Should I sell my 3rd gen,?

[meeceboy78]

Ive had a 4th gen. both have their goods and bad's. what I didn't like about my 4th gen...
body style is, meh...uncomfortable seats, shape of the A pillar and where the sun visor sits means bashing your head on them when you get in and out. the overall ergonomics compared to the 3rd just doesn't feel right. I hated the 5spd automatic, it seemed like it was always shifting
I had the V6 and that was PLENTY of power and a timing chain which was nice.
i did like having more space in the 4th gen.
That all being said and now having owned a 3rd gen, i would NEVER go back to a 4th gen. The 3rd gen is much more fun to drive, you cant beat the timeless body style and it is becoming a classic, which is cool in itself. parts are cheaper than the 4th. cheaper to fill up at the pump.
I would say go test drive a couple and see what you think, but keep the 3rd gen if you do get the 4th, that way WHEN you decide you don't like it you still have your beloved 3rd gen waiting for you.
good luck on whatever you decide.

 

[19994Runner5spd]

Thanks for all the responses guys. Heard back this afternoon and it sold yesterday.


My wife drives a stock 07 4.0 limited already so my thought when seeing this one for $5900 was I could upgrade for not much money. Upgrade is subjective obviously. Upgrade in the on road ride, heater leather seats and newer styling of the 4th gen. The V8 looked nice also.

I think I would regret selling my third gen though. I won't find one as clean. I need to replace the front shocks so maybe all of them. Might be the better ride I'm looking for.

If I could only find a rear locker to throw in there though

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[Tyler James Inc]

You would regret selling the 3rd gen, for sure.
But the 4th might do most things that you need it to do better than the 3rd.
I hate how they look stock, and thought I hated how they look altogether. However- just like our beloved 3rds- you throw a 2-3" lift and 285s on the right wheels, and they look sick!
I would really, REALLY love a V8.
I'm not sure if I could sacrifice my '01 for one, but I would absolutely love to have a 4th gen.

 

[Tyler James Inc]

I mean, just look at em [emoji7]

 

[weezykid]

I am in the same boat and similar decision. Found a GX470 with low miles and considering selling my 3rd and buying it. My 3rd has somewhat low miles at 167k, but would be nice to have something newer. A doublecab would be nice too, but the prices are outrageous.

Since there is not a huge difference in mileage and you know the history of your 3rd, may not be worth it if the 4th ends up having an issue.

 

[Soulman]

I have owned an 03 with V8 for 3 years. I love the rig and the V8. I recently bought a 98 with rr locker and 225k miles for my high school daughter. I have done the valve cover gaskets, t belt, new tires, stereo, seats etc. Now that it is in pretty good shape I really like it. I enjoy driving it but still love the 4th Gen. Something about the 3rd is classic and awesome. Seems to me that the 3rd Gen is the one that made the 4runner reputation. This thing has 225k miles and runs great and is tight and rattle free- impressive. Also love the rr locker but I also love the downhill assist on the 4th. Very tough call and glad I don’t have to make it [emoji51]


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[Soulman]

A bit of a pointless ramble- both gens are awesome and they have different traits and “personalities”. Very tough choice.


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[Beaumont67]

kpinthebay - I wouldn't trade my 2000 4Runner SR5 3.4L-v6 4x4...for all the tea in China.
- low mileage/original paint/rust free/mechanically perfect
- 137,900 Canadian Km = 85,600 miles
- best all round vehicle, from A to B
- love the iconic/timeless styling
- its my DD'er with the family Doberman / haven't got a ton of money invested & its so darn reliable & cheap to operate
- when wife retires, will add electric brakes on 4Runner & pull a 19 ft. camper trailer

But on weekends - I have another mint Toyota, that still brings a big smile to my face...driving it, as a family vehicle.
- 2008 RAV4 Limited 3.5L-v6-269 HP, 4x4 ... safe with all the air bags / great traction, on snow packed & icy winter Hwys
- leather seats / moon roof / heated buckets / heated mirrors / heated wipers...and 7 spoke v-grove alloy rims, from a '13 Highlander
- its got enough of the newer technology, that I really enjoy driving it
- just for more comfort & much better fuel economy / with muscle car performance

In Conclusion - I would not sell a T4R Gen3 for a Gen4...keeping this one for another 20 years / or until I'm to old, to drive.
As an alternate to my 2000 SR5 / and because driving the RAV4, is so enjoyable:
- wife's SUV will probably be replaced in 4-5 years with another Toyota brand 3.5L-v6
- likely a used Highland or we will take sons '15 Lexus RX350 (when he upgrades, for business)

 

[KSWAY]

Just don't regret selling it. You will have a hard time finding another 99 5spd. If you do find one, You will pay up the A$$ for it.

 

[CajunRunner]

I think the bigger question is how important is towing.

This. If you're not towing, take your 3rd Gen to the grave. If you're towing anything heavier than a Hobie Cat, add a real tow vehicle to your stable and still take your 3rd Gen to the grave.

 

[rallypoint_1]

THIS is why I'd rather convert my 2WD to 4WD than brave the classifieds. We usually don't get lucky twice.

Same here!!

 

[mmanuel]

The age old question, love of the classics or advances of the late models. Put a V8 in your 3rd Gen and revel on the kewl factor!

 

[GrassFed]

As with most used car purchases things will pop up that need addressing. That being said, the V8 in the 4th gen platform is such a blast. Torquey and effortless at the same time

 

[octanejunkie]

The age old question, love of the classics or advances of the late models. Put a V8 in your 3rd Gen and revel on the kewl factor!

Like this? http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/180666-1uz-fe-swap-99-sr5-well-here-goes-nothin.html

 

[1985taylor1925]

Op, my brother has that exact truck, an 03 with the 4.7. And I owned my 3rd gen for 8 years before selling it with the same mileage as yours. I regret selling it, but it was the right decision at the time.

Like others I say keep yours and get the 4th gen, or just drive yours and save for a 4th gen in the future.

But if you have to choose between one or the other, I would take my brothers 4th gen over my 3rd gen honestly. That engine and drive train are amazing. If you do tow, then there’s simply no comparison. Your talking a difference of 100 lb/ft of torque. And you can supercharge that 4.7! It’s a much better daily driver. Drives better, smoother, quieter, quicker, more comfortable. But it still feels very much like a 4runner imo. The 4th gen can get a bad rep at times, probably because of how much it strayed from the 3rd gen in terms of looks. And I agee with all that. But they are really nice vehicles, and feel extremely well built, in my opinion more so that the 3rd gen. And that 4.7 is just an amazing engine. The ONLY practical downside is giving up an inch of ground clearance to the 3rd gen. People like to exaggerate the difference. It’s about an inch, and the 4th gen is still very capable off road for the average person. You can easily lift it if need be.

 

[Mudeprived]

Looking for opinions here and I know that may be a little biased because this is a 3rd gen forum.

Currently have a very clean rust free 99' 5 speed third gen 4x4 3.4l with 240k miles. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Love the 5speed and J shifting 4WD.

Have come across a clean 03 4th gen V8 4x4 with 192k miles. Thinking about selling my third gen to get the 4th. 4th looks very clean also.

I like how offroad capable my 3rd gen is but 95% of my driving is on road. Ive got a set of 265/75/16 BFG KO2's on my third gen now.

Ithink the V8 would tow a boat or small trailer easier than my 3rd gen also. I can get the 4th gen for less than $2000 more than my current ride.



Below is a pic of my 4runner (old set of Duratracs I couldn't get balanced)

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To me it is more important to have a vehicle that fits my needs. If i were you I would sell it asap at it's highest value before something goes wrong and buy a vehicle suited for towing.

I like my 99 but would not hesitate to sell if the need arises. It is just a truck.

 

[BrianSD_42]

You just never know what sort of surprises any used car with 192k holds. At least with your rig, which looks great, you know what has and hasn't been done.

The 2UZ could be tempting though....

Yeah for real.... I was thinking the exact same thing when I saw this comment.

My first serious engine problem started at 199K miles so there's that

2008 RAV4 Limited 3.5L-v6-269 HP, 4x4 .

That must be a rare one. I'm pretty sure most of these on the road are 2WD or AWD , not 4WD. I'm hardly the expert on this but it seems that the RAV4 guys think their vehicle is 4WD when it is not and the truck guys are always glad to point out that AWD is not 4WD ..... Is that right?

I saw comments on another forum basically claiming that Toyota marketed and labeled the RAV4 as 4WD even though it is actually AWD and .... it uses the exact same AWD system as the Toyota Matrix but of course on the Matrix they put an AWD badge on the door and on the RAV4 a 4WD. Same system both AWD.

http://www.rav4world.com/forums/97-4-3-exterior/74060-rav4-4x4-really-all-wheel-drive-2.html

:bat:

 

[Beaumont67]

...........
That must be a rare one. I'm pretty sure most of these on the road are 2WD or AWD , not 4WD. I'm hardly the expert on this but it seems that the RAV4 guys think their vehicle is 4WD when it is not and the truck guys are always glad to point out that AWD is not 4WD ..... Is that right?

I saw comments on another forum basically claiming that Toyota marketed and labeled the RAV4 as 4WD even though it is actually AWD and .... it uses the exact same AWD system as the Toyota Matrix but of course on the Matrix they put an AWD badge on the door and on the RAV4 a 4WD. Same system both AWD.

Is the RAV4 4X4 or really All wheel drive? - Page 2 - Toyota RAV4 Forums

:bat:

Toyota RAV4 is tailgate bagged 4x4 while a Honda CRV is usually bagged AWD.
- our 2008 Limited Gen3 v6, does have a transfer case
- does it have 4Hi or 4Lo ... absolutely Not
- does 4x4 work over 25 mph ... another No
- will it go through a lot of snow & has improved stability on black ice ... Yes
- "it is what it is" & Toyota did call the RAV4, a 4x4
- right or wrong, who am I to change the Factory description now
- was it inaccurate, a term used loosely or just good Marketing ?

^^ While I consider my Gen3 T4R a true 4x4, with transfer case gearing options / at the push or pull of a shifter lever....and 4x4 at Hwy speeds.

 

[amalik]

4th gen in the early years had a ton of issues. I know most issues were on the V6 and not the V8 you are scoping; but I think there was still some V8 issues (exhaust manifold leak IIRC), check the 4th gen section.

I also want you to keep in mind you'd be going from 5spd to auto, that's a really bad move. I have a friend who's 3rd gen 5spd is at 450k miles on original motor and a tranny that has only gone through a few clutches. An auto tranny on the 3rd or 4th gen isn't gonna run that long overall. There are some glaring exceptional member rigs here with that kind of mileage on the auto; but again they are the exception.

 

[Link12]

We had a 2008 GX 460 and while I like the 4.7 it still has its drawbacks. The GX all of the sudden had several thing start going wrong at 115k. Air pumps went out and Lexus wanted$4000 to fix it when it has a factory extended warranty on the same engine if it were a tundra. So I pulled the intake, fuel injectors and everything else to get to the pump. Pulled the pump out and took it apart. Cut me a new foam filter for it and put it back together after determining the valves weren't stuck open and the pump came on just fine. Order all new gaskets and Orin's and put it all back together and it ran fine. Took it that weekend and traded it in on a gx460 that the wife drives now. We like the 460 way better. The wife is getting 21mpg in it. The 4Runner you are looking at shouldn't have those air pumps so that's a good thing. The starter is up under the intake in the v of the motor though, but so is it on my 08 tundra and the 460.