First-time buyer questions

[alleghenyman]

Greetings everyone, nice to see such a good forum dedicated to the 4Runner.

I am thinking about buying a 3rd Gen 4Runner and have a few questions. I was not able to find a buyer's guide on this site - does one exist?

My wife will be driving it as a baby hauler and commuter vehicle. She is not the best driver, and managed to double-barrel-roll a Toyota Echo. How unstable are these in emergency maneuvers?

Mos Japanese cars don't last more than ten years around here (Pittsburgh) so I'm surprised to see so many clean 3rd Gens running around. Are there any problem areas for corrosion?

Are the automatic transmissions fragile? I'd rather have a manual anyway.

How does it do for Home Depot runs? It doesn't look like it would fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back - does it?

Was a third-row seat available in this generation?

Thanks.

 

[Carolinafan]

Welcome to the forum.

Here is the buyer's guide.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

Please learn to use the in-site search feature. It will be your best friend!

 

[alleghenyman]

Thanks, nice FAQ. I'd like to get some of the every-day experiences of owners on this forum though, i.e. the FAQ is pretty general about rust-prone areas and I'd like to know if rockers or wheel arches are a problem, especially areas hidden behind trim.

Also, how gutless is the 4 cylinder with a manual trans? Is there a worthwhile boost in fuel economy? I don't tow but I will be taking it camping, loaded with people and gear and a canoe on the roof.

 

[brian2sun]

Thanks, nice FAQ. I'd like to get some of the every-day experiences of owners on this forum though, i.e. the FAQ is pretty general about rust-prone areas and I'd like to know if rockers or wheel arches are a problem, especially areas hidden behind trim.

Also, how gutless is the 4 cylinder with a manual trans? Is there a worthwhile boost in fuel economy? I don't tow but I will be taking it camping, loaded with people and gear and a canoe on the roof.

Get the 3.4 V6. Even that isn't a powerful motor by today's standards, but the 4 banger is really underpowered for a 4,000+ lb. 4runner (unless you like getting passed by every single vehicle on the road). The savings of 2-3 mpgs at the most with a 4 banger just isn't worth the constant feeling of having to rock yourself back and forth in the driver's seat to make it go faster.

A 2.7 with a supercharger wouldn't be bad though. But then again a 3.4 with a SC is much betta.

 

[alleghenyman]

Ha ha I appreciate the sentiment - I drive a Honda Fit that is totally gutless and boring. Maybe I'll try loosening my seat bolts so I can rock back and forth.

 

[alphyn]

My wife will be driving it as a baby hauler and commuter vehicle. She is not the best driver, and managed to double-barrel-roll a Toyota Echo. How unstable are these in emergency maneuvers?

I know that was a serious question and glad to hear everyone was OK. However, I got a chuckle. Kind of like hanging out at a party and introducing your wife to a bunch of your buds saying, "Yeah, that's my wife over there. I love her to bits. She's a great cook, listens to all my problems, always knows the right things to say. But I'm telling you, bad driver. She can double barrel roll a Toyota Echo like no other."

 

[alleghenyman]

I know that was a serious question and glad to hear everyone was OK. However, I got a chuckle. Kind of like hanging out at a party and introducing your wife to a bunch of your buds saying, "Yeah, that's my wife over there. I love her to bits. She's a great cook, listens to all my problems, always knows the right things to say. But I'm telling you, bad driver. She can double barrel roll a Toyota Echo like no other."

You're not far off. :naughty: I had just gotten new tires, new brakes, and a 4-wheel alignment on that car, so I know it wasn't in unsafe condition, although it was the worst-engineered car I've ever driven, worse than 80's GM dreck. I got her a Kizashi because it handles so safely and in a year she tore up both bumpers and the right-side mirror.

I figure enough of a 4Runner is above traffic height to keep the body looking nice and fresh for a few years.

 

[zcruiser]

If you can roll an Echo, then rolling a stock 4Runner will be no challenge at all.

But...
- Gas mileage is piss-poor
- You won't be putting in a 4x8 sheet of plywood
- No 3rd row (rare, anyway)
- Auto transmission is bulllet-proof, but the tranny cooler in the stock radiator is not. Recommend adding external tranny cooler.

 

[jacktahoe]

Some quick answers to your questions:

First, mine is a 98 4runner.

I do not feel like it is tippy. It does not handle like my 3 series BMW did.

I have moved 4 sheets of 4x8 plywood, but needed to put weight on the side by the seats to keep them from slipping out the back of my car. It did hang out and I had to drive with the back hatch open. Kinda kludgy, but it did get the job done.

Transmission on the V6 built like a Tank. I have towed a 5 lb boat up and down a 7500 foot moutain pass many times. The car went real slow. I have 255,000 miles on the transmission with no repairs. I do change the transmission fluid every 10,000 miles with my engine oil change (mobile 1 )

Gas milage sucks at around 17 MPG.

The only problem I have had with mine is rear axel seal (once), and warped rotors(I have to change the rotor during every brake job - rotors cost 70 bucks for a pair).

 

[ogden8]

Save yourself the rust headache, fly down south one way buy a rust free 4runner and drive it back to PA, you'll get a much longer life out of the vehicle. My '98 has a little surface rust here and there, but it's just surface!!! When you get back, before first salt, clean the undercarriage really well and then coat it.