Within the next years time I plan on getting a used 4Runner. I have had 2 other 4x4's both GM S series a Tahoe, and a Jimmy both with a 4.3L. So what should I look for and expect from a 4Runner 4x4? I will prob be looking in the 15 - 20k range closer to 15k.

 

There are a couple guys here selling pristine top-of-the-line '99 Limited's in your price range. Sweet trucks, don't think there are any worries with buying one.

 

Once you go 4Runner, you'll never go back...

I bought a 2000 SR5 4x4 with 42K, loaded, for under $20K. You should be able to find a SWEET rig for the price range you are looking in. Get one with a factory rear locker if you are looking to wheel it, I wish I had.



Brian

 

To start with...A much better vehicle!!!

 

Join the club! I had 4 GM vehicles and 1 Ford before buying 4Runner. While my GM cars were pretty good, no way in the world I'll ever buy another GM car after driving Toyota. It just little things in Toyota which make life easy.

As far as what should you expect, aim yourself for comfortable and reliable car. Something that doesn't break every other week and something that is fun to drive. Something that can hit 300K mark without any problems or repairs.

I also honestly believe Toyota makes car for people and not for mechanics. In my '00 Chevy Monte Carlo Z34 when I decided to upgrade the stereo, I had to take the entire dash out just to get access to the wiring harness. While doing that I of course broke several of cheesy plastic clips, and buying new ones costed me $5.00 per clip (that's 10 clips total). At the same time changing stereo deck on 4Runner took me whooping 15 minutes with no broken clips and with no running around town finding adapters for antennas, adapters for wiring harnesses, GM mounting kits, etc.... It just was a matter of removing 4 screws and putting new stereo in. That's it!

The above is just an example of how convinient Toyota makes today's cars. And the stereo example applies to pretty much any part in 4Runner, such as changing brakes or upgrading suspension. In long run owning a convinient vehicle definetly pays itself off and once you see it for yourself, you'll see how loyal people become to owning Toyota.

I hope this helps,

-- Andrey

 

I'm going to put in another plug of my own for the 1999 Highlander (sport package). Hope you like green or black!

Look for one equipped with a locker as previously mentioned.

Expect very good things.

Let us know the end result, as I'm sure you would.

 

Ok. Here's my plug for my truck. It's a 1999 4Runner limited 4wd, Black with Tan Leather. About the only thing it DOESN'T have is a sunroof, but if you've owned Chevy's, then you're used to not having the glass over your head (It doesnt' have a rear locker either). It has a little over 88k miles, and the NADA value is $20,100, with Trade-In at $17,100. I'm selling it for $14,700. I'll include shipping anywhere in the US for $15,200 total or I will consider meeting you somewhere if you put down a small down payment. I'm in Birmingham, AL.

If you want to talk, email me at bamachem(at)yahoo.com

See about 20 pics at http://www.4rnr.net

Good Luck. You already made the right decision to go with a Toyota, now it's just a matter of picking which one.

 

E1,
welcome to the board, lots of nice people here, and yes, i to have owned, chevy, ford, dodge, honda, and toyotas, my 1999 4 runner (highlander) is so much better than any others i have had, second was the honda, i will NEVER buy another chevy or ford, i have about 120K mls. with nothing ever going wrong or breaking, i wont even get into the fords and chevys i had, if you do get a yota, im possitive you will be surprisingly happy..
Ric

 

Sweet I am not ready to buy yet, but I think I now see the light. I was a GM mechanic and I know the GM woes, and how to fix'em so that's why I have not strayed. I was at a dealer so we didn't see alot of imports except the trade-ins. It's good to be here and hopefully I will be blessed with a 4 Runner (with locker) in the near future. Just enjoying no auto debt for a lil while longer since I cannot drop the whole amount. I plan on hanging around thanks folks I appreciate the info!!! My GM's haven't been too bad for me they have all past 100k and were still running when I sold them, but a Yota seems alot easier to work on from what you guys say!

 

You'll be impressed. I used to be a GM guy too. While I think that they're getting better I still would buy a 'yota. I've been happy with mine. There are some minor things to watch out for like axle seals, rotors, and Rack and pinions but they can be swapped out pretty inexpensively and easy.

 

dammit bamachem why couldnt you have been selling that exactly a year ago today (on thursday it has been one year since i got my runner) i really wanted a black limited with tan leather. damn damn

back to topic i dont think i will ever buy an american made car. both of my parents drive chevy (2002 suburban and 2000 trailblazer) and both of them have had huge problems (cracked headers, both engines exploding etc etc) where as my 4runner in its 120,000 mile life has only blown a head gasket, had the rear brakes leak, and now a hole in the muffler (magnaflow tommorow!! so somethin came good came out of it like a new exhaust system) that is nothin and cost a fraction of what my parents would have to keep spending to keep their cars running.
im trying to convince my mom into a new 04 runner limited but my parents dont think its big enough. but my mom thinks my runner is huge... whatever p's

 

I'm a GM guy (except for my one Ford F-250 which I traded in for my new 4Runner) that went Toyota. I don't think you'll be disappointed. The Toyota factory service manuals are just as thorough as the GM manuals from Helm, so there really isn't anything that the mechanically inclined can't do themselves (although the 90K timing belt change and 60K valve adjustment look like a major PITA on the 03 V8). Does anyone ever actually do the 60K valve adjustment or do they just listen for tapping and only adjust it if it's loud?

 

So, buy this one and sell the other one....

 

Here goes. I had a '88 Suburban, '98 Tahoe, and a '00 Silverado.
The 5.7L does put out a lot of power for passing and that Tahoe handled well off road.... but I would not go back.

One main reason for me is TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) The Toyota kicks ass. Like my daughter would say, it is mad fun to drive.

I attribute a lot of it to the lighter overall weight. I think it is a huge savings on the wear and tear of the vehicle w.r.t. maintenance, and probably some good design. Here in upstate NY, I slide into a snow bank and I don't bury it. I can still get out. That heavy chevy would be sunk.

Now without upsetting half the board, I test drove a '98 4Runner and expected it be similar to my '89 pickup. It wasn't. I just bought a '96 Taco and am still having a blast driving, even to work and back. My limited opinion is that a 2.7L 5sp Taco (wo ext cab) is one of the funnest vehicles you can drive, from the factory that is.

 

I don't know if toyotas trucks/SUV's are the funnest to drive ( I sure would like to get a chance to beat on a turbo'd supra) but if you mean by fun you get to laugh at the guys fixing their fords, chevys or dodges then YEP!!! I agree to that!!! I really like my tacoma so I'm stuck on toyotas!!!

 

Mikey,
You are so right about the Supra. My buddy has an 80s something turbo and that car corners like a Porsche.
I was talking about driving around the snowy roads here in NY (4x4) and not drving to the part stores! Great point.
-Roy

 

I know this is a long thread now, and nobody probably pays much attention to it anymore. But I just cant help putting my 2 cents in since I'm very new to the Toyota and 4Runner side of the auto world...

I just got my 2000 SR5 about a week ago. I was a STAUNCH GM buyer. I have owned since high school in 1993, an Olds Delta 88, 1986 Camaro, 1987 Celebrity, 1994 S10 Blazer. All and I mean ALL of those cars had problems before and after 100K miles and my Blazer lasted the longest at 124K when I traded it in last week. It still ran good but was nickel and diming me too much. I always liked the 4Runners and had heard NOTHING bad about them, and of course Toyota quality is well known. I just kept making excuses why I should keep my Blazer to save $ etc... Well I found exaclty what I wanted for a fair price and just did it. BOY I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO!! I cant believe I actually justified dumping money into my POS Blazer for as long as I did. I absolutely LOVE this 4Runner.

My only advice is if you are on the fence, or even thinking about getting a 4Runner, DO IT! You will be glad you did. I've never been happier watching my bank account dwindle so fast. I cant help but want to be involved with this rig all the time.

 

You could have a 4.3l engine and a 4runner at the same time! I got a Chevota!

 

Chevota = 4.3l GM engine, 700R4 transmission, and 1989 4Runner

 

Are you telling me you dropped a 4.3L engine and 700R4 tranny into a 89 4Runner?

Writeup with lots of pics, please. This looks interesting.