Be honest, late 3rd Gen 4Runner a good daily driver?
- Thread starter Lindenwood
- Start date
T4R2014
Elite Member
I notice that stock the 01-02s seem to sound much quieter. I think they have more extensive sound deadening, or the exhaust manifolds may be different. It's actually really impressive, and something I would appreciate on long commutes. With that said, a 4th gen of 5th gen offers more creature comforts. Better than that? Land Cruiser, LX, GX.
Everyone's circumstance for a daily may be different too. These trucks like to rust and dailying in the winter always gives me an uncomfortable feeling because I don't consider this a disposable vehicle. That and 16 MPG gets SO OLD when dailying a vehicle so slow.
Everyone's circumstance for a daily may be different too. These trucks like to rust and dailying in the winter always gives me an uncomfortable feeling because I don't consider this a disposable vehicle. That and 16 MPG gets SO OLD when dailying a vehicle so slow.
Moonbandit
New member
I have been DD mine for 5 years. I love the ride and it is less boring than my GFs Camry - but my commute is less than 5 miles each way.
Just depends on one’s situation.
A friend with a new hybrid is always bragging about his high mpgs - but always fails to mention his stupid high monthly payments + insurance costs $$$$$
Just depends on one’s situation.
A friend with a new hybrid is always bragging about his high mpgs - but always fails to mention his stupid high monthly payments + insurance costs $$$$$
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Had Redrunner 18 yrs, 15 yr DD, 3 yrs of DD 150 miles round trip per day.
It was good, 17mpg hwy 14 city wasn't cheap on gas. new seat foam helped alot, sound deadner also. was on third set of bushings third set of shocks n springs. it's a truck not a car. If you have it modded the cool factor is way up there compared to a Camry or Hybrid. [MENTION=71030]T4R2014[/MENTION] true dat, if I want great gas milage, great ride, great creature comforts, go fast 175mph+, 11 Audi S5 Prestige V8 6spd manual, next bay over.
It was good, 17mpg hwy 14 city wasn't cheap on gas. new seat foam helped alot, sound deadner also. was on third set of bushings third set of shocks n springs. it's a truck not a car. If you have it modded the cool factor is way up there compared to a Camry or Hybrid. [MENTION=71030]T4R2014[/MENTION] true dat, if I want great gas milage, great ride, great creature comforts, go fast 175mph+, 11 Audi S5 Prestige V8 6spd manual, next bay over.
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T4R2014
Elite Member
I was considering to throw in the mention of an Audi as well. Nailed it. 996/997/991 Turbo is another great daily with AWD. Throw on a set of winter tires and you’re set.
96RedRunner
Senior Member
Winter tires Lol, Michelin Pilot Super Sport's are my winter tire. I'm near the third coast.
Yea boy the 99's are on my want list, need to know more on different models known issues before I get serious though. Car and driver had issue out not long ago anniversary issue I think all models with pro's n con's heard it's a good read.
I bought my ‘97 limited as a rig to build into a wheeler, got it at a pretty good price. Cleaned it up, put in a car play head unit, replaced the stick speakers with infinity speakers, and was driving it to see if anything else needed to be sorted before I started building it. Then I kept driving it because i enjoyed driving it, while not pristine it’s in very good condition, only problems are a small crack in the driver’s seat and a couple scuffs in the interior. Drove it home from work one evening when then fuel light came on, I parked it, looked at my 2014 VW sportwagen parked with nearly a full tank of gas and thought I’d just drive that the next day. The next morning I drove the 4Runner and got gas on the way to work. That when I decided to sell my daily and the 4Runner was my new DD. It been almost a year since I have made it a my daily, I’ve hauled a Uhaul from Boise to Portland in a snow storm to help a friend move. Did the same for my aunt from Medford to the Tri Cities in the heat of summer. It’s almost ready to hit 260,000, runs drives, feels better then many new cars I’ve driven and still looks good. So yes they can make a good daily, only problem is I’m looking for another to make into a wheeler. ��
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StreetCreeper
New member
I think I’m getting close to rolling over 440,000 miles soon and it’s up for smog again so I just picked up a new cat for it. Should be good on the cat till 600k I think... as soon as it’s smogged, it’s going back into daily driver duty too. Some day when I have extra funds, I’ll probably do a full restoration on it, or at least a very thorough one. :hat:
WOW! You really found a unicorn 3rd Gen! I would pay ~$10K for that, if not higher. If you can afford it and want it, I would get it.
I just got my 4Runner today. Living in the SF Bay Area, I am wondering if I should daily drive it or not considering I just went through 2.5 months of searching for a decent rig. I am not sure I want to risk it getting hit as paranoid as that sounds.
thatoneguy2-
New member
I think its an ok DD. the mileage is fair. I came from a lexus with similar epa so im not too worried. I bought mine with 268k but maintenance was kept up and i am mechanically inclined to do all of the work myself. I do believe these motors can go the distance, and if it doesnt, i can buy/build another one.
Friday88
New member
Ok frankly, the 3rd gen as a daily has had its ups and downs for me this year.
It's a nice truck to drive, its comfortable, the ac keeps up ok, and the mileage inst a killer. However the periodic repairs that it will inevitably require are irritating. This year mine has spent a week in my garage every 4 months or so while waiting on some part, or solving some other maintenance thing.
I have a motorcycle as a second vehicle, and sometimes I borrow my wifes car, but for most people I don't think I would recommend anything this old if its the only car at your residence
It's a nice truck to drive, its comfortable, the ac keeps up ok, and the mileage inst a killer. However the periodic repairs that it will inevitably require are irritating. This year mine has spent a week in my garage every 4 months or so while waiting on some part, or solving some other maintenance thing.
I have a motorcycle as a second vehicle, and sometimes I borrow my wifes car, but for most people I don't think I would recommend anything this old if its the only car at your residence
You don't mention if it's 2wd or 4wd. But low mileage 3rd Gens are starting to fetch a pretty penny.
https://bringatrailer.com/toyota/4runner/
I'm not suggesting you pay what people are paying on BaT, but showing that there's definitely interest in well maintained, low mileage 3rd Gens.
Love my 2001 but always wondered what that ECT PWR switch was for... if I'm climbing hills, I just pop the O/D button which mostly seems to help...never really noticed any fuel economy diff between NORM/PWR either.
ON TOPIC: My 2001 4RUNNER was my family daily driver for 15 years and is well loved...if I could find one with low miles/well maintained and not as banged up as mine then I would not hesitate to have another.
It is now driven by my daughter at around 183k miles, hence all the maintenance I'm doing on it (What DIDN'T I do to my 4Runner today? :-D )
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96Runr
New member
Sign me up for the 500K party [MENTION=115590]StreetCreeper[/MENTION] !
Really happy <sarcasm> for all of you never had a break down, never been stranded blah, blah. Fan clutch going out in the Mojave has forever put a bugaboo in my head regarding reliability. My 96 is a DD; if I had the ability, I would drive a good Honda daily and keep my T4R for Home Depo runs, Overlander runs, when the weather is great and you want 6 windows back.
Old seats can be replaced, sound proofing helps with noise, heat shield/ceramic tent helps with SoCal heat, replacing carpet helps with 20 year old butt smell, TBU helps with stop/go traffic, double din unit / SiriusXM helps with entertainment - all these can help with the DD blues. But face it, everyone in this forum has a bit of SM/OCD in them that they channel into our T4R addiction. Especially if your T$R is a DD
