The Three Year Review of My 1995 4Runner

"Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies" (jordanwphillips) 11/26/2014 at 16:30 • Filed to: None

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8

It has the cheap suspension that somebody put on it when it was in San Diego, it has the cheapish(not) tires I purchased while in Pennsylvania, and the brakes that somebody from Toyota wrongly though were adequate for the time.

( Full Disclosure: Toyota wanted me to drive this so bad, that they sold it to at least one person before me, for me to purchase at a semi-sketchy used car dealer in Pensacola, Fl. Across the country from where it was originally sold.)

My car search lasted a while. The first vehicle I originally wanted, sold the day before I was going to look at it. So while I was helping my Dad move down here to Florida, we were driving around looking. We stopped at said dealer, because they had a 2001 4Runner in my price range. It's miles were high and it was only two wheel drive, alas it wasn't meant to be. Then the salesman told us they had another 4Runner in the back with less miles and four wheel drive. It was a 1994 model, Toyota shit green, and with ratted out tan leather. Needless to say, it wasn't the one. Then it happened. I heard something moving in the back lot, a loud V6. I could tell it was a Toyota. Then I saw it. I didn't care about anything else, it was the one. Well, 3 days later on November 26, 2011, I was driving it around everywhere. It was mine.

My first picture of it. Now after three years, I can say I know enough about it to review it. It's been the one constant in my life for the past 3 years. It's gotten me everywhere I needed to go(except once). It's brought smiles when I was depressed. It's kept me safe while I was being a dumbass. I have grown attached to the damn thing.

Exterior: 8/10

I personally think it is the best looking generation of all the 4Runner's. Sure, it doesn't have a removable top, but it has flared fenders. It isn't modern, but it hasn't aged that badly either. Two points off because it isn't a super car. Mine is a bit rougher around the edges as well, some hack job rust repair by me has left it looking sad. But alas, in general it looks pretty good for an offroad vehicle that was someone's first car.

Interior: 5/10

Mine has seen better days. The carpet is ruined. Other than that, it isn't in that bad of shape. The cup-holders suck. The seats have the best lumbar support of anything I've ever driven, they will hug you tighter than a creepy old man. The seating position makes me question the sanity of the engineer that designed it. If you are not 5'4" or below, your knees are very bent. I am 6' even. I've gotten used to it. 100% worth it.

BUT, because of the poorly designed seating position, there is so much room for activities in the back.

I can sleep in the back fully stretched out. Perfect for camping.

Acceleration: 3/10

If it were 40 to 50 years old, it would be acceptable. It's only 20. 0-60 comes in anywhere from 14 to 18 seconds, depending on the temperature and altitude. Merging onto the interstate is always an adventure. Staying at speed is an even bigger adventure. If there is any head wind, get used to staying at 60 or below. 3/10 because I know there are slower. I feel for them. The reason for this poor performance:

Braking: 3/10

It has brakes. They do bring it to a stop. I have learned a lot about judging distances from it. Funny story about why I had to put new tires on it. Somehow, due to the piss poor quality of the Pro-Comp tires, anything other than perfectly dry weather would fool the ABS and cause the brakes to lock. Fun times doing a 360 in traffic. FUCK PRO-COMP. And they were at least 50% tread, so it wasn't that.

Handling: 6/10

When the sway bar isn't out of order, it handles surprisingly well. The steering has a lot of feel, not to heavy, but not weightless. It doesn't wander, and it doesn't roll much at all considering how high up it is. And yes, I have driven other fun cars to base this opinion off of.

Ride: 7/10

It is firm enough to not feel like a boat in a storm like my Dad's Ram 1500, but it doesn't beat your spine either. My Dad who has 3 fused discs and at least 5 other ruptures, can handle the ride.

Reliability: 9/10

It has let me down once in these three years. Shop time actually involved to fix it, 3 days. It was of course the 3VZ-E's Achilles heel, head gaskets. While everyone says to stay away from that engine, I completely disagree. If that is all that goes wrong in 160k miles, that's pretty damn good. It still ran, it was still drive-able.

Toys: 8/10

It has a radio and two speakers. Now you may ask how could I give it 8/10. That is really simple: because it in itself is a toy. That is why I got it. I wanted an offroad toy. It has went anywhere my friend's Jeeps have been, it just hasn't broke down doing it. Therefore, I think the toy score should be high. It also has helped destroy a Ford because of it's fording capabilities.

Audio: 4/10

It has two speakers. It is a V6. It sounds decent for a V6, but it is not an Alfa V6. Close enough to what it sounds like:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW2caR…

Value: 10/10

I paid way too much for mine. Still, I don't regret it. It has been more fun than anything I've ever driven. It was perfect for driving in the snow and it's perfect for cruising the beach roads or exploring forest roads. It also has a roll down back window, which is priceless. You now can buy one of these for next to nothing. You just put oil and gas in it and go. Sure replacing headgaskets can be pricey, but so is keeping anything 20 and over on the road. Don't ask about the gas mileage, I've explained that before. 10/10 would do again.

63/100

itschrome > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/26/2014 at 16:40

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"It sounds decent for a V6, but it is not an Alfa V6. Close enough:"

No... just no...

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > itschrome 11/26/2014 at 16:46

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Read edit. Meant close enough to what is sounds like.

thebigbossyboss > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/26/2014 at 16:59

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Perfect for camping. And other things.

thebigbossyboss > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/26/2014 at 17:01

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Awesome. I love your car and hate the person that stolemy dad's friends 1986 pre runner toyota pickup.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > thebigbossyboss 11/26/2014 at 17:06

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Those bastards deserve the worse. And thanks!

rockingthe2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/27/2014 at 10:07

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Buying 4Runners is like buying tools from Harbor Freight, its all hit and miss. Personally I would knock off another point on braking and acceleration, and a few off reliability, but it's not my review. Well written, enjoy the truck!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > rockingthe2 11/27/2014 at 14:04

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Thanks! I would consider the 4Runner to be a 9 hit, 1 miss vehicle, and it has well garnered that reputation. The XJ/ZJ on the other hand, that is a hit and miss vehicle. Basically the engine is a hit, and everything else is a miss. The reason I scored it that high in acceleration and braking is as stated, there are a lot worse out there. Even today there are slower vehicles that stop worse. In 3rd world countries, but still...

rockingthe2 > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies 11/27/2014 at 16:11

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Ive had 4 4runners, my dad has had 3, and my brother 2. Ill never own another 2nd gen, my dad still has one that has over 200k, and my brothers 3rd gen has 216, his biggest problem was an alternator. out of the 4 I have owned, the best one was used as a parts truck because it was rolled before I bought it.