Noob - Advice on trade for a 4Runner at 200K

[Ben4Runner]

Forgive me, but I'm a complete noob to 4Runners and forums in general. So I've been looking at getting a 4Runner for a while and put my 98 Civic up on craigs with a hope to trade. I have an offer for a manual 93 4Runner with the 3.0 at 193k. He said the head gasket, timing belt and water pump were all done 3k ago. Also some other newish parts like radiator, cat, alternator, and tie rods, battery, plugs, wires, cap + rotor. Also he has a cold air intake to go with it.

The bad is that there is a rough idle when the engine is warm but he drives it daily without a problem. (read something about vacuum hoses and coolant temp sensors being possible culprits) Also no AC or heat, missing rear bumper. My Honda is reaching 180K and the clutch might need to be replaced soon. The 4Runner is a New Mexico car without rust and my car is from Vermont and rusty. I'm test driving it Monday. I'd really like a rust free 4x4 to drive back to VT with.

Any advice? Are the recent replacements reason enough to go for it? Anything else to watch for when I look at it?

 

[3rzrunner]

It sounds like a good deal...

Especially since the Headgasket's where done recently, make sure he has proof! (the HG's are the most common problem for the 3.slowz)

Finding a Rust-Free 2nd gen 4wd 5speed 4runner is getting harder and harder to find, so being that's a 5speed it definitely has a 'rare' status


No heat is probably just a small problem, worst case is the core leaks and he just looped the system.

Rear bumpers are easy to find at jy's and there is a ton of aftermarkets available for the 2nd gen.

id say its a pretty good trade for a civic that needs a clutch, the past work on it takes care of some needed maintenance as well.

Mind posting up a few pics of it so we can get a better feel for the truck?

My Vote is go for it! but we will wait and see on what the other guys think

best of luck!

 

[Ben4Runner]

Thanks for the quick reply and the advice! Here are a couple of photos the current owner sent me. 32s and 1 inch body lift. Couple of dings here and there.

 

[Brownfaux]

Yeah. Once you get out of the civic you won't look back.

I was into low cars for a long time. Now I know what i was missing out on. If you're up for the little bit of work to iron it all out, sounds worth it.

 

[AJMorris]

yeah id do it too couple junkyard trips and youll be able to sell it at the very least for more than the civics worth