Trade my 99 for an 03+
- Thread starter judoant
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run4estrunner
New member
2005 and newer have better trannys as far as reliability and efficiency. I think it is a 5 speed as opposed to a 4 speed.
run4estrunner
New member
Scratch that, that goes for the v6 models. So ya, no clue.
superman3043
Senior Member
Only thing that you should probably know about the V8 is that they got a bump in 2005 from vvt-i.
Other than than that, there was the mid cycle refresh in 2006 that changed the looks a little so you may be partial to one or the other.
Other than than that, there was the mid cycle refresh in 2006 that changed the looks a little so you may be partial to one or the other.
kavalis
New member
just sold my SE '99 4X4 for and SE '08 V8 4X4... night & day difference! :reddance:
Check this out for all the improvements/changes done '03-'09
Toyota 4Runner History 2003
Was going for a '06.... but couldnt pass up the deal on '08
talonjade
New member
I gotta say the Price to Goods category will always favor the 4runners before the mid-refresh (2006). You can also save a few thousand and spend it upgrading your 03 V8 Sport/Limited to your desired standards!
can't go wrong with the V8 its around and has been around and will be around for a while yet. As far as the Tranny goes, its solid and you should see good returns so long as it was not used for anything CRAZY!
4Gen is a decent upgrade for the aging 3Gen and according to some better still then the new 5Gen. (not looking for a battle here)
can't go wrong with the V8 its around and has been around and will be around for a while yet. As far as the Tranny goes, its solid and you should see good returns so long as it was not used for anything CRAZY!
4Gen is a decent upgrade for the aging 3Gen and according to some better still then the new 5Gen. (not looking for a battle here)
I think the 4th gen is a nice upgrade from the 3rd. The 4th has a more modern feel to it. I enjoy my 3rd gen, but if im going on a road trip my 4th gen is what I take. Smoother, more room, MPG is almost the same, silky 5speed auto, v8 makes effortless power compared to the faithful 3.4.
20034RunnerV84x2
New member
All of the v8s have 5 speeds
20034RunnerV84x2
New member
Scratch that, saw your later post.
20034RunnerV84x2
New member
Yes, from front disc and rear drums to 4 wheel disc, bigger rotors and calipers, EBD, and I'll tell you they stop on a dime!
So I went out and drove a few 4th gens and I have a few thoughts. The V8 is amazing! The power increase over my 3rd gen is night and day.
My concerns are that I was looking for increased width for a roomier feel and it is not there. It feels about the same as my 3rd gen. The other thing is the climate control. I hate the design. I think they missed the mark with this redesign.
I plan to go drive a Limited so maybe I will have a different opinion but right now I cant see getting rid of my 3rd gen for something I dont really love. I will tell you that I sat in a 5th gen and really liked the look and feel. Its just out of my price range at this time.
I am now also thinking about a Lexus gx470. I have not been in one so we will see how that compairs.
My concerns are that I was looking for increased width for a roomier feel and it is not there. It feels about the same as my 3rd gen. The other thing is the climate control. I hate the design. I think they missed the mark with this redesign.
I plan to go drive a Limited so maybe I will have a different opinion but right now I cant see getting rid of my 3rd gen for something I dont really love. I will tell you that I sat in a 5th gen and really liked the look and feel. Its just out of my price range at this time.
I am now also thinking about a Lexus gx470. I have not been in one so we will see how that compairs.
superman3043
Senior Member
Well if it's room you want, I'm willing to bet you won't find it in a GX. And since the 5th is out of your range, you might want to look at the previous gen Sequoia (not the new huge expensive one). You can get the V8, and more room. I've seen them at great prices and they're really nice IMO.
As far as the hang up with the climate control thing. Sounds like a pretty minor gripe. Design wise, you won't find a difference in the LTD (nor will you find more room), but it'll just have different controls for the dual zone. I think a lot of folks who have cars with these type controls don't ever use the auto setting like it's meant to be used. I've had 3 cars with it and I just "set it and forget it" like a Ronco Rotesserie. I may just bump a degree up and down here and there or if I need defrost I'll do it manually some times but for most part, it works great.
Definitely don't settle for something your don't love though, especially since you're coming from a 3rd gen, which are great vehicles. Good Luck!
It is interesting that you feel the interior feels the same as the 3rd gen. Just went and measured interior from door to door(@door locks on 3rd gen) and I got 54" (3rd) and 58"(4th), and this feels like a big difference inside. Also when sitting in the two the 4th gen feels much more roomy, this may have something to do w/seat placement exc. I also think that once you get used to the climate control you learn to love it. Kinda funky at first, but very functional.
Once you go check out a gx470, I believe you will feel its interior apace is more like the 3rd gen.
Either way, good luck w/your choice.
I went through the same issues when my 3rd gen gave out last year. I wanted to wait to find a decent used 5th gen but they were out of my range this early. Sitting in a cloth 4th gen seemed only a little upgrade over my old 3rd gen and I about gave up on 4runners
Once I tried a sports edition I like how it handled over the bigger box feeling of the 5th gen.
I ended up in a 4th gen LTD, which rides a lot better than the old 3rd gen. Almost everything is an improvement over what I had (space, ride, power, handling). I don't mind the climate control dials etc. Looks more up to date than my old did.
I never saw a decent priced GX.
However, your 3rd gen is still alive. Keep it for another year or two and find a decent used 5th gen then if the 4th gen doesn't appeal to you.
TFJ-4runner
New member
This is my second week with my 4th after being in two different 3rds and a 2nd gen before that. I have a V8 2003 sport model and wouldn't ever go back. The room and power were enough for me to not even miss my old rig one bit. Being able to sell the Third for enough to get a 4th cash is a plus also. GL
