96 vs 97

I

itsgt

New member
I am debating between 96 & 97 years.....
I am looking at a 6cyl. 4wd model sr5/limited

As far as what I've read there's no difference.
JD powers rates both cars almost the same, except that 96 had a better long term dependability and quality....but 97 better performance...

Can you guys shead some light on your personal experience and comments on the differences......

I'm looking to answers as far as features/body as well as quality/performance.

thanks in advance!!
 
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I currently have a 97 SR5 2WD with 120,000 miles on it & I have never had a single complaint. Anything specific you want to know about it?
 
I am the original owner of a 96 SR5 with 122,000 on it and haven't had a single problem.

Mine will be coming up for sale as soon as my 2006 Limited hits the shores.
 
I just bought a 96' SR5 4wd with 94,000k. I have all the service records and the only repairs I can see are a head gasket (warranty recall), and a starter. The only complaint I have is the annoying sound of the anteanea motor (its broken, it will not retract), evertime I start or turn off the engine.
 
so it seems both years are identical, except 97 has different interior fabric.

What is a reasonable price that I should expect to pay for 96/97 with 100k @ good condition, avg options, SR5. v6 4WD....(in other words what have you guys seen, and purchased yourself).

I am looking for personal experience....I've already looked @ kbb, and car sale sites.

thanks!
 
I'd be happy to sell you my 96 w/122k on it in about a month when the new one arrives. It's in excellent shape....
:)
 
itsgt said:
so it seems both years are identical, except 97 has different interior fabric.

What is a reasonable price that I should expect to pay for 96/97 with 100k @ good condition, avg options, SR5. v6 4WD....(in other words what have you guys seen, and purchased yourself).

I am looking for personal experience....I've already looked @ kbb, and car sale sites.

thanks!
Click to expand...

The steering wheel in the '97 is a two spoke and IMO isn't as attractive as the '98+ 4 spoke wheel.

You should be able to find a solid early 3rd gen w/100k miles for as low as $6k but you'll probably find nicer examples with a little higher price tag.
 
96 & some early 97 had a head gasket recall. It was the type of recall, that if it wasn't done it would not last much over 20,000 miles, so I would feel safe buying either model. I feel the 3rd generation had (have) a great reliability record.:)
 
I have '97 3.4L V6 and bought it new. Never had any issues, besides getting rear ended. -_- but other than that, it has been lasted the longest time ever since. but to me, if you would pick either '96 or '97, i would pick '97 because it's newer and has less mileage on it. even though '96 and '97 is about the same thing.
 
I would pick the '97. I owned two '97 4runner. The first 4R had 68K, and the second 4R had 126K. I had no problems with both. I had a recall on the rear springs. The '96 is OK, but it was the intial year of the third generation of the 4Runner's (usually they work out any problems by the second year of production). I currently have a 2000 4Runner with 113K. I debating if I should sell it or keep it for the long haul. :confused: ;): The 96 or 97 is a great improvement from the second generation in horsepower; I had a '91 4Runner with 148K. The fourth generation horsepower is another story...I love the power.:D
 
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Buy the newest one you can afford with reasonable mileage of course.
If you can swing the '99-00 model you'd really be satisfied as that was the year that got all the updated goodies but still can be had with a 5 speed and rear diff lock. (ended in '00 for both)

I had a '97 but I wasn't satisfied with it when I saw all the nice creature comforts that got added in '99 like the auto up and down feature on both front windows and 3 power outlets up front and one by the rear hatch is a nice convenience just two name a couple.
 
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