I just sold my 94 Trooper (78k miles 3.5" lift on 33" baja claws) to try & get back in a Yota that is more street friendly.

I've been fortunate enough to come across 2 clean high mileage SR5 3.4 4x4's with manual trans, 1 owner vehicles, in the span of a week, which is kind rare anywhere let alone Metro Detroit.

They're both great buys but I'm having a hard time choosing which one to buy. So I thought I'd see what you guys think.

#1: is a '97 with 155k miles, has tan int., has not had timing belt or water pump service, has new 265 bfg long trail ta's.


#2: is a '00 with 180k miles, timing belt & water pump done at 123k, also has a sunroof & limited fender flairs, with grey int. & maintenance history available.


I'm leaning towards newer with more miles, especially if the guy is going to let it go for $800 less than the 97 (not just because of the cute girl in the pic)

For the price I really can't go wrong as long as either one doesn't blow up, but I will have to do the t-belt service soon on the 97. The more I think about it, for the price I'm considering buying them both

 

i would go with number two, but it might just possibly because there is a girl standing next to it.

 

yeah number 2 for sure does the girl come with it

 

LOL, I was thinking the same thing. I would go with two, timing belt/water pump is not a cheap job. The 25k mile difference isn't that huge, or big enough to offset the costs of getting #1 serviced properly. Also, I like the interior/exterior of 99+ more, but that's just my preference; some people are opposite of me.

 

If thats what you like go for it.. dont let the T-belt job sway you.. the 00 is almost due for another one...

 

Good call guys. I'm feel in the same. I'm going to do a compression test on it when I look at it at lunch today to make sure all is good & within spec. If all is good hopefully it'll be mine by Friday.

I'll try & get a pic of my wife next to it for comparison if I buy it

 

I would look at the rust situation, the frame quality could help you sway your desicion. I would think the 00' has the better frame... less exposure. Also you might want to consider the suspension of each the 00' will sit lower than the 97'.

Personally if they are both manual i'd go with the 00' and side with the wife on this one. You know what they say a happy wife makes a happy life.

 

The '00 has all the ergonomic upgrades including moving the cupholders off the !#%^$ dash. I don't miss my '97 one bit.

 

Well I just looked at the '00 & it seems to be well maintained, he has records for the timing belt & waterpump @ 125k & the clutch was supposedly replaced as well. No major leaks, saw a small drop of fluid around the transfercase but not much. Drove & shifted very smooth. It has a few cosmetic flaws, like a part of the fender flair on the pass. side on the bumper is missing. But over all pretty nice.

I attempted to do the compression test but it was going to be too much to do on the lunch break. Where do you disconnect the power going to the coil pack?

 

Pull the IGN fuse? (dunno if that takes the starter out tho)

Wow - around $5k for a compelte vehicle?
I was thinkin a 3.4L swap would cost alot but $5k for a running truck...

 

Yeah, I guess I cant worry about it too much at the price I'm getting it for eh. It didn't smoke & seemed to run smooth as butter. They guy commuted almost 100 miles round trip to work every day, so those hwy miles should have just broke it in

It'll need brakes & tires soon, but thats no big deal for me to do.

 

I'd go for the 2nd car, with the price tag of $4,200 for a 00' limited 4x4 4Runner? I can only get a 99 Frontier 4x2, or a 99~00 Civic with $5k.

 

The '00 runner is mine! Picked it up yesterday. (its not a limited & it was more than $4200)

I can't believe how smooth it runs & drives for havin 180k on it. I just stopped by my local yota dealer (where I was pleasantly surprised to find an old friend working at the parts counter) & picked up plugs, wires & air filter to tune it up & the section of the right front fender flare that attaches to the bumper that was missing, so I'm gonna get that on & painted along with the other flares that have a few scrapes on them & it should be lookin good.

I'm thinking of getting some 17" FJ wheels & 265/70/17 nitto terra grappler's for it, is anyone running the 6 spoke FJ wheels & if so what size tires are you running?

Pics to come soon as I begin the upgrades