coworker has a salvage title 2021 Ram 2500HD. Had cab damage and airbags deployed. After purchasing and having it repaired he saved about half of what the market for a used model would have been. Drives great. It really is a case by case deal though. Have to do a bunch of research before purchasing and make sure it wasn't too smashed.
This one looks like it was partially in a fire. Not accident damage/airbag deployment. Would be more concerned about fire damage to engine/wires/etc. Has already been repaired and is being offered by a dealership.
I’ve bought a couple 4Runners from salvage auctions. Just buy vehicle history report and see how many owners. Obviously, you should also get under it with a flashlight and check for rust.
IMO, if a car has had a bunch of different owners it means the car has problems, and But if the car has only had 1-3 owners, odds are they liked the car, and got bored and wanted to upgrade.
My current v8 was a hail damage car. Mechanical sound, just a bunch of nickel-sized dents all over it.
Be patient and you'll get the exact right car. I looked for a full year for my first one before I found it on Craigslist. I knew exactly what I wanted for my second and planned to purchase new so that was more like 5 weeks.
You could also get the cash on hand, put the money I and hysa and then finance it. Put down an amount that makes the monthly comfortable. I did that and half of my monthly payment is coming from the interest in my hysa. I the long run I'll have paid less overall for the vehicle.
When I bought my LandCruiser the title was still in the previous owners name and he, unfortunately, was no longer alive.
I had to get a bonded title, which all and all ran about $650. In 3 years it will be a normal title in my name, assuming the dead guy doesn’t want his truck back.
So uh… that’s one reason a vehicle might have a bonded title.
You can almost always find pictures of the damage by doing a Google search of the VIN.
Yeah, I think I found it online and it looks like fire damage as opposed to an accident
Fire damage I would 100% pass. Not worth the trouble
Good to know….thanks!!
Dealership claims only damage to exterior, none to interior. Still hard pass? https://preview.redd.it/94wcvzyql67d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87332e5a528e8bd5a9e55fd63e501b0da6aac38b
Yeah that's a big pass. Especially when it's around the engine bay at all, if those components got heated up they'd have had to replace pretty much everything and who knows what has been properly fixed. Anything with fire or flood damage isn't worth it
Thanks so much. It’s been a slog trying to be patient to find exactly what I’m looking for. I’ll keep holding out!
Don't be afraid to buy older with these vehicles if you're looking for a lower price, they're practically identical from 2014-2020 and they added some safety stuff to 20-24 but the engine/trans/car is identical. Maintenance/rust is key, if you could find a one owner properly maintained 4runner, no matter the age they will run forever.
Jesus christ was this parked by a Tesla?
I’d be curious to know how this happened, too. They refused to provide a carfax, which I also found a little off.
funny cause I thought the same
My coworker has a salvage title 2021 Ram 2500HD. Had cab damage and airbags deployed. After purchasing and having it repaired he saved about half of what the market for a used model would have been. Drives great. It really is a case by case deal though. Have to do a bunch of research before purchasing and make sure it wasn't too smashed.
This one looks like it was partially in a fire. Not accident damage/airbag deployment. Would be more concerned about fire damage to engine/wires/etc. Has already been repaired and is being offered by a dealership.
I’ve bought a couple 4Runners from salvage auctions. Just buy vehicle history report and see how many owners. Obviously, you should also get under it with a flashlight and check for rust. IMO, if a car has had a bunch of different owners it means the car has problems, and But if the car has only had 1-3 owners, odds are they liked the car, and got bored and wanted to upgrade. My current v8 was a hail damage car. Mechanical sound, just a bunch of nickel-sized dents all over it.
Be patient and you'll get the exact right car. I looked for a full year for my first one before I found it on Craigslist. I knew exactly what I wanted for my second and planned to purchase new so that was more like 5 weeks.
Yeah, I figure the longer I wait the more cash I’ll have on hand, anyway! Hoping/planning to not finance any while eyeing for a 2020 or newer TRD Pro.
You could also get the cash on hand, put the money I and hysa and then finance it. Put down an amount that makes the monthly comfortable. I did that and half of my monthly payment is coming from the interest in my hysa. I the long run I'll have paid less overall for the vehicle.
Newbie here—what’s HYSA? High yield savings account?
Correct!
Get a rental before you get a salvage title anything. When it comes time to resell you are gonna have serious problems.
When I bought my LandCruiser the title was still in the previous owners name and he, unfortunately, was no longer alive. I had to get a bonded title, which all and all ran about $650. In 3 years it will be a normal title in my name, assuming the dead guy doesn’t want his truck back. So uh… that’s one reason a vehicle might have a bonded title.
We have a dealership that deals in hail damage vehicles only (unprepared). Kind of weird but they move a lot of inventory.