5th Gen to a 3rd Gen?

CRYA

CRYA

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Granjour's post about coming from a new Land Cruiser to a 5th Gen got me thinking, if you had to go from a 5th gen down, would you do a 3rd or 4th? I had a 97 and loved it. Just wondering what 3rd Gen, trim and year, you guys would choose if you had to move out of our beloved 5th Gen?
 
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4th for sure. I had a 2000 and a 2006 before my 5th Gen. My 06' LE V8 4X4 was awesome! I thought about getting another one after it was totaled a few months ago but I simply did not have the time to wait to find a pristine low mileage one.
 
Post refresh 4th Gen for sure. Still love the look of them. Sport or Limited would suffice.... but I'd take the Limited first.
 
Lets just say if there was a brand new 5th and a brand new 3rd gen parked side by side on a magical car lot, I'd go for the 3rd gen every time.
 
I have a 2009 4runner Trail Edition.

I was thinking about going the other way, "upgrading" to a 5th gen.

I looked at the 5th gen Trail Edition 4 times and test drove it once. I love the exterior styling of a modded lifted 5th gen TE. I tried hard to convince myself to get it. But in the end the test drive did not wow me. So hard to justify spending the extra cash for a new vehicle when my 2009 Trail Edition is perfectly good and can go anywhere the 5th gen TE can go off roading wise.

Will wait for the 6th generation. But I love my 4th gen TE, might keep it forever since its very very rare!
 
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Interesting stuff. Perhaps I am just better served by a V8 4th Gen as apparently they have 7000# towing capacity. Guess I didn't do my research before springing for the 5th Gen. Looks like I need an 06-07 LTD with V8.
 
I would go 3rd gen, loved my 98 sport with the 5 speed manual. Wish my 5th gen had the 6 speed manual.

I think 3rd gen looks more like the 5th gen so perfect match for me anyway
 
3rd gen, hands down. I have owned a 3rd, 4th and 5th and I would say comparing them unmodified, the 4th would be my least favorite for what I use my 4runners for. It was definitely the most comfortable on road, that's for sure (had a limited). The only reason I made the switch to the 5th was for more interior room, slightly better economy, and a few added safety features (I bought the 5th to be my family friendly rig).
As far as motors go: Sure, a v8 is great, but my 3rd gen with a TRD S/C was way more than adequate. Granted, I had some other goodies to help spice it up a little bit more, but I was definitely quicker than a v8 4th gen. I absolutely love my 5th, but not a day goes by where I don't miss my 3rd.


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Doesn't this say something about the auto industry? I mean, the whole idea is more this, newer is better, bigger is better etc., and yet here we are, several people who miss the old model. I'd like to think it's not just nostalgia. Isn't the auto industry doing something wrong, and Toyota specifically, if there is this group that actually prefers their older model more than the latest whizz-bang tech being offered? I'll admit to getting caught up in the buttons and knobs offered on the Trail, but still, I guess that's what some call progress.

McFly2003 said:
3rd gen, hands down. I have owned a 3rd, 4th and 5th and I would say comparing them unmodified, the 4th would be my least favorite for what I use my 4runners for. It was definitely the most comfortable on road, that's for sure (had a limited). The only reason I made the switch to the 5th was for more interior room, slightly better economy, and a few added safety features (I bought the 5th to be my family friendly rig).
As far as motors go: Sure, a v8 is great, but my 3rd gen with a TRD S/C was way more than adequate. Granted, I had some other goodies to help spice it up a little bit more, but I was definitely quicker than a v8 4th gen. I absolutely love my 5th, but not a day goes by where I don't miss my 3rd.


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I had a 99 Green Forest Limited for 1 year before I got my TE and I took very good care of it. I admit the 3rd gen V6 seemed to have more rawr to it, but if you put the 5th in 4th with the sport shift it ok.

Anyways I still see my old truck sometimes since I sold it for cheap to my Brother. And when he comes over I always ask him to start the truck and push the gas pedal, I really like the sound that truck does.
 
Id go 4th gen v8 because it matches what I need the vehicle for. What that really means is that I would accidentally end up with the lowest millage 100 series LC I could get for the same price.....
 
I love the 3rd gen; it was what I was looking at when I test drove a 5th gen on a whim. Now that I'm doing 3k a year on my 5th gen, I have been tempted to sell it and recover the value and buying something cheaper. What it boils down to, though, is that this truck is rock solid, I know the history, it has been paid off for two years, and going back to an older version means I give up a lot of amenities (Bluetooth audio streaming, backup camera, 270hp, huge cargo volume). An appreciably cheaper LC would be a 100 series with a load of miles, a similar hp V8 hauling around 600 lbs more, and atrocious mileage. I never really cared for the 4th gens and 3rd gens are too small now that we have a little one. It would be sort of nice to have a truck. The 5th gens are holding their value so well and the state of WV has an absurd tax credit that e85 capable tundras can get, so a new '14 SR5 Crewmax could be had for just a little bit of money.

But, I did just put new ATs on my 5th gen, so I wouldn't want to just give those away. I'll keep what I have. lol
 
CRYA said:
if you had to go from a 5th gen down, would you do a 3rd or 4th? Gen?
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If I had to choose and the 5th gen was not a choice. I would go back to my old 2nd gen ...the gutless wonder, with "bad" gas mileage, tinny sounding sheetmetal, and uncomfortable seats. I miss that 4Runner.

Cheers
 
Currently driving a 5th, previously a 4th and 3rd....3rd was a great truck, capable, comfortable and well put together, loved the size...but the 4th V8 Ltd was my personal favorite. Quiet, great for towing quality fit and finish, solid, and still great on the trails..... IF I were on the magical car lot I'd be trading my 5th toward a 4th in a heartbeat!!
 
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