1997 SR5 manual or 1999 Limited auto?

[RiverRat37]

OK guys I've found 2 really great rides... Both have good clean histories and are excellent vehicles at around the same price. First is a 97 SR5 manual that is loaded with brand new tires. Second is a 99 Limited automatic that is loaded with every option except rear locker. Like I said both are in exceptional shape appearance and mechanical with clean history. Both are around 130k miles. Both haven't had timing belt and water pump changed. It kinda boils down to a loaded with leather auto 99 Limited or an SR5 with all power options and cloth interior and a 5speed... Please let me know what you guys think... Thanks

 

[PitbullRescuer]

My preference would be the 5 Speed. But, the 99's do have a few nice changes that the 97's don't have. Sounds like you realyl can't go wrong with either one, why not use them as a baragining chip against the other one? Take whoever gives you the best deal.

 

[Bamf_CT2004]

determining factor is where do you like your cup holders located?? Then decide from there

 

[4RUN1T]

maunal and supercharge that ****:iagree:

 

[JohnsD90]

Get the 97 if you like manuals, I would have even bought a 4runner if it was automatic. IMO the 99 features aren't make or break, i have the center and roof consoles with the set of cupholders on the center console out of a 99+ and there cool, but i would buy the 97 again in a heartbeat. Plus the the 2 consoles which are 2 big features of the 99 can be found for like $150 if you really want them. The 01 tails which i also have are like $80 used. The 99 limited has the AWD T-case which is nice, but that would be the only feature i would consider to be the advantage of the 99 vs 97. I say manual!!!!!

 

[Nelsonmd]

Go for the limited with all wheel drive. If you wanted the manual enough that it would be the deciding factor, then you would not be asking us which to get.

The 99 will have some really nice extra features that they didn't put on til later, and the AWD will be great in the winter. Since neither has a locker, seems like an easy win for the 99.

 

[JohnsD90]

Go for the limited with all wheel drive. If you wanted the manual enough that it would be the deciding factor, then you would not be asking us which to get.

The 99 will have some really nice extra features that they didn't put on til later, and the AWD will be great in the winter. Since neither has a locker, seems like an easy win for the 99.

I agree, with all of this, but especially the bold portion. And AWD can be very nice, after like an hour and a half of d!cking around, sometimes its nice not constantly have the ass out around corners in the snow.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Yeah,it doesn't sound like 5 speed or auto is a sticking point so go newer since there were quite a few upgrades with the '99 that made life easier and you don't need to spend more money to make upgrades to the older model.

The big upgrades IMO which were mostly ergonomic but real nice were auto up/down on both driver and passenger windows,better headlamps,heated mirrors,digital odo with dual tripometers,multiple power outlets plus no need to buy a new console for the properly located cupholders and having the storage for the headrests when the rearseats are up is a nice touch and the biggie would be having the AWD option of the Limited's multi-mode tranny and you're getting the nicer Limited 5 star rims.

And while I enjoyed my '97 which as a solid truck I'd never trade it back for my '99.

 

[96743runner]

I'd go with the '99. Having the mid-gen upgrades already there is a plus. Manuals can be really fun to drive but I would probably get annoyed eventually with having to keep shifting gears through town/stop and go driving, but that's just me. On the other hand, the manual tranny 4Runners are harder to come by, especially in good shape. Also, no worries about the strawberry milkshake or having to get an external trans cooler with the 5 speed.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Either one; its a 3rd gen 4runner. Enough said. Buy and enjoy.

Post some pics if you have them.