Hey guys, I'm a total newbie here and am also getting ready to buy my first 4runner, which is why I have come to ask for some advice. First off, sorry if this ended up in the wrong section. Now to business, I've been looking at buying my first 4runner for a couple of weeks now, test drove the first one tonight and have 2 more to drive this weekend. I have the choice narrowed down the 3, I think. So without having taken any of them to a mechanic to get checked out (yet) I want to get ya'lls impression of the 3 that I'm looking at.
The first is a 1992 V6 4x4 5-speed, 225,000 miles on it, head gasket and water pump replaced at 180k-ish by owner, new clutch 2 months ago (not sure how many miles that is), new timing belt sometime recently (i forgot when), tires still really new, cosmetically in good shape - just a couple tears in upholstery- no rust that i noticed, a little peeling in the clear coat just under the rear windshield. Drove fine, brakes were fine, shifted fine, all lights power windows, sunroof work, weather stripping in good shape. Selling for $4000, I can get him down to $3500, but that still seems high for such high mileage, but its still pretty average among other's that i've seen ads for.
Next is a 1995 V6 4x4 5-speed, 128,000 miles, new clutch, original head gasket, water pump tranny, also in cosmetically good shape, just detailed this week. Has a few minor problems - rear windshield doesnt roll down so the trunk doesn't open, door moulding in one door is missing i believe driver door, upholstry looks better than the 1992, tabs are expiring at the end of the month, allegedly will pass emissions. Selling for $3500, but i've already got him down around $3000. Haven't seen it in person or driven it yet, but will on Saturday.
Last one is another 1995 V6 4x4, automatic, 109,000 miles, new head gasket, water pump, belts, fluids, filters, radiator, basically just had a complete service, cosmetically good, allegedly no issues with any of the electronics except the stereo, needs new head unit. Recently detailed, selling for $5000 tax, title, registration, brand new tabs, all other fees paid. I'm going to try to get this one down a couple hundred bucks, but even so it seems like its probably in the best shape.
Now all that said, I think I want to open door number 2 since its lowest price, middle mileage (though 109k would be nice) and its a 5-speed, dont really want an auto. So what are some of you guys' first impressions? The thing that's holding me back from #2 is that its still on the original head gasket and that seems to be the most common problem that i've heard about with the v6 engines. In addition do any of you know of any common problems with either transmission or any reason other than personal preference that i should go with an auto over 5-speed or vice versa?
Any input from you guys would be great, including anything else to talk to the owners about. I can't wait to be driving around in one of these bad boys.
The first is a 1992 V6 4x4 5-speed, 225,000 miles on it, head gasket and water pump replaced at 180k-ish by owner, new clutch 2 months ago (not sure how many miles that is), new timing belt sometime recently (i forgot when), tires still really new, cosmetically in good shape - just a couple tears in upholstery- no rust that i noticed, a little peeling in the clear coat just under the rear windshield. Drove fine, brakes were fine, shifted fine, all lights power windows, sunroof work, weather stripping in good shape. Selling for $4000, I can get him down to $3500, but that still seems high for such high mileage, but its still pretty average among other's that i've seen ads for.
Next is a 1995 V6 4x4 5-speed, 128,000 miles, new clutch, original head gasket, water pump tranny, also in cosmetically good shape, just detailed this week. Has a few minor problems - rear windshield doesnt roll down so the trunk doesn't open, door moulding in one door is missing i believe driver door, upholstry looks better than the 1992, tabs are expiring at the end of the month, allegedly will pass emissions. Selling for $3500, but i've already got him down around $3000. Haven't seen it in person or driven it yet, but will on Saturday.
Last one is another 1995 V6 4x4, automatic, 109,000 miles, new head gasket, water pump, belts, fluids, filters, radiator, basically just had a complete service, cosmetically good, allegedly no issues with any of the electronics except the stereo, needs new head unit. Recently detailed, selling for $5000 tax, title, registration, brand new tabs, all other fees paid. I'm going to try to get this one down a couple hundred bucks, but even so it seems like its probably in the best shape.
Now all that said, I think I want to open door number 2 since its lowest price, middle mileage (though 109k would be nice) and its a 5-speed, dont really want an auto. So what are some of you guys' first impressions? The thing that's holding me back from #2 is that its still on the original head gasket and that seems to be the most common problem that i've heard about with the v6 engines. In addition do any of you know of any common problems with either transmission or any reason other than personal preference that i should go with an auto over 5-speed or vice versa?
Any input from you guys would be great, including anything else to talk to the owners about. I can't wait to be driving around in one of these bad boys.
