Help with shopping? looking at a '96

Hi, I am shopping for a new vehicle and have a date to go look at this 3rd gen (pics and link to craiglist below). Can this forum advise me a bit on what to ask and to look for when I go to see this car? I am not currently a savvy car owner/shopper; however I would like to become one and in shoppingfor my next car am looking for one that would be a good to work on myself and learn more. Verrryyy excited to find this forum.

Anyways, the 4runner is a 1996 2.7 liter 4 cylinder 5 speed manual. It has 92k miles on it. Seller is asking $15,500. If anyone would reply with good questions to ask, red flags to watch for, or what they think of this asking price, I would appreciate it so much. Thank you!

https://reno.craigslist.org/cto/d/incline-village-1996-toyota-4runner-low/7660120879.html

 

Welcome to the forum Hanna, first off i will say it looks pretty clean, and from the pics. I do not see much rust at all. Maintenance records would be nice to see, but other than that it looks nice. Other forum members may chime in soon with a little more knowledge though, be patient.

 

That looks very good. It is a BASE model, even more than mine. You never see these with crank windows, this one is rare for having it. It also has a 4 cylinder, and no ABS. It's old school too, still using a distributor, only this year and part of 97 had that

I'd definitely buy it, and I'd buy it with less hesitation than I would my own vehicle knowing what I know of these engines.

The only problem they get (other than oil leaks) is burnt valve, and this has so few miles your at the point where it should be checked, but it wont have taken effect (it takes a long time for burnt valve)

 

It looks to be in really good shape. There is no rust that I can see, just patina.

I'm conflicted. $15k is just too much for that. I know it's rare but unless it's absolutely PERFECT for you, I'd pass. Or offer him $10k.

We have scads of these here in NC now. Looks like people are selling them as they are aging into needing more care than people want to provide:
https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/greenville-99-4runner-cash-only/7661171355.html