Dear Tom and Ray:

I am interested in purchasing a 1995 Toyota 4-Runner with 30,000 miles. The vehicle is clean, fully loaded, and is in great shape, with the exception of the undercarriage, which is completely rusted. The dealership has overcoated it and assures me it is in fine condition. Is this true? Should I even consider this vehicle for $21,000? -- Len

Tom: No. A rusted frame or undercarriage is the one thing you really can't fix. Almost anything else on a used car can be repaired. But when the frame is rusted, the car is junkyard-bound.

Ray: Now, the rust on this car may be superficial rust. That is, it may just be a thin coating of rust that hasn't really eaten through anything yet (maybe the owner lived by the ocean? Maybe he liked to wade into the water and fish from his driver's seat?). But why would you want to buy a car that's already started the rusting process? There are plenty of used 4-Runners on the market.

Tom: So offer him $2,100 for it, not $21,000. Or find another clean one without a rusted undercarriage and your money will be much better invested.

Which is cheaper, buying or leasing? Should you keep a car forever or dump it after three years, before trouble starts? Find out in Tom and Ray's pamphlet "Should I Buy, Lease, or Steal My Next Car?" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.

© 1998 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

Back to the August 1998 index