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historyteacher

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So I've been trying to decide between the new 4Runner and Outback. I started thinking though, since most 4Runners appear to be driven around town and therefore not really abused (based on the people I've seen driving them around town), I wonder if I should maybe look for a previous generation one in order to save a boatload of money.
Are there certain model years that are better than others? What kinds of things should I look for if I decide to go used?
Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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chaz said:
06 & up, v8s have full time 4wd, SE has xreas, v6 has slightly better mpg.
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Thanks. What about the sport edition vs the sr5? I tend to see a number of sports around towna nd mentioned on the boards here. Is there anything significant or unique about them?
 
chaz said:
06 & up, v8s have full time 4wd, SE has xreas, v6 has slightly better mpg.
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why do you assume that the 4th gens are better than the 3rd gens?? :bash:

maybe you should throw a little love for a 2000-02 in there! :D :jk:

although you are right, if historyteacher was talking about getting a new one, a 4th gen probably would suit him/her? better. :D
 
Duhockey said:
why do you assume that the 4th gens are better than the 3rd gens?? :bash:

maybe you should throw a little love for a 2000-02 in there! :D :jk:

although you are right, if historyteacher was talking about getting a new one, a 4th gen probably would suit him/her? better. :D
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You're right, just as a personal preference, I wouldn't buy a used car older than 2006. I'm still leery about buying a used car, but I've still got a couple $k to pay off on my current car and need to save up for the down payment, so I've still got a little while.
Thanks for the heads up about the XREAS.
 
historyteacher said:
You're right, just as a personal preference, I wouldn't buy a used car older than 2006. I'm still leery about buying a used car, but I've still got a couple $k to pay off on my current car and need to save up for the down payment, so I've still got a little while.
Thanks for the heads up about the XREAS.
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you know its funny like that... I could buy a 4th gen, but If i bought another 4runner, I would buy another 3rd gen.

and Im looking at 97-01 Preludes (a little diff since they dont make em anymore)

but my father in law wont touch a used car, I personally find that they are plenty reliable if you know how to buy a used car.

but to each his own! and good luck! cant wait to see what you buy! :hungry:
 
Duhockey said:
you know its funny like that... I could buy a 4th gen, but If i bought another 4runner, I would buy another 3rd gen.

and Im looking at 97-01 Preludes (a little diff since they dont make em anymore)

but my father in law wont touch a used car, I personally find that they are plenty reliable if you know how to buy a used car.

but to each his own! and good luck! cant wait to see what you buy! :hungry:
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My mom is like that is well. She likes to say that you're buying someone else's problems.
Actually, since I've never bought a used car before, do ya'll have any advice? Or if you know of any good resources, that'd be great.
 
brian2sun said:
How 'bout a little love for the '96s -'99s!! After all, our years have the best features - optional rear lockers, manual trannies, higher suspension....
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True, but if he has a hard time going for something older than an 06, how we gonna talk him into a 99??

that would be my choice anyways... 99 to start with, manual with elocker... nothing the 4th gen has can compare. You HAVE to get a 5th gen to match that...
 
hey, i love the 3rd gens,(2002) thats what id have if i did alot of offroading, on the 96s,( i was gonna buy one a few years back), theres no shoulder room, besides alot of people dont want older vec. no matter how great they are, i can understand what he's saying about buying someone else's problems, ive always unloaded my vec. no matter how much i loved them at around 60k, so i suggested 06+ since he may not offroad much, he can get a v8 if he wants, they have vvt, & other improvements. & talk about the 5th gen. they dont come with a manual & u have to get a TE to get the locker. & like it or not,(this is not a bash) there are some people that dont like the flat sided, boxy styling with strange looking taillights that stick out. just my 2c
 
historyteacher said:
So I've been trying to decide between the new 4Runner and Outback. I started thinking though, since most 4Runners appear to be driven around town and therefore not really abused (based on the people I've seen driving them around town), I wonder if I should maybe look for a previous generation one in order to save a boatload of money.
Are there certain model years that are better than others? What kinds of things should I look for if I decide to go used?
Thanks in advance for any help.
Click to expand...

How much emphasis do you have on safety? Are you going to off-road? Do you need 4wd?

3rd gen did not have VSC (stability control), Traction control, nor 4-channel ABS system until 2001. But, as stated above, 2001 also marked the end of the rear locker option, which is only useful off-road.

As for the 4th gen 4runners (2003-2009), i would get 4th gens with side curtain airbags. All 4th gens have VSC, TRAC, and 4-channel ABS. None of the 3rd gens had side airbags.

Good luck.
 
I wonder if I should maybe look for a previous generation one in order to save a boatload of money.
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You should look at Craigslist or your local classifieds and see what used 4Runners are going for in your area. If it's like my area, the resale values of 4th Gen 4Runners has remained high, probably due to the 4Runner's generally high value retention and limited supply (e.g. there weren't many new 2009 models sold, so there aren't going to be many used ones as a result).

The 2006 was the mid-cycle refresh for the 4Runner, which added LED tails, projector headlamps, slightly different cloth upholstery, 18" wheels on the Limited, among other changes.

Side airbags were optional up till 2008, when they became standard equipment.
 
Thai said:
How much emphasis do you have on safety? Are you going to off-road? Do you need 4wd?

3rd gen did not have VSC (stability control), Traction control, nor 4-channel ABS system until 2001. But, as stated above, 2001 also marked the end of the rear locker option, which is only useful off-road.

As for the 4th gen 4runners (2003-2009), i would get 4th gens with side curtain airbags. All 4th gens have VSC, TRAC, and 4-channel ABS. None of the 3rd gens had side airbags.

Good luck.
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It'll be a daily driver, with yearly trips out west to the mountains. We just had a little girl in April, so I need something with plenty of room. I don't plan on doing true off-roading. I know I should look at a Highlander, since it'll be on the streets primarily, but I like the idea of having a vehicle that can handle pretty much anything, just in case. You know, beach, snow, nuclear armageddon. :D
 
historyteacher said:
It'll be a daily driver, with yearly trips out west to the mountains. We just had a little girl in April, so I need something with plenty of room. I don't plan on doing true off-roading. I know I should look at a Highlander, since it'll be on the streets primarily, but I like the idea of having a vehicle that can handle pretty much anything, just in case. You know, beach, snow, nuclear armageddon. :D
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With a new girl (congrats BTW!), i think that you should stick with 4th gen. It is bigger with a much roomier 2nd row. I would make sure that you get one with side curtain airbags. You need 4wd. Now, the big question...V6 or V8? That is a tough one!!

Or you can just get a 5th gen! Or, similar to the OUtback, why not get the Forrester?
 
I would probably just go with the v6, as I don't plan on towing anything.
I just started considering the 4th gen to save money as it should be cheaper than buying a 5th gen or even OB. I looked at the forester but it doesn't have much more room than my current 2006 impreza outback sport.
I've also started shying away from the new outback a bit because a possible shaking steering wheel issue on the new model. At first it sounded like it was obvious from the start but some have said their's started after they hit 1k+ miles.
 
I'll always like the 3rd gen 4Runners, but my biggest gripe with them is that they are underpowered. Then again, 4Runners have pretty much always been underpowered until the 4th generation 4Runner.
 
Somebody mentioned the cost of the XReas. If you're like me, then when it breaks, you just rip the system out and replace the shocks with some normal Bilsteins or something similar. You don't HAVE TO replace XReas with other XReas shocks. You can tear the whole system out and put in some regular shocks. Better yet, just get a set of FJ take-offs right now for next to nothing, and when your XReas goes bad, then slap those badboys on.

It is only expensive to repair it if you go with the same setup as before. It costs no more to replace it with standard shocks than if you need to replace the shocks on an SR5.
 
BamBam said:
Somebody mentioned the cost of the XReas. If you're like me, then when it breaks, you just rip the system out and replace the shocks with some normal Bilsteins or something similar. You don't HAVE TO replace XReas with other XReas shocks. You can tear the whole system out and put in some regular shocks. Better yet, just get a set of FJ take-offs right now for next to nothing, and when your XReas goes bad, then slap those badboys on.

It is only expensive to repair it if you go with the same setup as before. It costs no more to replace it with standard shocks than if you need to replace the shocks on an SR5.
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Ditto, Ive helped do lifts on 2 -4th gens and Xreas is super easy to disco.
 
Jed said:
I'll always like the 3rd gen 4Runners, but my biggest gripe with them is that they are underpowered. Then again, 4Runners have pretty much always been underpowered until the 4th generation 4Runner.
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I don't mind so much the underpowered (hey, i drive a prius now!), but the 3rd gen's ride comfort was just not good...that was one of the main reason why i sold my 2002...the ride borders on punishing on rough highways (plenty here in Texas!). This is where Toyota really improve things in the 4th and later gens.
 
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