Why did you choose your specific 4runner?

[XJeepguy]

What were the specifics, about your rig, that brought you to the point of buying her?

The looks ! All the maintenance records , from Toyota , since it drove off the lot. I could tell it was very well cared for too . Got a good vibe off it and I wasn't wrong . 5 years of trouble free driving , so far.

 

[exxon]

I have been attracted to the 4runner and having enjoyed my 86 I bought a 97. I was looking for a 3rd gen with 4wd because I love that body style the best. Having a newborn in a TJ isn't that practical. So for the bigger space, safety, gas mileage and practicality I started looking. I found this one on a lot, test drove it and bought it out the door for $4800. Didn't realize that it had the locker until after I bought it. I have been pleased ever since, just need to start modding more.

 

[3rd gen king]

My friend gave me 2 grand and told me to put in 1500 and buy it from his dad. His reason for this is that he would get a 2007 runner .at the time he was 17 an I was 18 and I knew a deal like that would never come by, well actually he offered it I someone else and the damn kid only wanted to offer up 500 bucks!!!! Then complained about everything on it!! Anyways I own the 97 t4r with 356k. The rig runs strong and good.

 

[jij0226]

I bought my 2002 4runner 5 years ago after I graduated college. My 92 Explorer broke down on me and I was fed up. The only thing I new about 4runners then was the rear window rolled down, which I thought was the coolest, and that they were easily modifiable. And the fact that the 3rd gens look pretty sharp didnt hurt either.

~original[/IMG]

After doing lots of reading on various forums my t4r changed into a beast everyone wants to drive

~original[/IMG]

 

[cencyc]

4Runner styling, reliability and off-road capability were the reasons I chose the 4Runner for off roading, road trips and expeditions (someday trip to Alaska). A key feature is the Multi-Mode 4WD that offered AWD for winter trips into the mountains. And the ride is comfortable for 4, with plenty of room for gear.

As for my specific T4R I purchased, it was the right color (Stellar Blue Pearl), Sport Edition, decent miles (125k), no rust and solid steering/front end (no wander/drift/shake). Minor issues (headlight needed replaced, interior wear), but nothing that was a deal breaker.

 

[steezemcqueen]

I had a 2000 4cyl that had about 240,000 on it and was starting to rust out because it spent most of its life in New England.

My brother was about to put his 1997 4runner up for sale because he just bought a Tundra so i decided to snag it from him and sell my 2000.

1997 SR5 5 speed with 170k for $2600

 

[Bigmikelakers]

My first option was a Tacoma but, they are way overpriced where I live. So, I decided to go to the next best thing which is the 4runner. Its basically the SUV brother of the Tacoma anyway so either one is a good choice. I thought about getting a 4th gen or a 3rd but, I like the look of the 3rd way better. The only thing that I like about the 4th is the better interior. The look of a black 3rd gen sport edition is beautiful. After seeing a few on the road, I told myself I had to get one. The ones I found were either to expensive or had to many miles until I found one down in San Diego. It had 166k miles but it was taken care of so I came back the next day and took it home with me. I'm probably going to keep it for as long as possible until I finish college and get career going then I may get that black 4 door Taco I always dreamed about

 

[Nunyabiz]

Well number one you are basically at the mercy of the truck gods when you are looking to purchase a used vehicle. So you usually have to make a few compromises.

What I was looking for was either a 99' Highlander 5 Speed 4X4 OR a 2002 Sport Edition.
I got very lucky and found a 2002 Sport Edition in excellent condition complete with most all the mods I wanted already installed and for a reasonable price.

The "requirements" that the Runner had to have was 3 Generation because they just plain look WAY better.
had to be between 99'-02, had to have cloth seats so the 02' sport cloth seats were a huge plus.
Absolutely had to be 4X4.

So the truck gods smiled on me and I ended up with really exactly what I wanted.

 

[4-Ripcord]

Im gonna be honest on this one.

My requirements were:
-hood scoop
-4x4
-Maintenance records


.. Guess I got lucky.

 

[ALBPM]

Mine picked Me!!!!:

Back in 2002 My wife and I had a pair of Toyotas - A 93 White SR5 Runner and a red T-100.
My wife saw the new Pre Runner and wanted a full rear seat and 4 doors which the T-100 was lacking. So, one day in August 2002 I went down to a Toyota Tent sale where the 2 Dealers would have a huge Sale every summer at the State Fair Grounds.

I found a beautiful 2002, white Pre Runner and called the wife up to empty out the T-100 and get down here ASAP. I sat in the Pre Runner until she showed up so no one else would take it. She fell in love with the Pre Runner and we started negotiating.

Now, my wife knew I wanted a 3rd gen Runner since they came out. I loved my 93 but the 2.7 engine was gutless. So, while she worked out a deal on the Pre Runner I walked around the lot looking at the 4 Runners they had there. Most of the Runners were the high priced Limiteds which I didn't want and the rest were dark colers and all had painted bumpers. I wanted another white Runner and didn't want painter bumpers because they get chipped up from rocks and I'm kinda "Old Skool" and wanted chrome bumpers.

I had given up on the selection they had and met the salesman and my wife in the lot to go back in and close on the Pre Runner. As we approched the tent a "Gold Runner pulled up right in front of me" and a couple with a salesman got out and the couple walked away as if they were still looking.

So, here was this Gold Runner with chrome bumpers so I checked to see if it was still for sale... it was!!! It also had factory tinted windows in the front which none of the other Runners had.. I drove it and had to have it...

We went home with a new Pre Runner and 4 Runner that day...:biggrin2::biggrin2:

pic from 2004 after finding YotaTech and a few mods...LOL!!!

 

[GottaBeTRD]

back in 2001 i worked at a Toyota dealership and absolutely obsessed over the 4runner sport and the celica. (loved that hood scoops) anyway, time passed I had always loved the 4runner, and I've wanted a black one.

About 4 years ago i was selling cars at a Honda dealership. We were right next to a yota dealership so we'd always share the inventory with them. Well... on one of the mornings of our daily browsing to see what we had for used cars i saw my truck. It was little banged up but i knew it was gonna be mine.

So i did the deal, got a crappy deal on my trade in, but hell it didn't matter., I finally had one of my dream vehicles. I actually almost lost it right after i bought it and i had to fight to keep it. Supposedly, the lady that traded it the night before, bought two cars and her deal ended up not going through. I refused to give it back, they already had effed up my previous car and a bunch of other stuff so they had to let me keep it.

The best part about my story is my truck was originally bought at the dealership that worked at 11 years ago in my home state 500 miles away.