Ok, so maybe not like a 69 camaro, Dodge Challenger or Mercedes Gullwing but since the over vagination of the mighty 4Runner and the 4.7 liter iForce V8 that was once the soul of these machines, do you guys think a truck like this will become extremely desirable in the years to come? Pretty much every Toyota before the downward spiral in going from off-roading truck to a suburban mobile are great vehicles. I don't see any other company coming out with a true off roading vehicle any time soon or ever either. Now don't get me wrong, I love the 2010 and up as well, I just love the 4Runner. I've been contemplating buying another 2003-2009 just to have and keep it in a storage facility. Another question is how many people refuse to give theirs up and just rebuild the engine, replace the drive train etc....
2003-2009 4Runner a collectors item?
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BrianSD_42
New member
Sorry but the 4th gens are by far the least awessome of 4runner generations. And it will loose value whether you drive it or not.
Quatre Coureur
New member
^Gotta agree with Brian on this one. The 4th gen is my least favorite 4rnr. I even like the 2G better! They will all lose value with the exception of clean 1Gs which are getting harder to find.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
We do own a 4th gen so I can put some input here... get ready for the tirade of pissed off 4th gen owners.
As far as being able to last: It has been pretty reliable, but the sheer amount of plastic will definitely show in the coming years. The earlier 4th gens are already showing noticeable paint fade around where I live, my mom's 04 Sport Edition included. The flares and headlight lenses are the worst parts so far. The 4th gen interior is nice, but the plastic coating finish that peels on many of them doesn't give the impression that it will last.
To have a 4th gen in perfect shape with all of the fixings like projector headlamps, LED tail lights, sport package, JBL soundsystem, etc. would probably be the best bet... but I feel the vehicle may suffer from obsolescence... mainly due to the electronics. Electronics are constantly evolving, they change much faster than body styles do. Computers control much more in the 4th gen than in earlier gens (IE: drive by wire, XREAS, push button 4WD, whatnot), and replacement of those items can become expensive in the future when those electronic technologies have long been replaced by an advanced, more refined technology. While some may argue that electronics have made purely mechanical items obsolete, mechanical parts can prevail in ease of production and simplicity of function. Electronics may require programming, calibration, testing, etc, that make any job more difficult or time consuming.
Older gens had a lot of mechanical parts, guaranteeing easier replacement in comparison to an electronic counterpart. Companies who make replacement parts would have less trouble producing these parts. Take this point from my work, the W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This car came out in 1992 until 1998 in the US. It was sold for $80k+. Today, even pristine examples of the V12 models go for little to nothing due to one common module failure. People are selling mint condition S600 V12's with little miles for practically pennies, even with showroom perfect leather interiors. No one wants to buy them around here anymore. Fixing the issue is costly and not guaranteed to be reliable. Junkyards have been exploding with W140 S-classes, a car that was not even in the local yards 3 years ago.
Let's say something similar happens to the 4th gen. The popularity may have an effect, but let's say this happens 15 years after the final production run. Who will make new electronic replacement parts? How hard would it be to buy a replacement electronic part for a car that old? The amount of electronic parts to fail is pretty high. Imagine if one part failed widely, and finding one was scarce. That'd have a big effect.
It may not happen that way, but I'd be worried of something along those lines. At that point, it would be much easier trying to get an older truck working than dealing with all of the electronics on the newer model.
This doesn't just pertain to the 4th gen, I'd say almost anything since the early 2000's era that predominantly uses electronics for proper operation. With these electronics, it's easy enough for one thing to fail and disable the entire vehicle, or a critical function of the vehicle (IE: The liftgate electronic latch quits out so you can't get your groceries into/out of the trunk, the steering inclination sensor fails and throws off the traction control and ABS, etc etc...) So many things potentially doomed to fail, that support so much.
And of course, the owner will go insane from their floppy sunvisors and scratched gauge cluster face lol... and still no one will notice the blind spot mirrors.
As far as being able to last: It has been pretty reliable, but the sheer amount of plastic will definitely show in the coming years. The earlier 4th gens are already showing noticeable paint fade around where I live, my mom's 04 Sport Edition included. The flares and headlight lenses are the worst parts so far. The 4th gen interior is nice, but the plastic coating finish that peels on many of them doesn't give the impression that it will last.
To have a 4th gen in perfect shape with all of the fixings like projector headlamps, LED tail lights, sport package, JBL soundsystem, etc. would probably be the best bet... but I feel the vehicle may suffer from obsolescence... mainly due to the electronics. Electronics are constantly evolving, they change much faster than body styles do. Computers control much more in the 4th gen than in earlier gens (IE: drive by wire, XREAS, push button 4WD, whatnot), and replacement of those items can become expensive in the future when those electronic technologies have long been replaced by an advanced, more refined technology. While some may argue that electronics have made purely mechanical items obsolete, mechanical parts can prevail in ease of production and simplicity of function. Electronics may require programming, calibration, testing, etc, that make any job more difficult or time consuming.
Older gens had a lot of mechanical parts, guaranteeing easier replacement in comparison to an electronic counterpart. Companies who make replacement parts would have less trouble producing these parts. Take this point from my work, the W140 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. This car came out in 1992 until 1998 in the US. It was sold for $80k+. Today, even pristine examples of the V12 models go for little to nothing due to one common module failure. People are selling mint condition S600 V12's with little miles for practically pennies, even with showroom perfect leather interiors. No one wants to buy them around here anymore. Fixing the issue is costly and not guaranteed to be reliable. Junkyards have been exploding with W140 S-classes, a car that was not even in the local yards 3 years ago.
Let's say something similar happens to the 4th gen. The popularity may have an effect, but let's say this happens 15 years after the final production run. Who will make new electronic replacement parts? How hard would it be to buy a replacement electronic part for a car that old? The amount of electronic parts to fail is pretty high. Imagine if one part failed widely, and finding one was scarce. That'd have a big effect.
It may not happen that way, but I'd be worried of something along those lines. At that point, it would be much easier trying to get an older truck working than dealing with all of the electronics on the newer model.
This doesn't just pertain to the 4th gen, I'd say almost anything since the early 2000's era that predominantly uses electronics for proper operation. With these electronics, it's easy enough for one thing to fail and disable the entire vehicle, or a critical function of the vehicle (IE: The liftgate electronic latch quits out so you can't get your groceries into/out of the trunk, the steering inclination sensor fails and throws off the traction control and ABS, etc etc...) So many things potentially doomed to fail, that support so much.
And of course, the owner will go insane from their floppy sunvisors and scratched gauge cluster face lol... and still no one will notice the blind spot mirrors.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
The 3rd gens are the last connection to the classic trucks of the 80s regarding off road prowess among all trim levels, simplicity and still had a bit of the classic looks unlike the angular sharp edged like appearance of the 4th gens which left any hints of preceding 4Runners behind. I actually prefer the 5th gen but I'd only take one in TE trim.
JB.
New member
Not with the kind of reasoned response that followed.
In my uninformed opinion (about collectibles)I think the only chance the 4th would have -- and it's a tiny one -- would be connected to the V8. I don't really see it now, but as they (V8s) disappear there's no telling how they may be viewed in the future. However, the things you outlined create an imposing barrier.
The unique transfer case could also play a role but history seems to have shown that it really needs to be used consistently to avoid leaking and a very costly repair. Another problem.
TheArkMaster
New member
Mechanically I have nothing to say about the 4th gen as I have no knowledge or experience with them, however. What I can say is I agree with what was said above. the 4th gen is my least favorite, closely followed by the second gen....
Toyota just doesn't like even number generation t4rs I guess
I feel like the first gen t4r has the highest likelyhood of becoming a collectors item as it is already happening. A clean 1st gen can cost more than a clean 3rd gen.
Personally, I'd like to believe the 3rd gen will become rare and collectable, but there are so many other vehicles like it (cosmetically, not mechanically). The only real way to tell is to wait and see. I do however plan on picking up a clean 99 highlander edition 5spd w/ factory locker to just conserve and look pretty stock, just in case :usa2:
mattleegee
New member
2000 5sp
last year of the 5sp 4runner
or the 99 highlander 5sp
last year of the 5sp 4runner
or the 99 highlander 5sp
JBecker
New member
Sorry if I piss of 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gen owners with my post.
I like my 4th gen, it's a nicer overall ride than my girlfriends 3rd gen. It tows well, has more features, and it is more powerful. I also like the added interior room. For a daily driven people mover it works very well. If I could have afforded a new 5th gen Trail Edition, I would have bought that.
Having said all that, I think you guys are crazy if you think anything after the 1st gen will be a collectors item. A clean 1st gen with a 22RE brings crazy money these days, especially a rust free one on the east coast. Even rough woods trucks still bring a fair share of money.
Regarding off road prowess, unless you are running a straight axle, locked front and back, and have rock sliders, your IFS truck isn't gonna impress me in the woods around where I live. Arguing a stock 3rd gen is gonna go farther than a 4th or 5th gen is silly. It's not gonna go much farther down a rocky trail without damage to the body or under carriage. The last trail system we went on pushed a ton of modded FJ40's to their limit. I was riding in a friends 1st gen SAS'd, dual stick transfer case, locked front and back on 35" tires. It went anywhere we wanted to go. I want a first gen with a straight axle.
Your IFS truck isn't gonna make it out here.
I like my 4th gen, it's a nicer overall ride than my girlfriends 3rd gen. It tows well, has more features, and it is more powerful. I also like the added interior room. For a daily driven people mover it works very well. If I could have afforded a new 5th gen Trail Edition, I would have bought that.
Having said all that, I think you guys are crazy if you think anything after the 1st gen will be a collectors item. A clean 1st gen with a 22RE brings crazy money these days, especially a rust free one on the east coast. Even rough woods trucks still bring a fair share of money.
Regarding off road prowess, unless you are running a straight axle, locked front and back, and have rock sliders, your IFS truck isn't gonna impress me in the woods around where I live. Arguing a stock 3rd gen is gonna go farther than a 4th or 5th gen is silly. It's not gonna go much farther down a rocky trail without damage to the body or under carriage. The last trail system we went on pushed a ton of modded FJ40's to their limit. I was riding in a friends 1st gen SAS'd, dual stick transfer case, locked front and back on 35" tires. It went anywhere we wanted to go. I want a first gen with a straight axle.
Your IFS truck isn't gonna make it out here.
Quatre Coureur
New member
^I love that picture!
JBecker
New member
I love that truck, it's a beast. Hopefully I will be able to build something similar before they all rust away.
Quatre Coureur
New member
U guys keep talking about this 'rust'? Idk what ur talking about! Seriously tho Josh just fly out to Cali, rent a u-haul and take one home... On second thought disregard everything I just said. :jk:
JBecker
New member
If I buy one, it's gonna be a west coast truck. And I'm gonna fly out and drive it back. I have faith.
Hepar
New member
I agree with this. I know for me I was saying IF anything outside of the 1st gens got to that point, it would be a 5spd Highlander. I think it would take quite a while though before it ever got to that point. I think one of the big reasons the 1st gens will only increase in popularity is that there was really no other vehicle like it at the time. The removable top was so unique.
Now, don't hold me to this, but if you were going to try and pick up a vehicle today for a really good price to where the value might increase, I say look for a really clean (and more rare version) of a fox back Mustang. You can get them right now for next to nothing and I do feel they will hit a point where they will be collectible. Look at the 70's/80's Firebirds and Trans Ams. Not too long ago they were considered hideous and outdated, but they have gained huge steam in the collector car market as of late.
wnelax04sr5
New member
4th gen owner here, but I'm not an angry one.
i agree with whats been said, every gen has its ups and downs, and in stock form the 4th gen is probably the least capable 4runner, and in my opinion when they're stock, its also the most soccer mom out of any gen. as far as it being a collectors item, like the 1st gens, highlanders, and any trail editions, its the unique ones that will be in demand, the sr5 4x4s are a dime a dozen, so i don't think you can deem an entire generation that spanned 6 years "collectible". happy motoring
i agree with whats been said, every gen has its ups and downs, and in stock form the 4th gen is probably the least capable 4runner, and in my opinion when they're stock, its also the most soccer mom out of any gen. as far as it being a collectors item, like the 1st gens, highlanders, and any trail editions, its the unique ones that will be in demand, the sr5 4x4s are a dime a dozen, so i don't think you can deem an entire generation that spanned 6 years "collectible". happy motoring
awdjunkies
New member
the way I see it... (Yes in that order)
1st Gen- Alpha/Top Dog
3rd Gen- CLD/RLD- Desirable
4th Gen- V8
2nd Gen- Cool, yet very capable Off Road
5th Gen- Awesome looking/Gadgetry/TE Off Roader
eep:
1st Gen- Alpha/Top Dog
3rd Gen- CLD/RLD- Desirable
4th Gen- V8
2nd Gen- Cool, yet very capable Off Road
5th Gen- Awesome looking/Gadgetry/TE Off Roader
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