Would you buy a 2nd gen with 200k or 3rd gen with 250k miles?

Hey guys new to the 4Runner world and I need some advice.

Would you rather buy a 2nd gen that’s basically stock and had the head gaskets done already with 200k miles or a 3rd gen with 250k miles? Both rigs have minimal rust and the 3rd gen has a slight lift and 33s. Both are auto and 4wd as well

 

Welcome.

Me personally would go for the 3rd gen. But that's my 2 cents. Just my preference of the 2 choices.

 

Personally I like the look of the 2nd gens better, but I'd probably go with the 3rd gen, as long as the price is right and the lift is a quality kit installed correctly.

If the lift is sketchy, then I'd go with the 2nd gen.

 

The lift is a rough country

 

Welcome! How are you going to use the 4Runner?

 

Commuting and weekend camping trips.

 

Freeway or highways??
What type of camping? FS roads, desert, mountains (snow?)? Dispersed or campgrounds?

Second vehicle?

 

have a diesel truck so would be a second vehicle. Would use it to commute to work (15min on the highway) living in British Columbia I see all 4 seasons. The off-roading would be summer explorations (fsr, old fire roads) I have a sxs for the more serious stuff

 

I'd go for the one in the best shape. Doesn't sound like you have all that rough a drive. I'm in eastern WA (Wenatchee Area) and my 2019 SR5 works great for what I need it for: FS roads, up to 2 feet of snow, etc. as well as annual trips to the SW deserts. We have the Channeled Scablands immediately to the east of us. We took ours from Gallup to Chaco Canyon during the monsoons and hit some gnarly mud holes on the way (South Entrance), as well as 50 miles of ranch roads and 100 miles on the way out.

 

borrow a bit more money and get a newer one
BC should have some rust free low MILAGE older person driven ones
Toyota dealership in crandbook, Bruce tell me a guy on CGN said to call him to see about a used one
nice guy who reached out to me on,another forum when I had some new car dealership questions
he owns and drives one as well

 

I would go with the 3rd Gen. 2nd Gen parts are getting harder and harder to get as the vehicle is 30+ years old. 3rd Gen also has more power and better MPG's.

 

We, as in my lovely wife and I, bought a 3rd gen, 1999, 4R with 350 k miles on it 2 years ago. We only paid $5,000.00 for it, just before the used vehicle price explosion.

It's in great shape, runs like a dream, lots of power, especially compared to the 1st gen we sold just when we bought the 3rd gen. It runs through the the snow like it's not even there, only needs 4WD if the snow is deep, or it's icy. We put a full set of factory skid plates and sliders on it. We want it to be as close to factory original as possible. The paint is in great shape too.

I just lost part of my right leg, below the knee down. I cant drive it, being a manual trans, YET. Once I get fitted for a prosthetic, a slow process, I'll practise pressing the gas and brake, so that I CAN drive it again. It won't be long. My feet have been numb for a long time now due to diabetes, so I'm used to having no feeling in my feet. It'll just take a little time to adapt to the new, fake foot.

IMO, however old it is, this 4Runner is a great investment. If I were you, I'd go with a 3rd Gen.
Pat☺