what year 4runner shall I buy?

[tigrank]

I'm in the market for a 4runner. I'm not sure what year to buy. Can somebody narrow down the most optimum year engine combination that would make a great daily driver and some weekend fun.

I do plan on modifying things but nothing crazy. It needs to remain a normal daily driver.

I don't really like the timing belt (haven't had good luck with timing belts) but if all of them have timing belt I guess that's that.

Trying to keep the purchase under 8k. I'm in Los Angeles so there are lots to choose from.

Thanks

 

[BoarderDave]

I live near LA as well and I was just on the hunt for a 1999-2002 3rd Gen 4Runner. There are some great options under $8K for that generation vehicle. The newer you get, the closer to 10K or above your budget needs to be..
So for an 8K budget.. I'd vote 3rd Gen 2000-2002-ish vehicle.
Just make sure you check the history of the vehicle with the owner and be sure they did the timing belt (most people I asked had already done it if the mileage was around 100k or more.)

But I may be a little bias... hah. Good luck in the search.

 

[Brique]

For an $8000 budget I'd shoot for a 3rd gen so you can have a little extra to freshen up the maintenance and to make it yours. Oh, yeah, don't forget tax, title and other such expenses.

 

[Red88TopangaCa]

Find a 4cyl 1985 in mint condition. Not hard to do in California. Pay 6k and drop the rest on upgrades!

 

[92-SR5]

Find a 4cyl 1985 in mint condition. Not hard to do in California. Pay 6k and drop the rest on upgrades!

:iagree::iagree:

 

[28.]

3rd gen would be ideal for what you need.. A 4th gen V6 maybe even better. Not sure about a decent one with 4x4 at that price though..

 

[ben550]

I had a 2001 4runner that I wish I never sold. I loved that car. Sold it with 175k miles running strong.

for under 8k id stick with a 3rd gen. it would be hard to find a 4th gen in that price range that is in decent condition.

 

[KidVermicious]

I'm in the market for a 4runner. I'm not sure what year to buy. Can somebody narrow down the most optimum year engine combination that would make a great daily driver and some weekend fun.

I do plan on modifying things but nothing crazy. It needs to remain a normal daily driver.

I don't really like the timing belt (haven't had good luck with timing belts) but if all of them have timing belt I guess that's that.

Trying to keep the purchase under 8k. I'm in Los Angeles so there are lots to choose from.

Thanks

This is a horribly vague question. "A great daily driver and some weekend fun" is every single 4Runner out there, so you need to narrow your question down if you want usable answers. What are you looking for in a daily driver? Do you need comfort? Quiet? Good mileage? Power? Will you be doing your own maintenance, and how much are you willing to spend in order to maybe do less maintenance? What are you defining as weekend fun, a picnic on the beach? Rough Forest Service roads to remote trailheads? Mild fourwheeling? Mudding? Dunes? Rockcrawling?

You gotta give us something to work with here. The way you've stated your question, you've left it wide open for everybody to answer with whatever their favorite model is, and their priorities are going to be different than yours. Narrow it down. Be specific.

 

[ben550]

This is a horribly vague question. "A great daily driver and some weekend fun" is every single 4Runner out there, so you need to narrow your question down if you want usable answers. What are you looking for in a daily driver? Do you need comfort? Quiet? Good mileage? Power? Will you be doing your own maintenance, and how much are you willing to spend in order to maybe do less maintenance? What are you defining as weekend fun, a picnic on the beach? Rough Forest Service roads to remote trailheads? Mild fourwheeling? Mudding? Dunes? Rockcrawling?

You gotta give us something to work with here. The way you've stated your question, you've left it wide open for everybody to answer with whatever their favorite model is, and their priorities are going to be different than yours. Narrow it down. Be specific.

It was his first post...

It costs nothing to be nice.

Its not hard to see what he's asking. A hardcore rock crawler would not be posting what he did. All he's looking for is something that will be a nice comfortable car to drive to work as well as something he can drive on a dirt road out into the desert or onto a beach.

Every 4runner does not meet the criteria for a "great daily driver and some weekend fun". I would not categorize the 1st and 2nd gen's as great daily drivers for a metro area like LA.

 

[KidVermicious]

I would not categorize the 1st and 2nd gen's as great daily drivers for a metro area like LA.

And yet, I would. Kinda funny how that works, huh?

I repeat, he needs to be more specific if he wants usable answers. Or he could just listen to everybody like you spout off their personal favorite without regard for what he's really looking for, I guess that works too.

 

[txclimber]

These are my opinions:

1st gen, best combo is 85 with 22re. Best because you get the rock solid engine with a solid front axle. Only year with this option from factory.

2nd gen...Not too schooled on these but I prefer the earlier? ones that still have a tailgate, before they changed to hatches. Not sure when/if change occurred.

3rd gen.. 1998 is the money year. The newest model that has manual transmission, factory e-locker, and NO FAT LIP BUMPER. Granted and aftermarket bumper can remedy this, but factor in another chunk of cash.

4th gen... A lot of folks will say the 09 trail editions. However, it sounds like this would be way out of your budget. For me the winner is 05 and that's partially subjective (I like the looks of the flat wheel wells and it's the last year that had them). Objective reasons are the 4.7 V8, 5 speed auto transmission (earlier years had 4 speed). Looks, engine and transmission can't be beat. Also, in the refresh, I believe the body actually got a little bit wider, maybe someone else can verify this.

 

[ben550]

And yet, I would. Kinda funny how that works, huh?

I repeat, he needs to be more specific if he wants usable answers. Or he could just listen to everybody like you spout off their personal favorite without regard for what he's really looking for, I guess that works too.

judging by the numbers, you "spout off" way more than most on this forum...

To each his own. I'll share my opinion and you share yours. Let the one who asked the question determine which answers are best.

 

[91'4bee]

ones that still have a tailgate, before they changed to hatches. Not sure when/if change occurred.

They made the change when they switched to 3rd gens.

Even though I don't have one maybe look into a 3rd gen. Just cause they have the more desirable V6 that has more power. And they are still relatively new looking.

However I am always partial to the early 2nd gens(1990-1991.5) because they retain the more square rugged look of the 1st gens but also a "modern" streamlined style; they are bigger than the 1st gens and don't have the "lofty" look of the 3rd gens. Although it has less than mediocre power in the V6 and the 4cyl struggles to pull the heavy 2nd gen body however with a little modifications to those motors they can be more zippy.

 

[MyHigh]

3rd gen....

I just love the looks people make when I tell them it's a 99' :jaw:

And I'm like:biggrin2:

 

[ironhippy]

The price is going to be the driving factor here. Unless you come across a gem, you will not find a good condition 4th gen for 8,000$

3rd gen's will be the best condition for that price and what I would recommend. I personally do not like the 2nd gens that much, so I will skip over them.

You may be able to find a good condition 1st gen, but they are approaching collector/classic age and good condition will soon fetch top dollar. Also I suspect the parts would be harder to find, but probably easier to fix.

You should be able to find a good condition 3rd gen with up to date maintenance for 5 - 8,000. Look for above comments for specific year/options, I would aim for a 2000 with a V6 5 speed, but I do agree that the fat bumper is worse looking, but I'd rather have the better cupholder/other upgrades that came with the '99 year.

Make sure you understand the term pink milkshake if you are looking for a 3rd gen automatic.

 

[tigrank]

Thank you all for replying.

KidVermicious
I agree it's baddly worded. Weekend fun is some off road nothing crazy like Rockcrawling but I do love to play in the mud. As for maintenance I would love to play on it myself but I don't have the time. So I'll have a professional do the maintenance.
I did some reseach on timing belt. Looks like all the model have timing belt except 4th generation V6. Did I get that right? Should I be worried about that? I haven't had good luck with cars that have timing belts.
As for 4x4. I prefer the hard coupled transfer case shifter of the 1st 2nd and 3rd generations. What are your thoughts on 4th generation 4x4 switch. Is there a difference in transfer case? Do they work the same it's just that 4th generation is electic or is there a mechanical difference?


Thanks ben550. I think you read my mind.

txclimber thanks for the breakdown. I really like the 1st generation look. The removable roof is pretty cool too.

iconhippy looks like I have to search for pink milkshake. First time I'm hearing it.