I wonder if the poll results are somewhat biased here since we're in the 3rd gen category? lol
This is a tough decision. However, since I already have a 3rd Gen, you can go ahead and give me the 1st Gen.
Maybe I missed something, but why the upgrade to another 3rd Gen? Newer? Mileage?
I haven't voted yet, but practicality says two 3rd Gens is smarter in this case. Though I do miss my 1988 sometimes.
I guess there were just certain times I longed for something a bit more modern, especially when I have passengers in the back i.e. not the safest rig.
1st Gens are fun, especially with the soft tops like you have but that's mostly for off-roading. They do not have very good road manners, especially in foul weather or long trips. If it's going to be your only vehicle, I hate saying it but 3rd Gen is the one to keep. Despite the fact that I myself would love to drive a 1st Gen with the soft top for fun trips. The lack of power and it being only nice to drive in the summer would keep me from daily driving it, unless you have a hard top hiding away somewhere.
PS my brother and sister-in-law work at Hume Lake! Glad you enjoy being up there.
PSS you should be able to sell the 1st Gen for a nice premium to the right buyer. Don't take the first offer you get for it, they are getting increasingly rare.
Right on brother, thanks for the feedback. I <3 Hume man. Rad you got family working there. And yes! I do have a hardback stored away along with a can-back soft top :embarassed:
Based on your stated needs and intentions, I think keeping the 3rd gen is a no-brainer. If you really care about your girlfriend’s desires, having a reliable vehicle for traveling, having one that is comfortable, then it seems to me like the obvious choice is the 3rd gen. Sounds like you have an emotional attachment to the 1st gen :cry2:
I think you hit it on the head w/ your last statement. It's definitely the emotional and sentimental aspect for me that's making it tuff.
That 1st gen is awesome and I totally understand the difficulty you're having, but the 3rd gen is probably a more practical choice for what your needs appear to be.
3rd gen is definitely more practical, but practical =/= fun haha
That would be a tough choice, but to me, the clear winner is the 1st Gen. So rare and cool looking. And you know it inside and out.
As much as I love 3rd Gen's, I would definitely keep the 1st Gen.
Ever since driving the 3rd gen, I realize how pedestrian I feel since every 5th truck out there is a 3rd gen t4r being driven by a non-enthusiast that doesn't really give a crap about it.
Hey duder. I own an 86 sas'd 3.4 swapped 1st gen and a 2000 highlander. I was having this same dilemma a couple months back. I ended up storing my first gen back in southern california and keeping the 3rd gen. I used to daily drive the first gen in sf for a couple years and after having it broken into numerous times and dealing with idiot drivers I figured it was best to let her hibernate till I move north. I would say stick with the 3rd gen. It's way more comfortable than my first gen and can still wheel pretty hard if need be. I know i would have a hard time letting my first gen go, but I also have a ton of money and sweat equity in her so if youre indifferent between them I'd say 3rd gen. You can always find built 1st gen that someone gets tired of down the road and get another one.
Whenever I drive the 1st gen in the city, I actually care less about people bumping into it since it hurts them more than me. I've also had a few hobos sleep in it when I took the top off, but really no harm no foul since I don't leave anything to take haha
A 3.4 is a great power plant and all the hills you have around you on SF don’t make either the best DD due to the 5 spd but the 3rd gen is for sure the clear winner here if we’re talking practicality. I’ve owned a couple early 90’s Toyota pick ups with the 22re and 3. SLOW, and a couple new(er) Toyota’s with the 3.4 and there is no way you could get me back into something with one of those motors as a DD!
I will have to play devil’s advocate and say keep the 1st gen. 3rd gens are my favorite T4R so no bias here either. Reason being is this sounds like the case of sellers remorse in the near future. You’ll be kicking yourself for getting rid of something you cherish that much. Sounds like the 1st gen is reliable enough to keep as a DD but the soft top thing with rain and break-ins would have me concerned for sure. Good luck with your decision!
Thanks for posing both sides here. I've actually gotten used to the 22re's bandwidth. I know that I'll always be in the slow lane and have to drop it 3rd to really get over any gnarly pass in the mountains. Driving stick in the city is really my own weird preference.
Ditch the GF. You can find another.
LOL
Came here to say this. Was surprised it was 15 comments in.
All I need is a 1st, 2nd and 5th gen and my collection will be complete!
Of course I'll be divorced and homeless, but whatever!
hahaha you'll have 5 homes you can sleep in though!
Honestly, I'd only own a 1st gen if I had another car to daily. Which I definitely hope happens one day!
right on brotha.
You'll let us choose instead of letting your girlfriend choose? She should question your commitment and start shopping for a new boyfriend.
:redface:
I sense the sarcasm here, but I’ll just add that if she was committed to him she’d notice how much his 1st gen means to him so she’d sell her current DD and buy his 3rd Gen off him and they’d still have a comfortable 4WD road trip vehicle to take to Tahoe. :lol:
haha this always a possibility!
I’ve owned 2 first gen 4runner’s, both 86’s. But I’ve owned 8 3rd gen 4runners haha. I love the first gens for what they are. They’re fun, kind of raw, and an old truck you can beat around on. But at the end of the day it’s a 30 year old truck. I personally switched to have a more modern chassis that has proved to be incredibly reliable, comfortable and has more usable interior and exterior space. My 3rd gen makes more power and gets the same mpgs as both of my first gens. Plus my fiancé hated having to get out of the truck to let people get into the backseat with my first gen. I say keep the 3rd gen:cowboy:
Not to mention the 1st gen isn't the safest for rear passengers!
The fuel efficiency of the 3rd gen is definitely undeniable which is nice for longer road trios.
I have owned a 1st gen 88 v6 auto and currently a 3rd gen, 99 limited. I daily drove and wheeled both.
The first gen obviously lacked power, so I dropped in a 3.4 which was fairly straight forward with the 3.0. I got rid of it because rust started to become an issue. I personally dont think my 3rd gen is any more comfortable than the 1st gen.
At the time when I had my 1st gen, I wasnt married. Since you currently arent married, keep the first gen. I so miss the removable top. If you had infant(s) and/or toddler(s), then Id say keep the 3rd gen for the convenience of 4 doors.
So I should hold on to my 1st gen till kids come into the picture, eh?
Believe it or not, I feel like I have more headroom and overall space in my 1st gen than my 3rd. The 3rd gen has a moonroof which I tend to hit my head on over bumps, kinda sucks..
Agree!
Maybe put the 1st gen in storage somewhere or leave it at a relatives house for $500 / year? Just brainstorming. If it is in good condition then you should be able to hold onto it somewhere for 1-2 years until your personal situation changes. I would personally keep the built 1st gen, looks like you need new seats for sure. And tell the GF to buy here own Audi or something for road trips since that is what she wants from the sound of it.
Not a bad idea!
