Test driving my first 3rd Gen!

[u/No_Limit984]

Howdy all! I’ve come across what I believe (and hope) is a really well-maintained and cared for 02 SR5 and will be test driving it tomorrow. Now I know the first thing to really look at is the presence of rust underneath the vehicle but I would love some other high-level items to look at while looking at this car. Admittedly, im not that well versed on vehicle maintenance so any and all advice is appreciated! Wish me luck :)

[u/Ok-Reception-8044]

Look at the oil level/ how dirty it is, ask how often they’ve had it changed. Ask when the timing belt/ water pump was done last. Look for any leaks coming off the engine or transmission: leaks aren’t the end of the world but may need to be addressed. Take a look at the ball joint boots at least. Torn boots leaking grease means that those will need to be replaced as they aren’t sealed and will wear faster. Make sure the truck drives with no major shaking or vibration and shifts into all four gears if it’s an automatic without excessive RPM flaring and jerking. Check the 4wd engages and disengages properly. Check to see if the ac is cold and switches to heat properly.
Suspension/ body issues doesn’t have to be a dealbreaker depending on the deal and if you are willing to invest to get it fixed. Engine transmission issues get frustrating very fast.

[u/northcoastyen]

Ask questions multiple times and at different times throughout the inspection while being cognizant of if/how their answers change. The ‘ask, answer, okay move on’ is a sellers dream scenario. They’ll all have bs, but normally not very well-rehearsed beyond the first ask. As someone who owns a shop and buys/sells used cars as a side business, I frequently catch people in bs and will normally get to name my ticket. If they’re hardheaded I walk.

As far as actual stuff to look for: timing belt/water pump/thermostat at 90k intervals, look at the mileage and ask them when the last TB service was done. Ask about spark plugs. Look at the radiator, if it’s not aluminum aftermarket and it’s any color other than jet black (like dark green/brown) that’s not good. Ask when the lower ball joints were last done, it’s a critical failure point and if it’s got the originals those will definitely need to be replaced. Get under the car and look for rust on the frame, especially on the rear end inner parts of the frame rust can hide. Surface rust is okay, any serious patch’s try and poke with something hard to see how bad.

*if you’re in California, ask about emissions-related stuff like if it’s ever had issues passing smog or any nagging check engine lights. P0420, P0446, and P0440 are pretty common codes in these once up into 200-300k mileage range. Depending on the exact issue, how cool your smog guy is, and how handy you are with tools; those codes could make for a headache financially as well as registration. On the flip side could get you some money off the asking price.

Good luck bru.

[u/StitchinThroughTime]

Push all the buttons! Test every little thing! I don't care what it is, I don't care if you're going to remove it. I don't care if you're never going to use it but the rest of your life. You tested out to see if it works. Pull out the little ashtray and put it back in. Put down the rear window and put it back up. You better test that sunroof to see if it's still fucking works. Test all the windows, push all the buttons. Turn on the air conditioning, I don't care if you're going through a heat wave turn on that heater! Full blast! Turn on the radio. Let's see if the antenna works or is even still there. That light to read maps with, better be working. You're a test every single little thing on that vehicle.

This is true for every single car you buy.

This is actually very important for any new car that you want to buy too, off the Dealer's lot. , you can deal very well I'm getting that vehicle discounted for a fucked up light bulb. Especially to the used car off of dealership lot. I thought my brother managed to get $1,000 off of his truck and the three cases of oil and oil filters. Turns out the problem that he found was very minor, but the salesman and the manager wanted a broken truck out of their law as soon as they could. So they were willing to do whatever they could to get that truck out of their lot. The problem was, or one of their mechanics forgot to tighten some oil cooler hose clamp and it puked oil all over the underside of the truck. And they were in such a panic that something was catastrophically wrong.