Would you buy a Toyota at a Chevy dealer?

no go buy it at a certified dealer who did a inspection on it , you should only buy it if it is certified at a Toyota dealer

There is only two ways that car dealers obtain used car. Through new car trade ins or they buy them at the auction.

It doesn't matter who the dealer is as long as the car is in good condition and they give you a good deal. Whoever you buy it from the process is the same, you are going to run a car fax report and take it to an independent certified mechanic for a complete pre-purchase inspection no matter who the seller is.

Buying a used Toyota 4Runner at a Toyota dealer doesn't add any more value to the transaction than buying it from any other dealer. The only thing the Toyota dealer could possible offer that the Chevy dealer can not is Certification. And all certification does is add a service contract (and about $2000 to the price) to the car.

I work for a Ford dealer, and our pre-owned lot sells plenty of other brands. As long as the dealer has a good reputation and the vehicle has a standard warranty, then you're probably fine. You won't get a certified pre-owned vehicle this way, but you'll get a cheaper price. CPO Ford vehicles, and I assume everyone else's are similar, are thoroughly inspected and reconditioned and bundled with an extended warranty of up to 100,000 miles. They're a good deal, but not the lowest-price one.

The buyers at my lot only stock good, quality vehicles. If it comes in through trade, its something in excellent shape and low to average miles. If its from auction (most are), the same conditions apply. Most dealers do it that way.

As for your choice in vehicle, why are you interested in the 4Runner? I'd recommend the Expedition or Explorer from Ford.

I used to be a Ford hater. I learned to drive on a Ford Tempo... 'nuff said. But Ford has come a LONG way in recent years. They have high-quality vehicles and the overall best fuel-economy of any major manufacturer. Look at what Consumer Reports is saying. The 2009 Fusion versus the 2009 Toyota Camry... the Fusion kicked the Camry's butt all over the place. And if you're going for a truck, and essentially the 4Runner and Expedition are trucks with more seating room, Ford is THE truck leader.

Anyway... that's just my $0.02.

You will be more likely to save money if you buy at another dealership. I bought an Audi from a GM lot, it was a trade. I ended up saving money because Audi has all their certified this, certified that stuff. The car was out of warranty anyway, so I didn't care. Also, you can get inspections anywhere. Certification programs are designed to mark up pricing. Marketing ploys like that are fairly transparant.