3rd gen vs 4th gen owners review

[SCRunner12]

My parents own a 03 with the V6 and my mom says all the time that she likes driving my 3rd gen because it drives like a truck. She likes the ride of her 03 but says it has no character like mine. I agree but I sometimes wish I had a 4th just for my commute. The 3rd is fun but can get annoying at how bumpy it can be (E load 285's don't help). I agree with your assessment and thanks for posting.

In regards to the 2nd gen, yeah there isn't anything wrong with them but nothing really attractive about them. The 22RE is good but still gutless and the 3.0 isn't bad if you've got the head gaskets squared away, but you could run faster up a hill than it could go. Otherwise it is a pretty plain suv. At least the 1st gen had a removable top and straight axle. 3rd had lockers, 3.4 (supercharger) and numerous models and the 4th had the V8. Just nothing to get excited about with the 2nd especially dealing with a torsion bar system.

 

[80sMetalForever]

Excellent post! Looking to retire the Outback with 200k and really want a Montero Limited but since they're very rare in New England, thinking of grabbing a 4Runner in the meantime.

I was going to start a new thread, but did a search and you pretty much answered my question. I would like more input from others though:

DO YOU FEEL THE ~50HP/4-sp vs 5-sp tranny DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 3RD GEN AND 4TH GEN IS A DEAL BREAKER? In other words does the 3rd gen feel "slow" at all to those that have driven both?

I do travel ~3h for snowboard trips sometimes so want to make sure I'm comfortable and power is adequate. I don't plan on towing anything, just friends. This will be a daily driver in the winter and part-time in summer (have motorcycle and plan on getting fun car)

 

[JayRolla]

Excellent post! Looking to retire the Outback with 200k and really want a Montero Limited but since they're very rare in New England, thinking of grabbing a 4Runner in the meantime.

I was going to start a new thread, but did a search and you pretty much answered my question. I would like more input from others though:

DO YOU FEEL THE ~50HP/4-sp vs 5-sp tranny DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 3RD GEN AND 4TH GEN IS A DEAL BREAKER? In other words does the 3rd gen feel "slow" at all to those that have driven both?

I do travel ~3h for snowboard trips sometimes so want to make sure I'm comfortable and power is adequate. I don't plan on towing anything, just friends. This will be a daily driver in the winter and part-time in summer (have motorcycle and plan on getting fun car)

My brother has the v8 4th and it really makes mine feel slow. But in no way a deal breaker.

 

[99problems]

DO YOU FEEL THE ~50HP/4-sp vs 5-sp tranny DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 3RD GEN AND 4TH GEN IS A DEAL BREAKER? In other words does the 3rd gen feel "slow" at all to those that have driven both?

I previously had a 2006 that I liked a lot at the time. Power was great for an SUV despite it being "only a V6". Now I have a 1999 - and won't be trading back. Power in the 1999 is adequate, certainly not fast but will cruise all day long on the highway with a roof rack and heavy E rated tires working against it and still pull 17 mpg. I'm certainly not going to speak ill of the 4th gens (they're great!) but the 3rd gens have a certain personality that makes me smile every time I drive it. The hp difference is definitely not a deal breaker for me.

 

[80sMetalForever]

thx guys, I do like the "personality" of the 3rd gen but I've driven a buddy's 4th and it drove really well so I'm sure I'd be happy with both HOWEVER the $ the 4th commands I have trouble justifying. I do occasionally see a good deal on a low mileage 3rd; never on a 4th.

 

[Myke451]

Thank you for your review/comparison. I found it very helpful. I have a 3rd Gen and always thought the 4th Gen must be better. After reading this thread I'm a little bit more content with what I have. Seems everyone is 3rd Gen side. I'll agree my interior is still in great condition @ 150k.

 

[LR Max]

Very interesting post.

I've got a 2nd gen. It feels like a truck. I remember riding in my friend's Gen 3 and thinking it rode better. I think the torsion bars kill the ride of the 2nd Gen.

Either way, I like the 4th gen trucks. My friend's 4th gen with the V8 is a pretty good vehicle. Even with 230k on the clock, it still looks like its in great shape. The ATRAC works very well. For intermittent off road use/light trail use, traction control is fine. I do echo the low clearance vs. my 2nd gen. When my 2nd gen went over obstacles, seemed like I had all kinds of approach angle and clearance. Had to be more careful with the 4th gen.

 

[nobb]

Although the 2nd and 3rd gen trucks are very similar mechanically, they drive very different. The 3.4L is still slow, but the extra power over the 3.0 is noiceable. There's better NVH and ride quality on the 3rd gen from extra sound deadening and the coil over IFS. However, IMO the 2nd gen front end is more robust due to the gear steering and doesn't have the lower ball joint problem.

 

[80sMetalForever]

My friend's 4th gen with the V8 is a pretty good vehicle.

I'd consider the V8 more if I had a choice of 4WD vs AWD...for no real reason other than I'm coming from AWD and want to try 4WD. I hate when manufactures don't give a choice.

 

[MSRP.]

Love my v8.
My search initially had me in love with the 3rd gen's, and I still do love them.
But settled on a v8 because LC, and because it's only marginally worse off in gas mileage.
That v8 gives me smiles per gallon.