The 2.7 is an incredibly reliable, problem free, long lasting motor. General concensus on these forums is that the 2.7 will out last the 3.4. Early 2.7's like the 95.5 you are looking at sometimes developed a crack in the exhaust manifold, if left unfixed it could cause undue heat near the cylinders and lead to trouble. This issue is not as prevalent as people make it seem, I owned 3 2.7's and never had an issue, and one was the 95.5. A friend has 181k w/ no problems at all. Later models received a new design and the problem went away. Maintenance on the 2.7 is far easier than on the 3.4, not to mention it has a timing chain, but unlike the 22re achilles heel, Toyota used metal chain guides so they don't wear out and dig into the engine. The 2.7 3rz has developed a reputation at least equal to if not surpassing the venerable 22re it replaced. And don't take this as anti 3.4, I have one now and like it, but had I not crashed my 00 Runner I would still be driving the 2.7 and loving it. So buy the 2.7, it will live up to the expectations the 22re has helped you create, and maybe even impress you a little.
