It was fun, but my 4Runner days are over...

J

Jdrum1

New member
The curse of the 3vze strikes again.....

After 1.5 years of daily driving with no issues, I started to get some sludge in my radiator, and some bubbling while running (exhaust gas I assume).

Rather than mess with it, I decided it was time to let it go.

I'd been researching my next car anyway, and in the process decided that on-road performance is more of a priority than off-road. I never had the time, or location, for wheeling.

I ended up with a steal on an '09 Acura RDX. While it doesn't have the character of the Runner, it is a blast to drive (turbo and AWD).

I'd never been one to worry much about safety, but witnessing a couple of nasty wrecks lately and almost getting hit myself (by a kid street racing), had me thinking that some airbags may be nice!

I traded the Runner in, and even discussed some of the issues with the salesman (both agreed it would end up going to auction).......then a few days later it was on their website (Hyundai dealer). I've been watching to see if the new owner pops up on here (or on another 4Runner forum). It should be a short matter of time until he/she has issues........

I was never very active here, but utilized the information extensively. Thanks for the help!
 
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DeclansDaddy said:
You'll be back....you'll be back.
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Maybe some day. If so, it would be a first gen (and a 22re!).......but the last thing I need is another car (also have a sports car and a classic truck).

Hyde802 said:
Some people just cant handle the awesomeness of a 2nd gen...

Well... go on... GET! :pout:
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Hyde, don't be like that; I loved my Runner, it just didn't love me!

Seriously, it's the only car I've ditched and really missed. It looked dang good and had loads of character. The RDX looks like every other little CUV (but it goes like stink!).

I seriously considered a 3rd gen, but just couldn't pass up the acceleration and handling of the RDX.
 
In hindsight, the 2nd gens seem like a intermediate (mis)step between the rugged utilitarian nature of the 1st gens and the daily-driver practicality of the 3rd gens.

My takeaway is that a 1st gen is great for a build and a 3rd gen is great for daily use; my 2nd gen wasn't great for either.


Between the unreliable and under powered 3.0 and the torque robbing A340H transmission (with it's peculiar integrated t-case) , there isn't much good about the drive-train. I know some of those issues can be avoided with the 22re and a manual, but that's the rare combination on a 2nd gen.

I don't want to sound like a total hater (and don't want to offend 2nd gen owners); I did really like my '93 (even with it's inherent faults). A 3.4 swap would have been a great solution, but I don't have the knowledge or the time for that right now.

A 3rd gen would have nicely suited my needs, but I had yet to run across a good one (in my price range), and the deal on the Acura was just too good. Plus, it handles more like a sports car than an SUV and is tune-able for even more performance. Even though it's a different beast, the ownership experience is similar; it can be tinkered with and there is a good support network.

Off-road guys and sports car guys have much more in common then they realize. Our vehicles are built for different purposes, but the motivation and comradery are the same.
 
Jdrum1 said:
In hindsight, the 2nd gens seem like a intermediate (mis)step between the rugged utilitarian nature of the 1st gens and the daily-driver practicality of the 3rd gens.

My takeaway is that a 1st gen is great for a build and a 3rd gen is great for daily use; my 2nd gen wasn't great for either.


Between the unreliable and under powered 3.0 and the torque robbing A340H transmission (with it's peculiar integrated t-case) , there isn't much good about the drive-train. I know some of those issues can be avoided with the 22re and a manual, but that's the rare combination on a 2nd gen.

I don't want to sound like a total hater (and don't want to offend 2nd gen owners); I did really like my '93 (even with it's inherent faults). A 3.4 swap would have been a great solution, but I don't have the knowledge or the time for that right now.

A 3rd gen would have nicely suited my needs, but I had yet to run across a good one (in my price range), and the deal on the Acura was just too good. Plus, it handles more like a sports car than an SUV and is tune-able for even more performance. Even though it's a different beast, the ownership experience is similar; it can be tinkered with and there is a good support network.

Off-road guys and sports car guys have much more in common then they realize. Our vehicles are built for different purposes, but the motivation and comradery are the same.
Click to expand...


We will c u again in a few months and please don't RICE out the Acura
 
Jdrum1 said:
I traded the Runner in, and even discussed some of the issues with the salesman (both agreed it would end up going to auction).......then a few days later it was on their website (Hyundai dealer).
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Find a friend the salesman doesn't know to go "talk to them" about it... if they don't disclose the issues you told them about, you should report them to the BBB.
 
my92t4r said:
We will c u again in a few months and please don't RICE out the Acura
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No worries about ricing it! I've got a Honda s2000, and to date, the only mods are an intake and exhaust (nice and low, no fart cans).

KidVermicious said:
Find a friend the salesman doesn't know to go "talk to them" about it... if they don't disclose the issues you told them about, you should report them to the BBB.
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They sold it within just a few days, and they aren't local to me (I ran a big risk, and drove it a few hundred miles).

All they had to do was remove the radiator cap to see that there was a potentially a major issue. I didn't disclose that fact, but mentioned that the engine is down on power and notorious for blowing HG's (and that the front end needs some refreshing, and that the PS pump is on it's way). The salesman agreed that, at it's miles, a rebuild was probably in order and that they would just be sending it off to auction.

Not sure what someone paid for it, but it was listed at around $5,800!
 
Jdrum1 said:
No worries about ricing it! I've got a Honda s2000, and to date, the only mods are an intake and exhaust (nice and low, no fart cans).



They sold it within just a few days, and they aren't local to me (I ran a big risk, and drove it a few hundred miles).


Not sure what someone paid for it, but it was listed at around $5,800!
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Maybe they did the head gasket job. They turn a mean profit when they fix and sell it, and it really doesn't cost them anything to put one of their mechanics on it, especially if they are slow and have guys looking for things to do.
 
KidVermicious said:
Somebody got jacked. $5800 would have been retarded if it was running great. I hate car dealers.
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Someone did and, while it wasn't my fault, I feel for the person.


89FourRunner said:
Maybe they did the head gasket job. They turn a mean profit when they fix and sell it, and it really doesn't cost them anything to put one of their mechanics on it, especially if they are slow and have guys looking for things to do.
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I traded it in on Black Friday, and it was listed at least by Monday (may have been sooner, that's just when I happened to look).

Aside from the lack of time to do the HG, most new dealers don't have the knowledge or resources to do something that major (especially on a non-dealer brand).
 
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