Concerns with buying a Canadian truck

Hey all, I just created this thread in the 4Runners.com forum but am also posting it here because this forum is more active and I know there’s a lot of savvy guys and more active Canadians here and it’s still a Toyota vehicle. @Cpl_Punishment
Hey all,
I’m in the market for a 4Runner and have come across a 2014 Limited with 78k miles for $34000. It’s a nice rig in person, the mileage is good and the price is in our budget, but I have some questions and concerns.
The truck is being sold by Northwest Motorsports: they’re primarily in Washington but have locations in Montana and Idaho. They offer a lot of newer, nicer tacos and runners but almost all of them come from Canada and have a minimum of two owners, based on the provided carfax reports. The concerns that I have about this particular vehicle are these:
Being from Canada and its climate should rust be a concern? I got on my back on the asphalt to look but most of the undercarriage was painted black with what looks to be linex from a spray can…or dirt spray painted over.
The carfax report shows that it’s a 1-owner vehicle with 12 records but the records only state, “Vehicle registered, color is black”. Nothing about any oil changes, recommended services etc.
Can any experts and northern neighbors tell me if my concerns are legit, or what I’ve described is normal?
Any feedback on Northwest Motorsports?
My wife and I both got the impression that the sales guy wasn’t trying to push us on this car but maybe he just wanted in the pricier 2018 we also checking out.
Thanks for any input.
https://www.carfax.com/VehicleHistory/p/Report.cfx?
partner=DVW_1&vin=JTEBU5JR7E5179361
https://www.nwmsrocks.com/for-sale/2014-toyota-4runner-limited-4x4_130667

 

If this is a Canadian vehicle why is the odometer in miles ?
if it was converted I would need assurances that the mileage was not messed with.

Being from Canada and its climate should rust be a concern? YES

The spray it has would concern me as it is holding "in" any problems. 4Runner frames are known for rust issues.

My son owns that vehicle but a few years newer.

Says its an Alberta / Washington vehicle.

See if you can run an Ontario UVIP on it for an Ontario vehicle.

Thats a start. hope it helps

https://www.services.gov.on.ca/wps8...aJl_tRfIC55-SGw!!/dz/d5/L2dBISEvZ0FBIS9nQSEh/

 

Thanks borla, I’ll check this out.
Welp, they want my Canadian drivers license and all sorts of other information so that’s a no go. Thanks again for trying though

 

I’m always leery about used cars that have been painted/coated underneath
If you aren’t trying to hide anything why do it?

did the truck smell like maple syrup?

 

then it would have been from Quebec not Alberta 8^0

 

The truck came from Northern Alberta - we use salt up here but about the same as they do in Washington State and Montana. I have purchased a Montana car (a Subaru wagon) and it's condition was exactly the same as one local here in Southern Alberta.

So undercoating aside, a Canadian truck from that area isn't a big concern. I would say standard buyer beware rules apply.

For the Carfax, the vehicle was registered in the Lac La Biche area. This is small town northern Alberta. The servicing could have been perfect but the shops up there haven't reported to Carfax. Also the Alberta Government hasn't always required the reporting odometers at registration renewal.

 

Concerns with buying a Canadian truck

Check to see if there are 300 empty Molson beer cans in the bed.

 

I was more concerned about a mouse in my beer bottle, eh

 

Just a little extra weight for traction,

 

Return those empties and you'll have enough loonies to buy a poutine and a two-four from that place a few clicks away.

 

As long as we make it to King of Donair, I'm happy.

 

NWMotorsports is a few hours from me, I know several people that have bought trucks there. They have always had high asking prices but generally come off that number quite a bit.
One guy I work with bought a 2011 Silverado from them 4-5 years ago, it's a Canadian truck and is rusting bad. Rocker panels, quarter panels, it's not good at all. He didn't notice any signs of rust when he bought it.
Like others have said, be cautious of the undercoating they did.

 

As @mountainpete said, I wouldn't be any more concerned about a Canadian truck than one from Montana or Idaho.

 

I can tell you from experience with a Ford that the Canadian trucks sell cheaper because they are bought cheaper. Not a concern if you plan on running into the ground but if you foresee yourself trading it in, it is something to be aware of.

I had multiple dealers shoot lower than any guide because it was a Canadian vehicle. Others wouldn’t even make an offer on it, and yes that’s even in the chip shortage market. From a Ford used car manager “if you can get [price I was looking for] get it and run because they didn’t see or realize it was Canadian.” I eventually did get what I was looking for from 2 different spots, but it took a few months of looking and numerous deals falling dead on the table.

I can attest that I didn’t have any issues with the vehicle that I could attribute to it being from Canada.

 

On thing to note: before you buy a vehicle that was imported from any country, check to see if any remaining warranty is transferable. I have never checked with Toyota, but Subaru and Honda in the past have refused cross-border warranty work.

 

I’m in a similar boat. Found a nice 21 tundra from Canada. Only 8k miles on it but it’s a 6 hour drive. I kind of liked that Canadian tundras have heated seats and sunroofs on sr5. Only think it lacks is bsm and rcta. The salesman assured me no rust and undercarriage looks good b it driving 6 hours to find out he overlooked something sucks.

 

Even in Ontario where we use salt and brine on the roads, which is a killer. 8k KM (5k miles) is nothing, considering most people commute a fair distance. Also it’s a year old, no chance of rust… IMO/experience. My suggestion is video call the guy and see if he will show you on camera some of your areas of concern. If they wanna sell the truck they should be willing. No risk no reward. I hope you can find the right truck for you. Cheers

 

working on it and thanks. Only problem is they want 50k for an sr5 crewmax. Kills me to pay that but cannot find much better these days.

 

Pretty much every source i could find talking about buying a used Tundra in a rust belt location said to be sure the undercarriage has been professionally rust proofed if possible. A little poking around by a capable mechanic that's qualified to inspect can easily detect if the coating is legit or trying to hide rusty frame etc. 3M makes an excellent anti rust coating that is a good way to prevent rusting. If the seller can show you an invoice that proves its been done by a qualified technician, then you should feel good about it. If it's a do it yourself sloppy mess....move on and look elsewhere.

 

Late response but. Toyota Canada warranty works if you in US, and Toyota US warranty works in Canada. I believe Toyota is the only one that does this.