3rd Gen to 5th Gen

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Kotrin

New member
I made this same switch, though I had gone from a 3rd gen manual to a Tacoma than a 5th gen and back to a 3rd gen. So I'm curious on why the sudden surge for the 5th gen owners. I recall back when I had my 5th gen, the 3rd gen section was very busy compared to now. I've also seen a staggering amount of transitioning lately and yes I won't lie I'm envious (makes me a little sad/depressed too). I loved my 97 till my accident and couldn't shift. I loved my Tacoma and would still have it had things not happened, but walked away from that accident. I loved my 5th gen a lot, do I love it more than my 3rd, that's difficult to say. I've laid awake at 2am unable to sleep actually thinking about my life directions & changes.

So now onto the 4Runner section of the post, I love my 3rd gen more than my 5th gen as I got to thinking about it. Writing this post I'm using it as a semi-help self post. I love how it's smaller, I can see over the hood, my son loves it (about even right now when you ask him to compare it to the 5th gen). Parts are easily found, help is extremely available with a google search or a flip through the FSM. I find the power not to be something I miss. Driving both, fully armored/loaded the 5th gen really struggled for me in the Sand/Snow. I did a similar loop with my 3rd gen's vs my 5th gen and the 3rd didn't bury itself. Now I love the look of the (newer) 5th gens, but my 3rd gen look is one of a kind. :)

Now I'm asking others why they choose to leave their built/reliable 3rd (or any) for that matter to move to a 5th. I like not having a payment, its built and I don't feel horrible when I scratch it and such. I've seen a lot of post saying they got tired of putting money into the 3rd gen so they went to a 5th gen. I have no money (less than 400/month is what I get), so the fact I can do most repairs less than a 5th gen's payment(to me) is so nice.

So why did you switch, that's my question.
 
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I went thru some similar thoughts recently contemplating offing my 3rd gen to upgrade. In the end I just couldn’t do it because of every reason you listed. I just love my 02 and decided I should keep it til the bitter end.
No payments, lotta mods already done, don’t care about scratches in the woods, they just look dope and are ultra reliable and easy to maintain.
 
This is an interesting topic. I often wonder what I would do if I got my 4runner written off. I don't think i would go to a 5th gen or a 4th for that matter - they don't come in manual transmission any more. So I was thinking a Tacoma, but you cant put the seata down and sleep in the back... I suppose this is mildly off topic, bit as a 3rs gen owner, I couldn't imagine trading it in for a 5th gen.
 
I have both....and I prefer the 3rd for several reasons. Better visibility, fuel mileage, less electronic crap, cheaper repairs (yes new one is off warranty soon), actually works better on dirt roads.

I just need my 3rd to last another 40 years and I wont be needing it anymore.
 
I'm gonna start this off by saying I'll be purchasing 2018 black TRD pro around February 2018 for my wife because I'd prefer her to be in a newer vehicle with more safety features (relative to the 3rd gens) & something I don't have to tinker on every weekend especially since I have a daughter on the way (first kid :caked:).

BUT...... man I really think the 5th gens are kinda ugly especially compared to the 3rd gens, just my opinion though. So I don't make myself sound like a complete 5th gen hater, I do think that out of the available new SUVs out there in the similar class and price range, the 5th gens look better and have features that better suits our (my :heh:) needs.
 
We just purchased my wife a new 5th gen trail. It's the only vehicle I said that we would buy new, due to the resale value and how long we typically keep cars. While its nice to have more power and increased interior space, I have to say it just doesn't have the same character as my 3rd gen.

I feel like its the only 90's SUV that doesn't have a dated appearance and I don't have to think twice about driving anywhere. The thought of updating to a newer vehicle has crossed my mind, but quickly left. I know that I would regret selling the 3rd gen. and I would have a difficult time finding another I'm satisfied with.

Most people don't understand, but I know you guys do!
 
fourfive said:
I'm gonna start this off by saying I'll be purchasing 2018 black TRD pro around February 2018 for my wife because I'd prefer her to be in a newer vehicle with more safety features (relative to the 3rd gens) & something I don't have to tinker on every weekend especially since I have a daughter on the way (first kid :caked:).

BUT...... man I really think the 5th gens are kinda ugly especially compared to the 3rd gens, just my opinion though. So I don't make myself sound like a complete 5th gen hater, I do think that out of the available new SUVs out there in the similar class and price range, the 5th gens look better and have features that better suits our (my :heh:) needs.
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With a kid on the way [MENTION=116877]fourfive[/MENTION], no more Metabo for you...:faint:

Congrats though!
 
reelamin said:
I have both....and I prefer the 3rd for several reasons. Better visibility, fuel mileage, less electronic crap, cheaper repairs (yes new one is off warranty soon), actually works better on dirt roads.

I just need my 3rd to last another 40 years and I wont be needing it anymore.
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One of the reason's I had got TEP was for this reason and manual 4wd.
 
I was sitting at the Toyota dealership today buying my mother a 2017 Camry (hate the rear of the 2018 as well as the console) and saw a black 2017 TRD Pro. The $44k sticker had me look at it and that is it. If I were to drop that much green at Toyota, it would be on a new Tundra.

If I were in the shoes of [MENTION=116877]fourfive[/MENTION], then a newer car would be in order. I have a friend who just bought an Acadia. For that much money he should have at least looked at the 4runner IMHO.

The salesman asked if I wanted a ride in the Pro. No thanks, I have $50K+ in tools at home to repair my older cars and trucks....
 
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LittleCaesar said:
I was sitting at the Toyota dealership today buying my mother a 2017 Camry (hate the rear of the 2018 as well as the console) and saw a black 2017 TRD Pro. The $44k sticker had me look at it and that is it. If I were to drop that much green at Toyota, it would be on a new Tundra.
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I've actually considered a tundra (I like the grill & front end of the 2014 a little better) and a truck bed would really come in handy but at the moment I need something that is fully covered for baby crap and security purposes.
 
fourfive said:
This one is pretty big on my list. I love electronic stuff when they work but the world ends when the gremlins start freaking out.
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Congratulations [MENTION=116877]fourfive[/MENTION] . Let me tell you that I think my son enjoy's helping me work on the 3rd gen versus when I was installing mods on the 5th gen. But when he was born he spent the first few years in the 3rd gen w/ a transition to the Tacoma/5th gen back to the 3rd now.

When he was 3 and used the rubber mallet on the body I didn't wince/cry versus how I would if he did that to my new vehicle.

Don't let kids stay in doors all the time :)
 
LittleCaesar said:
The salesman asked if I wanted a ride in the Pro. No thanks, I have $50K+ in tools at home to repair my older cars and trucks....
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Did I read that correctly? 50k in tools? I say DAMN!, that's a hell of a collection. Now I know why you're always suggesting tool purchases to me. You must own every tool imaginable.
 
the 3rd row in the 5th gen is really nice, for that extra space when needed..
thats the only reason i really want to get one eventually,
however the prices for used are too high right now so i'll keep my 3rd gen for a while..
 
fourfive said:
I've actually considered a tundra (I like the grill & front end of the 2014 a little better) and a truck bed would really come in handy but at the moment I need something that is fully covered for baby crap and security purposes.
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I always thought I needed covered stuff for the baby, but never actually needed it. I know this doesn't make sense yet but I promise it will. Now that being said having everything covered/sealed isn't bad either. I didn't have the best vehicle when my son was born. But I made due and adapted for it. I learned that I didn't need everything covered but the stroller was the HARDEST thing ever to keep dry. :(
 
mtbtim said:
Did I read that correctly? 50k in tools? I say DAMN!, that's a hell of a collection. Now I know why you're always suggesting tool purchases to me. You must own every tool imaginable.
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My dad has the same in tools easily. It's crazy that he has certain things that I'm like, what the heck is this? But man when doing gear installs or anything is nice to have the right tolls versus a hammer and a punch for getting stuff out :)
 
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