I have recently been drawn to the 4Runner. You all have some pretty amazing rigs. I do believe I like the 3rd gens the best. I have just begun a search for one. It will not be an everyday driver, but some days it will be driven to work.

I mostly want if for family camping, backpacking, lake, and mountain trips. I will for sure get a 4wd because I also will do some light offroad riding, mainly hunting club roads, so nothing too extreme.

I thought I'd ask the experts their opinions. What year model would you want if you were looking for a new one? What pckgs, trim, etc.?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

3rd Gen. I got a 2000 Limited. Great for family, Road trip and camping. You can prob get one around 5k. But if you got the money buy a 08' or 09'.

Some 3rd Gens have the rear locker. I doubt you will want this since you don't plan to do any serious off roading.

Limited Trim looks the best obviously. Many of it's features can be found in lower models though.

I would definitely buy one that has a V6.

What's your budget? I'd say anything 99 and up would be a good choice. Just make sure all of the maintenance has been done and get the records.

Also, look at the 4-door Tacoma's (only available 01-04). If you want/need a truck bed, they make great rigs.

anotherT4Rowner - If you can find a 2000 Limited for $5k, tell me where I can buy it. I will pick it up today. They generally go for ~$7-10k depending on mileage and such.

i got my 4 runner for 4500 2000 limited v6 110k miles. new tires bigger battery than original. Not leakin. Not buring oil. I really did get a good deal on mine. Got it off the street cash.

Just because you got a good deal doesn't mean that it's the norm nor a deal that one should expect. $7-10k is more of a realistic figure.

That said, you got a STEAL!!!

I like the rugged bodystyle of the 3rd gens, the newer ones look like space ships to me

And don't forget to find out when the timing belt / water pump was done, (if at all). Besides breaks with rotors, that will be a hefty maintenance bill that will need to get done eventually...

I would say a later 3rd gen would be a good choice, 01 or 02 if you like the idea of full time 4wd possibility. And while I agree the Limited have some nice features IMO the Sport models look best with all painted to match and large flares, but lacking the plastic cladding.

Remember that the 99-00 Limiteds also had the full-time 4WD option. My only hang up about the 01-02 models are that the VSC system is WAAAY too sensitive. So much so that it put me in very dangerous situations a few times. If you get one, the VSC/TRAC disable mod (Andy Mod) is a necessity.

The VSC definitely takes some getting used to. I went from an 00 5 speed w/ only ABS, so at first I hated VSC. But I have found in the last few years I have adjusted my driving to work with VSC. I either wait for a bigger opening if its icy or I put it into 4wd. That's the nice thing w/ the center diff, when in doubt just put it in 4wd. If I could find a way to disable VSC and TRAC but keep ABS I would do it. You never know when you may need ABS and it would suck to have it turned off when you really need it. I also wonder what insurance might say if anyone ever wrecked their truck w/ a factory installed safety feature turned off, granted they may not know, but what if you end up in the hospital and don't have time to turn the switch back on.

Having been a 2nd gen ('90 SR5, 205,000 miles then sold to a friend who has over 320,000 on it now) and a 3rd gen ('00 SR5, just sold at 152,000 miles in great condition for $5500) owner, I recently bought a 4th gen ('08 Sport). All V6 4WD's.

The 4th gen is much refined compared to the 2nd and 3rd so if your budget allows, consider a 4th gen. However, I'd take my 3rd gen back in a heartbeat. All Toyotas are built to last and my 3rd gen, well, I KNEW I could always drive it like I stole it and she'd beg for more. Time will tell with my 4th gen.

I guess what I'm saying is, you can't go wrong. Used 4Runners are tough to come by and don't stay on the market for long so it takes work to find one. When you do, don't hesitate too much!