Buying advice for a newbie?

[tbirdsaw]

Buyer's Guide?

Hello all. I'm new to these forums.

I'm looking to purchase a decent 4x4 vehicle. Currently, I'm considering the these three vehicles: Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Cherokee, or a 88 Range Rover. I intend to modify it to make it a much more competent off-road vehicle.

I have roughly $4000 to spend on this, but I can go a little higher. I'd prefer to go lower though.

The vehicle needs to be able to move both people and stuff but it can't be too large. Sizewise, it needs to be in the Compact SUV range. This is mostly going to be a weekend type vehicle, as I have another car that I would use most of the time. I also would prefer stick, but I'm flexible (it's not a dealbreaker). I also don't mind working on my own vehicles, but for tough stuff (head gaskets, for example) I would take it to a trusted mechanic (not a dealer!). I would prefer the vehicle to be reliable, something I know Toyota is famous for, and that Land Rover is infamous for .

I've talked to a friend who suggested the 4Runner. He's had his for 10 years now, and has had little trouble with it. He's done some basic offroading, but not too much. He also knows an excellent mechanic whom he swears by.

So, with that, I have these questions. If someone could point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it.

• Which 4Runner (years, trim, engine, trans) would you suggest I look for?
• What problems/features/etc. should I be looking for in a used 4Runner?
• Is there a general Buyer's Guide that I can go and look at?

Thanks for reading my (rather long) post.

 

[climber23]

Your price range will many decide what year you are able to look at. I would guess somewhere in the early 90s which would get you a nice second gen 4runner.

What you should look for is kind of up to you and what you're going to be using it for. But at least you know you want a 4x4.

Try Edmunds to check out different specs on different years of 4runner. They have lots of comparison tools online.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

Re: Buyer's Guide?

Hello all. I'm new to these forums.

I'm looking to purchase a decent 4x4 vehicle. Currently, I'm considering the these three vehicles: Toyota 4Runner, Jeep Cherokee, or a 88 Range Rover. I intend to modify it to make it a much more competent off-road vehicle.

I have roughly $4000 to spend on this, but I can go a little higher. I'd prefer to go lower though.

The vehicle needs to be able to move both people and stuff but it can't be too large. Sizewise, it needs to be in the Compact SUV range. This is mostly going to be a weekend type vehicle, as I have another car that I would use most of the time. I also would prefer stick, but I'm flexible (it's not a dealbreaker). I also don't mind working on my own vehicles, but for tough stuff (head gaskets, for example) I would take it to a trusted mechanic (not a dealer!). I would prefer the vehicle to be reliable, something I know Toyota is famous for, and that Land Rover is infamous for .

I've talked to a friend who suggested the 4Runner. He's had his for 10 years now, and has had little trouble with it. He's done some basic offroading, but not too much. He also knows an excellent mechanic whom he swears by.

So, with that, I have these questions. If someone could point me in the right direction, I'd greatly appreciate it.

• Which 4Runner (years, trim, engine, trans) would you suggest I look for?
• What problems/features/etc. should I be looking for in a used 4Runner?
• Is there a general Buyer's Guide that I can go and look at?

Thanks for reading my (rather long) post.

Did you say compact? You might want to check out CRV, Rav4 and alike.

 

[Falls]

Probably most available aftermarket off road parts available for the Toyota or the Jeep.

 

[tbirdsaw]

Thanks for the advice!

I've seen a couple of '95 4Runners for sale that are well within my price range. However, I've read several times about the headgasket problem, and I'm worried about that.

Climber23, I've been poking around Edmunds, but I haven't done any real extensive research. This is probably not going to be an insane rock crawler (at least not yet), but I'd like to be able to tackle some mountainous/forest terrain with this. It'll also get some desert use. CA has lots to offer.

4RunnerSE2006, the RAV4 and the CRV aren't, from my understanding, off-road vehicles. They do have 4x4, but my limited understanding is that they are based on car platforms, and the frames aren't strong enough to cope with off-roading. Feel free to correct me though, as I know little about them. The vehicles mentioned above are just about the right size for what I want. If you know of other good vehicles I should consider, let me know!

If I do decide to go after a '95 4Runner, what would be things I should keep an eye out for, besides the headgasket?

Thanks!