Purchase Rationale
The 3rd generation 4runner is a cult favorite for many reasons. It was way ahead of its time. After 20yrs, many of its kind can still be seen on the road today. These trucks are ultra reliable, relatively easy to maintain, and provide many of the modern features that SUVs come with today.
I chose the 2wd Limited over the more popular 4wd because my priority was reliability and low cost of maintenance since most of my driving would be on Texas highways. 2wd 4runners boast more reliability as they have less moving parts to maintain along with achieving slightly more fuel efficiency. I eventually purchased my 4wd 4runner after I had gained the experience to service and maintain these truly amazing vehicles.
Over the years I have kept an eye on the various 4runner forums for help with DIY maintenance or ideas to help get the most from my vehicle. I discovered that a well maintained 3rd gen 4runner will easily get half a million miles with the original engine and transmission. Half a million miles! My goal was 250k (purchased with 67k).
I use my 4runner to take me back and forth from Austin to Dallas nearly twice a month which adds about 800-1000 miles to my odometer (mostly highway miles). My truck has never let me down and still garners my love and respect after all these many years. I show this through meticulous maintenance and care.
Whenever I see another 3rd gen 4runner on the road I can't help but compare our two models. It is obvious which vehicle has been driven and cared for by a devoted owner. It is always nice to see an equally well looked after 4runner. Strangely these vehicles hold their value extraordinarily well (especially if maintenance records have been kept). There is a cult-like following on these 4runners as there is for each of the generations; however, the 3rd gen is frequently the most desirable.
Prospective buyers (especially those familiar with 4runners) know not to discount high mileage 4runners since a well maintained vehicle will last an incredibly long life; however, there are plenty of 4runners on the market that have been neglected and still boast insane mileages.
Here is a buyers guide...
I chose the 2wd Limited over the more popular 4wd because my priority was reliability and low cost of maintenance since most of my driving would be on Texas highways. 2wd 4runners boast more reliability as they have less moving parts to maintain along with achieving slightly more fuel efficiency. I eventually purchased my 4wd 4runner after I had gained the experience to service and maintain these truly amazing vehicles.
Over the years I have kept an eye on the various 4runner forums for help with DIY maintenance or ideas to help get the most from my vehicle. I discovered that a well maintained 3rd gen 4runner will easily get half a million miles with the original engine and transmission. Half a million miles! My goal was 250k (purchased with 67k).
I use my 4runner to take me back and forth from Austin to Dallas nearly twice a month which adds about 800-1000 miles to my odometer (mostly highway miles). My truck has never let me down and still garners my love and respect after all these many years. I show this through meticulous maintenance and care.
Whenever I see another 3rd gen 4runner on the road I can't help but compare our two models. It is obvious which vehicle has been driven and cared for by a devoted owner. It is always nice to see an equally well looked after 4runner. Strangely these vehicles hold their value extraordinarily well (especially if maintenance records have been kept). There is a cult-like following on these 4runners as there is for each of the generations; however, the 3rd gen is frequently the most desirable.
Prospective buyers (especially those familiar with 4runners) know not to discount high mileage 4runners since a well maintained vehicle will last an incredibly long life; however, there are plenty of 4runners on the market that have been neglected and still boast insane mileages.
Here is a buyers guide...