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2003 highlander, Needs work but runs. - $3,000 (charlotte)
north church st near w 9th st
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I got this car when it had 235k miles, and have driven it until now at 240k miles.
I trust it will keep going strong for a while yet if someone is willing to put some money into it, i'd just rather have a smaller sedan than a large SUV like this.
- Tie rod bushings are shot, the car drives but is dangerous until those are fixed.
- Electrical.
O2 sensors throw an error, i had a mechanic look at it and they told me it seems to be a grounding problem, as the sensors themselves are fine.
This cascades into the knock and timing sensors throwing an error after a while of driving.
I keep a code scanner in the car to clear the codes when they come up, else it wont leave 3rd gear after coming down from highway speed.
The ac does not work, i assume it's related to the electrical problem, as my father said it worked before he parked it.
- Front lower control arms.
Rubber bushings are worn.
- CV axles.
The rubber boots are damaged, I assume they need replaced.
- Ignition coils.
One went bad in PA, another in NC, i replaced both when they went out, but all 6 should've been replaced when the first one went out.
- Exhaust.
Strong exhaust smell, likely due to the O2 sensors not operating.
- Windows.
Drivers side window had poorly applied tint which peeled off and damaged the weather seal.
The window got stuck on the damaged seal and broke the glue holding it to the actuator.
Needs a new weather seal, tint removed, and new glue applied to hold the window to the actuator.
The actuator is currently disconnected.
Rear passenger side window needs a new actuator motor.
- Tires.
Front tires were new earlier this year, but are a bit worn after driving with the tie rods in bad shape.
Rear tires are old, should get some new ones.
Now for the cars history, as far as i am aware.
I don't know the full history of this car, i got it from my father earlier this year.
What i know is only what my father told me, so take it as you will.
This car is from Florida.
He got the car from a man who was selling it after his mother who owned it had passed away.
He drove the car for about a year, during which he replaced the radiator.
some time later, the water pump gave out, at this point he parked the car in storage for 3 years.
He offered me the car on the condition that i help him replace the water pump and timing components.
I flew down to Florida and we worked on the car for about 5 days, replacing the valve cover seals, coolant return line, water pump / timing components, and tried replacing the lower control arms, but the replacement parts we ordered twice were wrong, and we ran out of time to order more.
I drive the vehicle from Florida to Pennsylvania, where i drove it to and from work for about 3 months before using the vehicle to move from Pennsylvania to Charlotte NC.
After getting it to NC the tie rods started going bad, but at this point i was looking for a new car and didn't want to put money into fixing this one.
I did replace the upper radiator hose about a month ago, as the old one developed a leak.
there's a good amount of water in the cooling system now, so a flush would be a good idea.