Bout to pick up on a 3rd Gen!

seanxgodfrey

seanxgodfrey

New member
So I'm scoping out one of these bad boys , and this being my first personal car i want to make sure im not going to regret it. Can you guys tell me a list of things that i should stay away from like too many miles, or just stuff in general cause you all seem like pro's from what ive seen. So currently there are a few that are under 5k$ with approx 150-206k miles is this too much? Also tell me some of the things i can throw on this to make it even more fun!
 
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seanxgodfrey said:
So I'm scoping out one of these bad boys , and this being my first personal car i want to make sure im not going to regret it. Can you guys tell me a list of things that i should stay away from like too many miles, or just stuff in general cause you all seem like pro's from what ive seen. So currently there are a few that are under 5k$ with approx 150-206k miles is this too much? Also tell me some of the things i can throw on this to make it even more fun!
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Yup read the guide. Search. And you need to be more specific about what you are buying. Year, trans, model (SR5, limited, Sport), or even post pix if you found on the net. :welcome:
 
IMO, I'd go with the 97'

Just make sure to check it out.. maintenance records? last timing belt change? etc. Follow that tutorial.
 
looks to me like none of those 3 are 4X4, personally I'd keep looking.
and don't be afraid to look outside your immediate area either, I had to drive 3 1/2 hours to buy mine but I was actually looking up to 3000 miles away.










.
 
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Nunyabiz said:
looks to me like none of those 3 are 4X4, personally I'd keep looking.
and don't be afraid to look outside your immediate area either, I had to drive 3 1/2 hours to buy mine but I was actually looking up to 3000 miles away.









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so 4x4 is a key component to doing anything fun offroad? Would i survive without it?!
 
Get 4wd. If you have to wait another month or two to save up some more, do it. If you are thinking of wheeling then get 4wd. You can do a lot with a 2wd 4runner, but it has its limits. I'd say about 95% of the people who buy a 2wd end up wanting a 4wd, if they get into wheeling. If you are keeping this a DD then 2wd will be fine.

Also I wouldn't necessarily buy an already lifted 4runner. You never know what the PO did to it. Lifts can be cheap enough and a lot of the already lifted 4runners out there are lifted with spacers, which are crap.

What kind of price range are you looking at? Also any preferences?
 
SCRunner12 said:
Get 4wd. If you have to wait another month or two to save up some more, do it. If you are thinking of wheeling then get 4wd. You can do a lot with a 2wd 4runner, but it has its limits. I'd say about 95% of the people who buy a 2wd end up wanting a 4wd, if they get into wheeling. If you are keeping this a DD then 2wd will be fine.

Also I wouldn't necessarily buy an already lifted 4runner. You never know what the PO did to it. Lifts can be cheap enough and a lot of the already lifted 4runners out there are lifted with spacers, which are crap.

What kind of price range are you looking at? Also any preferences?
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http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/2579489079.html

well heres one from this site and local , but i dont know how its been maintained.. and for now im looking to keep it a DD but slowly but surly add the offroad gear/small lifts if any (not much into lifted cars) i just want to be able to have very few boundaries when I go off to college and want to be able to go wherever whenever.
 
seanxgodfrey said:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/2579489079.html

well heres one from this site and local , but i dont know how its been maintained.. and for now im looking to keep it a DD but slowly but surly add the offroad gear/small lifts if any (not much into lifted cars) i just want to be able to have very few boundaries when I go off to college and want to be able to go wherever whenever.
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You can get anywhere you need to go rolling on stock height and rims and tires, skill is what is more useful, but 32's and a 2" lift will get you down atleast 3/4's of trails if you are that interested in wheeling, but I doubt a stock 4runner will be the limiting factor in your wheeling. And considering your in HS, do you really want a lifted truck on 32's or 33's that hurts fuel economy and as a student fuel is rather expensive, or you could skip the whole SUV thing entirely considering at most this thing will be offroaded once a week and most people dont wheel that much...
 
JohnsD90 said:
You can get anywhere you need to go rolling on stock height and rims and tires, skill is what is more useful, but 32's and a 2" lift will get you down atleast 3/4's of trails if you are that interested in wheeling, but I doubt a stock 4runner will be the limiting factor in your wheeling. And considering your in HS, do you really want a lifted truck on 32's or 33's that hurts fuel economy and as a student fuel is rather expensive, or you could skip the whole SUV thing entirely considering at most this thing will be offroaded once a week and most people dont wheel that much...
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so wait for a stock 4x4 , is there a certain year or mileage i should keep my eye out for? cause i understand toyotas can last. And im also not looking to use this only for offroad, i want it to be my car for a while cause of how i'll treat it and what not, the offroad stuff is just extras for fun.
 
Ok here is my input. 2wd is fine and you can go a lot of places especially if you add a locker.(see ChildrenofBodom) The issue will be once you start doing any off-road you will want to go more and more challenging places needing 4wd. Also if you end up near Flagstaff, anywhere with snow or ski, the 4wd will be very handy. If you decide to stay 2wd then my choice would be the white 97 or the first 96 listed with 170k. While these vehicles 250k plus routinely and even up to 400k I still would buy one with the lowest miles/ best condition I could in my price range. You may also want to look into a Tacoma as they generally get 2-3mpg better with same drivetrain set-up. As a student you will want your money for social activities and not used all on fuel.

x2 on what SCRunner12 said.
x2 on what JohnsD90 said.

Price range? Cash or finance? If you are dealing with cash then a few things can go your way. Some people will say they are firm but start flashing the money in front of them and they usually change their tune. Good luck with your search.
 
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Pikeman said:
Ok here is my input. 2wd is fine and you can go a lot of places especially if you add a locker.(see ChildrenofBodom) The issue will be once you start doing any off-road you will want to go more and more challenging places needing 4wd. Also if you end up near Flagstaff, anywhere with snow or ski, the 4wd will be very handy. If you decide to stay 2wd then my choice would be the white 97 or the first 96 listed with 170k.

x2 on what SCRunner12 said.

Price range? Cash or finance? If you are dealing with cash then a few things can go your way. Some people will say they are firm but start flashing the money in front of them and they usually change their tune. Good luck with your search.
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ah yes price range, parents willing to put down 5000$ . cash for the most part, also i can throw in money if needed. Looking for something 5k or under!
 
masphx said:
Hey,

I think we are in the same city. Go check this one out. Looks the best out of the three IMO. 120,000 miles is pretty low and 5speed 4x4. :)

1997 Toyota 4 runner SR5
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If I were you I would find out if this ad is legit and if it is RUN don't walk immediately and go check that one out, offer them $4900 cash since it is OBO.

Its a 5 speed 4X4 with low miles and "allegedly" well maintained with records to prove it.
Take it to a trusted mechanic, you don't have to worry about the pink milkshake because its 5 speed but just make sure it shifts into all gears in 4X4.
I can't see how you could do much better than this for $5000.
Assuming it is as good as it looks
 
Nunyabiz said:
If I were you I would find out if this ad is legit and if it is RUN don't walk immediately and go check that one out, offer them $4900 cash since it is OBO.

Its a 5 speed 4X4 with low miles and "allegedly" well maintained with records to prove it.
Take it to a trusted mechanic, you don't have to worry about the pink milkshake because its 5 speed but just make sure it shifts into all gears in 4X4.
I can't see how you could do much better than this for $5000.
Assuming it is as good as it looks
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is it tough to offroad in a stick? i heard automatic is the way to go?
 
Just called and seller said there was someone already checking it out later today. If it was still available he/she would call me back. Found out it does not have the e-locker.

seanxgodfrey, I just bought a 1998 4Runner w/ 168,000 miles 4x4 5 speed w/ e-locker for $5200 cash. The 5speed is pretty easy to drive. Where are you at in the valley?
 
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masphx said:
Just called and seller said there was someone already checking it out later today. If it was still available he/she would call me back. Found out it does not have the e-locker.

seanxgodfrey, I just bought a 1998 4Runner w/ 168,000 miles 4x4 5 speed w/ e-locker for $5200 cash. The 5speed is pretty easy to drive. Where are you at in the valley?
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bummmmmer! and is the e-locker necessary ? but im located in phoenix! you?
 
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