First 4Runner

T

tt1181

New member
Hey folks I'm in the market looking for my first car, which i'd like to be a used 4runner (probably 2nd favorite vehicle to the range rover)...

I've been looking mostly online at 98's and 97's, around that age (3rd gen from what i've read here).

In my search I came across this website and i'm sure you guys could be most helpful in my mission. What is a good year for a used 4runner? I'm looking at about $6000 max budget. So far I've spotted a '98 Limited, good condition judging from the pictures, 165k miles for $5500. Is this good? Here is a link to it on Craigs List though I also found it on eBay autos. (It's near where I live because I'd rather not travel far, on a budget!). 98 Toyota 4Runner LTD Limited GOLD PKG FULLY LOADED

In general, what could you tell me about the reliability of the 4runner? Which is most reliable? Which would be the best for a college student to own? If I were to get a lift, would that be expensive? An upgraded sound system, would it be easy to install myself? I have many questions so feel free to just vomit information into this thread, I'll read it all.

I'll keep on posting any finds and responses to your responses.... Thanks in advance for any help in getting me into the 4runner community!
 
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Interesting, the Range Rover and the 4Runner are about as opposite you can get, as far as reliability. The 3rd gen are considered extremely reliable. Great engine and not much to go wrong. Check out the 3rd gen. forum and you can see some of the problems.

I think a vote was done on what year is best on this forum and the 1999 seems to be the favorite. Getting the newest and lowest mileage is best for your money. I would say that if you don't mind 2WD and you don't mind the cup holders in the 98, that could be a great vehicle. Be sure to have it checked out.

(I am moving this to the 3rd gen, as I think you might get more response in that section.)
 
Nice find, I think if you can't find a '99, then I would buy this one. Since its on craigslist I think you could get it for a lower price because of the higher mileage and 2wd. It has a nice color and its limited and if this is what you want buy it! But as peter78 mentioned, the cupholders are annoying, but nothing some modding can't fix!;):
 
I agree. Look for a 99 in that price range (there are some on the Austin CL, I looked one up here : 1999 Toyota 4Runner 4 Dr SR5 4WD SUV

You'll be extremely happy if your purchase a 4R... They are reliable, offroad capable and handle suprisingly well for a 4000lb SUV. I'd definitely get a 4WD if you ever plan to offroad (you mentioned lift...some do it for show others for function). 1999 and up models had some minor revisions (new headlights, new cupholders, new bumper, etc) that made the 4R much more desirable. Good luck

Edit: Hell, here's a Highlander for less than 5k in TX. Why can't they have those around D.C...

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/1558796422.html
 
Last edited:
KellyJ said:
I agree. Look for a 99 in that price range (there are some on the Austin CL, I looked one up here : 1999 Toyota 4Runner 4 Dr SR5 4WD SUV

You'll be extremely happy if your purchase a 4R... They are reliable, offroad capable and handle suprisingly well for a 4000lb SUV. I'd definitely get a 4WD if you ever plan to offroad (you mentioned lift...some do it for show others for function). 1999 and up models had some minor revisions (new headlights, new cupholders, new bumper, etc) that made the 4R much more desirable. Good luck

Edit: Hell, here's a Highlander for less than 5k in TX. Why can't they have those around D.C...

1999 Toyota 4Runner Dk Green 150k miles SR5 4WD Sunroof
Click to expand...

no kidding, i wish i was that close to that highlander....
 
Never owning a Range i cant say from personal experience, but if you were to get a Range don't get the P38 (96-02) they tend to break more than the RRC (95 and under) and they aren't as cool. On the 4Runner i love mine and if you could get the 5 speed V6 4x4, it will never break on you or leave you stranded on the side of the road, If you want the luxury options remember that the leather cracks after abuse, the cloth will last longer.
 
Thanks for all the great info guys you've all been really helpful already! I'm going to go to austin and check out the highlander (hopefully) and the 98' I was originally talking about. But I called the guy, name's Masoud, really heavy middle eastern accent, hopefully that whole situation is legit and not some eBay scam but so far so good he says I can come see it any time.

Thanks for looking on CL for me btw!

and as far as 4x4 is concerned, i am from corpus christi and i'd love to have it for the beach but not too much else. I'm sure if i did get a 4x4 i'd be on the beach all summer long... i'll keep looking

Thanks again and feel free to keep the knowledge flowing, that's exactly why i joined the site
 
I am very happy with my 98, however I would like some of the changes that came with the 99 and later. Mainly the cup holders. Basic maintenance like oil changes and stuff should keep you running well into the 200's. I will hit 200k miles by end of this week and I feel my truck can go at least another 100k if not more.
 
KellyJ said:
I agree. Look for a 99 in that price range (there are some on the Austin CL, I looked one up here : 1999 Toyota 4Runner 4 Dr SR5 4WD SUV

You'll be extremely happy if your purchase a 4R... They are reliable, offroad capable and handle suprisingly well for a 4000lb SUV. I'd definitely get a 4WD if you ever plan to offroad (you mentioned lift...some do it for show others for function). 1999 and up models had some minor revisions (new headlights, new cupholders, new bumper, etc) that made the 4R much more desirable. Good luck

Edit: Hell, here's a Highlander for less than 5k in TX. Why can't they have those around D.C...

1999 Toyota 4Runner Dk Green 150k miles SR5 4WD Sunroof
Click to expand...

I'm going to check out the green one in a couple hours, I'll let you guys know how it looks!
 
checked it out today, a few notes...

Condition is great, just 2 small dents, one on front bumber one on rear, both about the size of a golfball? hardly worth a mention.
The antennae doesn't work (actually couldn't really see one in the hole). Oh well, not a big radio listener anyway and the thing still gets reception.

4wd all works, gears lock in. the guy said he never used it before. It drives well, loved driving it around! a moonroof! didn't know that was there.

small tear in the carpeting in the cargo space, hardly noticeable. Interior, cloth, all looks good and clean, no stains. Non-smoker apparently, car smelled nice. the wood paneling inside was also a suprise, its got a little wear but still looks good

overall I give it a B, would be an A except for one problem that I don't know how much would cost to fix: the broken gas gauge! it just sits there on empty and the gas light blinks. The owner says he just presses 'trip' on the odometer and fills up the tank when it hits around 200 miles. That's one way to do it i guess, but how much would it cost to repair something like that?


Anyhow i'm going to try and finalize my money source tomorrow then start negotiating with him, even though i'd happily pay the 4900 he is asking
 
I live in Austin (about 10 min away from westlake) and was considering that car because I wanted a 4runner again. It definitely is a good deal. If you need a carfax run, let me know I still have an active account.

Here is my old 4runner

99 4runner with the Highlander package. Full leather and rare grey interior
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/58514-trying-get-back-into-4runner.html

Also about the fuel gauge, do a search i think there is a TSB about the fuel gauge. You might be able to get it fix for free.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/38597-99-limited-gas-gauge-not-working.html#post324965

Good Luck.
 
Man, TX has some great deals on 4Runners... I bought my truck from a guy who picked it up the week before somehwere in TX, brought it up to CO and flipped it, and I'm pretty sure he sold it to me for $1000+ over what he paid for it. For the age and miles, it was spotless compared to a truck that's been driven in Colorado for 13-14 years. The guy who owned it in TX never used the 4wd, and never took it offroad, and it shows. Seems to be the norm in TX.
 
sceptre said:
I live in Austin (about 10 min away from westlake) and was considering that car because I wanted a 4runner again. It definitely is a good deal. If you need a carfax run, let me know I still have an active account.

Here is my old 4runner

99 4runner with the Highlander package. Full leather and rare grey interior
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/58514-trying-get-back-into-4runner.html

Also about the fuel gauge, do a search i think there is a TSB about the fuel gauge. You might be able to get it fix for free.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/38597-99-limited-gas-gauge-not-working.html#post324965

Good Luck.
Click to expand...

Hey that is very nice of you to offer a carfax, would save me a good bit of money! i sent you a message via this forum, thanks!
 
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