Many Toyota owners will attest – a 200,000-mile odometer reading is usually just the beginning. Longevity is one of the brand’s strongest suits, and the 4Runner sport-utility has been a popular vehicle for adventure-seekers for several decades. It has a longstanding legacy as a reliable, capable rig. In some magazine advertisements, Toyota called the 4Runner “The Answering Machine for the Call of the Wild.”
The Pick of the Day is a 1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Newland, North Carolina. (Click here to view the listing)
“This 4Runner has been carefully maintained by its owner – a mechanical engineer – for over 10 years,” the listing says. Despite the vehicle’s odometer reading of about 244,500 miles, it looks to be in remarkable shape both inside and out. The seller says the paint is original with exception of the hood, which was repainted in 2024.
The 4Runner nameplate has been around for over 40 years. It was first brought to market in 1983 with what Toyota called the “N60 series” three-door compact SUV. In other markets around the world, it was called the Hilux Surf. The 4Runner shared mechanical architecture with Toyota’s pickups of the time, and the same basic formula still holds true today: While most sport-utility vehicles now utilize unibody designs, the newest 4Runner is still built on a truck-style ladder frame (called the TNGA-F global truck platform).
The third-generation 4Runner was introduced in model year 1996 boasting a new design on an all-new chassis when compared to the outgoing model. It offered the highest ground clearance in its class, yet could be optioned with luxurious amenities like leather upholstery on upper trim models. In so doing, it paved the way for many of today’s modern SUVs. This example is an SR5 with tan cloth, but it’s still well-appointed with a power sunroof and other options. The seller has upgraded the factory sound system with a JVC head unit that has modern Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.
About that long-lived engine: Power is sourced from a 3.4-liter V6 mated to a four-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. The listing outlines some of the maintenance that has been carried out in the last year or so: Timing belt, water pump, spark plugs, steering rack, front CV axle, lower ball joints, power steering pump, alternator, battery, muffler, tires, charcoal canister, belts and hoses. This 4Runner easily has another quarter-million miles of life left in it with that kind of service history.
“This truck turns heads and draws compliments everywhere it goes. Please reach out if you are serious about wanting to make it yours,” the listing concludes.
The asking price is $14,995.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
