peacefrog81

I am in the market for a used SUV. I was recently in an accident with my '98 SR5 4runner, I was going too fast on the highway, hit something in the road, spun out of control across the highway, broke a fence, tried to get back onto the highway but collided with another car. Fortunately, I did not have any injuries, just minor scars on my head.


I have been looking into third generation 4runners preferably models 2000+, I would also consider a '99 in good shape with good mileage. I am wondering what a good mileage range to look for would be before the car might begin to lose the power and performance that it might have had while new. I really like the fact that the 01 and 02's have stability control and traction control in addition to the 4wd feature. Do these features make a big difference in the safety and performance compared to a car without it.

In addition, I am also interested to hear about other's experiences with nissan xterra's compared to 4runners, safety and reliability wise.

Lastly, I had noticed a couple mentions about the 02's being unsalable, I am wondering what the reasons for this might be

pat161

Well if you had a 98 you should have a good idea when the truck will start to feel less powerful, unless you had very few miles. My 00 2.7 Runner still feels like new with 94k, when it will start to go downhill, who knows. I don't have any of the vsc or other traction devices so I won't comment. Remember all 01 and up Runner will have the option of full time 4wd, w/ the center diff, but no locker if that's inportant to you. I think the 02's are selling slow because they are asking too much, there is an 02 SR5 close to me w/ 24k and they are asking 24k for it, when a 4th gen is less than 10k more many probably go that route and get the bigger more powerful truck.

Rick F.

All of my Toyota's (includes 4Runners, Celicas, Camrys) ran like new after 175,000 - 200,000 miles. I get the impression your not a high mileage Toyota owner, otherwise you probably wouldn't be asking that question (unless you don't perform maintenance on your vehicles or you own domestics).

jacksonpt

follow the recommended maintenance, keep it clean, keep it stock and it'll be like new for 150k, maybe more.

ebelen1

Here's a link where 3rd gen models were debated in terms of which one to get. Maybe, this will help in your search. https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/best-year-4-runner-97-2000-a-75617/

X-AWDriver

I recently did a late night drag race comparo against my mom's '99 Limited (brother driving) with 40k less miles compared to mine (65k xs 111k) and we were pretty much neck and neck and I have bigger tires.

peacefrog81

i dont mean to sound like an extreme newbie, but what is an e-locker, or locker.

MTL_4runner

A "locker" is a device that locks the opposing wheels so they turn together.
An "e-locker" is just a "locker" with an electronic actuation (as opposed to manual).

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/diff_locks.html

YeloSub7

SEARCH FOR IT!!! otherwise it locks the diferential in the axle (more traction, better for off-roading)

blown4runner96

Mileage is not a huge factor in determining the above mentioned interests. As long as the veh has had it maintance done there should be no problem with any of that. My 4Runner has 185K on it, and outside of a possible broken spider gear in the ft diff from wheeling Moab Rim , the thing runs great. You have to know what you are looking for, etc... Different years have a play, there were aspects of the interior, exterior and intelligence that changed, optional performance accessories became available for the later models, etc. As for trac and vsc, I find them a hinderance, but then again I use my 4Runner to do things most people don't normally do. But it all depends on what you will be doing with the veh, your personal perogative, etc.

peacefrog81

thank you all for the input. I will be using my car for 90% highway and road use, except for snow, rain, and icy winters we sometimes have in the northeast.

Rick F.

I didn't mean to be nasty with my previous post. I sold a '90 4Runner to a friend when it had 205,000 miles on it and I used it to tow a 3000 lb camper and also a heavy bass boat. The vehicle now has over 260,000 on it and my friend says it runs as well as any 2nd gen 4Runner. My present '00 4Runner has over 100,000 miles on it and,as far as I'm concerned, it's new.

I also live in the northeast and deal with snow and ice. I drive over 30 miles one way to work on hilly, country backroads and my 4Runners have been/are excellent.

THUNDER CLOUD

Huh?...I'd like to know about this one myself!

Paul H.

Like Pat161 said, they are overpriced by dealers. the same goes with Tacomas. You can get an 03 for about the same price. Why buy a v6 when you can get a v8 for the same price.

KGnagey

I think he meant un SAS able. Found this post on another thread by Steve Schaefer.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/2002-4runner-pricing-75678/ Post #9
"FWIW, the 2001 and 2002 are un-SAS able. I have no clue what your buddy is like but if he ever wants to get hard core, go back to 2000 and get an SR5 or Base.

I researched it deep and there is no way to remove the computer. Best shot is a FROR axle with FZJ-80 outters and ABS sensors and that won't even work."

THUNDER CLOUD

That's cool. It's all subjective. For me, I love my truck and have been very happy with it...Someone else would have a different opinion perhaps.

As far as the V6 vs V8...Sure I'd like a V8 in mine, but as a DD and gas at $2.38 Gal (Last I checked) I'm keeping my V6 for now and loving it!

THUNDER CLOUD

Thanks Man, saw that one yesterday. To me it all depends on what you want to do with your vehicle and how you use it. As long as each one of us is happy with our individual rides then It's all good.

I love to look at all the different Yota's out there...They don't have to be what I would want but that doesn't mean I don't like to look. They are all cool and after all that's why we are all here IMO

surf4runner

high mileage is relative to the maintenace of it. 100,000 is about 'broken in' after all scheduled maintenace.

$$$ maybe i should put mine on the market?

Runner003

My last toy was a 95 PU SR5 with 118k miles When I drove it home it was still stiff like a new truck. Bought it off a family that babied it. I was able to bark it in 2nd gear up til 160k miles , used the 4x4 every winter, Never had any problems at all! sold it at 240k for a grand. Miss the ol truck. Bought a used 99 4 runner with 86k still getting 285 miles on a tank, I have 106k on it now looking forward to the next 100k miles! Those Japans sure know how to make them run! I hope chevy never finds out their secret...oops did I say that.. JK I love chevy's too...

KyleT

my 145k 1996 4runner drives a ton better than the 2002 xterra I drove that had 19k miles on it. I couldnt believe that it drove so poorly.