Info please?

[born_for_this]

Hi, I'm Bo and new to the forum. I'm just looking for a little information, I'm a noob when in comes to T4Rs so take it easy on me.

I'll start with my situation. I currently have a small car but I'm in need of a mid-sized SUV, but I'm not very fond of blazers/jimmys, etc. I've looked at some 4-Runners and they have the cargo and seating space that I need, plus it's a Toyota and it gets decent MPG. So my questions are...

1. Are there any things that any of you dislike about your T4R? (Please explain)

2. Are there any particular things that have been problems in these?

3. What are things that I should look out for in a used T4R?

4. I've only got about $5K, what would be my best bet for a good T4R in this price range?

5. Auto is always convenient, but I don't mind a manual. Is a manual really that much better on gas, are they any more durable/reliable than the autos?

6. Clutches... About how many miles do you see in a 4-Runner before it needs clutch work? (obviously this will have a lot to do with the driving habits of the previous owner)

7. Are they pretty easy to work on? Are parts readily available and relatively cheap? I do pretty much all of my own mechanic work, and I prefer for it to be easily worked on and maintained.

That's all I'll ask for now, if you think of anything else that I didn't ask about feel free to post it. All help is greatly appreciated! [:

By the way, it can be 4WD or 2WD.

 

[p nut]

For $5k, you're looking at a 1st Gen, 2nd Gen or early 3rd Gen models. (90-97). You will get a rig with probably 120+k miles.

But before I go on, what will you use this for? Daily driving? Weekend fun?

 

[born_for_this]

For $5k, you're looking at a 1st Gen, 2nd Gen or early 3rd Gen models. (90-97). You will get a rig with probably 120+k miles.

But before I go on, what will you use this for? Daily driving? Weekend fun?

Daily driving with a little fun thrown in here and there. But a good reliable daily driver that gets halfway decent MPG is what is most important right now. (For me decent MPG is around 15-22 running on regular.)

 

[p nut]

Well, the most reliable would be a 4-cylinder with a 5-speed manual. I've seen them go to 300+k miles. The only downside is the power. Or lack there of.

For a daily driver, I'd go with a 2nd Gen. It's a bit bigger than the 1st Gen. It will be harder to find one with a 4-cyl, however. 6-cyl isn't bad, but it doesn't have a lot of power and reliability is sub-par for a Toyota (though some people have had good luck with them).

For a bit more money, you could pick up a 3rd Gen 96-97 3.4L V6 with a 5-speed or auto. Good power. Gas mileage will be around 15-21mpg. Reliable. Stock rear locker option available.

 

[born_for_this]

I found a 96 SR5 with a 3.4. 135K miles, and 2WD. It has leather, air, auto, cd player, sunroof, and new tires. The tires are off road/all terrain tires, but I'm not sure of the brand or anything yet. I do know that they're mounted on the stock wheels though. The exterior is in close to perfect shape and the engine bay is pretty clean, not perfect but clean. Interior is clean but the seats (especially driver seat) have a lot of wear, wood trim has faded very bad, passenger power window switch doesn't work(only the driver switch can put passenger switch down), and and motorized antenna goes up and down but after it goes up the motor keeps running and makes a strange noise. (My moms car did that and it stopped working soon after)

With that information what would you expect to pay for this vehicle?

I'll put some pics up when I get them, I'll probably be able to take them either today or tomorrow.