Uhhhh no. 4th gen is absolutely superior to the 3rd gen along multiple fronts.
esp with that legendary torquey silky v8 matched to the of the same ilk transmission.
i won't even get into the interior. the 3rd gen is way too small and hella dated.
4R 3rd gen vs. 4 gen vs. Explorer
- Thread starter David in NC
- Start date
Uhhhh no. 4th gen is absolutely superior to the 3rd gen along multiple fronts.
esp with that legendary torquey silky v8 matched to the of the same ilk transmission.
i won't even get into the interior. the 3rd gen is way too small and hella dated.
96743runner
New member
Yeah don't get an Explorer, they really are horrible vehicles. My neighbor has a 97 Explorer with around 100k miles and he already had to replace the transmission, engine was giving trouble and it needs a new paint job soon also. (He takes pretty good care of it too)
Regarding the 3rd gen 4Runner vs 4th gen, I'd take the 3rd gen anyday. I know that I'm biased, but hey Toyota's quality hadn't gone south yet when the 3rd gens were built, IMO.
FWIW, I also drive a 2nd gen Tacoma with the same 1GR-FE engine as the 4th gen 4Runner and to be completely honest, I'm not impressed by that engine's power. It hesitates during moderate acceleration and basically feels like driving a 3rd gen 4Runner with the 5VZ, except that the 4.0 is quieter.
Just my $0.02
Regarding the 3rd gen 4Runner vs 4th gen, I'd take the 3rd gen anyday. I know that I'm biased, but hey Toyota's quality hadn't gone south yet when the 3rd gens were built, IMO.
FWIW, I also drive a 2nd gen Tacoma with the same 1GR-FE engine as the 4th gen 4Runner and to be completely honest, I'm not impressed by that engine's power. It hesitates during moderate acceleration and basically feels like driving a 3rd gen 4Runner with the 5VZ, except that the 4.0 is quieter.
Just my $0.02
Put up some pics of your 3rd gen inside and outside and i'll reciprocate. 4th gens are MUCH better made in and out than the 3rds pls believe.
brian2sun
Elite Member
MUCH better? Nah. About the same if anything. The materials used didn't really change, just the style and cosmetics. 3rds gens have stronger body panels too. You can't compare pics unless you use pics of a 3rd when it was only a couple years old. Every car that's a decade old is going to show more wear than one that's only 2 or 3. As far as quality, do believe from experience that Toyota's mechanical quality did start to go south after the 3rd gens. How many years did it take them to resolve all the little issues with the 4.0? The 3.4 was bulletproof within 6 months of production.
I've got an '03 V8 4Runner 4WD Limited. I might get 18-19 mpg on the highway on a good day. Overall, I'm getting 14.5 - 15.5 mpg. My V8 is plenty quick for an SUV (0-60 in around 7-7.5 seconds), but is does chug gas.
But if you don't need a truck, and it sounds like you don't, I have a hard time recommending a body-on-frame, 4WD SUV. My 4Runner rides pretty well, for a truck. It handles pretty well, for a truck. It brakes pretty well, for a truck. But you'll never mistake it for anything other than a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle truck. When I drive Mrs. M1911's car, or just about any rental car, I'm reminded just how bad my 4Runner handles.
A station wagon or crossover might fit your needs, ride better, handle better, and use less fuel.
Thai
Elite Member
I agree with some of what you said...but interior quality is NOT superior to the 3rd gen. The 3rd gen interior plastics were top-notch...solid plastic panels, more scratch-resistant, and even the soft stuff had higher quality feel. The 3rd gen interior was put together with care.
I actually prefer the 3rd gen's interior styling...which was dated compared to today, but the layout was less gimmicky than 4th gen.
Now, as far as body panels, you may be right, but where it counts, the 4th gen is better, such as crash protection or the significantly stronger frame. Body panels of modern cars are thinner feeling, probably to reduce weight (and thus improve fuel economy). However, thinness no longer means cheap because modern materials may just be as strong but thinner. For example, a modern body may have high-tensile steel which is thinner but stronger than old-style steel.
Quality falling with 4th gen? Hmmm, i don't know...didn't the previous gen Tacoma (same production years as 3rd gen) suffer from super corrosive frame?!
4.0 V6 teething issues were no different than head gasket issue with 3.4L V6 in 1996 3rd gen 4runners. Weren't the rear coils bad in 1996-1999 4runners, causing insane sagging???
As for quality, i would like to see some solid proof to back up 3rd gen over 4th gen. Didn't JohnsD90 have multiple issues with his 3rd gen??
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brian2sun
Elite Member
John's is one of the exceptions because his was so rusty. Mine just turned 14 yrs old and you could eat off the frame it's so clean. Frame rot and rust in general (not talking about the Tacos, just 4runners) is 99% where you live. I guess we'll have to wait another few years to really tell how the quality of the 4th gens stacks up to the 3rds.
Thai
Elite Member
Actually, it is 7 years and counting...and no obvious defect to the 4th gen...i would say that is pretty good. Certainly, you canNOT say that the 4th gen is any worst (issue-wise) than the 3rd gen.
And Johnsd90 4runner proves that frame rusting (and electronic issues) are not foreign to the 3rd gen.
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brian2sun
Elite Member
I think the quality is still there on the 4th gens (and hopefully the 5ths too). I don't want to come across as a hater because I do believe they are still excellent vehicles. Toyota's quality in general has obviously had to overcome a lot of issues this past year, but I think the trucks are still pretty high quality. My Dad just bought a brand new 2wd Taco and I have to say I like it a lot and I was impressed with how solid it felt to drive.
Comparing Toyotas to Toyotas is hard to see a significant difference in quality, it's almost splitting hairs. Comparing Toyotas to Fords (say before '07 or '08), there's no contest.
Comparing Toyotas to Toyotas is hard to see a significant difference in quality, it's almost splitting hairs. Comparing Toyotas to Fords (say before '07 or '08), there's no contest.
I went from a '99 2WD V8 Exploder (actually still have it, daughter drives it) to an '07 2WD V8 4R.
I get the V8 because I tow a boat, but use it as a daily driver most of the time, never needed or wanted 4WD.
The ONLY thing the Ex does better is that it has more room in the back.
The 4R is more comfortable, drives better, more power, better mileage.
Never had a serious problem with the Ex, but several PITA things. The 4R hasn't need anything but oil changes so far.
I get the V8 because I tow a boat, but use it as a daily driver most of the time, never needed or wanted 4WD.
The ONLY thing the Ex does better is that it has more room in the back.
The 4R is more comfortable, drives better, more power, better mileage.
Never had a serious problem with the Ex, but several PITA things. The 4R hasn't need anything but oil changes so far.
It sounds like you need a crossover, maybe a buick enclave? Truth be told if you want a DD with comfortable and spacious seating, and quiet on the highway, your two options (4r, explorer) don't make sense.
If you do end up getting a 4runner, go with the leather seats, makes a huge difference to people when they first enter your vehicle.
If you do end up getting a 4runner, go with the leather seats, makes a huge difference to people when they first enter your vehicle.
ChildrenOfBodom
Moderator
I wouldn't buy a plastic cladded 4th gen with an easily scratched interior and gauge cluster that scratches if you stare at it hard enough... Plastic, plastic, plastic, plastic...
I don't like how it looks and I certainly don't like how it performed in comparison to a 3rd gen.
How would I know, right? I drive a 2.7l and a 2WD, what do I know?
Well, unfortunately, my poor mother's van was totaled after a runaway car with a girl behind the wheel smashed in back to pieces. I told her we could get her a 4th gen, after test drives, that's changed to an 02 3rd gen. Really, the engines, projector lamps, and LED tail lights in the 4th gen are cool and all, but that's about all I liked over the 3rd. I don't want any other fancy bull**** systems, either, more **** to break.
I suppose a 4th gen could be a very cool ride after mods, but as is, I'll take a 3rd any day.
No offense to any 4th gen 4Runner owners, still a great car, after all, it is a 4Runner and this is a 4Runner owners website, but it's not my cup of tea.
I don't like how it looks and I certainly don't like how it performed in comparison to a 3rd gen.
How would I know, right? I drive a 2.7l and a 2WD, what do I know?
Well, unfortunately, my poor mother's van was totaled after a runaway car with a girl behind the wheel smashed in back to pieces. I told her we could get her a 4th gen, after test drives, that's changed to an 02 3rd gen. Really, the engines, projector lamps, and LED tail lights in the 4th gen are cool and all, but that's about all I liked over the 3rd. I don't want any other fancy bull**** systems, either, more **** to break.
I suppose a 4th gen could be a very cool ride after mods, but as is, I'll take a 3rd any day.
No offense to any 4th gen 4Runner owners, still a great car, after all, it is a 4Runner and this is a 4Runner owners website, but it's not my cup of tea.
