Used 1990 Toyota 4Runner Consumer Reviews
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1990 4Runner-the best
jj, 06/03/2005
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have put 224000 miles on my 1990 Toyota 4-Runner with virtually no problems. It still runs like new. It is truly an amazing vehicle.
My Best Vehicle!
Ron, 11/28/2008
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
13 of 14 people found this review helpful
I have had my 4Runner for 10 years now having bought it used with 75000 miles on it. It scared me at first because I thought I was driving a truck after owning a small Honda Civic. This baby has been through thick and thin with me. I have used as a true SUV and not a show car like I've seen in California. Some have complained of now guts or power. I have the V6 engine with a 5 speed and have NO complaints. The 4 wheel drive works like a charm. I wouldn't own an automatic in a SUV (show car) and I have 250,000 on it and I'm considering a rebuild before it dies. I love this car!
A real trooper
aadst, 09/25/2002
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 2dr SUV 4WD
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I found this vehicle to be tough and dependable. The roll rate is a little excessive, but this is probably more due to the progressive rear springs and oversized 31" tires. Also, it couldn't move out of it's own way. But as a tough vehicle for work or play, it's an excellent choice. My sister backed into me with a Corolla, which suffered $3000 in damage, while I took less than $100 worth of damage. This vehicle is TOUGH. The downside is that the old 4Runner's had a few mechanical flaws, such as a problem with the rear window mechanism and back end sag.
yota tough, 1990 4-runner sr-5, 5speed.
john maddox, 09/21/2015
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
6 of 9 people found this review helpful
Bought 10 years ago with 220,000 miles,now has 300,000. 3.0 burns quart of oil about 1,000 miles, 19mpg on highway, 1 cambelt, front axles once, one great vehicle.
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Avoid at all cost!
Rob, 08/17/2010
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
7 of 12 people found this review helpful
The 3.0 L V6 is one of the worst engines ever made there are serious problems with the head gaskets. I own one and it has gone through 2 head gaskets in less than 200,000 miles at a cost of $1500 to $1800 each time. Do not buy these vehicles! Toyota will only replace the gasket one time but refuses to accept that it is a design flaw not only a gasket problem.
4Runners Rule!
GatorRay, 11/26/2002
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Want some serious reliability and avoidance of shop visits, then this is THE vehicle for your all around needs! Haul a bunch of pine needles, spread a tarp inside and load up with mulch or chips, drop the back gate and transport a John boat or occasionally let your wife drive it to load up with impatiets, pansies and whatevers. Don't let the ruts in a ravine or 12" of snow stop you in this brute. Going back and forth to work every day? You'll never have an excuse that your "car broke down" if everyone knows you drive a 4Runner!
Yotas rule!
YotaKid, 05/02/2008
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My 1990 toyota 4Runner is the most fun midsize suv I've ever driven. It gets great gas mileage and still has the off road capabilities (even in stock form) that you just don't find anywhere else. It has plenty of room for whatever you need to carry around and enough tow capacity that you should be fine as long as you're reasonable. My favorite thing about the truck (especialy being an off roader) is its reliability. I had one problem and that was a gasket in the radiator cap cracked and I just bought a new cap for $9. Simply it's tons of fun and a very reliable, cool, and capable truck.
Best 90's 4x4 SUV
Shane, 11/11/2018
updated 11/23/2020
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Had this 4runner for 7 years now and i gotta tell you its been a good daily. it looks badass and everything but ive had a number of electrical issues with it leaving me stranded a couple times due to the faulty starting system. but i still have the 3.0 v6 which is notorious for blowing head gaskets but mine is still fine with 254k. its a gas guzzler, it honestly is. it gets like 18 mpg max when you are trying super hard to go easy on the pedal. its kinda slow, it does 80 just fine but once you get up on a hill youre going to be 3rd gear pinned. plus getting up to speed takes about 5 minutes. but also realize toyota didnt make this to be a fast and sporty economy vehicle, they made it to be a rugged 4 wheel drive that is made to climb cliffs, thats all. but these do great up in the mountains even when fully stock. they are much better than your average ford or chevy diesel pickup for offroading because these are so light and they just cruise around between trees for how small and skinny they are.
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I love my 1990 toyota
Carol Harrison , 05/05/2022
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought Toyota 1990 4 runner new it sure been a good one only had to fix minner things it's a very has 224ooo miles it's still taking me where I want to go
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One Great Truck!
poisnivy, 06/25/2002
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
GREAT truck! I have been a toyota fan for years, still own another truck. This one has them all beat. Great comfort inside with lots of room and stylish outide. The V6 EFI motor gives it lots of pep, I've pulled large hills and left a couple of sports cars in the dust. Very reliable with basic maintenance done. The 4Wheel Drive is excellent, stock gears get you pretty much any where you wanna go, within reason, with a good set of traction tires. Enjoy!
Excellent Used SUV
Frank White, 01/04/2003
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
My 4runner keeps going with little problems and still manages to look good.
My 4Runner
Jody, 07/18/2006
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my 1990 4Runner 3 years ago with less than 100k miles on it and have never looked back. It's my daily driver in spite of having a 2002 Rav4. It's classic look still turns heads after a good wash and wax. My only complaint would have to be its under-powered engine. I will soon be buying an FJ but my 4-Runner will always be my baby.
some good some bad...
akaharvey, 03/22/2003
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Good car for smaller people, would love more leg room. Have had mine for 5 yrs now, bought used. Have had some major repair bills mostly with a/c and fuel injectors. Still a great looking car and built like a tank have been rear ended 3 times with no damage! I feel very safe when I can keep in running....
Solid and Tough
JBP, 04/01/2003
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Picked up the 4Runner as a second vehicle and now use it as a daily driver. Runs like a top despite being beat on regularly. A few minor repairs every year or so and you're ready to roll. My biggest complaint: the light blue paint is WEAK under the Arizona sun. The roof and hood look like garbage from oxidized paint but I'm still driving her!
Toyota forever!
tess93444, 04/25/2007
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
At the age of 17, big red has over 290000 miles on her. Great for bopping around town or on long hauls. Never any problems from defects except the original radiator-pin leak on top (but we were at 220000 miles!). Have only had to do the timing belt twice, clutch and brakes once, and minor tuneup tweaks. Just keeping the fluids clean pays off! Safety is awesome;stopped in traffic on the freeway, I was rear-ended at 53 mph. Everyone fine in truck, tire on rear took the force, though the tire bracket was bent into the truck, window still went up and down fine.
Best Ever Owned
JW, 05/20/2008
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We have owned this vehicle since 1995, and are second owners. Have had zero unusual repairs the entire time. We're about to call it quits on it at 230,000 miles because it needs new seals. Wish it had a little more power at higher speeds, but it is geared for 4WD. Better gas mileage than the new ones!
Indestructable
Kyle, 09/28/2016
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Love this car passed it down to my children has been put to the test. Hit a mail box scratches. Hit a speed limit sign little dent in the bumper. Backed into a parked car no damage.
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Good Second Vehicle
Monique Renne, 11/09/2015
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
My grandparents bought the 4Runner new in 1990, then passed away in 1991. My mother inherited it and it was her main vehicle until her death, when I inherited it. It has been garaged most of its life, so the paint has held up well. My mother added some crappy after-market stuff (like fake chrome and pinstriping) that I may have removed someday. Overall, it has been a great vehicle. It has a lot of cargo space and the rear heater is nice in the winter. I have learned how to drive it. It isn't very powerful, so I have to take it out of overdrive to climb hills and I can't count on just pulling out in traffic (it doesn't accelerate well). The gas mileage is surprisingly poor: 13-17 mpg. I need new seals in the engine as well, but that's just age. It is pretty reliable, though, and I am glad I have it. It is paired with a 1995 Toyota Corolla, my main vehicle. This 4Runner was built during a time when Toyota stood for quality! Twenty-five years old and running strong.
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Why Toyota
genera, 12/12/2003
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the vehicle from a Toyota dealer at just under 100,000 miles. It never had enough power. The 4WD system never worked right. There was always a loud banging sound and a lurching when the 4WD was disengaged, even after only 5 mins of driving. The passenger cab was cramped. After about a year and about 10 to 12 thousand miles, the engine blew a rod. I thought Toyotas were supposed to last forever. Or at least 150,000 miles. I've owned Chevy, Acura, VW, and Toyota. It doesn't matter what you buy, you may or may not get lucky.
Excellent 4runner
crainke, 05/29/2002
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Well built Japanese car. I pushed this 4runner to its limits many times and it always got me through.
Great, slow, dependable
Chrisbuy, 07/06/2004
1990 Toyota 4Runner SR5 V6 4dr SUV 4WD
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Because of the gutless feeling, I never took it over 60 mph until my wife drove it about 3 years ago. It's really gutless, but other than that, super dependable, very tough, very sound, almost never breaks, has never stranded me, looks nice, is boring. I'm 43, and nobody is going to have a mid-life crisis in this thing. 170k on one engine, still going strong.