New member! questions on 4runner

[yasmani95]

So me and my parents have been saving up and i finally have enough to buy a car. I've been looking into 4 runners because a friend of mine told me they were bad ass, I've been doing some research and THEY ARE AWESOME. I wanna ask you guys would it be a good first car? i hear they're super reliable and they just don't die. If you guys don't think it would be a good first car it would be helpful if you gave me some good first cars. I am gonna get a part time soon and all i would have to pay is gas and whatever modification i wanna do to my car. If i do get a 4 runner i am going to lift it, i love how they look lifted just wanna know is it worth it. Its a lot of money to put into the car for wheels suspension and all that because i don't wanna do no $100 lift that will mess up my car, if i am going to lift it i wanna do it the RIGHT way. Point blank should i get a 4 runner? Is the maintenance gonna be expensive? If you guys don't think so and think i should get another car then it would be appreciated if you gave me names.
BTW i only want a truck i don't want no small car.

 

[TheWhiteRunner]

4Runner all the way!

If i could have gone back and decided to get a 4Runner as a starter i would've. They are very easy to maintain and very reliable! i own a 4cyl so i get amazing gas mileage (not sure how the others are) good luck cant wait to see what you get

 

[yasmani95]

Thanks! i wanna get a v6 because i do wanna go mudding nothing intense but i would like to take my 4runner off roading and idk how a 4 cylinder would perform.

 

[Cali4Runnea]

If i could have gone back and decided to get a 4Runner as a starter i would've. They are very easy to maintain and very reliable! i own a 4cyl so i get amazing gas mileage (not sure how the others are) good luck cant wait to see what you get

Ditto! I wish my first vehicle would have been a 4Runner, but alas is was s Dodge Neon :nerd:. I did however learn to drive on my step-dad's '89 Runner and it was awesome! That's why I have one now. You couldn't find a better first vehicle or last! What gen are you thinking about?

 

[TRDteen]

4Runners are badass homie! You can do a lot with them. Even stock you'd be surprised how much they can do. (off-road) As for lifts and mods, just check out the forums. Theres a write-up for just about everything. Interested in what you get!

 

[Desert Fox]

No way
You have way to much to learn.

Go out and find a 1971 Dodge Power Wagon

After 6 months to a year of working on that beast and trying to keep it running, you will have learned a lot about turning wrenches.

You wont need to worry about spending money modifying it. All of your money will go into keeping it on the road.

And safe, there is not a safer vehicle out there (cant get hurt in it if you cant drive it)


A 4Runner is an excellent choice regardless of your experience.

 

[Hokie4Runner]

Im 19 and just got my 4runner for my 18th birthday a few months back. my first car was a 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix it was my brothers car before me and was a POS. needless to say i love my runner. mines only got 75k on it but i have a friend with the same year 2005, and hes got 193k and its still running strong. go for it man you wont regret it.

 

[poleclimber63]

Good start...

There are advantages and disadvantages to both the 2nd and 3rd generations. As a first truck, I would have said a 4cyl 2nd gen. 5 spd STD. This is the simplest truck and a great vehicle to learn to repair and maintain. It is also very affordable to start on. It is also quite austere, and is more related to a truck, where the 3rd gen has more refinements (leather seats, A/C, power options etc.) ... it can mean more to break....

If you want a V6, I'd go for a 3rd gen (96-02) 5 spd STD, as the 2nd gen V6 is prone to head gasket failures, and this would obviously be a huge cost. The 3rd gen is more sophisticated and refined than the 2nd gen as I mentioned but is very reliable. The 96-98's mostly don't have the electronic traction and transfer case control systems (except for elocker) which is pretty much standard on the newer years, which are complicated and are $$$$$$ to repair, when they break.
Maintenance records become important to have, as a unmaintained truck can be risky, with any model, even Toyota. I haven't mentioned 4th or 5th gens, as they are cost prohibitive $12K(03') and up.
I maybe bias, as I love my 3rd gen, but the 3rd gen is probably the most common, so parts shouldn't be a problem....

check out ripcord's buyers guide:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/82033-3rd-gen-4runner-buyers-guide.html

 

[yasmani95]

I'm thinking on getting a 3rd gen due to the fact ive read there the most reliable and i only have 6k so can get anything newer. Ive been looking on craigslist and ive found a bunch of 4runners with less than 150k for 5k so in a month or less i shall have my 4 runner ! Thanks for all the info guys ive learned a lot on this website just reading and looking on threads.

 

[Cali4Runnea]

I'm thinking on getting a 3rd gen due to the fact ive read there the most reliable and i only have 6k so can get anything newer. Ive been looking on craigslist and ive found a bunch of 4runners with less than 150k for 5k so in a month or less i shall have my 4 runner ! Thanks for all the info guys ive learned a lot on this website just reading and looking on threads.

Have fun buying your first car, take lots of pics when you get it and please share! =)

 

[mikebontoft]

I would go with a third Gen... thanks to sv now I'm just looking around for one. blue book is 4500 for mine. only got it for 1900. maybe a year or two or never.