Here's the craigslist ad.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/1362572654.html

Here's what I know so far...
1. How many miles are on the body & engine? 253k
2. Any recent work done, such as clutch, head gasket, engine rebuild? Slave cyl & ac line
3. Any oil leaks? Burning half qt oil a month.
4. Has a recent compression test been done? If so records? No

So what do you think is it worth looking at for the price he's asking? I worry after I drop the money I'll be repairing everything...

 

common issues with old 4runners - headgasket leaks, hard shifting transmission, and corrosion on the quarter panels.

 

Yeah the concern I have is that he says he hasn't done any major work. I know head gaskets are a problem I just don't know how much it's going to run me to fix. I don't have the knowledge to do it myself, but I'm buying the car to learn. So if it is something I can do myself I plan too. I'm trying to find a how-to on it right now.

Also I'm not sure if burning oil or leaking oil is better. He says it's burning half a quart a month.

 

See if he'll let you take 15 minutes to do a compression test on it before you buy it.

Most cars burn oil. The question isn't how much it burns in a given amount of time, it's how much it burns in a given distance. If he drives 3,000 miles a month, a half quart isn't a problem. It he drives it 300 miles per month, then there's a big problem.

Be sure to inspect the coolant for signs of oil, as well as smell the oil for coolant.

 

What kind of shops will do a compression test? I'm assuming I'm going to have to wait until a weekday to do it, I doubt anything will be open today.

 

I own it!