That's right guys, I am now a official Toyota owner. I recently sold my E250 that I had been driving as a second vehicle (trying to keep mileage off my truck) and had been shopping for a little car. I really couldn't believe the junk that's out there (in n.e. Ohio) and the price people are wanting for it. I had a couple g's and thought I could get something pretty economical and in nice condition. Haha, wth was I thinking!!!

Well I happened to stumble across a 96 4Runner w/144k on it. It's not 4wd and it's a automatic 4cyl but the thing runs and drives like it's new. Needs some tires, has a little rust, and the left front wheel is making some noise (not sure what it is yet). Interiors descent other than the drivers seat which is worn and torn on the door side. They wanted 4500 for it which was definitely out of my range for a beater type of car. Well I decided to make them a offer and we went back and forth for a little bit. Finally I told him "2000.00 is all I can go" and he said sorry but he would have to pass. Well I got a call from him an hour later and he said he'll take it!!!

From what I've heard these things will easily go 300k so I thought I would give it a shot. First thing will be change all the fluids, then maybe some tires, and then brakes. Any of you guys know anything about these? Anything else I should look for or check out?

So now my one buddy in particular who has a Tacoma TRD is really going to give me some . I'm always ragging on him about why don't you get a real truck instead of that little ricer!!!!! Man am I gonna get it.

I'll get some pics up after work.

Let the flaming begin

 

::shakes head in disappointment::

I thought you were better then that...

 

Eh no worries. My DD is a Yota.... 96 Avalon with 180K miles on it... all original. I still see tons of those old 4Runners around my area. In fact, a buddy of mine has one he uses to wheel. Those things are tough as nails and will last forever with little to no maintenance.

 

That's what I've been hearin'

I'm kind of hoping with some tlc this thing will last at least 100k for me

 

You need a set of these.

 

"Trying to keep the mileage off the truck".... WTH! What do you do? Go out and stare at it and say "wow, that's a nice truck and I'd really like to drive it, but I gotta keep the miles off of it..."

Couldn't be gas you were trying to save, if you were driving around in an E250!

Is it a Lease deal then? I know they only allow you so many miles a year, but that kinda defeats the purpose of paying for a vehicle, right?

I know I'm bustin' your *****....

I guess when you drive a vehicle with over 200,000 miles on it, you don't worry about such things anymore!

Sounds like a decent Yota you got there! Those things should run forever! My sister drove her old Corolla around on about 1 qt of oil for a week or so! Filled it up and it ran fine for another couple of years and she sold it in a running condition with over 100,000 miles on it!

Mitch

 

T=ake
O=ff
Y=our
O=versized
T=ires
A=$%hole

 

My first vehicle was a 1990 toyota 4runner.. that thing was awesome.. I didn't know much bout vehicles when I was 16, but I just knew it was fun to drive.. It was more or less an early graduation present from my Aunt.. I had a choice between either the 4runner or a 98 Ford escort coupe zx2, both had about 175k miles..

The 4runner came with cd player, cruise control, power everything.. I was suprised considering it was a 1990.. one of my fav things was that the back window rolled down and it had a tailgate.. I got rid of it after a few years when I bought my 06 Civic, but my wife drives the Civic now that I got the truck.

Anywho.. I couldn't imagine buying a beater to drive around in when I got a $40k truck sitting in the parking lot.. hard to justify the money saved on gas or whatever other reasoning some people have.. then again I put less than 10k a year on the truck.. so gas doesn't cost me much anyways

 

You sound like my wife

Don't get me wrong, I love driving my truck but things around these parts seem to fall apart pretty quick. The roads just plain out suck and once it gets cold they're even worse. Not to mention the damn salt they put on the roads.They pour that stuff on so damn heavy it's not even funny! Then half way through winter they say there going to need more money because they're about out of the stuff!!! Don't forget about the pot holes and of course the idiots that forget how to drive in the ice and snow.

The van was descent but not for a dd. It was a cargo van so it had two seats, ladder racks, and storage bins in the back. I just wasn't feelin' it ya' know?

Since my trucks almost paid off and I plan on keeping it for awhile(43k on the clock) I wanted something to take the day to day wear and tear and to drive in the winter. Now if it gets super nasty out this winter and I have to have the 4x to get around I wouldn't hesitate to bust out the truck and have some fun.

 

Now that would be funny.

 

Yah, I didn't notice your 'location', so that's enough reason right there! I live in the WA State, so know all about the bad roads and such... King county is the worst (Seattle). Seattle is now going to start using salt on the roads when it snows here next time.. Long story short is Seattle had over 8" of snow that did not go away for 2 weeks.. From where you live, that's probably nothing, but Seattle only has a handfull of plows and never gets that amount of snow all at once and have it stick around.... Anyway, everyone bitched about the response and lack of snow removal, blah, blah, blah... So now, they are going to use SALT no matter what! Now they will all start bitching about the rust bucket cars they are going to have!

Mitch

 

Did you hear about the seat recall on those? An officer at work, he has I think 3 of these 4runners. All of them are nice rides tho, anyways he found some kinda TSB on the net about the rear seat.
Took one runner down to a nearby dealer and they un bolted it, re installed a new rear seat and handed him 100 bucks cash .

Needless to say he cashed in 300 bucks that day on 3 diff seats he said they never did tell him what the issue was, but the TSB said something about metal in the seat.

 

Good info, thanks.

I'll have to find a 4runner forum and look for this kind of info.

www.t4r.org maybe.

 

I had a 2000 4Runner a couple of years ago and it was an awesome vehicle. It was a 4x4 v6 black Sport model. It definitely liked gas (16-17 mpg) but it would go anywhere. I sold it then bought my current truck. I needed a truck and couldnt pass up the deals they had on new ones at the time.

As long as it was properly maintained that thing should last forever.

Congrats on the great deal! You'll get no flack from me.

 

I have a totally mint 93 Camry V6 that is my daily beater! Keeps the miles off of my truck! Touchet!......(LOL)