Help me decide between these two T4Rs

[Ryanr317]

Okay, I understand there may be some bias since I'm posting this in the 3rd gen forum. I'm posting it here instead of the 4th gen because my search was mainly for a 3rd gen. I'm having trouble deciding between a '00 Limited, looks pretty clean and is a FL truck from day one with no accidents vs. a '03 V8 Sport edition which is a WV truck with higher miles and one reported accident on Carfax. Both have clean titles.

I have a soft spot for the 3rd gen but the fact that the 03 has a V8, newer body style, and has a cheaper asking price is making it worth considering for me. I'm not the biggest fan of the gray cladding and would prefer leather seats but i'm willing to make an exception. Plus i'm a fan of the Toyota UZ engines and have a 1UZ SC400 and a 3UZ in my GS430, all I need now is a 2UZ!

03 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4x4

or

2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD V6 3.4L DOHC

 

[Hepar]

I've always stayed away from the first years of a vehicle when they do a redesign. They always seem to be the buggiest, but I have no idea if that's the case with the 4th gen 4Runner.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Okay, I understand there may be some bias since I'm posting this in the 3rd gen forum. I'm posting it here instead of the 4th gen because my search was mainly for a 3rd gen. I'm having trouble deciding between a '00 Limited, looks pretty clean and is a FL truck from day one with no accidents vs. a '03 V8 Sport edition which is a WV truck with higher miles and one reported accident on Carfax. Both have clean titles.

I have a soft spot for the 3rd gen but the fact that the 03 has a V8, newer body style, and has a cheaper asking price is making it worth considering for me. I'm not the biggest fan of the gray cladding and would prefer leather seats but i'm willing to make an exception. Plus i'm a fan of the Toyota UZ engines and have a 1UZ SC400 and a 3UZ in my GS430, all I need now is a 2UZ!

03 Toyota 4Runner Sport 4x4

or

2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD V6 3.4L DOHC

What are you going to do with it? Is it going to be a wheeler, tow rig, DD??

I had an 07 runner for a few years with the V8 and loved it. But I wasn't driving it and it was costing me too much so I 'downgraded' and got a 3rd gen to build as a wheeler. I miss that V8 big time but still love my 3rd gen.

Things to consider, if you are going to build and mod the aftermarket lift/parts are more expensive on a 4th gen.

Still boils down on how you plan to use the rig.

 

[Ryanr317]

What are you going to do with it? Is it going to be a wheeler, tow rig, DD??

I had an 07 runner for a few years with the V8 and loved it. But I wasn't driving it and it was costing me too much so I 'downgraded' and got a 3rd gen to build as a wheeler. I miss that V8 big time but still love my 3rd gen.

Things to consider, if you are going to build and mod the aftermarket lift/parts are more expensive on a 4th gen.

Still boils down on how you plan to use the rig.

Definitely things to consider. I won't be a wheeler, just more of a weekend toy used for mild off roading. With the 03, i'd probably just do a leveling kit.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Definitely things to consider. I won't be a wheeler, just more of a weekend toy used for mild off roading. With the 03, i'd probably just do a leveling kit.

If that's the case then personally I'd get the 4th gen. V8, much more comfortable, V8, roomier,V8, newer, V8. Oh and did I mention it has a V8? If you ever want to tow it has a V8, oh wait did i say that already?

Make sure the timing belt svc has been done too. If it hasn't it's needed and that can cost about 1K to have done professionally.

 

[LittleCaesar]

In your neck of the woods, the 4th gen 4runner. They need to come down at least $1200 on the 2000.

 

[Supermoney]

No offense but the 03 4Runner that is half plastic is disgusting!

 

[Arnezie]

4th gen is the worst generation , and might I ad the ugliest of all, I would go with the 2000 hands down no comparison :hand:

 

[GVL]

^^^ +1 ^^^


Although the Gen 4's do look 10x better when lifted and set up with proper tires.

 

[jgue467]

Looks, plastic, whatever aside, the 4.0 is a beast compared to the 3.4, anyone feel different? Don't get me wrong, i have a 3.4, yeah it gets 20+ on the highway, but so can the 4.0 w/about 50-55 more poinies depending on the version. I'd get the VVTi, really on any engine. Luck and enjoy whatever you decide on! :banana: