Hey Heng -
if you're not going to 4WD or tow a fairly heavy item like a boat then I'd suggest you look for a car-based SUV. I have a 2001 4Runner and at the time (2000) it was one of only a few real SUV contenders that offered capability, longevity and decent mileage figures. I've been happy with how this truck has performed over 50k miles to date, but as a daily means of transport here's my observations on the 3rd-gen models:
1) it handles pretty poorly, especially in emergency maneuvers (the only real criteria in my mind that matters when it comes to handling performance - all other factors should be adjusted for driving what it is: a heavy, tall, narrow-tracked SUV). It WON'T EVER handle like a car-based SUV and if you're going to drive one be honest with yourslf about much attention you really pay to the act of driving and how many "close calls" you typically have every month, because compared to the alternatives you're going to significantly increase the risk of not being able to avoid a wreck by driving a 3rd gen.
2) Ride quality is for sh*t. My wife doesn't mind it but there's no way I could drive this truck every day. It's bouncy, jouncy and it feels like some first-year DeVry grad walked into Toyota, grabbed the CAD tool and designed "like a totally bitchin' suspension for wheelin', dude".
3) It's slower than poured molasses on a freezing day. I swear to God it feels like 20-22 seconds 0-60. Passing power is pretty weak. And the sound the engine makes when you have your foot deep into the throttle is not only loud but I once heard it referred to as 'tortured' and that's the best descriptive I can imagine. I drive it nice and slow, with easy throttle because it sounds so damn painful when I put the whip to it.
4) The brakes are good and strong. Keep in mind that the nose will dive a good six inches under hard braking, which makes the tail end light (increasing the risk of it sliding out from behind you if you're attempting to panic-brake and make an avoidance turn at the same time).
5) The seats are supportive and there's plenty of room front and back, but a lot of newer SUVs - especially car-based ones - have more-comfortable seats with features like reclining rear seats, etc. The front seats in the 4Runner are comfy and they definately hold you in place with aggressive bolstering on the hips and back. But they won't be comfortable if you're fat and I find that the bottom cushion is too sghort for long trips. Unless you're built like an Oompa Loompa from the waist down you're not going to get much thigh support.
6) I'm 6'1" and I occasionally bang my head on the roof when on rough surfaces because the suspension sucks and with the sunroof option you lose a BUNCH of headroom (like 2.5 inches).
7) It's narrow. Only one elbow fits on the (hard) center armrest at a time, and you'll be looking to the window sill as your second armrest unless you're really short (again: Oompa Loompa), which is also hard and gets uncomfortable any time you drive for more than an hour.
8) Stock stereo systems suck ass.
That said, as a daily driver it's also:
1) decent as far as fuel efficiency if you treat it lightly. My wife averages about 19mpg and she has light feet. It seems to me that a lot of the newer SUVs - both car and truck-based have been more focused on going fast/bigger HP than on efficiency and the newest and neatest editions, like the VW Toureg or the FX-45 or the Volvo SUV all have mpg figures down around 14/16 (or worse), which is worse than what I get in the 4Runner. Plus, the 4R runs on 87 octane, not premium fuel.
2) It's a good, if not perfect, do-all car for a two-car family: you can tow with it, haul stuff in it, load people into it, stack stuff on top of it, drive it through rain/snow/sleet/mud and over a lot of things with confidence (including sand, which strands almost all other SUVs).
3) It's tough as nails. They last a long time and don't cost much on upkeep. Or repairs, when repairs do eventually occur.
4) They look nice and their looks will last over time.
5) Resale of the 3rd-gens has plummeted with the advent of all the new SUV models and alternatives. You should be able to get a really nice, low-mileage example for a steal.
6) Fantastic crash scores, which should only be considered a small consolation to the fact that you're driving something that has much less crash-avoidance potential than just about anything else on the road, even with all the electrical traction/ABS/VSC nannies.
7) High seat positioning affords a pretty good view of traffic ahead.
My suggestion given your criteria would be to pick a car-based SUV. They're safer, they handle better, some have even better crash-test scores and better mileage figures than the 4R, they offer a better, more-comfortable ride, in most cases more room and easier ingress and egress from the vehicle and I even think that these days you have more models to actually choose from that are car-based versus truck-based.
Me? I paid for the 4R cash so unless I win the lotto I'm going to stick with it until it dies or starts costing me more to keep it than dump it.
