Long time lurker, first time poster.
My story (long as it may be)...
I'm 42, married with 3 kids. I bought a 97 SR5 in 2002. My favorite vehicle ever and I've had alot. It got hit in 2005, pretty badly, and it was totaled. I bought a new Tundra to replace it (my second favorite vehicle to date). I've sense ditched the Tundra in favor of something more economical for work... A Rav4. It works for what I do, gets decent MPGs and is dependable. But I have always had an eye peeled for a clean Gen3 to pick up as a 3rd family vehicle and so I didn't have to take my wife's suburban hunting.
Fast forward to this year... My twin boys are 15. I ditched the Suburban in favor of a 2012 Camry this summer. I don't have a vehicle to hunt in. I've been shopping more heavily for a 3rd vehicle for about 4 months, given I have two boys turning 16 in the spring (and I need a vehicle to hunt in). I didn't think I could find a decent 4runner in my price range.
I stumbled across a 1998 4Runner Limited this weekend and pulled the trigger. Dessert Dune and silver. One owner, 110k miles and rust free. Leather is not cracked at all and carpets are super clean. Even has the locker option. Back window, power antenna, and cheesy fog lights all work. Completely unmolested, maintained perfectly, and new tires. No leaks, 4x4 works, sunroof, runs like a top. Got two original fobs and keys. Original window sticker in the glove box... just shy of $39k. I think I got a great deal on it. I've been watching these forever and this was $2k lower than most I've seen this clean. There are a few normal scuffs but this thing is incredible. There are/were only 3 things wrong with it...
1. 4High didn't work when I bought it. 4L seemed to work but nothing in 4H. It has the push button 4H and shift into 4L. I got a quote from Toyota before I bought it (front Actuator) and negotiated the price of the vehicle down based on that quote from Toyota. The good news is that 4h started working the next day and is engaging and disengaging perfectly fine now.
2. Lights behind the Climate control were out. I fix those today. 4 min job and $6.09 for 2 bulbs from the dealer. Might write that up and post here. Seems they are a bit different from year to year.
3. Gold package - This has everything including the gold package. It drives me nuts. I have to plasti-dip it black and/or sand it to give it a brushed metal look, but it must go and it can't happen too soon.
This vehicle's suspension will stay at a stock height. Since my kids will use this to drive to school and practices, it will remain low mileage. It's my vehicle that they get to drive. One of my son's said he likes the gold badges. I will work on that with him. Will probably do some wheel shopping over the next year. I really like the split spoke tundra wheels on these 3rd Gen's. I sold the set off my Tundra because I hated them on the tundra. Practically gave them away. I just need to be patient and find a set.
Anyway, that's my long story. Glad to be here.
~Rick
My story (long as it may be)...
I'm 42, married with 3 kids. I bought a 97 SR5 in 2002. My favorite vehicle ever and I've had alot. It got hit in 2005, pretty badly, and it was totaled. I bought a new Tundra to replace it (my second favorite vehicle to date). I've sense ditched the Tundra in favor of something more economical for work... A Rav4. It works for what I do, gets decent MPGs and is dependable. But I have always had an eye peeled for a clean Gen3 to pick up as a 3rd family vehicle and so I didn't have to take my wife's suburban hunting.
Fast forward to this year... My twin boys are 15. I ditched the Suburban in favor of a 2012 Camry this summer. I don't have a vehicle to hunt in. I've been shopping more heavily for a 3rd vehicle for about 4 months, given I have two boys turning 16 in the spring (and I need a vehicle to hunt in). I didn't think I could find a decent 4runner in my price range.
I stumbled across a 1998 4Runner Limited this weekend and pulled the trigger. Dessert Dune and silver. One owner, 110k miles and rust free. Leather is not cracked at all and carpets are super clean. Even has the locker option. Back window, power antenna, and cheesy fog lights all work. Completely unmolested, maintained perfectly, and new tires. No leaks, 4x4 works, sunroof, runs like a top. Got two original fobs and keys. Original window sticker in the glove box... just shy of $39k. I think I got a great deal on it. I've been watching these forever and this was $2k lower than most I've seen this clean. There are a few normal scuffs but this thing is incredible. There are/were only 3 things wrong with it...
1. 4High didn't work when I bought it. 4L seemed to work but nothing in 4H. It has the push button 4H and shift into 4L. I got a quote from Toyota before I bought it (front Actuator) and negotiated the price of the vehicle down based on that quote from Toyota. The good news is that 4h started working the next day and is engaging and disengaging perfectly fine now.
2. Lights behind the Climate control were out. I fix those today. 4 min job and $6.09 for 2 bulbs from the dealer. Might write that up and post here. Seems they are a bit different from year to year.
3. Gold package - This has everything including the gold package. It drives me nuts. I have to plasti-dip it black and/or sand it to give it a brushed metal look, but it must go and it can't happen too soon.
This vehicle's suspension will stay at a stock height. Since my kids will use this to drive to school and practices, it will remain low mileage. It's my vehicle that they get to drive. One of my son's said he likes the gold badges. I will work on that with him. Will probably do some wheel shopping over the next year. I really like the split spoke tundra wheels on these 3rd Gen's. I sold the set off my Tundra because I hated them on the tundra. Practically gave them away. I just need to be patient and find a set.
Anyway, that's my long story. Glad to be here.
~Rick
