So I sold my '92 pick up and my '85 4Runner a while back. Looking to buy another rig now, and want a second gen 4R. Are there any better years than others? Are the auto trans strong and reliable enough for a trail truck? I want an auto this time, so my woman can drive it too.

The 4Runner will be for trails/desert and mild crawling on 33's.

 

You can't teach your "woman" to drive a stick? It's really not that hard, and the manuals perform so much better on the highway given the wimpy engines the 2nd gens come with. Some like the auto better for crawling, but I really like the feel of solid gearing.

As far as one year being better than another, this long into it the differences in individual vehicles you find will far outweigh statistical differences in the various years, if there are any. Find one you like, check it over good, and if it checks out go with it. Run the VIN through www.toyotaowners.com to check for recalls and head gasket service (if a V6). Check for rust.

 

I've tried for 4 years she gets frustrated and prefers her lifted Tacoma, which isn't the truck we take wheeling.

So anyways, are the auto trans strong? My 5 spd's were bomb proof

 

I've never had a 2nd gen auto, but reading on this forum over the last 5 years leads me to believe that mechanically they are very solid, in terms of gears, clutches, etc. Where people seem to eventually have problems is with the control solenoids, electronic connections, etc. Not major stuff, just more tinkering to keep 'em working well than a manual.

 

Right on. Whatever is a good deal is what I'll buy.

 

It very well may be the teacher that is causing the frustration !!!

Rather then learning the skill .

 

I've taught many friends, and my little brothers. She just doesn't like it. She gets too nervous.

Jeez, a bunch of negative people on here. Now I remember why I bailed this forum.

It's "than" by the way.

 

My girlfriend dailies an 08 Mazdaspeed 3. With a little patience, anyone can learn in about 10 minutes.

 

You just proved my point you have taught many people but her .

I was not being Snarky It can be quite difficult to teach a person in a relationship because they don`t want to make a mistake.

There is no way I ever tried to teach anyone that close to me

I teach my friends wives and girl friends to drive a standard transmissions including 10 speeds .

These are all people who just where to nervous .almost to the point of divorce or going there separate ways over being taught to drive

I am sorry my fifth grade education shows all to often

 

my 94 is an auto. it has a strong running 3.0, the auto seems to zap a lot of power