First Post: Need advise. 99 LTD 2wd

[AaronR968]

Hello all,
I know this has come up a lot and I have read a lot of the "im looking to buy.." threads already but my questions didn't seem to be addressed so I thought I'd introduce myslef and ask!

My wife and I already own a 4th gen SR5 and love it, so much so that we are wanting another for my daily driver. My wife came across a 1999 4runner limited with 2wd. It has 169xxx on the clock and looks great! My question is this: While I know how great the 4wd versions are in the snow (again we own one), how are the 2wd versions (given that we have good tires as well as put weight in the back). If push comes to shove I would be able to take the 4wd 4r to work but just want to know if we should keep looking.

FYI on the truck: 5,600 asking price, Limited, 2WD, 3.4L V6, 169,xxx.

We live in Kansas City and do get our fair share of snow but the roads are clear pretty quick. Have only really used 4wd for the comfort level.

Full disclosure, my daily driver right now is a 1995 Porsche 968 so I am well aware of how RWD works/does not work in the snow. TIA!!:hello:

 

[Ron Helmuth]

Welcome to the forum and it is questions like these that bring out a lot of opinions.

In my view it kind of depends on your local market and your interpretation of resale value and so on.

Here in Denver a 2WD Runner is kind of a bas**** stepchild-meaning there are very few of them, the resale value takes a definite hit compared to the more capable 4WD version.

Price does not strike me as "great" for a vehicle with that mileage. Not a bad price-but a 4WD version would likely not be a whole lot more. But again I am comparing to my local market and not yours.

Driving a Porsche I am going out on a limb to say a few $$ may mean less to you than others. No offense intended in any way.

If it has had outstanding maintenance and it's the vehicle you want/need- I say go for it. Otherwise, I would simply watch patiently for a lesser miles 4WD example to come along. Perhaps you'd really rather have an older 4WD reliable vehicle on those icy days rather than risk your newer Runner and inattentive/inexperienced drivers.

Even for a 2wd version you may favor some of the electronic nanny upgrades that came along with the 01-02 3rd gens. And be aware of the 'strawberry milkshake' issue with auto tranny 3rd gens. I don't believe that is an issue with the 4th gens, or at least not yet....

just my 2 cents.

 

[downpour11]

x2 ^^^ wait for a 4x4

 

[carlos.lucero28]

Welcome to the forum and it is questions like these that bring out a lot of opinions.

In my view it kind of depends on your local market and your interpretation of resale value and so on.

Here in Denver a 2WD Runner is kind of a bas**** stepchild-meaning there are very few of them, the resale value takes a definite hit compared to the more capable 4WD version.

Price does not strike me as "great" for a vehicle with that mileage. Not a bad price-but a 4WD version would likely not be a whole lot more. But again I am comparing to my local market and not yours.

Driving a Porsche I am going out on a limb to say a few $$ may mean less to you than others. No offense intended in any way.

If it has had outstanding maintenance and it's the vehicle you want/need- I say go for it. Otherwise, I would simply watch patiently for a lesser miles 4WD example to come along. Perhaps you'd really rather have an older 4WD reliable vehicle on those icy days rather than risk your newer Runner and inattentive/inexperienced drivers.

Even for a 2wd version you may favor some of the electronic nanny upgrades that came along with the 01-02 3rd gens. And be aware of the 'strawberry milkshake' issue with auto tranny 3rd gens. I don't believe that is an issue with the 4th gens, or at least not yet....

just my 2 cents.

Im new to the forum too and I just wonder what the 'strawberry milkshake' issue is?????

 

[Ron Helmuth]

Carlos-welcome also -but see search function at top of screen or just google a phrase for best results:


http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...radiator-design-questions-pink-milkshake.html

Sum up-the automatic 3rd gen 4Runners (96-02 model years) have a tendency to contaminate the tranny fluid with radiator fluid. Leads to failure of the auto tranny.

Design flaw with the original radiator. Simplest fix-replace radiator before it occurs! KOYO A1998 model works great. Do not think it could not happen to you! (Unless you are a manual tranny edition) More complicated fix-add transmission cooler and bypass the radiator for tranny lines.

 

[98Base4R]

I live in KC too, and this year we got our fair share of the white stuff. I used to have a 4WD suburban, but none of the current cars have that feature. There have been a handful of times when it would have been handy this year. I got stuck several times in CO with front wheel drive, when I tried to get through snow that was too deep.

As you surely know, the bottom line is that 4WD doesn't help you stop. In KC the roads get cleared off pretty fast. If it is too nasty out, I try to stay home.

I haven't missed all the nanny features found on the newer 3rd gens: VSC, ABS, traction control. When there is lots of slush on my hill the ABS equipped cars give up way too easy and I almost run the stop sign. The 4Runner feels a lot safer. But that is a personal decision.

Maybe the snow in KC will end after this week. Good luck with your purchase.

 

[AaronR968]

Thsnks for the input guys!!! I am going to look at it today and see if it is something I would be interested in. Blue book on it is right at what the seller is asking so I will see if I can get him down a bit. Today is going to be a crummy day weather wise so it will give me the perfect opportunity to see how this thing does compared to my Porsche that I will be driving there. (no offense taken at all cause it simply isn't true!! I a 25 and have driven one since I was 17 because I work hard and know my way around a wrench. That is the only way I have been able to stay in the Porsche for so long.) I will let you guys know how it turns out!

 

[chainring]

Just spent $6000 to get into a pretty clean 2001 2wd SR5 down here in Texas. Based on that the price sounds just a tiny bit high, maybe, but not too much. If you could get him down a bit, might be a good find? I'm still learning about all this stuff, but I'm not regretting getting our little 4runner. Sweet little truck.

 

[TN_Soljah808]

In February 2011 I purchased a 2000 4Runner, 5spd, 4x4, 163,000 miles for $6500.00 you can use our prices to estimate how much you should pay for your 4runner.

 

[BrianSD_42]

re "4wd won't help you stop"

true but 4wd compared with 2wd is night and day in the snow. there are many situations where 4wd is superior.
e.g.

you are stopped ona slanted road and start to slide sideways off the road. in 2wd you will probably be in big trouble. in 4wd you can just move forward you will be fine.

are coming around a corner and start to drift, in 4wd you have more options than just easing off or braking. you can also put a light amount of gas and straighten out.

I dont want to offend any of the 2wd guys but the differences are really more diverse and complex than mentioned in this thread.

also with 2wd you will be using chains A LOT more in the snow.