[saimunl]

hey,

i've never owned a toyota before but am looking at the 4runner since it's got great rating by consumer report magazine. can't afford a newer model, but i've run across a 1996 with 100K km on it.

i'm no grease monkey so i'm wondering what i'm potentially getting myself into. this would be the new family vehicle. what's the fuel consumption on this model anyways; i think it's an SR5.

any advice?

s.

[mikes4runner]

The miles seem OK If taken care of 100K is nothing.

how about some details:

options
engine size
4X4
price$$$

4Runners have few problems you really can't go wrong.

Can't help with the MPG I have a 2nd Gen.

[peter78]

Originally posted by saimunl
hey,

i've never owned a toyota before but am looking at the 4runner since it's got great rating by consumer report magazine. can't afford a newer model, but i've run across a 1996 with 100K km on it.

i'm no grease monkey so i'm wondering what i'm potentially getting myself into. this would be the new family vehicle. what's the fuel consumption on this model anyways; i think it's an SR5.

any advice?

s.

There was a head gasket re-call in 96. I would make sure it was fixed. No real big problems stand out, as with any used car it could be great or a dog, I would have a mechanic check it out. At 100,000 miles I expect the car has a long way to go.

Expect about 16 -17 MPG for a 4WD and 18 -19 MPG for a 2WD.

[mikofz1]

Originally posted by peter78
There was a head gasket re-call in 96.

Actually, I believe the last year the 4Runner had a head gasket problem was 95. Toyota made lots of changes for the 96 model.

If the price is right, go for it. I bought my 96 SR5 last February. I went to Edmunds.com and did some homework first. Ended up talking the dealer down to $10k OTD from $16k. Mine had 105k miles when I bought it.

So far, I have replaced the battery, installed new tires and replaced the starter contacts.

I'm getting about 15 mpg around town so I usually ride my motorcycle when the weather is decent.

[peter78]

There were 2 re-calls on the gaskets, they were on two different engines and unrelated. The gaskets on the 96 and some 97 models and the problem happened right away. If it didn't happen within 20,000, it probably wasn't going to happen.

The head gasket problem on the older 3.0 was different and may happen later on in the life of the vehicle.

[js1984]

Originally Posted by peter78

There were 2 re-calls on the gaskets, they were on two different engines and unrelated. The gaskets on the 96 and some 97 models and the problem happened right away. If it didn't happen within 20,000, it probably wasn't going to happen.

The head gasket problem on the older 3.0 was different and may happen later on in the life of the vehicle.

helpful. thx

[AntleredRuin]

Necro Bump!

[APhelps]

Originally Posted by AntleredRuin

Necro Bump!

holy thread revival batman!

I was wondering who wanted a 5th gen but decided he couldn't afford it so he started to look at 3rd gens.