96 or 99? big differences?

[r_mutt]

hello,

i'm another newbie here. i've never owned a 4runner before, but i've had an older bronco (93). i'm on the verge of purchasing either an original owner 96 4runner with 80K on the clock and extremely well taken care of or another that's a 99 with 2 owners that's perhaps not quite as well documented service-wise, but not bad. both have low miles (the 96 has 80K and the 99 has 100K).

are the differences between the 96 and the 99 enough that i should go for the 99 instead? the 99 is only about $1000 more expensive.

primary use for the truck is going to be towing my motorcycle to the track and a weekend long distance vehicle on ski trips.

what do you guys think?

thanks,

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Go with the '99 since there's many ergonomic upgrades plus the better headlamps and cupholders moved from teh dash.

 

[broncosi]

THREAD

there is a link to a thread about 10 threads below this one that tell the advantages between a 98' and a 99' which the 98' would apply for the 96' in that situation.

 

[r_mutt]

on that link posted on that thread, i see that most of the "upgrades" seem cosmetic and minor- save for the possible 1" lift from taller springs, locking rear, and UV glass.
that's not a real deal breaker in my mind.

unless there was something really special in the 99, and the one i'm looking at isn't a limited or even an sr5, the 96-98 models are just as good mechanically, while the later models seem better thought out in terms of comfort.

thanks everyone-