So we went ahead and got the 4Runner w/277K miles on it. It's been a nice little truck...until yesterday.

Oldest who's home from college has insisted on driving it all over the place, kinda like my youngest who can't keep his hands to himself and has to touch EVERYTHING in the store while shopping. The child we intended this for has not yet gotten his full license, so she's been driving it. Anyway, she went to fill it up at the gas station. Started fueling and gas starts pouring from the bottom of the vehicle! (yes, there is a reason they say NO SMOKING at fueling stations) Spills about 3 gallons before she realizes what's going on. Stops the gas and reports it to the store. Queue the tow truck.

Get it to the shop, find out there it's a rubber connection between the fill pipe and the gas tank. Mechanic says that it's been chewed through by a mouse, rat, other critter. Can literally see the gnaw marks on it. I'm guessing it happened at the previous owners house as she lived in the country and was parked close to the woods. I had noticed a slight whiff of gas a couple of times near the vehicle, but didn't think much of it.

So, while we were there, had the brakes looked at, as they were a bit spongy. Found the pads had rusted to the calipers, so tapped out the pins and replaced them and bled the entire system. Also wanted a top to bottom evaluation for anything that would be an inspection issue (due next month) and any other recommendations. He said the timing belt was likely coming due at 300K, but looked good right now. Everything else was in order and would pass inspection.

So, for $225, got all the work and inspection done. Think we got a good deal. Will do the timing belt and water pump when we hit 300K.