Which 4runner ?

[billman0]

I am in the process of looking at two 4runners and need advice. The first one is closer and is a 99 limited E-Locker with 112K miles looks very clean but is from canada and has no service records. $6K

The other is a 99 SR5 with 190K miles 4 hours away but is a 5 speed and is owned by a mechanic from california. The 4runner also has body armor all over rear bumber, front grill and underbody amor a 4" lift and newer tires. He has also changed all the fluids and replaced rear diff seals. $5200 OBO

Which 4runner is the better buy? I want sothing that will have a relativly low startup cost and last me a long time. It will be used for my family on vacations but I wont be rock climbing or anything extreme.

Thanks

 

[Kitsune]

Go with the $5200 since that meets your needs best. I would go that route as well since Canadian cars tend to have more rust and the additional parts would save you money in the long run if you plan on doing those upgrades later on; or sell them to recoop expenses in purchasing the car if you don't need the armor.

 

[vm_boy]

That's a tough one. Since you don't plan on doing any rock climbing, the e-locker is probably unnecessary for your needs. However, a '99 Limited with the e-locker is very rare, especially with that low of miles. I'm not sure how much damage could possibly be done in 112k miles, assuming they did a bare minumum of 2-3 oil changes per year. The LTD will likely have a few more creature comforts (granted, they're 15 year old creature comforts) that might be more appealing to the family, especially for roadtrips.

The SR5 might be a little overkill for what you need with all of the armor, but if that's what you want in the end, then it's probably a good deal to go ahead and have it pre-installed for you. Also, if you feel inclined to remove the armor, you could probably sell it.

Both are probably due for a new timing belt.

I don't think you could go wrong either way, but I think if I were in your shoes, I would ultimately go with the SR5. It's cheaper up front and has the accessories included which will save you some headache. Having been owned by a mechanic, you can trust that it will last you a long time (or at least as long as you intend to own it), even with the additional 78k miles. Any additional creature comforts could easily be covered by the $800 difference.

The only other thing that I can think of that might push you one way or the other is the paint color.

 

[billman0]

Colors and other info

Thanks for the input. The 99 limited is desert Tan which I have to say ive grown to really like. The 99 SR5 is the metallic silver. I'm told the rear bumper is custom s and is built on the vehichle so removal would be useless. He also did the Tundra rotors and calipers as well along with a newer clutch.

I intend to do allot of freeway driving for work and wonder if the manual would be worse for the MPG. Thanks for the advice about the miles I was worried about the longevity of it with 190K.

 

[wc11]

It's a myth that Canadian vehicles have more rust.
All runners of that vintage were made in Japan so they're all made the same.
Even with galvanized parts, did the owner do aftermarket rust proofing?
Canada uses no less or more salt than the northern US states.
Some used to say that being by the ocean (like Seattle) cars rust just as much due to salt air which I don't believe either.
Places like Alberta, they rarely use salt as it's just too cold. They sand .
The amount of rust also depends on how you care for the vehicle.

No service records can be a concern though. Is he the original owner?
Where is the truck?

The other with all the mods suggests he may have been rougher on the truck with off roading.

MPG on stick vs auto is negligible but if you are doing a lot of freeway as you say, I would think a high lifted truck probably has a more off road type tires which can affect mileage never mind the road noise.

Lastly, what kind of mechanic? Some mechanics do cheap out on parts.
You wouldn't think so but its true.

 

[billman0]

Which 4runner

The 99 limited from Canada is at a dealer in mt.clemens. It is very clean and underneath looked great almost like it sat in storage for awhile. I actually was wondering if the Canada used salt after seeing it. The dealer bought it at an auto auction it has no service records but the carfax is clean and looks normal two owners.

The SR5 is a police mechanic and seemed to really love the 4runner and probably took very good care of it. You are right about the lift. He had said it needs an alignment and to be careful who I took it to as an alignment on a lifted SUV is harder than a stock one.

 

[vm_boy]

Thanks for the advice about the miles I was worried about the longevity of it with 190K.

I just bought my '99 LTD w/ E-locker with 224k for $4650. I may or may not be a good judge of "high mileage" :noidea:. From what I understand, Toyotas will last forever if you take good care of them. The key, though, is to find one that's been taken care of. I had the all of the service records to ease my concerns. The experienced mechanic may be the key to this whole decision.

 

[Brique]

Honestly, it sounds like either is a good choice. I'm immediately suspicious of any third gen with miles as low as that 99, but it sounds like you've checked it out, so that's cool.

Man, it's a tough call. If it were me, I'd go with the limited, but I really don't think there's a wrong choice here.

 

[billman0]

Which 4runner

Thanks. I have been trying to justify the 99 limited but the no records thing worries me. The carfax timeline seems legit for the mileage. A problem with the 99 limited is the fuel gauge is bad. It made me wonder if the mileage had been messed with.

 

[wc11]

As long as it's not from Quebec.
They do not have a full disclosure law on wreck & rebuilt vehicles.

 

[Kitsune]

It's a myth that Canadian vehicles have more rust.
All runners of that vintage were made in Japan so they're all made the same.
Even with galvanized parts, did the owner do aftermarket rust proofing?
Canada uses no less or more salt than the northern US states.
Some used to say that being by the ocean (like Seattle) cars rust just as much due to salt air which I don't believe either.
Places like Alberta, they rarely use salt as it's just too cold. They sand .
The amount of rust also depends on how you care for the vehicle.

No service records can be a concern though. Is he the original owner?
Where is the truck?

The other with all the mods suggests he may have been rougher on the truck with off roading.

MPG on stick vs auto is negligible but if you are doing a lot of freeway as you say, I would think a high lifted truck probably has a more off road type tires which can affect mileage never mind the road noise.

Lastly, what kind of mechanic? Some mechanics do cheap out on parts.
You wouldn't think so but its true.

Maybe not the east but definitely in BC area. I know that for a fact! I have bought and seen cars from the BC area and they're pretty rusted.

 

[SCRunner12]

Thanks. I have been trying to justify the 99 limited but the no records thing worries me. The carfax timeline seems legit for the mileage. A problem with the 99 limited is the fuel gauge is bad. It made me wonder if the mileage had been messed with.

I'd go with the Limited. The other one sounds sweet, but it has higher miles and a lot of unnecessary parts that you don't need (based on your description of what you're buying the 4runner for). The AWD aspect of the Limited is awesome for a family vehicle as it is really helpful in snow and rainy/slippery roads. Also do you want to be driving a 5 speed with kids? Just something to think about if you aren't specifically looking for a 5 speed.

The no records thing is a little unnerving, but not a deal breaker. I take care of my 4runner, but have no records from a shop besides alignments. Take it to a reputable mechanic and have them check it out before you purchase it.

 

[vm_boy]

I was thinking both options had the Multi-Mode transfer case? The LTD should, but I guess the SR5 doesn't. The AWD (4H with unlocked center diff) is ideal for rain and snow. Living in Michigan, that will probably come in pretty handy.

 

[shootmymime]

i would say the limited with 112K miles. rust is mainly the think that kills our 4runners. the multi mode transmission is SO much better than what ive got in my 96 sr5.

for doing a lot of driving. i would choose the limited any day!

 

[Brique]

One point I'll make about the manual is that before i got my 01 t4r auto, I had a 98 Tacoma manual. I went straight from the Tacoma to the t4r and noticed an immediate difference in the fuel economy. The Tacoma did much better on gas than my t4r auto does. I know there might be a difference in weight and gear ratios, but i just wanted to throw out that I'm pretty sure you'd see better fuel economy with the manual, all other things held equal.

 

[billman0]

Update

So I asked about the history a little more on the 99 limited. It came over from Canada with 65,000 miles in 2003 and was sold to an owner in Michigan. The next recored mileage does not show until the dealer bought it with 117K on the clock. Is there anyway I can verify the mileage?

 

[billman0]

Odometer Reading

After doing some searching it turns out there is no way to verify mileage on the 99 4runner . I may keep looking for one with a trackable origin.

 

[GrampsT4R]

Have you looked online at the toyota owners service record thing? If it has been to any toyota dealer, it'll show up on there.

 

[billman0]

4Runner

Ill try the site but I have called toyota dealers in Mi and in Canada to no avail. The owner must have done their own maintenance. I'm going to go look at it again tomorrow and see if I can tell any signs of high miles. It looked like everything is stock on it and in working order minus the fuel gauge, power antenna and a rip in the drivers side seat.