I just started shopping for SUVs and was looking for some advice. I looked at just about everything out there and found that I like the Bravada and 4Runner best. I know, I know, they are worlds apart, I think what I like about the Bravada is the interior, the rest is just GM crap. Price range is about $10,000-$18,000. This will be a daily driver with no real towing or mud romping. Ok, maybe 1-2 romps in mudd a year, no Bravada now for sure! I think a 96-00 Limited is what I am looking for. Are all of these 4wd? All leather? Sunroof? What kind of real world gas mileage can I expect? What should I look out for as far as maintanence? Do these all have timeing belts? Any issues with transfer cases etc? I found one local that is a 96 Limited with 111,000 miles that looks to have had an easy life so far. I can buy it for around $12,500. Is this a good price if everything checks out? I guess I want to make sure that the miles don't = expensive maintanence in the near future. I'm sure that you get what you pay for, so is this enough to get a keeper or do I need to spend more $?
Newbie looking for advice
- Thread starter carguy07
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
peter78
Super Moderator
I'll try to answer some of your questions. 96 to 2000 would be third generation 4Runners. All will look the same. They have a base model that comes with a 2.7 liter 4 cyl. (it has a timing chain). The SR5 comes with a 3.4 V6 (it has a timing belt). The Limited comes with upgrades and also has the V6. You may also find a Highlander model (not to be confused with the Highlander SUV made in 2001 on). Then it became the sport model. The Highlander and Sport model has a hood soop. (4WD, leather, sunroof are options on the Limited, although I have never seen a Limited without a sunroof.)
On the base model everything was optional. Other models have some items as standard equipment. You will see, 4 cyl., V6, 5 speed manual transmission, 4 speed automatic, 2WD, 4WD, Hood scoop, chrome bumpers, color coated bumpers, cloth seats, leather seats, no sunroof (good for tall people), sunroof, believe it or not, power windows is optional on the base model.
Seat of the pants real world mileage would be:
V6 4WD auto 16
V6 4WD man. 18
V6 2WD auto 18
V6 2WD man. 19
The 2.7 I4 should get over 20. They were not popular and are hard to find. Also they are quite slow.
I personally get 19.5 MPG in my 2WD V6 after 40,000 miles. I check my mileage every time. I have gotten 15 to 23, I can get over 20 if I am on the highway.
They made some interior changes in 98 and some safety changes in 99. I'll leave your other questions to other people or another time.
Good luck.
On the base model everything was optional. Other models have some items as standard equipment. You will see, 4 cyl., V6, 5 speed manual transmission, 4 speed automatic, 2WD, 4WD, Hood scoop, chrome bumpers, color coated bumpers, cloth seats, leather seats, no sunroof (good for tall people), sunroof, believe it or not, power windows is optional on the base model.
Seat of the pants real world mileage would be:
V6 4WD auto 16
V6 4WD man. 18
V6 2WD auto 18
V6 2WD man. 19
The 2.7 I4 should get over 20. They were not popular and are hard to find. Also they are quite slow.
I personally get 19.5 MPG in my 2WD V6 after 40,000 miles. I check my mileage every time. I have gotten 15 to 23, I can get over 20 if I am on the highway.
They made some interior changes in 98 and some safety changes in 99. I'll leave your other questions to other people or another time.
Good luck.
Last edited:
Thai
Elite Member
Carguy,
i would recommend 99-up 4runners. They had a redesigned dash with improved cupholders. The nose also had a slight redesign in 1999. In addition, improvement in door insulation and redesigned mirrors helped to reduce wind noise. Seat belts were improved. I think it was around this time that the rear suspension TSB was issued, which helped improved ride & prevents bottoming out, especially in 2wd models.
In the '96 4runner, make sure that the head gasket TSB was done. And, of course, check to see if the rear suspension TSB (above) was done.
The 4wd system did not have a major change until 2001. HOWEVER, in 1999, 4wd systems could be used on ANY surface without harm. Prior to 1999, 4runners could NOT be in 4wd unless you're on a slippery surface. In 1999, Toyota added a gear-based center differential that allows you to be in 4wd all the time without binding.
hope this helps...and good luck!
i would recommend 99-up 4runners. They had a redesigned dash with improved cupholders. The nose also had a slight redesign in 1999. In addition, improvement in door insulation and redesigned mirrors helped to reduce wind noise. Seat belts were improved. I think it was around this time that the rear suspension TSB was issued, which helped improved ride & prevents bottoming out, especially in 2wd models.
In the '96 4runner, make sure that the head gasket TSB was done. And, of course, check to see if the rear suspension TSB (above) was done.
The 4wd system did not have a major change until 2001. HOWEVER, in 1999, 4wd systems could be used on ANY surface without harm. Prior to 1999, 4runners could NOT be in 4wd unless you're on a slippery surface. In 1999, Toyota added a gear-based center differential that allows you to be in 4wd all the time without binding.
hope this helps...and good luck!
peter78
Super Moderator
My brother in-law is looking for a 4Runner also. I recommended to get a 99 or newer if he could swing it. In 98, I think they changed the steering wheel. But in 99 they did a lot of up grades that Thai just mentioned. The safety items I mentioned were front seat belts pre-tensioner, second generation air bags. Of course price may dictate a earlier model.
I can't think of anything that stands out as far as maintanence. On the 96 it will probably need a timing belt at 120,000. I believe the belt needs changing every 60,000. It was upgraded to 90,000 later on. I know regular maintanence on a 4WD can get expensive. There are stories of the 3.4 V6 going over 200,000 miles.
I can't think of anything that stands out as far as maintanence. On the 96 it will probably need a timing belt at 120,000. I believe the belt needs changing every 60,000. It was upgraded to 90,000 later on. I know regular maintanence on a 4WD can get expensive. There are stories of the 3.4 V6 going over 200,000 miles.
Sac State
New member
There is no comparison here. The GM product is probably held together by tape and hair clips. If you are buying used, definately go with the 4Runner. It is bullet proof and you can expect years of reliable driving pleasure. Besides, Oldsmobile is dead at the end of this year, finding parts particular to the Bravada might be hard.
Thai
Elite Member
Yeah, i forgot to mention, check the crash test results. The 4runner did pretty good.
Here is the thread about crash tests:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=283
hope this helps.
Here is the thread about crash tests:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=283
hope this helps.
