Why did you choose your specific 4runner?
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Kung
New member
A number of factors.
First, reliability. They are 'old' enough that they have a proven track record, but 'new' enough that when a 4Runner drives by, heads turn.
People who don't know 4Runners think that they're newer than 2000; and are surprised when they aren't.
But anyways, so long as you don't mind getting into it yourself a bit, they're easy to fix, parts are (comparatively) cheap, and they tend to last a LONG time.
Second, capability. For $7200 I got a vehicle with 130K miles with literally *EVERYTHING* I wanted, and some things I would never pay for, but that I've dreamed of having (such as heated mirrors).
Third, you can mod and lift the heck out of them.
First, reliability. They are 'old' enough that they have a proven track record, but 'new' enough that when a 4Runner drives by, heads turn.
People who don't know 4Runners think that they're newer than 2000; and are surprised when they aren't.But anyways, so long as you don't mind getting into it yourself a bit, they're easy to fix, parts are (comparatively) cheap, and they tend to last a LONG time.
Second, capability. For $7200 I got a vehicle with 130K miles with literally *EVERYTHING* I wanted, and some things I would never pay for, but that I've dreamed of having (such as heated mirrors).
Third, you can mod and lift the heck out of them.
98OzarksRunner
New member
Price: $2750 w 220K miles (Oct 2010). I wanted a 3rd gen or Tacoma (had 3 2nd gens and a 2003 Taco). I bought it thinking it would be good to run up to Lowes or an occasional trip to the woods. Then things got out of hand. I still don't have much in it but more than I intended to spend.
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It's a vehicle I've always wanted. Every car or truck I've ever owned has either been given to me or ended up in my possession for odd reasons. Never had the opportunity to buy the car or truck that I wanted.
During my search I saw a lot of them that were not in the best condition, had high mileage, smelled funky or had been wrecked. The one I picked had low mileage, was exceptionally clean, one owner, detailed maintenance records and no wrecks. Ended up paying more than I intended to spend on my "new" ride but after a couple test drives I knew it would be worth it in the long run.
So far I couldn't be happier. I love the way it drives.
During my search I saw a lot of them that were not in the best condition, had high mileage, smelled funky or had been wrecked. The one I picked had low mileage, was exceptionally clean, one owner, detailed maintenance records and no wrecks. Ended up paying more than I intended to spend on my "new" ride but after a couple test drives I knew it would be worth it in the long run.
So far I couldn't be happier. I love the way it drives.
T4R_Finally
New member
We've always liked 4runners but could never find justification for one over something else. For example, needed something with good mileage or had small kids and needed something like a minivan or needed a full size truck to tow an RV, etc.
Kids are older now and wife needed a new vehicle and she narrowed her choices down to the redesigned Grand Cherokee or a 5th gen 4Runner. Drove the Cherokee first, wasn't impressed, drove the 4Runner and there was no doubt after that. Bought the 5th gen earlier this year and the family loves it. Starting looking my daughter a new to her, used but reliable, capable SUV and all we could think of was a 3rd gen 4runner. Found this one with 125k on it, it was a limited, and everything had been done to it already, that would need to be done for me to feel comfortable with it. Except for a new radiator, which I will be doing in the next couple of weeks. It was clean, it was 4wd, it was a limited (bonus, not a requirement).
Kids are older now and wife needed a new vehicle and she narrowed her choices down to the redesigned Grand Cherokee or a 5th gen 4Runner. Drove the Cherokee first, wasn't impressed, drove the 4Runner and there was no doubt after that. Bought the 5th gen earlier this year and the family loves it. Starting looking my daughter a new to her, used but reliable, capable SUV and all we could think of was a 3rd gen 4runner. Found this one with 125k on it, it was a limited, and everything had been done to it already, that would need to be done for me to feel comfortable with it. Except for a new radiator, which I will be doing in the next couple of weeks. It was clean, it was 4wd, it was a limited (bonus, not a requirement).
Maxil
New member
I agree with Kung on the reliability. They last a long long time. I specifically wanted white or silver as it gets so hot here, having a dark color just makes things worse. Also I really wanted one without a sunroof so I could mount an Amateur Radio antenna.
The price and mileage sealed the deal at $6000 with 95k miles just over a year ago! I have put 20k miles on it and the only thing that I have really had to fix was the starter.
Also made me feel nice that my friend picked on me about washing it every other day. At the time he said that, I laughed and told him it had been well over 2 weeks hehe.
The price and mileage sealed the deal at $6000 with 95k miles just over a year ago! I have put 20k miles on it and the only thing that I have really had to fix was the starter.
Also made me feel nice that my friend picked on me about washing it every other day. At the time he said that, I laughed and told him it had been well over 2 weeks hehe.
Baja Runner
Member
I had a 3rd gen, sold it and missed it.
So I just bought the very first 3rd gen I found with a locker. So happened to have clear coat chipping and the guy sold it cheap to me.
So I just bought the very first 3rd gen I found with a locker. So happened to have clear coat chipping and the guy sold it cheap to me.
1beastnstl
New member
x2
more cargo space than my G35
same gas mileage (for most part)
more my personality
ability to be modified and STILL driven and utilized daily
TheDurk
Elite Member
It was May '99, right towards the end of the model year and prices were good. I had been looking for a manual without success. There weren't any around. I wanted green. I didn't know about Highlanders/e-lockers or I would have wanted that, too. I did NOT want a Limited as I hate slushboxes and digital A/C controls.
I was in the office of the Sales Manager deciding whether to special order when the carrier rolled in. We both walked out together to see what was on it. (He swore he never knew anything prior to delivery.) And there she was! Green 5-speed SR5 4WD. I bought it before it hit the ground. 12 1/2 years and 137k later I still love that truck.
I was in the office of the Sales Manager deciding whether to special order when the carrier rolled in. We both walked out together to see what was on it. (He swore he never knew anything prior to delivery.) And there she was! Green 5-speed SR5 4WD. I bought it before it hit the ground. 12 1/2 years and 137k later I still love that truck.
chimpy
New member
I have had all types and sizes of 4x4 SUVs. I still currently own a 1999 ZR2 Blazer but I always wanted a 4runner. I found my 2001 SR5 Sport last spring at a dealership online that was about an hour and a half away.I wanted a silver one with the factory hood scoop and 4WD. This one was a 1 owner bought new at that dealer and was traded in on a new 4runner.I bought it for $8400 with 150,000 miles on the clock.
3rd gens this nice don't come up for sale much in my area and when they do ,they sell fast. The one I bought had just came up on the dealer's site and I called and made an appointment to test drive it. Good thing I called right away.When I got there, a man and wife were wanting to buy it without even test driving it.:bluejump:
3rd gens this nice don't come up for sale much in my area and when they do ,they sell fast. The one I bought had just came up on the dealer's site and I called and made an appointment to test drive it. Good thing I called right away.When I got there, a man and wife were wanting to buy it without even test driving it.:bluejump:
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Hepar
New member
It was exactly what I was looking for. A 01-02 sport, super clean, cloth interior with low miles and no rust. The selling point was that it was also a single owner, they were super great to deal with and they gave me their minimum price without me even asking about it (I was ready to pay their full asking price because even that was under what I was finding).
catalina34
New member
My requirements were:
Less than 100k miles
no rust
as new a 3rd gen as possible
sport edition
It just so happened I found a great 3rd gen that fit my requirements and I really liked the color (Thundercloud).
I learned after the fact that all maintenance has been performed through Toyota which was a bonus.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
I was leaving the world of drag racing behind and needed another fun vehicle and wanted an SUV and a 4Runner was tops on my list since my mom had bought her '99 Limited a few years prior and I loved the truck and it was off road capable right off the showroom floor so my decision was pretty easy.
I first bought a '97 in '03 but I was always attracted to the Highlander models and I wanted the rear locker so that was a priority when I started searching less than a year later and found my '99 Highlander and never looked back.
I bought it with 95k miles on it and now it's @170k and outside normal maintenance the only thing I've had an issue with was a shorted out coil pack and needed a starter at 160k.
I first bought a '97 in '03 but I was always attracted to the Highlander models and I wanted the rear locker so that was a priority when I started searching less than a year later and found my '99 Highlander and never looked back.
I bought it with 95k miles on it and now it's @170k and outside normal maintenance the only thing I've had an issue with was a shorted out coil pack and needed a starter at 160k.
Sherwood4Runner
New member
Reliability, locker, and I got my 98 with 230k Miles back in August 2010 for only 5000. Yes that's cheap here in Oregon. 4runner have inflated prices here. Man a 4runner with 95k in Oregon would be like 9 or 10 grand here.
1985taylor1925
Senior Member
My number one reason was that Ive wanted a 2nd gen Tacoma for ten years now, but couldnt afford one.
I had always noticed the 3rd gen 4runners and liked them as well. Plus they basically resemble a Tacoma with a hatch. So I settled for second best.
I did my reseach and learned that the 3rd gen 4runner is bullitproof, despite its little issues.
I picked mine cause it was black, which is exactly what I wanted, a decent price at $6000, and a bit of impulse haha. I probably should have test drove a few more and found one without the vibration issues
I had always noticed the 3rd gen 4runners and liked them as well. Plus they basically resemble a Tacoma with a hatch. So I settled for second best.
I did my reseach and learned that the 3rd gen 4runner is bullitproof, despite its little issues.
I picked mine cause it was black, which is exactly what I wanted, a decent price at $6000, and a bit of impulse haha. I probably should have test drove a few more and found one without the vibration issues
Maxil
New member
If I bought it where I lived it probably would have been 8k or close to it. Drove to NC to get it and happy every since. All except for the little fire incident, but that was mostly my fault...
sportscarfan
New member
Legendary reliability and plenty of 3g 4runners out there to choose from led us to narrow it down by these critera:
- 5-speed
- e-locker
- maintenance records
- overall condition
- miles
- price
Millerad1651
New member
I'd been looking at them for about 4 months. Knew how durable and capable they were, and always loved the look of them. I had to sell my truck to get one. My truck wasn't selling, and I saw one after one I liked, but didn't have the funds. Finally sold my truck on a Friday night, and found the 4Runner I was looking for that had just popped up on Clist...96-98, white, 4x4...called him and bought it the next morning...and it was only 5 miles from my house! I was extremely lucky, and couldn't be happier!
LittleCaesar
New member
I bought mine back in the end of 06, only because I need to tow a boat and the Acura just was not going to cut it.
I wanted a Toyota that was built when Toyota was still hungry; hence they still paid attention to all the little details when building their autos. Today, IMHO, for Toyota, that is not the case anymore.
A former coworker had this 99 4runner, 73xxx miles she was selling. They were going to give it to their grandson, who was getting a Masters in Sports Management at South Carolina, but he convinced them he needed the 04 4runner with the V8 to tow his things up to Columbia. I paid $12,000. I wanted the Imperial Jade one I was drooling over but with 104,000 miles and not budging off his $14,000 asking price, I opted for the former. But it had the locker.
I wanted a Toyota that was built when Toyota was still hungry; hence they still paid attention to all the little details when building their autos. Today, IMHO, for Toyota, that is not the case anymore.
A former coworker had this 99 4runner, 73xxx miles she was selling. They were going to give it to their grandson, who was getting a Masters in Sports Management at South Carolina, but he convinced them he needed the 04 4runner with the V8 to tow his things up to Columbia. I paid $12,000. I wanted the Imperial Jade one I was drooling over but with 104,000 miles and not budging off his $14,000 asking price, I opted for the former. But it had the locker.
