Immaculate 97 Original Owner Only 120K - Gorgeous!

[Rock_Rat]

So my wife and I were out picking up a new bottom bracket for my sons bike and grabbing a few groceries when I saw this gorgeous, immaculate 97. I parked next to him and was in awe at how well kept it was. He's the original owner, bought a lifetime maintenance package at one of the Portland area dealers and has kept it garaged for 17 years. Longest trip was to cali and back. Has done regular maintenance at the dealer all 17 years and only has 120K miles. I didn't even see one road ding.

So he showed me the inside and it reminded me of when I went to grandmas house and there was this one formal room that had the furniture in it with plastic still on the couch and the arm chairs. That room was off limits for us kids. Everything inside his runner was protected! It was still showroom condition. None of the outside rubber had any hint of being faded. He and his wife were the nicest couple and I felt so privileged to have met them.

I told him I'll buy it in a heart beat if he ever wanted to sell it. I wouldn't change a thing on it. He may jump on the site. Heng and Minnie are their names.

EDIT: Simple math = 18 years not 17. BTW he had to open the door to show that he was actually the true owner! Reminds of this forum = Need Pictures!

 

[T4R2014]

Nothing tops being an original owner IMO.

 

[Bijan]

Asians know what's up

 

[Bijan]

Kinda looks like a Ford Explorer with the grille and bug guard

 

[XxTiBEARiusxX]

That is one nice piece of equipment! Any chance of restoring one (that's not nearly as nice) to something similar with about a $150/month budget (this budget includes maintenance)?

 

[02SE]

Nice. Another '97 Original owner here. Although I do have 5k more miles than him.

I was at a Toyota Dealer today, looking at the '16 Tacoma's. The salesman and some other employees were trying to convince me to sell my 4Runner to them.

I liked the new Tacoma well enough, but I'm not sure I like it any more than my old '97, that still looks, runs, and drives almost the same as it did exactly 18 years ago to the day, when I bought it new off the lot.

 

[Rock_Rat]

That is one nice piece of equipment! Any chance of restoring one (that's not nearly as nice) to something similar with about a $150/month budget (this budget includes maintenance)?

Anything can be done. It's all about time and what it's worth to you. You need to have a rust-free frame and solid platform to work with. Preferably pick one up from an original owner. (mine isn't for sale...hehe) It would take you a cpl years at $1800 a year. It would be fun.

Seriously this one was amazing, the paint was perfect, interior perfect, chrome perfect, no chips on the windshield. He's scheduling it for winterization, radiator flush, and fluid changes this week. I'll bet the engine is as clean as the day he bought it.

 

[XxTiBEARiusxX]

Anything can be done. It's all about time and what it's worth to you. You need to have a rust-free frame and solid platform to work with. Preferably pick one up from an original owner. (mine isn't for sale...hehe) It would take you a cpl years at $1800 a year. It would be fun.

Seriously this one was amazing, the paint was perfect, interior perfect, chrome perfect, no chips on the windshield. He's scheduling it for winterization, radiator flush, and fluid changes this week. I'll bet the engine is as clean as the day he bought it.

Ya, my frame is nowhere near rust-free. I would be extremely lucky to find a rust-free fame because I live in a cold area and they love their salt! I need to find a 2nd vehicle and maybe will keep an eye out for one in case I get lucky.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Ya, my frame is nowhere near rust-free. I would be extremely lucky to find a rust-free fame because I live in a cold area and they love their salt! I need to find a 2nd vehicle and maybe will keep an eye out for one in case I get lucky.

Sell yours and pick one up on this side of the Cascades and you'll be alright. They cost a little more over here than in Spokane.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Very nice. I like the red.

It goes to show that this 4runner will keep running for a long time with just regular maintenance and TLC.

 

[MTwEeZi]

I'd love a red one like that with the widebody flares.

 

[Rock_Rat]

I'd love a red one like that with the widebody flares.

If I had that one it would go up on blocks in my garage and not see the road again.

 

[Unner]

I met a guy the other day through work who told me that my 4Runner will run for forever. Turns out he bought his wife a 98 brand new 17 years ago and has nearly 300k on it now. It's black and look similar to mine, the first few times I saw it driving away out of the corner of my eye I thought it was mine... It's always cool to meet original owners that have kept their ride for this long.

 

[Philbush1127]

my mother bought our 99 sr5 a lease return. been in the family for 13 years i could never get rid of it

 

[Philbush1127]

I'm doing a complete resto on mine. picking up a new motor and tranny tomorrow for it. been needle scaling the rust for weeks now thank god for POR-15 stuff is like liquid gold. i will post a build thread soon been non stop busy working on it. its gonna take a day just to dig up all the photos for the post.

 

[XxTiBEARiusxX]

Sell yours and pick one up on this side of the Cascades and you'll be alright. They cost a little more over here than in Spokane.

I'm going to Portland next month and will pull the trigger on one if I find the right deal, but I just dropped $1400 on this after paying $5770 (including tax and registration); there's no way I can recoup that so I wont be selling this one. Plus it drives real nice now.