Looking to buy a 97 or 98, need help!

T

tluv

New member
Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a 1997 or 1998 4runner SR5 or Limited. Unfortunately, I only have about $9300 to spend. I've done a lot of research and found the 4runners to be extremely reliable so i'm excited to get one! My questions are:

1) At my price point, it looks like the 4runner i'm going to buy is going to have 100k miles or so, other than the timing belt, by 100k miles what else should be changed?

2) Is there a big difference between a 98 and 97?

3) What should I look for when buying? I'm not the most mechanic savvy guy in the world.

I've owned an 1987 4runner in the past and can't wait to get a newer one!

Thanks in advance!
 
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I've heard the pre-98 models have in-dash cup holders which suck. Just watch out for that, other than that, I dont really know haha sorry
 
http://www.top4runners.com/ja/runhist31996.html

Here's a year to year breakdown and if you can find a '99 I really recommend it since it was the mid gen upgrade point and got the extras like better headlamps,three power outlets up front and one in the back hatch area and they got 1 inch taller coils plus the cup holders don't hang off the dash and were moved to the lower center console.

I had a '97 and the '99 upgrades are well worth it but you might have to spend a bit more or maybe not if you are patient.
 
I shoud have waited for a 99 Limited 4WD w/ E-Locker to become available but instead I purchased my 97 4Runner 4WD w/ E-Locker because it was a deal I couldn't pass on.
 
NViejeP said:
I've heard the pre-98 models have in-dash cup holders which suck. Just watch out for that, other than that, I dont really know haha sorry
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i resent that remark. Those cupholder keep drinks cold. Anywho 96-98 has a 4" shorter front bumper which allows for a better approach angle, and in my opinion it looks better.
 
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MARSHALLMAY said:
i resent that remark. Those cupholder keep drinks cold. Anywho 96-98 has a 4" shorter front bumper which allows for a better approach angle, and in my opinion it looks better.
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And in the winter makes your cold drinks hot and hit some bumps and the drink is all over the dash;poor design that I'm glad they changed as I hated it in my GF's '94 PU.

Yeah,the "fatlip" bumper does cut the approach angle a bit but apparently alot of guys like the newer bumper as there's alot of '96-'98s wearing one and it's got the built in driving lights or a place to mount them if you don't have them.
 
i agree with most everything here,

1) wait for the 99' with the right price

2) the 98 in dash cupholders suck butt, ex. in the winter time you have the heat blowing on your cold drink, and when in use it blocks all airvents and heat/air controls.

3) the fatlip bumper, i always wondered about that, but yea it looks rather weird, i always thought it was one like the toy cars that when you push it in, the car would go the opposite direction . . .
 
the heat blowing on your cold drink is easily remedied by switching the air to the floor. and i don't take drinks in the car unless they're covered so no spillage happens. The projector driving lamps that fit on the fatlip bumper are pretty cool. but I have the dealer installed hella driving lights. I'd rather have that than a fat lip.
 
MARSHALLMAY said:
the heat blowing on your cold drink is easily remedied by switching the air to the floor.
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oh yea ill just switch it to the- . . . . oh wait my drinks blocking all the switches :D

just saying toyota could have put a drink holder where that big empty space is under the 2nd din or worked something out
 
yeah the cupholders were clearly a horrible idea. but toyota went with it for some time. my 1990 celica had the same issue. but soon ill be buying the newer center consol for my 97. a relativly easy fix to all my cosmetic beverage issues.
 
^Likewise...i went with the two-tone look of a 00 and different wheels. Yea, the gold package is too much for me...my 00 has black chrome emblems. That runner is nice, but not worth 11450.
 
$11450??? I just got a 97 SR5 without leather for $7500!! I guess that was a good deal after all...


PrzFghtrNfrno said:
If you're dead set on a 97-98 here's a 98 I was gonna buy, but instead I opted for my 00 that I have now. I know you said you only had 9300 to spend and this car is listed for 11450, but they quoted me a price of 10150 for this same vehicle. Maybe you could come up with about 800. I dont know how far you're from DC but maybe this will help. Good Luck.

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/d...ASC&first_record=26&pager.offset=25&cardist=0
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