3rd Gen to 5th Gen

[Roamed YT]

I can't stomach the $45K+ price of a new 5th gen (Actually, I just looked - a TRD Pro is $52,920 CAD).

I did have an '07 Taco back in 2009 or so. I found it to be perfectly competent.

Our 3rd gen is a second vehicle to us. We have a dog, and two kids. Our second vehicle is a 2014 F-150 FX4. We battle over the 3rd gen because it's easier to get around town in, easier to park and fits a load of groceries nicely.

 

[Scramble]

I'm always thinking about getting another truck but I know I cant part with my 3rd. This summer while rust proofing my frame, ( yea right) I found a soft spot in the usual area by the PS lower control arm mount. This truck has been my bad weather vehicle forever but now the rust is getting a little serious so I'm gonna drive it this winter but look for something else & keep the 3rd out of the salt next year. I've been thinking about a 5th gen for a few years now but I still have a year & a half left on my Accord Coupe DD loan & trading it in would be stupid. They'd give me 5k for it when I could sell it for 10k. I like having a car for work & saving the truck for the weekends & bad weather. I've pretty much talked myself out of the 5th gen & a Taco. I considered a Taco because I really want a manual. The resale value on a Taco is ridiculous when you can get a 1st gen 8cyl Tundra for less. I've decided that my next truck will be an 8cyl. I guess I could live with an A/T then. I want to be able to tow my 3rd any where so that's why I want 8cyl. A late model 1st gen Tundra, a 4th gen Sport (the Lexus GX version is ugly & the secret has been out for a while now & they aren't cheap anymore) or my newest discovery that no one mentions is the 1st gen Sequoia. They are the cheapest as far as resale value goes & since the aftermarket isn't big on them I wouldn't spend money modding it! LOL It has plenty of room for the wife & 3 dogs for winter trips to my sisters house for the holidays. I wont mind taking it to work in the snow & salt. I wont need it for wheelin' because I'm keeping the 3rd. So that's the plan right now. You can get a nice low milage one for about 8-10K. Color is important because some of them can look ugly. I like the Blue that they come in. I'm pretty sure they come in Imperial Jade Mica too.

 

[thezentree]

My sister bought a 2017 SR5 earlier this year and I gotta say, while it's a nice truck, it's almost as wide as my fullsize GMC. For the class the 4Runner is in, I much prefer my 3rd gen.

Her 4Runner is WAY faster than mine though :Cry:

 

[audiness]

The best thing I like about my 3rd GEN is that it's been paid off for five years . . I still see tons of them on the roads here in SC , it's still quite a popular platform. When I went up to New England for work I didn't see a single one entire week I was there .

 

[Trialrun]

The best thing I like about my 3rd GEN is that it's been paid off for five years . . I still see tons of them on the roads here in SC , it's still quite a popular platform. When I went up to New England for work I didn't see a single one entire week I was there .

That's purely due to the dreaded salt they use up here. I flew out to Indiana to buy a rust free one, it's only been in New England for a few winters and it's already affecting the undercarriage, even with Fluid Film :fear:

 

[Coward]

I'm always thinking about getting another truck but I know I cant part with my 3rd. This summer while rust proofing my frame, ( yea right) I found a soft spot in the usual area by the PS lower control arm mount. This truck has been my bad weather vehicle forever but now the rust is getting a little serious so I'm gonna drive it this winter but look for something else & keep the 3rd out of the salt next year. I've been thinking about a 5th gen for a few years now but I still have a year & a half left on my Accord Coupe DD loan & trading it in would be stupid. They'd give me 5k for it when I could sell it for 10k. I like having a car for work & saving the truck for the weekends & bad weather. I've pretty much talked myself out of the 5th gen & a Taco. I considered a Taco because I really want a manual. The resale value on a Taco is ridiculous when you can get a 1st gen 8cyl Tundra for less. I've decided that my next truck will be an 8cyl. I guess I could live with an A/T then. I want to be able to tow my 3rd any where so that's why I want 8cyl. A late model 1st gen Tundra, a 4th gen Sport (the Lexus GX version is ugly & the secret has been out for a while now & they aren't cheap anymore) or my newest discovery that no one mentions is the 1st gen Sequoia. They are the cheapest as far as resale value goes & since the aftermarket isn't big on them I wouldn't spend money modding it! LOL It has plenty of room for the wife & 3 dogs for winter trips to my sisters house for the holidays. I wont mind taking it to work in the snow & salt. I wont need it for wheelin' because I'm keeping the 3rd. So that's the plan right now. You can get a nice low milage one for about 8-10K. Color is important because some of them can look ugly. I like the Blue that they come in. I'm pretty sure they come in Imperial Jade Mica too.

I had that exact color Sequoia for a few years and loved it. Be sure if you get one to get an 05' or newer. gets you another 40HP and the 5spd Automatic.

 

[Kotrin]

I'm always..... or my newest discovery that no one mentions is the 1st gen Sequoia. They are the cheapest as far as resale value goes & since the aftermarket isn't big on them I wouldn't spend money modding it! LOL It has plenty of room for the wife & 3 dogs for winter trips to my sisters house for the holidays. ......I'm pretty sure they come in Imperial Jade Mica too.

I've contemplated making my 3rd gen as just a tow rig as my dad 84 toyota and has now moved to this point. Granted when you're running Pit Bull Rockers (400+ a tire), they need to stay off the pavement as much as possible. Granted he bought them for 50% off (i so wanted a pair..). But I never thought of a sequoia though if my engine went my dad has suggested going to a small block chevy....

That is my biggest fear is frame damaged/rust and other drivers since people don't drive like they did when I started driving in the mid 90's.

 

[Kotrin]

My sister bought a 2017 SR5 earlier this year and I gotta say, while it's a nice truck, it's almost as wide as my fullsize GMC. For the class the 4Runner is in, I much prefer my 3rd gen.

Her 4Runner is WAY faster than mine though :Cry:

Yeah the 5th Gen is 270 HP / 278ft-lbs Torque WEIGHT - 4675(sr5 version) (HP/WEIGHT = 17.31)

3rd Gen is 190 HP / 220ft-lbs Torque WEIGHT - 3930(sr5 version) (HP/WEIGHT = 20.68)

My 5th Gen fully armored (GOBI Rack, Front ARB, COMPLETE ARMOR under neath 3" Lift, etc on a scale was 6500 with my son and I in it)

My 3rd Gen fully setup (Front ARB, Rear Plate - swing away, small under armor(half), rack, etc on a scale was 5000 with my son and I in it)

This is all brand new specs and our engines will be tired for the most part. Now we all know the specifications mean everything to us disabled people, we will win (in our minds! )

Now spend 4500 USD = 40 RWHP Increase My favorite sticker ever is this one -

 

[fourfive]

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

Thanks Kotrin & I agree, I definitely prefer the 3rd gens over the 5th. The ONLY reason for getting the 5th gen is so that my wife has a new DD that can still serve as an outdoor 4x4 if my 3rd gen is ever down. It's an uneasy thought knowing I'll be dropping 50k on a vehicle I don't really care for looks wise but I do like it better than the rest of the new 4x4s I've looked at. I've tried to sneak-ily talk her into a 2015 taco or 2014 tundra & she doesn't mind having a truck around but didn't want it for her DD. A small part of me feels like a slight d-bag for only suggesting 4x4's that I was into but thankfully she was cool with the 5th gen. Within the 5th gen models, I wanted the TRD pro because it comes with a mild lift from the factory, doesn't have a sunroof & some of the interior/exterior features.

 

[Kotrin]

Thanks Kotrin & I agree, I definitely prefer the 3rd gens over the 5th. The ONLY reason for getting the 5th gen is so that my wife has a new DD that can still serve as an outdoor 4x4 if my 3rd gen is ever down. It's an uneasy thought knowing I'll be dropping 50k on a vehicle I don't really care for looks wise but I do like it better than the rest of the new 4x4s I've looked at. I've tried to sneak-ily talk her into a 2015 taco or 2014 tundra & she doesn't mind having a truck around but didn't want it for her DD. A small part of me feels like a slight d-bag for only suggesting 4x4's that I was into but thankfully she was cool with the 5th gen. Within the 5th gen models, I wanted the TRD pro because it comes with a mild lift from the factory, doesn't have a sunroof & some of the interior/exterior features.

Yeah I remember this conversation with my ex-wife(wife at the time) about a vehicle. She said I wanted something reliable. I said with what money, granted during my son's birth I had to have 2 major back surgeries that temporarily fixed me to send back to work a year later to make to much money. But I know the feeling, at least its something you want also. I think a Tacoma is less expensive right? I haven't stopped at a dealership in 4 or more years.

Overall I've learned to date that if it makes you happy (and not stressed about the payments and such) that's all that matters, period.

 

[Scramble]

I had that exact color Sequoia for a few years and loved it. Be sure if you get one to get an 05' or newer. gets you another 40HP and the 5spd Automatic.

Definitely 05 or newer for the power train, same for the Tundra. The taillights & front corner markers look better too.

Then there's the chance I'll find another 3rd gen in good condition cheap that I can use as a winter beater. :bounce:

 

[Scramble]

This is nice, I'd get a Limited for all of the luxury features.
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/d/2006-toyota-sequoia-limited/6353091160.html

 

[KingPrat]

I'm always thinking about getting another truck but I know I cant part with my 3rd. This summer while rust proofing my frame, ( yea right) I found a soft spot in the usual area by the PS lower control arm mount. This truck has been my bad weather vehicle forever but now the rust is getting a little serious so I'm gonna drive it this winter but look for something else & keep the 3rd out of the salt next year. I've been thinking about a 5th gen for a few years now but I still have a year & a half left on my Accord Coupe DD loan & trading it in would be stupid. They'd give me 5k for it when I could sell it for 10k. I like having a car for work & saving the truck for the weekends & bad weather. I've pretty much talked myself out of the 5th gen & a Taco. I considered a Taco because I really want a manual. The resale value on a Taco is ridiculous when you can get a 1st gen 8cyl Tundra for less. I've decided that my next truck will be an 8cyl. I guess I could live with an A/T then. I want to be able to tow my 3rd any where so that's why I want 8cyl. A late model 1st gen Tundra, a 4th gen Sport (the Lexus GX version is ugly & the secret has been out for a while now & they aren't cheap anymore) or my newest discovery that no one mentions is the 1st gen Sequoia. They are the cheapest as far as resale value goes & since the aftermarket isn't big on them I wouldn't spend money modding it! LOL It has plenty of room for the wife & 3 dogs for winter trips to my sisters house for the holidays. I wont mind taking it to work in the snow & salt. I wont need it for wheelin' because I'm keeping the 3rd. So that's the plan right now. You can get a nice low milage one for about 8-10K. Color is important because some of them can look ugly. I like the Blue that they come in. I'm pretty sure they come in Imperial Jade Mica too.

Didn't the Sequoia's have frame issues as well?

Dad has a 5th. I love it for road trips - eats speed, tracks straight, gives you a commanding view, tons more interior space.

I don't have enough seat time in the 3rd for a full comparison, but in the small amount of time I do it has impressed. Time will tell.

 

[Scramble]

Didn't the Sequoia's have frame issues as well?

Dad has a 5th. I love it for road trips - eats speed, tracks straight, gives you a commanding view, tons more interior space.

I don't have enough seat time in the 3rd for a full comparison, but in the small amount of time I do it has impressed. Time will tell.

Yes, I think in the North East any car or truck needs to be checked for frame rot before buying.

Mileage is a little high but the price is right for a Limited.

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/d/07-toyota-sequoia-limited-4x4/6328250965.html

 

[Scramble]

Not bad...

https://newyork.craigslist.org/stn/cto/d/2006-toyota-4runner-limited/6298351484.html

 

[MattJakobs]

I go through an internal debate every few months or so about selling my 4Runner and buying something new. Either a first gen Tundra or 80s series Land Cruiser, each for their own specific reasoning. The reason I don’t is because reliability. Sure, both of those vehicles are known for being as reliable as a 3rd gen, but I’ve already worked out most of the maintenance and wearable parts on the 3rd gen. It’s inevitable that I’d be doing the same thing if I bought either of those vehicles since they’re both aged some.
Another reason I haven’t run out the door to do so is because I trust the 4Runner. It’s gotten me everywhere I need to go and beyond. Not to say another vehicle won’t, but I know this one will and I know how.
If the 4Runner was totaled tomorrow, I don’t think a 5th gen would be in the top 3 vehicles I’d look at. Something about the reliability and ease of trouble shooting on these older vehicles is so much easier that dealing with all the tech involved on newer vehicles. I have nothing against the newer vehicles, I think they look quite nice and are plenty comfy, I just think these things are tried and proved time and time again and that’s just my preference on things.

 

[BTO]

We just replaced our 1999 3rd gen with a 2018 TRD Off Road Premium. So far we are loving the 5th gen. The ride quality, the brakes, the off road abilities... I could go on. It's part luxury cruiser and part off road beast!

 

[T4R2014]

LOL, "luxury cruiser". I actually like the fact that the 5th gen isn't luxurious.

 

[Jaysen4runner]

I love my 3gen due to the fact, I really wheel the crap out of it without worries it's worth 30k. 5th gen in my head, but to many crazy show truck out there. Not into the all fire road run cool maxtrax deal, I love to wheel it! Lol

 

[nglayton]

I have both. I much prefer the 5th gen for the size, power, mileage. I love the added electronics and features.


Sure I've done brakes, alternators, starters, a water pump, a timing belt and a few clutches. But seriously with 188k on the 3rd gen I've gotten about as much life out of it as possible without doing any major repairs.

It's time to move on and sadly I will be trading the 3rd gen in on something else as my 2nd ride. I will hate to see it go, but it just has to be.