I'm looking at a 2007 4Runner SR5 that only has 9200 miles on it. What should my concerns (if any) be? Averaging only 2000 miles a year, does the engine or any other parts wear more quickly if it is not being used regularly?

 

You're kidding right?

:wabbit2:

 

I am not...

 

I would do a title search. I had an Isuzu tropper with low miles, it turned out it had been been totaled in California, reconstructed and retitled where I bought it Alaska. Dealer failed to disclose that little tidbit of info..

 

Agreed. Would a Carfax be sufficient, or is there some other, more reliable way to title search?

 

I personally don't think every thing gets entered into the system. You should be able to do a title search at your DMV.
Most states put a brand denoting salvage or reconstructed on the title. Flat out ask the seller what accounts for the low mileage. Might be a multiple car family or some deal..

 

I'll see if I can do a DMV title search. Carfax is clean. The vehicle is at a dealer, so I can't ask the original owner. I'll ask the dealer though, and see what kind of story they give me.

 

I would look at where the body is seemed together, and check underneath for paint overspray on any of the components. Sometimes when vehicle is reconstructed a shop will pull the engine and trans before doing body work or replacement. I worked at a place call Atlanta Paint n Body for a few years. We serviced BMW, Mercedes, Ferrari, Jaguar, and Saab. We had a master mechanic on full time status that pulled apart the powertrain out of vehicles that were to be reconstructed. Usually it was only limited production, collector, or exotic cars. The expense is greater when doing a true reconstruction. I can honestly say that if this work has been done chances are this vehicle is as good or better than factory. The places that do these types of repairs generally use only OEM parts. Considering what Carfax has told you and the fact that this is not a rare or collector car; I would think that maybe you found the needle in a hay stack.

 

The only things i would worry about when it comes to a vehicle that obviously sat for some time, would be rust, and fluids... only 9200 mi... thats great, but does it still have all original oils/fluids? At that milage, i would highly doubt the tranny fluid has ever been changed, so might wanna consider a flush, same with coolant, engine oil hopefully was changed, but if it sat for any lengrh of time, iys possible theres sludge built up... unlikely, but certainly plausible. Gear oil in the diffs and transfer should b drained and filled as well.

Other than that idk what to tell ya... the rest i would base on close visual inspection, make sure to run the motor to operating temp, then take her for a spin, listen for any knocks/bangs/pings etc....

 

Yes, I would change all the fluids if I were to buy it. I would have to factor that into the price. I'll take a good look at it, and see what I see. Thanks for the responses so far!

 

Factor that into the price? Im sure with 9000 miles on it, its got a hefty price tag on it as well. It would just be ignorant to factor maybe 50 bucks into it. lol i wouldn't be surprised if its still on its original oil change from Toyota

also. How do you answer your original question? how low is too low on mileage? every vehicle in the world starts off with zero miles. You're the first person to ask this, and definitely the first person to ask it regarding a toyota. 9000 miles? itll go 200k. you have nothing to worry about.

 

I would factor it in. I was speaking of changing ALL fluids. There is a little more than $50 involved with that. Having the sealed transmission properly flushed and filled will be in the neighborhood of $250 alone.

 

I will mention that a common issue is the 4wd engagement. I hear a lot of older people only using the larger vehicle to tow their boat or camper. They use their cars the rest of the time. I would have it checked out by a different toyota dealer and make sure that the 4wd system is working properly still. I doubt there will be an issue but its an expensive repair if you have to get it done.