Going to take a beauty fully loaded runner out for a test drive today but one thing has me worried, it has a different motor pulled from a junkyard. It seems like rebuilds are kind of hit and miss in terms or reliability, how would an original transferred over compare. It's going to have to be my work truck in the city so I cannot afford to sink any money into it for a little while at least. And unfortunately it is a automatic, any word on their reliability.
The runner and 225,000 km's on it and the motor was pulled with one at 195 I think it was or maybe 95? And th parts truck is around 200K.

Is there anything I should know about runners that might be a special thing to look for besides the usual stuff you look for on used vehicles?

The thing comes with a parts truck, but I will be moving out of this town to the city and can't bring it along with me. Should I ask him to keep it on his land (it looks like he has the extra space) and trust with not so part it out or something.
Or should I try to get him to knock off some more money and not take the parts runner?

I'm also looking at a 2001 pathfinder at the same price, supposedly it is in great condition, lady driven, did all the services ect and it is a manual. I don't have any experience with the nissans but I used to have a toyota pickup that I just loved, so I'm leaning to the 4runner for reliability, but then again pathfinders also have a good rep and this one is 7 years newer with original parts at the same price....I am so torn.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

id always say get the toy, but in your case and situation maybe the nissan might be a better choice, ive got two runners. one has been a nightmare the other problem free. just my .02