In my case, the 96 4Runner I bought needed both recalls done. The recalls are free, and you get a rental car. The good news is that other maintenance is really cheap if you are getting the recalls done. For example, I got the timing belt done for the cost of the belt + $40 because the heads were off anyway. Also, they did the drive belts for the cost of the belts. The shop foreman did all the work (I demanded it) and he found a couple broken exhaust studs while doing the HG's.

So, as much as I want to say get a 98+, there are advantages to getting a 96 or 97 that need the recall(s) done.

On the 4WD's, you will get new rear springs and bump stops if eligible.

Like someone else said, get the VIN and have it ran at the dealer if you go with the first 3rd gen's.

 

Blue-
I thought the "Special Service Campaign V06", a.k.a. head gasket recall, only applied to the 2nd gens. and maybe a handful of 96's with the 3.4??

 

The 2nd gens had an internal HG leak, and the 3rd gen (96 and some 97's) had an external HG leak. The 2nd gen problem was much worse.

 

Is there any additional or official info about this? I have a 97 and may look into this, but I want to go in with something other than "I heard on the Internet...".

Chris

 

Get your VIN and call it in. <--- hey, it even rhymes!

If the recall was done, it will show up on the computer as a code. In fact, the recall was done on my 96 Runner way back in Sept of 96, but it was done with the old design HG. So, they did it again with the new HG design in Feb of 03.

 

Well I test drove one today, a 2000 Limited with 40k. (Slow 35mph max)

The impression:
Interior cramped! Smaller than a Camry.
Interior Design: I though it was a 1990! What happened?
Steering: kept turning and turning and turning and turning, what's the ratio on this thing?
Seat: doesn't go up or down? Couldn’t find it.
Ride: the handling was not anywhere as bad everybody makes SUVs out to be, but under 4000lb and 265 tires, not surprising. It wasn't hard or plush, somewhere in the stock sport sedan range smooth.
Engine transmission: smooth as butter, Toyota afterall.

Mixed emotions. The interior kinda puts me off big time and the crampiness. It's no bigger than an upscale compact! Am I nuts or I drove something other than a 4Runner?

 

yea the interior is small....but it's just big enough...i dont like to drive things where i feel small in it...like a kid looking over the wheel...

 

For me interior of 4Runner is just right! I'm not a big guy (5'8" and 150 lbs) and I like to be in control of the car which I'm driving. I don't like very small cars, and I'm not a big fun of extra huge cars either. Before getting 4Runner I also test drove Toyota Sequoia and Ford Expedition, and while interior is bigger in those, they just didn't feel right for me and too bulky. Maybe that's just me though...

-- Andrey

 

Well, you guys can congratulate me. Just got a Toyota Certified '99 SR5 AUTO loaded dark green with 79k for $15.5k out the door! They gave discounts like I was a hot chick!

 

Wow found original window sticker! $33,517 17/20mpg

additional options: all weather guard, rear heat, pwr+tilt moonroof, 4.10 rear end, keyless entry, cargo cover, sport sear, leather steering, pwr antenna, 265/16 and alloys, rear wind deflector, roof rack, running boards, and a RS3000 alarm.

That's strangely high depreciation for a '99 Toyota.