wannagtd

Hello out there, I've been using and reading this great forum since I bought my '00 4runner in Jan. '07.
Two weeks ago on a driving vacation near Merrit B.C. we hit a five point Mule deer(large) and wrote my truck off. Nobody was hurt, thank god.
I'm now in the process of trying to find a replacement truck. The truck I wrote off was an immaculate, loaded, 5spd sr5 with only 103 k km's. I really miss the truck right now because I've been driving a Yaris hatch since the accident.
I'm not finding too many manual 4runners out there so I am now considering an auto since 90% were sold as auto's. Through my searching I've found a 1998 limited with only 53k km's on the odo and the truck itself is absolutely mint, the owner wants 22k canadian for it(private sale). I've also found another limited which is equally as nice with 86k km's, it's a '00 for $22 800(at a dealer). They are both worth considering but are on the pricey side.

I guess my question is, Which one would be the better buy. The '00 is newer with more electronics and newer style auto transmission.The '98 has less electric doo-dads and less Km's. Both trucks have the locking rear diff.

I would greatly appreciate any insight.

Thanks in advance
Paul aka "the Poacher"

ARB1977

Either way you cant go wrong.

pat161

First off, sorry about the accident, I wrecked my 00 5 speed a few years back and ran into the same issue. I also kept mine in perfect shape at 100k, so finding a replacement was hard, mine was the 2.7 w/ 4.56 gears, even harder to replace. I settled on an 02 Sport, and while I miss the 00 every day, mostly the 5 speed, I have grown to like the 02, the auto does work nicely once you get used to it.

For your dilemna I would look at one major issue, do you want the full time
4wd xfer case. Here in the states, I assume Canada as well, 00 Limiteds would have the multi mode xfer case, my 02 also has the VSC and TRAC, both things my 00 did not have, I think I preferred not having them, but they do work pretty well, the LTD probably has at least VSC.

Also the interior will be slightly different, for some this is a big selling point. Personally I don't like the lay out of the pre 99 models, the dash cupholders suck, had them in Tacomas, and the center console is not as useful. But that wouldn't stop me from buying a 98 or older if it was a better deal.

Ritzy4Runner

iTrader: (1)

It all comes down to what you really want and what you are willing to pay. Both units sound like creme puffs, and the biggest selling point to both of them is the low miles. Typically most 98's will be up in the 110-150K miles range.

As mentioned the interior on the 96-98 is different from the 99-02. I agree that the cup holder placement is, well to be kind ... I am looking to do the 99 center console mod that was done by a fellow YT here. You have to move stuff around like the control switches and such but the overall placement is better. Thats why they did it in the 99 to begin with! Practically everything else is the same. Exterior is a bit different as I have learned in my upgrading my SR5 to a SR5 "Limited" but that is mostly limited to the front end. Bumper, valence bulge, fogs in turn signals that sort of thing so most I can tell is cosmetic.

Auto verses manual, once again, it will be a personal preference. If your left foot doesn't like to be left out all the time, well there ya go! In certain situtations either transmission has it perks and its downside. Evaluate YOUR needs. I had a 5 speed in my 95' and I have a 5 speed in my '00 Celica. I really enjoy the manual, but when I traded in my '95 for a '98, I traded up to a bigger/better engine but lost the manual. It had most of the things I wanted but didn't have a manual transmission. Going with the automatic is easier for family. Made it easier for my son to learn to drive it and I didn't have my clutch burned up in the process! LOL!

All in all you may have to trade off a few things to get some others but in the end get what you want. Enjoy the selection process, I get the most fun out of the research, test driving until you find what you want. Remember, even if you miss what seems like a gr8 deal, another will come along if you keep up the hunt!

GOH10 Runner

Go with the 00', I had a 98 and I wished everyday I had a 99-02 one, now I do and its so much better. But thats just me.

bc4r

I'd shop around some more as those prices seem on the high side i picked my 99 SR5 for $15000($17000 with taxes) about 4 months ago at a dealer in Richmond,BC admittedly it had 139,000k on it but the 00 is going to be $25764 out the door with taxes (I'm assuming your in BC).

But then again you probably have a nice insurance check in your pocket so go for the 00 and bargain hard

cackalak han

I had a 98 Limited which was also totalled. Got my 2002 Sport Edition and I'm satisfied. The only thing I miss about my 98 is the supercharger!

JFitz

When I was looking for a 4Runner, I decided to go for a '99 over the older models. I like the changes that were made in the '99 models. The downside to the '00 for you is the dealer. I avoid dealers to save money and headaches. Every time a dealer is involved, I spend more and get less.

This site has a lot of info about the '99, which would be about the same as a '00.

http://www.top4runners.com/ja/index.html

X-AWDriver

Definelty the '99 got quite a few little ergonomic upgrades that just make life easier with one especially the cup holder relocation and multi power outlets up front and one in the back.

A few others that made me not miss my '97 one bit:
Auto up/down front windows
Better headlamps
Headrest holders built into rear seats when in the folded position
Digital odo and 2 tripometers

I also like the built in optional foglights in the lower valance.

Hugo

If you had a manual, screw the slushbox, you will regret it.

99 up man, no doubt.

wannagtd

Thanks for all the input guys. I've looked at waaaaay too many vehicles now. I finally got my insurance payout, it wasn't bad. They paid me what I paid for the vehicle and taxes. I've basically spent the last 3 weeks looking, I was almost tempted to lower my standards to a pathfinder(no offence) due to pricing. 4runners sure hold their value which is a testament itself about the vehicle. I've given up trying to find an SR5 5speed with all the options(incl. B-package), I think the one I wrote off was the only one in existance! Just kidding. I think that I may have found a replacement in a '00 limited. Its in better shape than the one I quoted earlier, it only has slightly more Km's. The one thing that this vehicle has that my old one didn't is the factory locker. When I took it for a test drive I tried to engage it to make sure it works. The light in the dash lit up and started flashing, is that normal or should it have been steady. I have no experience with this option and would appreciate any insight from the mass of knowledge out there!

Again, thanks in advance
Paul

Hugo

I believe the locker will only engage in 4-lo.

JFitz

Yes, the locker will only work in 4-low, and IIRC it flashes until it is actually locked. You may have to roll/turn a bit for it to fully engage. One thing that I read about the Pathfinder when I was researching is that is has less leg room in the back seat. My son, at 5' 11" is comfy in the back of the 4Runner while I'm in front at 6' 1" with the seat all the way back. This was a big factor in choosing the Runner. Hope you find a nice one.