Not to be the voice of the devil's advocate here, but sometimes your mileage may vary. I have nothing but good things to say about my Runner, but sometimes Toyota drops the ball. My wife's 98 RAV4 has been nothing but a headache from beginning to end. We're slightly upside down on the car loan still but there were times when I just wanted to drive it over a fooking cliff somewhere.

When it finally goes, I will probably get her another 4Runner or something else from the 'yota line but not a RAV4. She's owned nothing but Toyota since she got her license many years ago (no, I'm not telling how many years ago. )

To skew the GM data points too, I have a '95 Chevy Astro van -- street queen only, that's been my DD for -- gee, 8 years now. Got over 200,000 miles on it. I must have put only about $2000 of major work in it plus the maintenance stuff. As far as I'm concerned, that $2 large is the cost of owning a high-mileage vehicle. The way I figure it, the repair "buys" that many more months of car payments. As soon as I am sinking more into the car than what it is saving me in car payments, that's the time the car gets retired. But the Astro just keeps on ticking...

 

I'll give the drivetrain on the S-series, Astro's etc credit. Maybe I was a little harsh. I did love my Blazer too. I beat that thing and it never had any major mechanical problems. The 4.3 and 700R4 combo are pretty bombproof units if your not TOO nuts with em. I think my Blazer would have easily gone to 150K+ on the drivetrain. Think about how many rusted out, dragging ass, piece of ˟˟˟˟˟ S10's you see out there? At least we have alot of them in MI here. Testament to the drivetrain in em I think. I was just tired of driving around in a tin can, that squeked, rattled, bounced and jerked all over the place. It was a full time job driving that thing, especially after my lift I put on it, and it was just a little S10 Blazer! They do hold their resale value pretty well too. I paid $8000 3 yrs ago for it w/ 75K on the ticker and got $2350 for it on trade in with 124K on it. I took care of the body so it wasnt all rusted out but it was starting in spots, and the guy at the Toyota dealer said it was the cleanest 94 S10 he'd ever seen. I probably could have sold it private party for $3500, so all in all it was by far the best vehicle I've ever owned...except for my Runner now! No comparison...

 

My Astro is a conversion van, so it's a lot less squeaky and no tin can about it. I bought it used from the dealer with 6K miles on it, for under 20K -- and this was in '95. Retail new was about 28.

So yes, I've gotten my money out of it. Every time I think about getting rid of it I think "It's paid for... it's paid for..."

HOWEVER... to bring it back on track...

I bought my 4Runner with 150K on it already and expect to put at least another 150 on it before it is retired. I can't think of any other vehicle that (a) has a book value of $6 grand at 150K miles, and (b) I feel completely comfortable buying with 150K on it, than a 4Runner.

Props to GM, but there's no way in hell I'd try that with an Astro.

 

Yea, I'm just not used to a car being able to go 150+. I'm already thinking that at 53K what I may need at 75K on my Runner just from experience. But hopefully nothing!

And just to set the record straight I love all motorsports, but I'ma 1/4 mile guy at heart. I've owned a 69 Camaro and 72 Chevelle that I've loved just as much as my Runner. When it comes to SUV's, 4 wheelin, anything goes for me. But when it comes to cars, and racing, give me a big ole piece of detroit, V8, rear drive iron anyday. I cant stand the "ricer boys". Especially the ones that look like they drove through Autozone with the crap magnet on...just annoying.

My line of thinking is the new Mazda RX8 is a neat machine, but the Mercury Marauder is the coolest thing since the Caprice based Impala SS in the mid 90's.

But enough digressing, this is Yotatech.com...

 

My old 4.3 had 179k on it this one is just at 110k, but I went window shopping today, and I can feel it in the air. I am looking at 98's. As soon as I bring one home I will post some pics if I ever get out of it long enough

 

I've had a Chevy (94 Z-71), GMC (2000 Z-71), and a Toyota (99 4Runner). I like them all. The Z-71's are both work trucks. I sold the '94 a few months back with 290,000 miles. It has the original motor-used no oil, only major problems were replacing the auto tranny twice. Mostly due to 3.42 gears, 33" tires, and frequent pulling of heavy trailers. I have a 2000 Z-71 right now and it has 162,000 miles with the only major problem being the fuel pump being replaced. Several little things-but my work trucks go in the woods everyday, never get washed, pull heavy trailers, and see lots of 4x4 time.

On the other hand, my Toyota (99 4Runner 4x4 V6 5spd) sees light offroad duty and lots of street duty. I've only had it for 18 months with no major problems and a couple of small problems. It has 73,000 miles. The only thing I really don't like about the Toyota is the timing belt-I wish it had a timing chain for less maintenance.

The fit and finish of the Toyota is better, but for reliability of the drivetrain, I would say the GM trucks are pretty much equal to the Toyota in my mind.

 

But which is more fun to drive, the GM or the YOTA?

 

Offroad-Toyota, but stock the GM flexes better and is more stable b/c it is wider

Onroad-GM-tons more power, at least the 2000 anyway

 

Well I'm in now 98 Limited 79k just got it yesterday.

 

Congrats!!! let the mods begin!

 

also, it has the rear locker right?

 

You forgot the 93+ TT 6 speed Supra, most of the modified street driven Supras are pushing 600whp+ (on stock internals) Some are into the 1000hp+ range

That would kill any car on the highway (major traction problems in 1/4 without slicks)

And in my opinion the Eclipse/Talon turbo's kick ass for the money (also capable of holding 600hp on stock block) and with AWD they can easily run 10's and be waste the LS1 Camaro/Tran's Am on the way home.

I just think import cars should be given more credit by the muscle car guys.

Alright back on topic, I bought my Yota about 2 months ago (185k) and it kicks ass, pain in the a*s to find the one you want though.

So I would definatly go with what the rest of the guys are saying here, and get one ASAP (winter is coming )

Juggalo

 

E1,

Welcome to the family. You'll be happy to know that the majority, if not all, of my write ups are for 98 4runners. Some of it won't apply to you since you have a Limited with an auto tranny, but there's stuff there for ya.

http://www.4runners.org

Again, welcome and good choice!
Bob

 

Congrats!! You won't be disappointed!

 

Thanks all. No rear locker but I will survive.
Cool site Bob_98SR5 I'll surely refrence it.

 

I bought my 92 4 runner with 183K on it and it ran great.....and now has 196k+ on it and still runs great, but i'm trying to sell it. seems the miles scares everyone away.....even the guy who owned 3 toyotas currently said it was a lot of miles for the money(asking $4900). guess i jsut have to wait and find someone who actually understands toyotas!! or I won't tell people and cover the odometer and let them guess the miles on it!!

 

Make sure you are not tall and can live with the lack of headroom. The Rav4 even has more headroom than 3rd or 4th gen 4 runners.

 

I am from a GM family too.
blazer, z24,z28,impala ss, jimmy, and yukon.
I own a 01 4-runner now and couldn't be happier. Not as strong on the highway, but its nice not to have a rattle trap after 20,000 miles.

 

I am sort of tall and big but the 4Runner isn't much of a change for me from my S15 Jimmy. 6'1 250lbs , and I am comfortable in it.

 

Im from a gm family and have now found myself driving two toyota's..I dont even know how that happened. Im only 21 and Ive had a ranger(not gm), cavalier, bravada, sunbird, 99 camaro ss, chevy truck(partially restored). Now ive got a 89 tercel for my DD and my tacoma (its only got 45k miles on it so I dont even have to think about replacing parts on it for a while) I got the tercel with a blown motor. I rebuilt it all myself (except for the machine work) I put about a $1k into the car. Ive driven it for about 2 years now and the only problem ive had was a cheap fuel pump i put on it go out, its got about 165k miles on it now. Cant really beat that, it gets 40 mpg too.