6th vs our 3rd Gen

lockedlex

lockedlex

Member
So I'm never sellling my 3rd Gen, it's been too reliable and loyal to do that plus I have it finally pretty much dialed in as I want it.

BUT, the thought has crossed my mind, it's 25 years old, doesn't have side impact/head airbags, lacks radar cruise (which my other cars have) and that makes road trips not as effortless. But I also love that it isn't overly complicated electronically and remains fairly easy to work on and diagnose (which rarely needs it).

The 6th gen is the first one since our 3rd gens that I've been eyeing based on looks. Has anyone else considered one?

I won't be going crazy offroading with it (that's been out of my system for years), just more overlanding, camping and taking long road trips.

But I'm not fond of the fact that even the hybrid doesn't get that much better mpg, it's all hard plastic everywhere (I'd get the TRD ORP probably), I've been hearing things about reliabilty already?

I just think I'll be keeping "a" truck for another 20 years proobably and at point, this 3rd gen would be almost 50 years old... Not sure that's quite as practical long term?
 
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There's plenty of nice things about a newer vehicle - push-button ignition, better headlights (factory LED or HID), radar cruise, etc. Some of our vehicles have some or all of those features and I like having them.

If something happened to my 4Runner, I'd really want to go all the way up to a GX550 Overtrail, I think. No hybrid stuff taking up the trunk room, more power, etc. for not much more than a fully loaded 6th gen or Land Cruiser. It might even be able to take over mini van duties...

But until that time, the 3rd gen does everything I need well. Enough room for the family on mountain trips, willing to take it places and risk dings/dents/damage that I wouldn't want to in a newer and expensive rig, etc. I'm not going to change the situation until I need to.

-Charlie
 
meh, they're too expensive. Even if you've got the money or willing to take on the debt i dont think any of these products are worth the cost of ownership and commitment.
 
I think I'm waiting this generation out. They managed to blow it in every case. They got way too comfortable with riding off their reputation and now everything got the Tacoma half ass treatment. Pretty sure the V6 machining issues are still ongoing, otherwise the GX550 OT is the best bet. They're starting to feel very big 3 domestic with these issues. I think I'll take a V8 4th gen over these offerings.
 
I would usually consider the Lexus version too, but agree I'm hesitant due to that V6 Turbo and all the prior issues, leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

A friend "upgraded" from a 2013 to a 2025 and found it interesting that the mileage was just as bad, the power felt the same, and the interior feels actually smaller. I don't dislike how they look though, but yeah, I'm worried about the longevity.

Cost, cost-cutting, complicated and perhaps problematic powertrains/teething issues might also make me hold out on this gen. It does "look" good though, but maybe the 3rd gens were too good.

The 5th gens seem to still command some crazy high prices (which is another reason I thought of just getting a 6th), but on paper, it's actually probably the best of the 3rd and 6th gens. Simple enough powertrain, has locking rear diff, can get it with radar cruise, side impact, etc. and I guess there's a huge aftermarket support for it, I just never found it that attractive.
 
I’ve been considering the same about my 3rd gen, except considering switching to a 2007 or 2008 4th gen. OTOH, I like the size of the 3rd gen better and I’ve got so much $ into fixing it now that it probably makes more sense to just keep driving it rather than having to do all that again on a different vehicle
 
I am running AUXITO LED lights and those are way brighter than the newer LED's. Make sure to get the 16 cree LED's per bulb (12 Cree LED bulb is cheaper). Light pattern is OEM. May need to adjust the housing but no alteration to the bulb.
 
I sold my 3rd gen in October of last year, the frame had gotten to the point of needing a replacement, that was a job that I didn't have the space/time to pull off. I had my '15 Tacoma that I never liked, but at least it was paid for.

I went and got a '19 TRD OR then sold the 3rd gen T4R and the Taco. I still miss the 3rd gen T4R. The new T4R is much roomier and has a bit more power and gets better economy, but it just doesn't have the same "vibe" that the 3rd gen did.
 
For the past year I have researched and driven other vehicles to potentially replace my 3rd gen, but I have come to the conclusion that I don't like any of them as much as the 3G. A 3 year old GX460 came closest to replacing it, but at the end of the day the GX doesn't feel special, the V8/auto feels sluggish compared to the SC'd 5-speed V6 (especially at altitude), has lower fuel economy, the driving fun isn't there with the GX, and quite frankly the tech in all but the latest Toyotas is severely lacking. Add to this that a newer vehicle will cost me $$ to buy, register and insure. I'll be keeping the 3G.
 
nissanh said:
I would never consider a 6th gen for the price they ask. It should be near 40K for the base model.
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4Runners have ALWAYS been expensive when new. My 2WD auto SR5 with minimal options (roof rack/spoiler/hitch only - 15" wheels, base seats, no sunroof, base stereo, etc.) was over $30k new. Nice 4WD Limiteds were in the $40k-ish range. That's the equivalent of ~$60k for a near base model and $80k for a top-of-the-line model in today's dollars.

-Charlie
 
If you feel the interior is small, well it's because it is. Vehicle safety standards have changed, both side impact/intrusion and airbags. An upright visible seating position is all but gone due to saftey standards. All that stuff takes up valuable interior space. Side windows are narrower, due to the requirements of side impact/intrusion protection.

A while ago I watched a vid about why you can't see crap out of the newer taco. Seems safety requires you to not see anything lol.

But yeah, I'll keep my 26 year old 4runner. I like I because it has NO tech inside. You are responsible to keep control of your vehicle, not tech. When this switch became acceptable I don't know.
 
Never sell the 3rd gen dude, it's genuinely too reliable a vheicle, though yes the newest one has all the creature comforts, I'd still keep the 3rd gen for doing fun stuff. Are you able to keep the 3rd gen and buy the 6th gen?
 
phattyduck said:
If something happened to my 4Runner, I'd really want to go all the way up to a GX550 Overtrail, I think. No hybrid stuff taking up the trunk room, more power, etc. for not much more than a fully loaded 6th gen or Land Cruiser. It might even be able to take over mini van duties...

-Charlie
Click to expand...

Oh!well, I do like to think forward that I'll buy a 6th gen, but now I'm in love with the GX550, except the price, but oh lord, what a dream truck. Still not that much over the new landcruiser which I'd never buy.

As for the OP, the 3rd gen is staying with us too. It is still driven over 300 miles a week, and it often gets request to be sold, and good comments at gas stations, but no, the money I'd get is never worth what we lived with the machine, all the time I spent on maintaining it, the fact that it has just the electronics it needs, no more, and that you can offroad the thing FOR REAL, it has clearance, plenty of travel, a frame, and it is a beautiful, unique truck overall that still looks good with all the scars of life. It's been in the heat of death valley plenty of times roaring its fan, the height of colorado where I'd go crazy mad while passing and scream at it because of the lack of power, humid florida, countless nights sleeping in it with the a/c running all night to keep cool, all the time I just plowed through the snow windrow in the morning... It totally stays with us 100%, even if I were to buy a 6th gen.

Now we do take my jeep grand cherokee 2020 for long road trips, because mostly of confort (which surprisingly the 3rd gen isn't too far behind IMO), power, and that big gps screen (and the minor chore of removing my sound system from the 3rd gen for space) but when on a rough road/in a trail/overlanding, boy do I miss my totally stock 3rd gen!!! Fitting a newer head unit that accepts carplay for the GPS in the 4runner 3rd gen is not out of the question.

They are rare now where I live because of the heavy use of road salt and people not taking care of them enough. One more reason to keep care of mine and share the soul of the classic 3rd gen on the roads.
 
As others have said, I can't see me ever selling my Hilux Surf... however sometimes I'd like something similar but newer.

Unfortunately, the 5th and 6th gens were never sale for the RHD market and I don't want a LHD car in the uk. We can get the new Landcruiser here, but its super expensive, Diesel only, and all Europe domestic supplied cars need all sorts of annoying safetly stuff, like constant bonging over the speed limit, auto braking etc. I really don't want all that.

I bought a new GR86 a couple of years ago (November 2023) because it was literally the last "old school" sports car you could but before all that stuff became mandetory... although it still has an exhaust particulate filter that robs sound and power, and it technically illegal to remove. The newer stuff doesn't seem as solidly constructed either.

So I just continue making the surf "better" its time it had anotherr evoluition as I've had it for about 18 years, and it had it's last revamp 10 years ago.

I quite fancy an FJ cruiser build, but it's too similar to the 3rd gen, I couldn't really justify both. Plus my other half says I have too many cars anyway....
 
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