Question from new guy

[eFF]

Hello from the Northwest.
This is my first post, so bear with me if this is an old topic.

Anyway, i have been looking reeaaal hard at 4runners- mostly 2nd gen due to cost- from a four state area.
I have around $8K to spend on a rig and figure if i do better than that, the balance will get me started in fixin er up.
it is kinda funny but the runner i may end up with is local and the seller spelled 4runner wrong in his ad and i may be the only call he received. I think i can get the truck for < $3k.
I have til this Monday Oct 31 to find something better as he will be out of town til then ... if i don't find anything better i will make an offer on the '94 3.0L v6.
But i have my reservations about that deal....
If you don't mind, i am curious how people get along with the apparent anemia and poor mpg of the 3.0 v6 in the older rigs. Does a guy just live with it?
Question:
Regardless of cost, should i try to wait for a 3rd gen 4runner with a 3.4L v6?
Around here the gen 2 rigs go for around $3k; the gen 3 are around $8k which is a big jump. I can afford it, but is it worth it?
All used 4runners seem to have 150k to 200+k miles on them for those prices too- waay above kbb.

Thanks in advance,
eFF

 

[the great him]

well first off your in the wrong section if your looking at 2nd gen 4runners, this is for 3rd gen runners (96-02). they are better. the 3.0l is a not so great motor, its hard to work on, and notorious for blowing headgaskets. if you have $8K to spend you should be able to find a 3rd gen for that price, and some 3rd gens even came with a factory rear locker... i bought mine last year and paid $5500 for it in the portland area. it had 203K on it and has needed nothing other than gas and basic preventative maintenance. i would not buy a 2nd gen, just not worth the hassle imo

just found these on CL here in the portland area http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/2647989481.html /
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/2646524721.html

 

[4-Ripcord]

he said he was looking at 3rd gens too.

OP, yes a 3rd gen is FAR superior, and $8k is a bigger budget than most. You can get a fairly decent one for that.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

eFF, where in the NE are you?

 

[eFF]

moscow, idaho.

 

[eFF]

thanks for the note.
I saw a '97 in Pasco for 5k that needs some work but comes with stock locking diff.

 

[eFF]

thanks for the advice.
I like the one in Portland- what a great priceand a dealer too!
ya, i'm going 3rd gen.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Are eFF your initials or did the Electronic Frontier Foundation buy a 3rd Gen 4Runner?

:driving: