4runner
 

I'm looking for a second vehicle and am considering a toyota 4runner 1998-2001 ish. I'd like to stay around 12K but want all the options so I'm looking at vehicles with around 100-110K on the clock.
Anyone have experience/advice on this model? What to watch out for? Are these good for at least 200K without major issues?

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

yes

I had a 1995 with a 6 cylinder engine. It was very reliable, but it had no power. The truck was way too heavy for the amount of horsepower. I don't know about the newer models.

David

I had a 2001 4Runner Limited with all the bells and whistles. Sold it to a relative REAL CHEAP to help him out when his car broke down. Man, I miss that vehicle. Love it that the rear window can be rolled down. It was rugged enough yet luxurious to boot. I'd never worry about high miles on a vehicle like that. I heard they're pretty bulletproof.

I have a '98 Limited and love it! It looks nice, handles good (not like a P-car obviously), never any problems with it. I picked it up off E-bay, one owner car, all paperwork, about 60k miles, completely loaded, leather, wood trim, locking diff, rear heat, the gold trim package, etc.. Original sticker was around $42 grand. I got it off ebay for about your price range.

The things I don't care about. They're minor, but the cup holders not only are wimpy but they put them right in front of the dash vents. Not a good spot in my mind. I wouldn't put a 7-11 big gulp in them cause I bet they would break. The other thing that is kinda annoying is in the winter time the running boards make dirt marks on the back of my pant legs. So I have to step way out to avoid it. I typically don't use the boards unless I'm washing it cause I'm tall.

I have a power antenna, and rear def, but there are lines in the passenger side cargo area glass that look like an antenna or a defroster. I called the dealer and they didn't know what I was talking about over the phone. One of these days when I'm over that way and they are open I'm going to stop in and find out what those lines are for. Does any one here know?

We have a 2001 4Runner right now. Love it. Great vehicle.

Mike

We have a 98 4-runner LTD... Love the truck. The weak point was the diff and it was replaced under our extended warranty at about 100k miles. We did a lot of towing with it though.

We have an '03. It's awesome.

Here's a forum for you:
http://www.yotatech.com/forumdisplay.php?f=116

I have a 91 Pathfinder with 179k on the clock and it is still humming along. Been in the family since new. Add gas, change oil ever 5k, flush tranny fluid every 25k and that is about it. That thnig will go for another 100k.

Major services
Broken head studs @125k, common problem
Tranny replacement @100k, this truck was a delivery rig for my moms restaurant on a hilly part of town

More oomph than that generation's 4Runner and i think generally cheaper. 4 Runner should be as good, if not better, reliability wise.

Thanks everyone. I'm looking at a 2000 limited this weekend. 110K It's loaded and includes some bike/ski racks and a rear compartment cover of some sort. It's a one owner car with all records. The one picture I saw it looked great but who knows with internet pixs.

I assume a PPI should be done but if it's a clean car with all the records, I'm thinking of skipping it.

I've bought 4 cars, 6 motorcycles, and 1 3-wheeler off ebay. None had a PPI done, but I did look at them and drove them before money changed hands. But nothing official by a mechanic. Maybe I was lucky! Let us know if you get it and post some pics!!!

One word: Solid

I have 2 of them, the one with the factory installed TRD supercharger is quite a bit funner though.