I am heavily considering buying a 4runner in a few months, but i figured i would ask some people that know about toyotas. I am going to have about $6000 usd when I and if I buy a 4runner, but I am not sure what i should be expecting to get for that cost. Like what year and how many miles.

Also i am curious about things like how easy they roll and some other saftey stuff (not crash test related, thats easy to look up)

Any help would be great. Thanks

 

i bought my 1994 SR5 model for 6000 flat. youre looking at roughly 100k-120k miles. toyotas up to 150k i wouldnt even worry about, so miles arent your issue. however, if you decide to get a 2nd gen 4runner (1990-1995), i would say the rule of thumb, is newer the better. in 1994, they added reinforcements in the doors to make it safer. 1995 wasnt much different than 1994, but any of the two would work great for you. if you have any other questions, feel free.

 

what about the 3rd generation? I don't know the difference at all, and posting here is the first i have really heard anything about. I might be able to find a 1996 4Runner is that price range if I look hard enough.

 

you can get a 3rd gen around that range if you look around. It may have 150k+ miles on it but Toyotas are known for longevity. You can defineatly get a 2nd gen for that price but the 3rd gen has a better engine and the e-locker as an option.

 

My '93 was $3000 last October here in OH. It's so location dependent that it's hard to say what you can get without living there! I know around here, they are VERY tough to find, out in CO and AZ, they are plentiful.

Mileage is completely irrelevant for Toyotas. I wouldn't even really consider it.

I would go with a 3rd gen. The 3.4 is FAR superior to the 3.0. Better power AND gas mileage. The 2.7 4 cyl is even better than the 3.0 V6 IMHO. If you go with the 3.0 or either of the 4cyl, a manual tranny should be a priority - the auto is a very poor match for these motors.

If you're going to drive it offroad, I would definitely look for one with the e-locker option, but that may be pushing your price limit.

As for rolling, this is a body-on-frame real honest-to-god truck, not some "tall car". As such, yes it will be more likely to roll than a minivan if driven improperly. I can personally attest to the lean angle they will sustain before rolling (this photo was actually on the way down- it had gotten over farther than that):

Of course, because of the heavy construction, it will also be better in crashes, and more easily repairable if God forbid, you were in an accident. I don't think the 2nd gens had airbags - 3rd gen probably does.

 

alright. Im sure a lot of your are biased, but im going to hope i can get a good answer still haha.

Which should i go for, a jeep cherokee, or a 4runner? Friends tell me to get both, i am more into the 4runner, but nobody will compare the two.

 

Chadbobb, I don't know what there is to consider concerning purchasing a 4Runner. To me it is a no brainer. When you buy the best you will never be disappointed. My favorite model years are the 84-89s, but with the 1st gens you will have more repairs than if you bought a 3rd gen, 1996-2002, because of their age.

My Dad had: a 1983 Toyota Corolla and it had over 200,000 miles on it when we had to get rid of it (Salt in Upstate New York is a killer); 1991 Toyota Camry and it 214,000 miles on it when we had to get rid of it (Salt in Upstate New York is a killer); 1996 Toyota Camry and it had 180,??? miles on it before my parents decided to trade it in and buy a 2003 Toyota Camry.

Currently I own a 1996 4Runner with 126,000 miles on it and have every intention of driving it for another decade. Also, I have a 1986 4Runner that has 283,000 miles on the drivetrain and 170,000 on the rebuilt 22re engine.

Yeah, I'm biased. I'll be quiet now.

 

6k will be a stretch for a 3rd gen.. you will probably be at about 175-200k if you want a 4x4.. for reference i bought my first 4runner from a dealer, it was 1996 sr5 2wd with the 3.4 and had 91k, for 6400..i havent seen them much lower than that, 2wd or 4wd

 

Chadbobb, go here http://www.mycarstats.com/ and type in 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and you will find it has had 752 consumer complaints, 6 recalls; and 1 investigation. Then type in 2000 Toyota 4Runner and you will find it has had 99 complaints, 0 recalls; and 0 investigations. No truck or car is perfect, but think Toyota comes close.

No really, I'll be quiet now.

 

In my area i looked up the blue book for a 1996 4wd with 120000 miles with all of the standard features, and kbb says $6,065. So i am think I can do it if i look hard.

I looked up a 96 4runner instead of a 2000 and I looked up a 97 (non-grand) cherokee. I saw a huge difference. I am still pretty dead set on the 4runner.

I hear acceleration isn't great (but not horrible) on the 2nd generation 4runner. Is this better with the 3rd generation with the 3.4 liter engine?

 

Chadbobb dont give up on the 3RD gen yet just be patient and you will find one. I bought my one owner 97 V6 4WD with 160K for $4000. Just dont expect to find one over night.

 

how about this. I kinda want to have power door locks and power windows. How expensive is it to put this in it if it doesn't automatically come with them?

 

If it's an SR5 model, which I think most are, it will have them.

 

alot of it depends on the market of the area that youre in.. i had a VERY hard time finding the 4runner i have now..

 

what about one of those remote clicker buttons for locking and unlocking the doors far away?

We arn't flourishing with 4runners here, but i should be able to find one. We have a lot of offroaders and stuff with them, and some people that just buy them for the hell of it. (semi like me, but i think i will get into offroading a little)

 

I am curious, if it has an e-locker, what does the switch say? does anyone maybe have a picture of the switch?

 

it says

"RR
DIFF"

and it is usually located left of the steering wheel column

 

I had a friend with a jeep cherokee, it was a pos. maybe it was just his, but i doubt it.

 

4Runners are very solid rigs. I would avoid one with a 3.0L V6. That engine was an underpowered, gas guzzling piece of junk, IMO.
Other than that, I wouldnt worry about anything on the 4Runner. If it drives good and doesnt have any bad leaks, go for it!

 

I'd get the minivan before I got the Jeep.