New member needs advice.

[1handwonder]

Hello all I am new to Toyota's and 4runners. I have been hovering at this forum for a few weeks and decided to join and need your advice and guidance. I have an opportunity to buy a 95 SR5 4runner 4wd with the 3.0 engine for 800 dollars. The head gasket at the #5 cylinder exhaust is blown and the radiator boils over. other than that the vehicle is in really good shape it was taken care of, has good paint, good tranny the 4wd works great, all windows and electric items work, needs tires but drives pretty good for its age. The head gasket replacement is going to cost around 1100 dollars at a good local shop, and I will do a full tune up replacing spark plugs, wires, distributor cap and all fluids, grease all fitting, replace shocks and replace head lights and all bulbs throughout so total cost would be around 2400. Is this vehicle worth the work or should I find something different. Thanks in advance for your opinions and advice.

 

[KidVermicious]

$2400 is not a screaming deal, but it's not out of line. Check out your local listings and see what late-model second gens in good shape are going for, and if you can get one in good running shape for cheaper then you know to pass on the one you're looking at.

I think $800 for a non-running truck is high, myself. I wouldn't go over $500, and I'd do the head gasket replacement myself.

 

[1handwonder]

Thanks for the advice, KidVermicious I really appreciate it, I did as you suggested and checked local area for the 95 4runner and anything that is in as good of shape other than the tranny was in the 4500 dollar range so I think im going to bite the bullet and offer 550 for it see how that goes. As for the head gasket, I would do it myself except I've only worked on Chevy, Fords and Jeeps a couple of Mazda's never a Toyota and from what I'm told, forget everything I know because Yota's are much harder to work on. Although I'm thinking an engine is an engine but my buddies that are professional mechanics say different," probably want my money" plus I'm handicapped now, working with any type of dexterity with right hand is almost impossible. Again I want to thank you for the advice.