Need help finding nice 4runner

Me and my boyfriend just started looking for a car for me for my birthday and I really want a 4runner, I need something reliable, mom-like, and something I can take out in the woods for camping. But I really don't know what to do, I need an automatic because I fail miserably at manual. I really want to know what year I should look into and which would be better a v6 or a 4-cylinder? And how much of a lift would not throw off the alignment too bad? i really want one between the years of 85-99, I don't like the newer body styles. I'm really not a car person but I don't want to cave into getting an explorer cause my boyfriend wants me to because he has one and thinks "they are the best". Please help so I don't have to get a ford...

 

96-2002 v6 is the best. Avoid 1990-1995 v6

 

Your v6 is obviously gonna have more power. With not wanting a manual, I would go with a 96-02 4Runner, simply because the 4cyl is underpowered with an auto.

 

i agree with both these ^^^ also, you know you want the 4runner so that you can show to this boyfriend of yours that his ford just isn't "the best" by any stretch of the imagination...

 

I am partial to the 4th gens (2003-2009) you can find some 03 and 04s for pretty decent prices now that they are 10yrs old. I think someone had one posted in the classifieds for sale.