03-31-2022, 11:19 AM
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#1
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Join Date: Sep 2021
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A test of bourgeois-ness
We have an ancient 2003 4Runner V8. A friend of mine recently asked me, “you can obviously afford it so why don’t you get a nicer car?” The answer is, my 19 year old truck may look a little tatty (after all, it’s never been in a garage in any weather) but it drives _exactly_ the same as when it was brand new. All systems work fine. Uses a lot of gas, especially in the winter, but I guess the devil casts his card into every hand. Have even been able to shut down rust underneath: 2-3 decades ago I used to have a thing for antique Brit sports cars a/k/a rust machines, and I learned how to get the best out of POR-15 paint. Had the T4R bottom blasted and thoroughly sprayed with POR, and I get under there every spring to tidy things up, and there’s effectively zilch rust.
Show me a contemporary car that costs almost nothing to insure, is comfy and quiet, can get through absolutely any weather with ease, has a great sound system, doesn’t have moronic annoyances like TPMS’s or distracting LED screens, can easily pull a large keelboat, has a ridiculously tight turning radius, is almost perfectly anonymous, is built to essentially military-grade standards, and isn’t wired back in to the mother ship to collect your private data. There’s nothing even close out there.
The only and I mean only reason to buy a new car would be bourgeois consumerism and/or feelings of inadequacy.
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03-31-2022, 12:57 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kansas
Age: 28
Posts: 4,304
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Kansas
Age: 28
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Handles like a car, tows like a truck.
Small enough to fit in any parking lot or trail, but can still fit all your friends and luggage inside.
Gas mileage could be a bit better though....
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2005 4R Sport 4WD "The last of the V8s!" - Custom TIG'd SS Dual Exhaust - King 2.5" +2 LT. - ARB Front & Rear - 37's - Dana 60 - Build Thread
2005 Tundra 2WD Regular Cab V8 - Chopped Frame - Short Bed Swap
1977 Celica Liftback - LFX Swap - Build Thread
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03-31-2022, 02:17 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 165
Real Name: Taylor
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 165
Real Name: Taylor
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I really do think the V8 4th gen is the best all around vehicle of all the generations. It does everything better imo, is super comfortable the whole way, pretty capable off-road in stock config and easily made much more capable. Plus I love the interior. Everything but the window buttons is just where it should be and very ergonomic. I like my GX470 as well, but the cabin is much better on my Limited trim 4th gen, plus no orange wood
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1985, 22re, 5spd, 4x4, Marlin crawler dual transfer case, locked fr&rr, 35's
1996, 5vz-fe, Auto, 4x4, Bilstein/ome lift, tundra 17's, 33's
Sold(regret it)- 1999 Highlander edition, Auto 4x4, 3"lift, factory rear locker
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03-31-2022, 02:17 PM
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#4
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 165
Real Name: Taylor
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Northern Utah
Posts: 165
Real Name: Taylor
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And yeah I would definitely appreciate a few more miles per gallon, especially with today's prices
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1985, 22re, 5spd, 4x4, Marlin crawler dual transfer case, locked fr&rr, 35's
1996, 5vz-fe, Auto, 4x4, Bilstein/ome lift, tundra 17's, 33's
Sold(regret it)- 1999 Highlander edition, Auto 4x4, 3"lift, factory rear locker
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03-31-2022, 04:19 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,190
Real Name: Mike
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 1,190
Real Name: Mike
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Mine's paid off, cheap to register and does the job. Odd that insurance is pricey compared to my other newer cars...lol. I also don't care much if something bounces off it. How many vehicles this size have a full frame these days even though they tend to rust around here, so does everything else. I agree on the window buttons and I'd like them lit up but not enough to mod them.
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Mike
03 4runner Limited
1GR-FE V6 w/199k miles
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04-01-2022, 09:50 AM
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#6
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: under the radar
Posts: 470
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: under the radar
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I've owned a lot of vehicles and been driving a long time....the 4Runner is far and away the best vehicle I've had the pleasure of owning. It's amazing that these rigs can go 20+ years and 500k miles with basic/routine maintenance! I smile every time I jump in my rigs.
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*2017 4R TRD Pro, 01H5 Cement w/ Shrockworks dimpled tread plate sliders, Moroso oil catch-can, black powder-coated roof rails. (summer runner).
*2005 4R Sport Edition w/ Bilstein 5100's, Gen-5 brake upgrade, K&N cold air intake, cabin air intake mod, Falken Wildpeak AT3. (winter runner).
*1965 Pontiac GTO convertible, 4-speed w/tri-power, PHS documented. (born in Freemont CA).
*1962 Chevrolet C-10 (short-step) pickup, 4-speed, survivor. (born in Oakland CA).
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04-01-2022, 05:18 PM
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#7
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burnaby, BC
Age: 38
Posts: 408
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burnaby, BC
Age: 38
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A friend asked me what I would buy to replace my 4Runner... I was stumped.
I really couldn't think of anything I'd rather own. All options have to surrender something that I like about the 4Runner for something I don't like.
Want fancy features? Gotta have computers in everything, integrated CANBUS.
Better fuel economy? Lighter, no frame, lower ride height, more complicated engine
New? Payments.
There is, to my knowledge, only a few V8 full-time 4WD SUVs that have a frame, ever made. Landcruisers being the vast accounting. Remember, Landrovers go into the bush but Landcruisers come back out.
It's a tough situation to have to move to something else.
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2005 V8 Limited
Bilstein 6112/5160, ADDCO bars. 18x9 Beast with 285/60R18 BFGs
IPT valve body, DT shorty headers, Dirty Deeds BAMF exhaust
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04-01-2022, 06:21 PM
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#8
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 133
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Bay Area
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Timely... I just returned from a dealership to look at a new TRD Premium. It was nice, smelled new, etc. Driving our '08 home, I commented to my wife that I didn't think the new one was much of an upgrade, certainly not for the dealer mark-up of $7,000 over sticker (!!!).
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2008 4runner Limited V8: Radflo 2.5" kit, 5th gen TE wheels, Cooper AT/3's, Frontrunner rack, CVT tent
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04-01-2022, 06:38 PM
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#9
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burnaby, BC
Age: 38
Posts: 408
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burnaby, BC
Age: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2000m2
Timely... I just returned from a dealership to look at a new TRD Premium. It was nice, smelled new, etc. Driving our '08 home, I commented to my wife that I didn't think the new one was much of an upgrade, certainly not for the dealer mark-up of $7,000 over sticker (!!!).
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The V8 4th gens drive like a chest of drawers with a jet engine.
But the newest 4runners just drive like a chest of drawers...
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2005 V8 Limited
Bilstein 6112/5160, ADDCO bars. 18x9 Beast with 285/60R18 BFGs
IPT valve body, DT shorty headers, Dirty Deeds BAMF exhaust
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04-11-2022, 12:35 PM
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#10
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 86
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Join Date: Sep 2021
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keros
The V8 4th gens drive like a chest of drawers with a jet engine.
But the newest 4runners just drive like a chest of drawers...
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We have, in addition to the '03 V8, a 2017 SR5. I would say the driving position is a little roomier (as a tall driver, I'm up within an inch of the headliner/sunroof in the '03) and more upright. But there's lots and lots of body roll. The V8 has X-REAS whereas the newer truck does not; maybe that's why. They are both very reliable to say the least. The new one is rather underpowered and drives like a boat anchor, but it does get a couple more mpg. The 4th gen has a _much_ tighter turning radius. IMO the 5th gens are a more attractive design though.
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04-11-2022, 01:43 PM
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#11
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Member
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burnaby, BC
Age: 38
Posts: 408
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Burnaby, BC
Age: 38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2003V8LTD
We have, in addition to the '03 V8, a 2017 SR5. I would say the driving position is a little roomier (as a tall driver, I'm up within an inch of the headliner/sunroof in the '03) and more upright. But there's lots and lots of body roll. The V8 has X-REAS whereas the newer truck does not; maybe that's why. They are both very reliable to say the least. The new one is rather underpowered and drives like a boat anchor, but it does get a couple more mpg. The 4th gen has a _much_ tighter turning radius. IMO the 5th gens are a more attractive design though.
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My hair touches the headliner in my 4th gen. It's my least favourite feature.
Certainly seems the 5th gen stopped the 4Runner design lineage of being made for small people.
But in thrust we trust.
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2005 V8 Limited
Bilstein 6112/5160, ADDCO bars. 18x9 Beast with 285/60R18 BFGs
IPT valve body, DT shorty headers, Dirty Deeds BAMF exhaust
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04-11-2022, 09:30 PM
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#12
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Member
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Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 39
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2000m2
Timely... I just returned from a dealership to look at a new TRD Premium. It was nice, smelled new, etc. Driving our '08 home, I commented to my wife that I didn't think the new one was much of an upgrade, certainly not for the dealer mark-up of $7,000 over sticker (!!!).
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7 grand over sticker???? I paid under 7 for mine lol. Id trash out a new one in a year 100% .
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04-12-2022, 08:48 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 1,546
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Charlotte
Posts: 1,546
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Are there other vehicles I could see myself owning? Sure.. if money wasn't an option.. but it kind of is.. lol. There isn't anything I don't like about my 03 v8 except maybe for the fact that I took my build too far already and it made it less conformable for daily driving. Smiles per gallon make up for it though.
Even with everything done to it I still feel perfectly comfortable taking it on a long road trip only having to worry about finding gas stations along the way lol. I could certainly see myself owning something newer, like a 5th gen or a tundra, or hell, even a tacoma.. the problem is that I've been spoiled by no car payments and I just don't see myself spending twice (if not more) as much as what I have in my entire build just to get into something newer, but stock, knowing damn well I wouldn't keep it stock lol.
Long term I honestly don't see myself getting rid of my 4th gen.. not for quite some time. I have a lot of time invested into the custom projects and I think its really unique and would be hard to walk away from. I could see myself picking up a new Tundra ways on down the road to have something a bit less off-roady but still capable of going camping. So yea.. there's nothing I can see myself trading my 4runner for lol
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2003 Limited V8 4runner - 37's, Tacoma Front End swap, ARB locked front and rear , LC200 rack swap
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04-15-2022, 01:30 PM
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#14
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Member
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Kensington, MD
Posts: 392
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Kensington, MD
Posts: 392
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2003V8LTD
We have an ancient 2003 4Runner V8. A friend of mine recently asked me, “you can obviously afford it so why don’t you get a nicer car?” The answer is, my 19 year old truck may look a little tatty (after all, it’s never been in a garage in any weather) but it drives _exactly_ the same as when it was brand new. All systems work fine. Uses a lot of gas, especially in the winter, but I guess the devil casts his card into every hand. Have even been able to shut down rust underneath: 2-3 decades ago I used to have a thing for antique Brit sports cars a/k/a rust machines, and I learned how to get the best out of POR-15 paint. Had the T4R bottom blasted and thoroughly sprayed with POR, and I get under there every spring to tidy things up, and there’s effectively zilch rust.
Show me a contemporary car that costs almost nothing to insure, is comfy and quiet, can get through absolutely any weather with ease, has a great sound system, doesn’t have moronic annoyances like TPMS’s or distracting LED screens, can easily pull a large keelboat, has a ridiculously tight turning radius, is almost perfectly anonymous, is built to essentially military-grade standards, and isn’t wired back in to the mother ship to collect your private data. There’s nothing even close out there.
The only and I mean only reason to buy a new car would be bourgeois consumerism and/or feelings of inadequacy.
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It's called planned obsolescence. It's on purpose like, and they've got the sheep clamoring for it.
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