Faults:

The AC compressor started making a whining sound at 200,000 miles. Cost me $900 for a new compressor and labor to install it. I think it was around $500 for the part.

General Comments:

We bought this car with 90k miles and now have 204,000 miles on it. In that time we have only had to replace the AC compressor ($900) at 200k miles, and change the water pump and timing belt (which is routine maintenance). I do oil changes at 4-5k mile intervals, but sometime go to 9k miles without an oil change and have had no problems.

I drive almost all highway miles and get about 21-23mpg's. I fill up about 15gallons and get usually drive about 350miles/tank.

Resale value is great on these cars because they are so reliable.

I have a two wheel drive model, but I have driven 4-wheel drive models offroad and they do great with decent stock ground clearance.

Faults:

Rear axle seal on left side began leaking, resulting in the loss of my brakes.

Valve cover seals began minor leakage replaced under warranty with dealer.

General Comments:

My 3rd 4runner I have owned since 1999. Had a 1987 with the 22RE, 1995 5-Speed with 3.0 V6 (extremely under powered for the size vehicle) so I had to upgrade to the 3rd Generation 4runner.

SR5 is an adequate trim level, but upgrades are easy if you like to do your own modifications. Completely replaced the entire interior with leather from another 4runner (96-02 are interchangeable), which really upgraded the comfort.

Replaced the 98 headlights with those from a 2000, which have better projection.

Replaced the center console as the placement of the cup holders in the 96-98 is horrible, you just want to chicken-choke the engineer who designed this fiasco. Replacing the e-brake and center console between the seats, and shifting the switches in the center console, made for a much better lay out (buy a 99-02 and eliminate this problem)

Lacks enough 12vdc outlets in the front, but 99-02 added two to help with this issue.

Rear cargo hold on the rear passenger area is too small to really put any amount of off-road equipment. 99-02 increased the size to allow for more basic emergency and maintenance items.

Visibility is good with tinted glass in the rear passenger/cargo area. Lift gate is easier to use than previous generations, making loading a bit easier without having to lean over a tailgate.

Faults:

146,000 Blown Engine cam shaft blew through the engine block. Parts of the cam shaft and piston ripped through the engine block and oil pan destroying the engine completely.

General Comments:

Car was running in idle while mechanic was attaching sensors to detect why it was running slightly rough. But there were no real problems that were detected prior to the blow out. Has this happened to any body else. I understand that 146 K is a lot but still to have the engine completely totaled with no real signs of problems seems a little strange.