I am looking at 3 4runners right now.

the first is a 98 limited drk green and loaded including a locker. The interior is sharp. You would never know the inside is 10 years old. It has 101000 on it. He just had the timing belt done and it has husky liners and brand new alpine cd player with ipod hook up in the glove box. tires are good. I offered $9,800 and He says he wont take less than $10,200 and left.

the second is a 99 sr5 114,000 miles 5spd silver. all stock and the timing belt was done at 101,000. It is an Arizona and Texas car and there was zero rust on the frame that I could see. Seems to be a pretty basic sr5. all the basic options but no sunroof. he is asking $10,500 but said he hadn't had a lot of calls and was flexible. it has a small but deep rusty scratch up by the window frame but over all its in pretty good shape.

the third one I have not driven yet. its a 98 5spd with the black fender flares. It has 149,000 miles on it and the timing belt was done at 139,000. it has a few extras like a grill guard and cd player. seems to have most of the normal options but no locker or leather. He is asking $8,600.

 

If you're going to wheel it, I say get the one with the locker. A sunroof is nice, but you really won't use it that much. If you are not looking to wheel it, the 99 sounds like the best bet. The 99 has the upgraded interior (cupholders no longer in dash) plus a 5 speed is always sweet... It really depends on what you want to do. You could always get the 99 and add an ARB locker later.

 

99 All the way....I had a 98 and the upgrades on the 99 are nice, 5sp are awesome too

 

Get the 98 with the locker. It has the lowest miles and even if you don't think you'll want that locker now, you will later. Having the locker will also help resale value if you want to sell it down the road. Having the timing belt done will mean you're good for another 90k as well.

I paid $9200 for my 97 SR5 5 speed that was lifted and had 285's on it. It also had 136k on the clock. The paint had a few scratches and the interior was in good shape.

 

ok the guy with the 99 just lowered the price to 9,900.

 

get the 98 ltd. locker...better gears, leather etc. offer him 10 even and see what he says.

 

99s have the slightly taller springs if that is of any concern.....

 

I would go with the 5speed second one and get him to go down on the price. I was kind of in this dilemma too. My three choices were a 2001 sr5 auto, a 2002 limited, and a 97 4banger 5 speed. I gotta have the 5speed and I love the 3rz.

 

That's way to much man, I sold my 98' for $8,000 and it was loaded with extras and even had lower mileage. I would go with the 98 limited dark green, if I was you.

 

I have the 98 myself and there are a few inconviences that you can get around. The 98 with the locker (first one) is the one to go with. I paid 10,3 for mine at a dealership and it didn't have the locker which I would have liked to have had. Pretty much anything else on the 99 you can find and put on the 98. Once again depends on what you are going to be doing with it. Go with the first one, walk in with the cash in hand and put it on the table, money talks and if that is not going to do it, not to worry there are PLENTY out there.

 

Do you like driving a stick? Then you might have more fun with a 5sp, but for offroad the locker and A/T makes more sense. A/T best for slow traffic too.

Sunroof, I hardly ever use mine and it steals headspace if you are tall.

I would take the 98 and alter a few things in the interior. Check if the rear springs needs to be recalled.

 

eventually I will probably put the 7.1 lift on there.

 

Then get the one with the locker. It will save you a ton of $$$ later. An ARB will run you over $1000 after installation.

 

Nah, I am doing an arb. Only costing me 500 for the locker (used), 90 for the arb mini compressor (new on ebay) and 75 for the set up, but i am pulling the third.

 

the first is a 98 limited drk green and loaded including a locker. The interior is sharp. You would never know the inside is 10 years old. It has 101000 on it. He just had the timing belt done and it has husky liners and brand new alpine cd player with ipod hook up in the glove box. tires are good. I offered $9,800 and He says he wont take less than $10,200 and left.

do that one

 

get one with the clutch its better plus if you wanted to make an automatic manual it would be a pain but if you wanted to do a locker it would be much easier

 

Well we are going to get the limited.

 

You'll hate the cupholders since it took Toyota 3 years to move them off the dash and to a spot that works w/o making a mess and they partially obscure the HVAC controls and vents...............but there is a swap for that too.

 

so do the cup holder mod. bam! no more worries. also, cash in hand makes for a great bardering tool. just have some of your boys with you and haggle away.

 

http://www.4runners.org/writeups/cupholder/index.html