Quick question from a Newbie.
I have had my Xterra for 5 years and know it inside and out.

Since my commute to work has grown my wife drives it now and I have the 93 Corolla. Since our lease is up she wants a 4runner, which I have always wanted but it was just too $$$.

I found a 97 Limited the next city over with 60k miles on it for $12,900
What do I need to know about the 97’s, any problems????

The car fax report is clean and the owner is the second owner.
Nice older guy.


Thanks !!!

 

is it 2wd or a 4x4?

The things to look at:
When/if the timing belt was replaced.
rear spring recall
some early production 1997's had a head gasket recall

Other than that, just make sure that the previous owner has kept up with maintenance.

 

That price is very good since that Runner would easily go for $15k here in the Denver area if it's 4wd.

 

Those are low miles... nice

 

I just paid $14K for my '99 SR5 Highlander with 60K miles. I'd call yours a good deal. '97 was the second year of the 3rd gen, so you'll have to tolerate some quirks, like lousy cupholders. But you'll have a dependable vehicle for less than half what it originally cost, and it will get you over 200K miles with proper care.

 

Thanks everyone.
It's 4x4 with the E-locker.
He just put on new Michelin tires. To bad I wanted BFG.

The second owner has only had it for a month because he used a co-signed CD $$ and the co-signer didn't know until after the deal. So he has to sell it to free up the CD $$. That's at least what he told me.

The power antenna doesn't go up and down anymore and the rear flare has driver's side hit something.
And no tow hitch, which is something I will need to get.

PS: I am looking for a truck that we can continue to camp out of and wheel. We are wanting to take on Colorado. Thanks to Darren!

Thanks again.

 

That's a great price! Makes me a little sick that it's that low, great deal!

Be sure to check out my site for some cool mods you can do.

 

Well he sold he out from under me.

I told him I wanted and I would drive from Cincininati to Lexington Saturday to pick it up assuming everything was as nice as he said.
Well it must have been nice because someone grabbed it Friday night.

here it is in Autotrader.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=174183109&dealer_id=&car_year=1997& make=TOYOTA&distance=100&max_price=15000&model=4RU N&advcd_on=n&end_year=2001&min_price=&first_record =26&address=45140&search_type=used&advanced=n&star t_year=1996&=&color=&cardist=81

 

Sorry you missed that one. I have a '97, and it has been trouble free. Keep looking, clean vehicles are out there.

People that aren't familiar with 4Runners, often ask if my 'Runner is a new vehicle. They are shocked when I tell them it's a '97. And no, i don't want to sell it.