Nicest One Left? 1995 Toyota 4Runner Limited

February 20, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar

Undoubtedly, the Toyota 4Runner has already become a modern classic. The earliest models with the removable hard top are the most sought-after. Still, the second-generation offering is close behind, with a simultaneous driving experience that is equal parts modern and slightly vintage. The current model is effectively a warmed-over version of the same truck introduced over ten years ago, so Toyota has clearly figured out how to make a competent product and then milk the hell out of it. But because it hasn’t been altered much over the years, the values have held strong both as a reliable daily driver and an appreciating asset. The example is a 1995 model wearing Limited trim, and it’s simply one of the best we’ve seen. We spotted this ride in January 2023 on Craigslist in Tampa, Florida, for $23,000, offered by just the second owner. Comparing that price against the Classic.com model guide shows that the seller is above the moving average sales rate of just under $15,000, but his truck does seem to stand apart from the rest in terms of condition:

Toyota likely didn’t realize what it set in motion when it introduced the original 4Runner. After all, at that point, a true SUV was still a tool, an item you used for a specific purpose. In that regard, the first-generation 4Runner was a means of going off the beaten path while still providing a compliant enough ride not to mind the drive home on the pavement. At that point, a truck was still a truck – if you wanted a durable 4×4, you purchased a Bronco, a Blazer, or one of the many pickup trucks available at the time. When Toyota rolled out the 4Runner, consumers suddenly realized they could have the best of both worlds. And with the legendary Toyota powertrains under the skin, you could also have Camry-like reliability in a vehicle that looked equally at home in suburbia as in the wilderness. The building blocks of the current obsession over SUVs and CUVs didn’t come about in the last decade; hardly. Toyota’s 4Runner played a leading role in setting the trend in motion.

The MotorWeek Retro Review YouTube Channel features this test drive of a 1996 Toyota 4Runner, which carried an eye-watering $31,500 price tag when new:

When it comes to Toyota trucks, the Land Cruiser (and LX450) is perhaps the coolest rig you can buy, outside of a nicely-preserved Hilux or Tacoma. But the 4Runner is not far behind those two truck icons, and while the first-generation model is clearly the most sought-after, you shouldn’t sleep on the more modern and comfortable second-generation offerings. While everyone loves a removable hard top on a truck, there are fewer people who may want to drive one of those trucks daily. The later examples, like our subject truck, may have lost the removable roof but greatly increased the comfort factor, with leather seating surfaces, plenty of convenience features, and a torquey V6 engine (no offense to the 22R, but it’s a bit of a dog.) The seller’s truck is truly remarkable, with beautiful green paint, minty leather seats, polished alloy wheels with nary a spec of corrosion, and just 65,000 miles on the clock. The seller has also addressed a not-insignificant amount of recent maintenance, including new belts, plugs, and a fresh fan clutch. The tires are meaty Firestone ATs and are new as well. The price may be high, but it will be gone before the weekend if this one is as good as it looks in photos.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Up for sale is my 1995 4Runner Limited 4WD with just 65k original miles. 3.0 V6. Excellent Condition overall. I’m the second owner. Garaged all the time. All original paint and no accidents. It runs and drives beautifully. All maintenance receipts are available from the original owner dating back to when new. Original literature like Window sticker, brochures, etc available as well. All electronics work. AC blows cold. No weird noises. No warning lights. No leaks. The interior was very well preserved. Clean FL title in our name.

Recent maintenance includes:
– New Firestone AT tires
– New Serpentine belts
– New Fan clutch
– New Plugs and Wires
– New PS pump
– New Rear springs
– New antenna“

Time warp truck: would you daily this super clean 4Runner or treat it like a collector’s item?