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As some of you may remember, I had put a deposit on a 1996 SR5 w/59k (+sunroof). I took the board's advice, and brought it to a Toyota dealer for evaluation. The dealer said the car hadn't been maintained, needed all new fluids, tires had uneven wear, needed alignment, needed new brakes, new tires, new timing belt, new this, new that. They also pointed out that the CarFax reflected that the truck that had been registered and inspected only until the summer of 1999. Three + years had passed, and only the spiritis know what happened to that baby! Or whether the mileage is in fact accurate.
Then, I test drove a comparable 1996 SR5 w/ 93k miles, and it drove more smoothly than the 59k did.

So, at 12.5k, I decided to bail on the 59k 4Runner. The Toyota dealer wanted 11k for the 93k truck, and I said I'd consider it. But it's hard getting a warranty with that mileage.

Then, when all seemed hopeless, I found a 1998 w/61k miles, asking $14,995. It is also Certified by Toyota, for whatever that's worth ($1000 at least)
What do you guys think? The only shortcoming of the 1998 truck is no luggage rack, and no running boards (but it does have fender flares)

Let me have the down & dirty truth, fellas!

Thanks, RSL

 

You can add the roof rails, or even cross bars later to add a rack to it.

Sounds like that first one would have been a major PITA for sure.
Glad you did a Carfax on it, and the dealer was honest with you.

Does the '98 have the E locker?
Running boards, no problem.
Rock Sliderz would look really great on it instead, and offer better side protection.

 

I think pretty much everyone here would applaud the lack of running boards, and tell ya to go out and get some rock sliders instead. :-)

As far as the luggage rack is concerned, I prefer one of the other setups anyway, like Yakima or whatever. Higher load limits if they aren't mounted on the factory rails anyway. 165# vs 100# or something like that.

On the other hand, my g/f won't let me pull the running boards on mine until I am ready to put sliders on in their place... Go figure!

 

That '98 sounds like alot better over-all deal to me. Seems like a good price, too. I paid more than that last summer for my '98...

By the way, I just pulled off the running boards on mine and I don't know what to do with them, pm me if you are interested.

 

Furtherlane,

You can bargain down $2000...don't ask me how I know. Just bargain it down another $1000 ($2000 total).

Bob

 

WHAT???? She wont LET you? My friend, you do what I do!! You stand up straight, look her square in the eye and tell her "yes dear."

 

That 96 with 59k sounds like a city vehicle where the owner only changed the oil, of course it will bounce around more in the city due to pot holes which wears the suspension out more, I guess if the place was not looking to change, drain and flush all the fluids and filters plus the other work it needed for you it was not worth buying, so you did the right thing but in the end probably found a better buy.

Who knows what that 4Runner went through, although when it comes to a vehicle and a dealership sees that it has not been serviced and has that type of mileage on it where it needs servicing they can be very eager to want to do everything.

The Toyota Certified 4Runner should have all the service done to it.