Talk me out of buying an 88 T4R with a V6

[BamBam]

Tell me why I shouldn't buy this. No rust. 150,000 miles. Automatic transmission. New tires. Zero rust. One mild rear-end accident several years ago on the Carfax, but not branded or salvaged. No frame damage. Just a replaced bumper as far as I can tell. Interior looks perfect. Exterior looks perfect silver in color. What's the downside? What should I look out for before making an offer? Tell me why I shouldn't buy it at all and leave it for somebody else.

I have always wanted to get one with a Turbo 4 cylinder in it, but I rarely see them with the auto transmission (which I need due to a badly mangled left ankle that won't let me drive a stick anymore). I have been shopping around for FJ80 Landcruisers for a month or so and have found some spectacular ones. This 4Runner sort of came out of nowhere though and seems like an ideal candidate for me to buy and tinker with and use offroad. I don't quite want to take my daily driver 07 up in the hills much yet as it is still basically new and I have to be able to drive it to work each day.

So tell me what you think and if I should avoid it then by all means... let me know!

 

[the_dingman]

I personally won't own an automatic transmission vehicle (though I understand your situation), and I won't own a 4Runner without a 22RE (but that's because I love that engine).

I say go for it, it sounds like a good deal. :biggrin2:

 

[BamBam]

I hated auto transmissions (and still do) and refused to drive them as well. I drove a manual from the time I was 16 until I busted my ankle about 8 years ago. I still tried to drive a stick, but 3 full rebuilds of my ankle later and a totally dead foot has led me to have to go over to the evil side. I hate it. I loved the feeling of popping through the gears as I drove and it made me feel more in tune while I was driving. Now I feel I could nod off at any second.

I also love the 22re motor. Enjoy driving that stick for those of us who can't do it anymore. I guess the automatic is better for stop and go traffic and such, but it just is boring for me. I feel like driving has turned into just getting from one place to another instead of the fun thing that I have been infatuated with since I was old enough to walk. Cars cars cars (or in my case, trucks trucks trucks)!

 

[Jed]

Did you drive this 4Runner? If not, you'll probably be severely disappointed by the lack of power. An '88 V6 automatic can barely get out of it's own way. You might have to get out and push when going up steep hills! LOL, but seriously, even if you don't intend to use it as a daily driver, definitely make sure you drive it before buying it so you see for yourself how it feels in the power department. I love the older 4Runners, but I could never own one again because I'd get frustrated by not having decent power on the road.

 

[fourwd1]

Defintely drive it. Check out the 4wd Hi and Lo ranges (not on dry pavement, it'll bind up). Get the VIN and check with a dealer to see if the Steering Relay Rod service bulletin has been performed. If it hasn't you can have it done after you buy it.

 

[Awz]

Buy it!!! After the test drive. The biggest problem the V6's tend to have is head gaskets, I've driven only one of the G1's with the V6, and it didn't seem to have much more power then my 22RE. Automatic trans, well for your situation, it doesn't matter what we say =D. I'll have to double check, but I don't think the steering recall applies to the 88, I think it starts at 89; but could be wrong.

Mike

 

[BamBam]

I think you guys talked me out of it. I don't know that I can handle the 3.slow. I am used to a bigger engine. I've gone from a 2.8 S-10 (gutlessssssss) to a 3.5 V6 Trooper (good power) to a 3.5 V6 Pathfinder (exceptional power) to a 4.0 FJ TT (beyond exceptional power) to a 4.7 V8 07 4Runner (ridiculously crazy power).

I loved the S-10 because it was a mountain goat, but I was always bugged at the fact that it seemed underpowered. I have bought vehicles with bigger power pretty much ever since up until I took the V8 plunge. I probably wouldn't like backtracking, even as much as I love 4Runners. Pretty pathetic eh?

I think I'll save up and go for a diesel that has tons of low end torque next time around if I can find one, or attempt to swap one in to an FJ80 or something crazy like that.

By the way, my first car was a 1977 Corona that was every kid in my family's first car. It had the 20r engine in it and I absolutely loved that thing. It was bulletproof. Just change the oil and you're good. Although I do think we had a head gasket done at some point on it. I still really liked the 4 cylinder Toy engines. They outperformed the Chevy 2.8's in quality and performance, plus the gas mileage was nice.

 

[priestsallore]

I think you guys talked me out of it. I don't know that I can handle the 3.slow. I am used to a bigger engine. I've gone from a 2.8 S-10 (gutlessssssss) to a 3.5 V6 Trooper (good power) to a 3.5 V6 Pathfinder (exceptional power) to a 4.0 FJ TT (beyond exceptional power) to a 4.7 V8 07 4Runner (ridiculously crazy power).

I loved the S-10 because it was a mountain goat, but I was always bugged at the fact that it seemed underpowered. I have bought vehicles with bigger power pretty much ever since up until I took the V8 plunge. I probably wouldn't like backtracking, even as much as I love 4Runners. Pretty pathetic eh?

I think I'll save up and go for a diesel that has tons of low end torque next time around if I can find one, or attempt to swap one in to an FJ80 or something crazy like that.

By the way, my first car was a 1977 Corona that was every kid in my family's first car. It had the 20r engine in it and I absolutely loved that thing. It was bulletproof. Just change the oil and you're good. Although I do think we had a head gasket done at some point on it. I still really liked the 4 cylinder Toy engines. They outperformed the Chevy 2.8's in quality and performance, plus the gas mileage was nice.

Buy it, or else I will.

I'll convert it to a manny tranny and use it to hell and back.

BUY IT!

 

[BamBam]

Buy it, or else I will.

I'll convert it to a manny tranny and use it to hell and back.

BUY IT!

I tried to. Dealer wouldn't budge from 4 grand. I can give you the info if you'd like to buy it. They were kind of dinks about the whole thing.

 

[Doncolberto530]

Yeah, 4 grand seems a little high. I only paid 2700 for my 88 V6 auto and it only had 127,000k and a clean carfax. If I had to do it again I would have gotten something with a 22RE. Hell, right after I got my rig a bunch of 85's showed up on my local craigslist for around $3500. Mind you I am in California and they are almost all rust free cars. As much as I love my 88 it is a slug going up hills, the mileage sucks butt and it's going to be a pretty penny to get a SAS down the road. With the 22RE at least you get much better mileage, have more tuning options, and if you get an 85 you have a great start to future upgrades. Just my .02...