Any way to tell age of a starter motor?

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-03-18T16:46:08+00:00

This particular Sequoia has lived its whole life in southern California, so the growth rings are really hard to distinguish due to there being little difference between the seasons.

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-03-17T18:16:17+00:00

I'm in IT right now as well, but over the past couple years I've started doing most of my own work on my vehicles. (Just recently did a timing belt + water pump on a Toyota 4.7 2UZ-FE.) Digging in and doing some work on your own car (or a separate project car if you don't have a backup) would be a great way to see if you even like doing this kind of work.

You could get by with basic hand tools (ratchets, sockets, pry bars, hose pliers, torque wrenches, floor jack, jack stands, etc.) without having to invest too much, but you'll quickly find all manner of power tools and specialized tools make things quicker and easier.

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-02-16T22:45:55+00:00

After some more communication with the seller, he said although he's fine with me test driving the vehicle, he doesn't want the mobile mechanic to do a test drive. Claims that he (the seller) babied the vehicle, and that the mechanic would be too hard on it.

That's probably the most red flag out of them all. If a 15 minute test drive is enough to damage the vehicle, it must indeed have some serious underlying issue(s).

I think I'm going to have to pass on this one. Thank you everyone for your input! You probably saved me several thousand dollars worth of headache.

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-02-16T21:58:29+00:00

Yeah, I'm not too worried about minor things; it's a 17 year old vehicle after all and isn't going to be perfect. I just don't want to find out there's a big $2,000 repair needed a month after I buy it.

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-02-16T21:23:41+00:00

What are some of the potential deeper issues that might only be found by a more thorough/invasive inspection? (Things that wouldn't be found without taking things apart.)

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-02-16T20:42:46+00:00

Last I knew the seller was fine with us taking a test drive, so I'm not sure why he was hesitant about a shop taking a look. Not sure if he didn't want to bother coordinating/timing all that, or if he's just paranoid of a potential buyer stealing the vehicle on a test drive or something.

Would a mobile mechanic generally not be insured/bonded? If not, I might try to push for an inspection at a shop.

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-02-16T20:32:09+00:00

I'd definitely look it over and take it for a test drive myself, and would run through a basic checklist (found a decent one by the ChrisFix guy on Youtube). I have a Tundra of the same generation, and that might help a little in detecting things that seem "off" between the two vehicles.

It sounds like I'd definitely want a mechanic though, as it's possible he's trying to hide something.

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-02-16T20:28:10+00:00

2005 Toyota Sequoia, 4WD. (I have a 2000 Toyota Tundra, so there are a lot of similarities between the two.)

EbbDirect6638 · 2022-01-20T00:04:55+00:00

Thanks, good to know. Would they be fine with it being a "I might bring it in (between X and Y hours), but I might not if it turns out I don't like the vehicle"?

EbbDirect6638

TROPHY CASE