Help a Brother on the Trail!

[ShanksMcShankly]

Hi guys! I've been lurking around for a while and I think you've got a good thing going on here. I'm ready to buy my first rig but got totally screwed out of getting the sweet '97 4x4 5speed i've been eyeing for a week. Now I'm going crazy trying to find another one within 500 miles of me. There is a pretty sweet '95 I could go buy right now but it's not my first choice. I'm really itching to buy one ASAP but I don't want to regret it. Any help you guys can provide on the following subjects would be highly appreciated.

1) Should I just get the Red '95 4x4 5speed that's totally clean or should I hold out for a cherry 3rd gen that may come to market soon?
2) Can you help me find a solid 3rd gen 4x4 5speed 4Runner in the southern California area?

I appreciate your help on this gentlemen!

 

[AKAndy]

You'll have better luck getting feedback on a question like this in the "general discussion" or the 2nd and 3rd gen forums rather than the classifieds forum, but I'd wait for a 3rd gen

 

[criera]

took me a while to find one too, prob about a month or so. Be patient. What i found scouring craigs mostly is that all the good ones got snatched up in hours, literally. You have to be Johnny on the spot, and be prepared to view a lot of crap before you find the right one. I must have looked at 20. I was really lucky to have a friend who knows 4runners and he showed me what to look for, like new(er) bumper brackets indicating prior damage, things like that. i ran into a lot of shady people trying to sell their shady rigs. my friends help was invaluable. my advice, be patient, and be like the wind when you see what you want come up. Good luck.

 

[criera]

Oh yeah, and ditto on the 3rd gen (96-02) Lots of nice improvements in the 00 model too

 

[4RUNNERTMAN]

3rd Gen is a no brainer-to many problems with the 3.0 motor setup in the 2nd Gens -major head gasket issues with those. It took me about 9 months to find mine but I was patient and this thing is awesome, no leaks, runs like a champ, 4x4 , limited model, and looks great as well. I prayed for it and yes He can deliver! Just be patient.

God Bless, Tman

 

[ShanksMcShankly]

thanks for the advice fellas! in fact I'm going heed the first piece of piece of advice right now and re-post this thread on the 3rd gen forum now. thanks again! :banana:

 

[downpour11]

yup be patient and wait for a 3rd gen. I found my last one- a 2000 highlander edition with 90k and an elocker- after checking the local craigslist everyday for a little over a month and then that new listing popped up. i called within 30min of him posting the ad and went and swooped it up real quick. he said he had 8 people call right after I did ready to buy. So don't force yourself into buying one just because you want one right at the moment...you'll see one and absolutely know you should buy it lol... also keep in mind why the owner is selling his runner in the first place