BoucheDag

I've heard alot of great things about 3rd gen 4runners, and I'm in the process of looking at one to buy and thought I'd get the opinions of the pros.
It's a 97 3.4 V6 5spd with 4WD. It's got aftermarket black wheels and an aftermarket undercarriage skidplate because the owner ripped the factory one off. Kelley Blue Blue is roughly 2300 for it and he's asking 3500. What do you guys think I should be paying? And is this a good 4runner to be getting into? It would be the first one I ever own, but it won out over a cherokee due to the runners reputation for reliability. Any advice would be appreciated
Thanks,
Hopefully a future 4runner owner

highonpottery

iTrader: (1)

dunno where you're located, but in CA i'd jump on that deal in a heartbeat. 4wd Toyotas are almost ALWAYS well-over KBB pricing. look at Craigslist for more accurate pricing in your area.

BoucheDag

I'm in the new england area and theres plenty of 3rd gens with auto trans and less miles going for 3500 or less, so I feel like 3500 might be too much for a 5 spd with 176k on the clock

habanero

New England.....what's the frame look like, as in the rust situation? The body, like around sills and trim and bumpers? Rust sucks. Could you stand to drive an a/t? General maintenance like timing belt, oil changes and like have been seen to in a reasonable manor, etc? Compare as you see fit, just because it's cheaper doesn't mean its any better than just because it's not. Get under whatever you buy, look for rust problems, all over, rear lower control arm mounts, all of it. A decent 4Runner is sweet.

BoucheDag

I'm making the drive to look at it soon, and I'll be sure to check out the frame situation. The only rust mentioned by the seller is over one of the wheels, but I'll be certain to look under it. I just want to know what I'm getting into price-wise before I look at it because it seems like 3500 is too much

ThorInc

I would have no 2nd thoughts jumping on it once frame, tranny, electrical and engine are sound. You can easily fix the frame rust issues at the rear lc arm mounts. Pay close attention to the exhaust side. Mine has the beginning of perforation in that area and I will be reinforcing it in the spring. Offer $2900 AND RUN WITH IT.

BoucheDag

I'm not sure I'd want to spend 3 grand with 176k on it. Should I be less worried about such high miles?

ThorInc

On a 17 year old truck? Mine has 225,000kms but I bought it new with 1km......I plan on keeping it till it's no longer worth it. I live in Ontario, Canada and we use salt and brine on the roads in the winter. Any 17year old vehicle is a project vehicle.

BoucheDag

I'd be in it as a reliable, functional, and fun daily. I can do some work on it myself but nothing major such as a clutch. I'm not exactly looking for a restoration project, but if things do go bad on it I can fix most of them. I'm trying to get the best balance of reliability and cost in a truck so I figured an old 4runner would be perfect

habanero

Dunno, they're kind of addicting. We've got 2 m/t 3rd gens, 270,000 miles on the 96. That's not out of the ordinary mileage on these. They're both comfortable road worthy daily drivers and more. The 96 is well maintained by me and has yet to let me down in the 9 years I've owned it. Longest I've ever owned a vehicle and I've no plans to move on from it. I've already told the 11 year old he'll have to buy his own when the time comes because I'll still be driving mine.

Anyway, go with what you feel good in.
Here's a little fun reading for you:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...ers-guide.html

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

Know going in that I have never bought a used Toyota that did not need another $1000.00 or more to catch up on the neglected maintenance.

At 176,000 it is going to be due for a timing belt soon be good to know when it was last done.

What kind of driving do you plan on doing??

Just how did the factory splash pan get torn off was this abused off road hard ??

It can be quite easy to be over come with Lust and miss really bad problems.

Just where in New England ??Not a whole lot of 5 speed 4Runners of that vintage around.

In any case good luck.

BoucheDag

I looked at the truck and its got surface rust with some kind of frame liner chipping off but it looks like if I just patch the liner, it'll be good to go.

Theres a click in the engine but I've heard thats normal for 3rd gens of that age.

It wasn't abused off-road, the owner just took it off road once and had some really bad luck with what he was driving over.

I'm prepared to put some work into it, but nothing too intense. I wouldn't want to be taking it to a shop constantly so any maintenance or repairs, I'd have to do myself.

Y/N would it be a reliable daily driver?
reliable as in the engine will start and run and drive and the transmission will work. The clutch has been replaced.

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

No it would not be good for you!!

Buy something brand new with a warranty!!

BoucheDag

I have a very very limited budget here. 4runner seemed like the best choice of reliability on said limited budget, no way could I afford a brand new car with a warranty

wyoming9

iTrader: (1)

My last 4runner costs me more per month then a payment on a new Tundra then it still is not running.

ThorInc

The question you are asking an answer for is dependent on many factors, you, mileage you will do and the potential purchase vehicle just being three of these factors. I would buy another '97 4runner in a heartbeat but I would expect that I could be shelling out $$$ as the vehicle is 17 years old. It's a risk either way; mine is my daily driver for 17 years and if you are able to do your own repairs you can control costs with your time.