Hello,
I've been lurking on this forum for awhile, but mostly in the 3rd gen section. I've been looking for 4x4 3rd Gens, but can't find one in my budget (~$5,000). I'm considering a 2nd Gen and found this one on CL:

1995 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 SR5

Looks really clean and low mileage, but the non-use concerns me. I've done my research on here and I know that 2nd Gens suffer the head gasket problem. You think this is worth getting despite knowing I'll have to replace lots of things? I think the price is ridiculous. I'm thinking maybe I'll offer him $3,000 or so and see if he bites even though he says his price is firm.

I'll be using the vehicle as a daily driver (I'm a pre-med student, so I'll need a reliable vehicle with limited funds), but I also like off roading. I'm also very outdoorsy (camping, hiking, mtn biking, etc), so need a vehicle that can get me around those types of areas. Opinions? Thanks in advance!

3k would be a good price for that truck, but it does look nice! if i were to get it id definitely get the HG replaced just for precautionary but if hes listing it for 5k... good luck

Any suggestions what a reasonable offer might be?

The price he is asking is top dollars if it is in show room condition with all the bells and whistles.
As always anything we buy the price depends on what we are willing to pay depending how bad we want it. The 3000 you mentioned is a fair price if the vehicle has things like the towing package, running boards, rear heater, roof rack, electric mirrors, and such.
If he is firm on the price after the offer just be ready to thank him for his time and move on or ready to over pay for what the vehicle is worth if you want it bad enough.

Why?? I never understood the mentality of fixing something that isn't broken. If the head gasket is bad, THEN replace it. This isn't like replacing a dry rotted tire just to be cautious. A head gasket failure isn't going to be catastrophic to the vehicle or driver if it goes bad, as long as the motor is stopped before it over heats.

I would pay 4K for that runner, but no more. I think it's worth that much. His $5,500 is a bit steep. Good luck on making him budge that much though, he states that he is firm on the price. If that 4runner is as prestine as he makes it out to be then he'll probably get his asking price for it. I have seen 1st gen 4runners go for up to 15k on ebay.

I agree with SV on the HG...but I would change the tbelt waterpump tensioner n idler pulley....or atleast pull the cover and check the condition of the belt....5k is a decent price...in Hawaii it would be sold a long time ago...and you would see it in the ads a few weeks later with some rims and tires selling for 10k lol...

Thanks for the responses fellas. I'm pretty busy this week so I'll wait til this weekend to contact him. If it hasn't sold by then, hopefully he'll realize that his asking price may be a bit too high. Good call on the repairs/maintenance advice. I really do hope it is as clean as he says it is (and that the pic is an updated pic).