Looking to buy a new 4runner need advice

[2cm]

Im looking to buy a 4runner in the $7000 to $10,000 range... now I need 4 wheel drive. What should i look for? Right now it seems a 1995 with about 85,000 or 95,000 miles on it is what im ganna have to get.
Now i want to know what I need to look for when buying a car with that many miles and most importantly, will it be reliable with 95000 miles on it already? I hear toyotas are very reliable, but I cant get something that im ganna have to fix and replace shit every so often, since im going from a honda civic with 55k miles on it, year 2000, which is a very very very reliable car.

So how reliable will a 1995-1998 4runner with about 100k miles on it be?

Im needing this to tow a boat around, (waverunner and a jon boat) and to use off roading in the mud (hunting)

Any feedback would be much appreciated,
Thanks,
Chuck

[Brian R.]

My advice is to get a 1996 or later with the 3.4 L V6 instead of the 3.0 L V6. Much better engine. Stronger, better gas mileage, more reliable, etc.

Anything that is well maintained and not beat off-road should have 200-300 k in it without major problems. There are alot of creampuffs out there.

[2cm]

ok what about when im looking at a 4x4, and i want to test out the 4x4 how should it run, like what to look for to make sure the 4x4 system is still working? and working good?

[Brian R.]

Make sure the 4WD indicator light is not blinking when you shove the transfer case shifter into 4WD. If the light is steady, then it's operating properly.

Check the transmission, transfer case, and differentials fluids. Make sure the fluids look like they've been changed without alot of metal on the magnetic drain plugs. Check for signs that the vehicle has been used off-road (damaged skid plates, rear differential, etc). No play in the drive shafts.

Bring it to a mechanic for evaluation.