upgrade to 4th gen?

[wreel1]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around these boards for a while now, and really appreciate all the guides and help with almost everything there is about a 4runner. Im finished up my final few months of college, and was thinking of upgrade my vehicle. Im absolutely sold on the 4runner.
I current have a 2001 sr5 2wd (i know) with 192,000 freeway miles and absolutely looks and runs great. I was thinking of upgrading to a 04/05' sport edition and was wondering what your takes are?
Has the quality shifted between the body style changes?
Can i expect to get 200,000+ on the 4th gen v6?
And finally how much do you believe my 01 is worth? I know its 2wd, but I'm in So Cal, and don't go up to the snow or offroad ever.
Thanks!

 

[brian2sun]

Hi everyone. I've been lurking around these boards for a while now, and really appreciate all the guides and help with almost everything there is about a 4runner. Im finished up my final few months of college, and was thinking of upgrade my vehicle. Im absolutely sold on the 4runner.
I current have a 2001 sr5 2wd (i know) with 192,000 freeway miles and absolutely looks and runs great. I was thinking of upgrading to a 04/05' sport edition and was wondering what your takes are?
Has the quality shifted between the body style changes?
Can i expect to get 200,000+ on the 4th gen v6?
And finally how much do you believe my 01 is worth? I know its 2wd, but I'm in So Cal, and don't go up to the snow or offroad ever.
Thanks!

4th gens are good solid SUVs, but notice I didn't call them trucks. They are reliable and still great off road, but I would never trade a 3rd gen for a 4th personally. Mainly because I think 4th gen look more like a lifted Subaru Outback than they do a 3rd gen, a Taco, or a truck of any kind.

Not being a 4x4 and with the high mileage, I would say about $3000-$4000 is what I would expect to get. Hard to say though, especialy w/o pics.

 

[theizzardking]

yeah agree with that, it seems since the year 2002 or so that all of the suv's have gone more car then utility, alot of them just aren't made for what the 3rd gens and other suv's of the same generation can.......


and beyond all of that and maybe i'm just stuck and it's just me but seriously i think most of the newer cars/suv's/trucks look like aerodynamic turds, and they all look like the same pile of crap....the only new cars i think have good lines and that's kind of a strech becuase it's just a revamp of the classic, is the new chargers/challengers/camero's and to be honest all of them look weak except for the new challenger, i wasn't even alive when the first one came out but still love the style, there was a tmie when you could see nothing more then a tail light and you would know what car that was from, now they all lok the same and i just really really hate the rounded/aerodynamic crap that's coming out now a days, it just feels really girly and like it has a vag instead of nice chuck of meat under the hood regardless of what engine it has.....

just saying this about pretty much every car made since 2002-2005 or so and still going strong, personal opion and don't let it suade you either way..

the only thing i can say for a fact is that they just aren't built as much like a truck as the older ones 3rd gens and such.......

 

[p nut]

I really like the 4th Gens and they're definitely very capable vehicles. Stock vs. stock, of course the 3rd Gen is more capable off-road. But there are plenty of mods for both, so it's really 6's. I will say that with kids, I'd much rather get a 4th Gen. It's definitely more comfortable and spacious. If I had no kids or family, I'd probably stick with a 3rd Gen. With kids, I like the 4th. In fact, just sold the wife's Corolla and been going back and forth between a 3rd and 4th. But with it being her vehicle, I'm sure the 4th will win out. Kind of want to spring for a new 5th Gen, but I don't ever see myself feeling good about paying $30k+ on a vehicle.

But whatever you do, get a 4WD!

 

[brian2sun]

...and beyond all of that and maybe i'm just stuck and it's just me but seriously i think most of the newer cars/suv's/trucks look like aerodynamic turds, and they all look like the same pile of crap....the only new cars i think have good lines and that's kind of a strech becuase it's just a revamp of the classic, is the new chargers/challengers/camero's and to be honest all of them look weak except for the new challenger, i wasn't even alive when the first one came out but still love the style, there was a tmie when you could see nothing more then a tail light and you would know what car that was from, now they all lok the same and i just really really hate the rounded/aerodynamic crap that's coming out now a days, it just feels really girly and like it has a vag instead of nice chuck of meat under the hood regardless of what engine it has...

haha! Wow, I said almost that same exact thing in a conversation like a week ago, about the charger, challenger, and camero and also about how almost all the new "trucks" look gay. I like the new challenger the best too. I would seriously buy one if I could afford it (and keep my 4runner of course).

 

[redbeard]

I'm in So Cal, and don't go up to the snow or offroad ever.

4th gen should serve you well. Even with the media screaming that the sky is falling for Toyota etc, I'd still rather have a Toyota.

 

[econhonda]

4th gen should serve you well. Even with the media screaming that the sky is falling for Toyota etc, I'd still rather have a Toyota.

Agreed. My parents have an 04 sport edition with 200K miles. It runs flawlessly still, and has never required any major repairs.

I also agree about the Toyota comment. I think this is all a smear campaign by GM's new board (congress).

 

[wreel1]

Thanks everyone!
I definitely love the look of the new challenger, but I also really like the look of the 4th gen. Im not much of an off-road guy, basically use the t4r for carring my photo/video gear, and was just looking for some more comfort. I think once i pay off my college debts, ill be on the hunt. As the 4th gen being more of a "car", I previously owned a 02 highlander limited, before i fell asleep at the wheel and ran into a guard rail . Loved that car, though it really was just a lifted camry, and in no way could outmatch the 4runner as far as off-road capabilities.

Heres some pics of my 3rd gen, bought it with 178,000 for 4500. Put an eclipse stereo w/ bluetooth, new timing belt and water pump, and some led lighting and it has never failed me!

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ONaAhjfX30BZDCnF0S49Cw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGk0bjJ2vi8zAE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_MNexCgxh_50/S5Fnk3p8JMI/AAAAAAAABn0/ouorizTExR0/s400/photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/WReel1/NewAlbum91807258PM?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGk0bjJ2vi8zAE&feat=embedwebsite">New Album 9/18/07 2:58 PM</a></td></tr></table>

<table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/5voqQ9oqpo6ogKlUiTl2Lw?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGk0bjJ2vi8zAE&feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_MNexCgxh_50/S5HTrrumVII/AAAAAAAABn4/9MAwhcc-voM/s288/4970_1182734966035_1158054776_30517748_8199674_n.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/WReel1/NewAlbum91807258PM?authkey=Gv1sRgCMGk0bjJ2vi8zAE&feat=embedwebsite">New Album 9/18/07 2:58 PM</a></td></tr></table>

 

[peter78]

Well, I can speak from experience. I currently have a 2001 and a 2004.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/gallery/43143-2-4runner-family.html

In my opinion, the 3rd generation is better made. I find the 3rd generation to be somewhat special. Having 198,000 miles is a lot of miles on your 2001 and you are bound to notice the difference in an newer 4Runner. I drive the 2004 daily and it is a fine car in it's own right. Better seats, better ride and decent handling. I get about the same mileage in both vehicle, both are 2WD like yours. I get around 19 MPG. As far as the new V6 lasting 200,000 miles, the verdict is still out for that, as the engine came out in 2003.

Still, I like driving the 3rd gen when I get a chance.

 

[wreel1]

Peter- That definitely helps me out. Thanks!

 

[024RunnerSE]

When the 3rd gens had first came out, I had bought my 02 SE just 8 months prior. I was all excited about the new 3rd gens seeing how they raped that 03 SE in Tibet. I thought, OMG this things a monster! ME WANT!








Then I seen it in person. Yeah, I drove it, yeah it was pretty boring compared to the commercial. Yeah, I kept my 3rd gen. Bought an FJ Cruiser and that things really useless compared to the dimensions of a 3rd gen. Btw, is it me or do toyotas new 4x4 platform vehicles look like a baby with a full diaper underneath the undercarriage?

 

[Jed]

I had a 3rd gen before I got my 4th gen. All I can say is that the 4th gen is better all around in my opinion. It has tons more power (3rd gen seemed anemic by comparison), a much smoother ride, and more room inside. It also has a higher quality "feel" to it. I loved my 3rd gen too, but it just paled in comparison.

As far as offroad ability, I don't know if either really has an advantage. Most of the offroad driving I do is going up to the winter cabin on a snow covered dirt road that has some really steep uphills. My 4th gen has never let me down driving up to the cabin, but I can't honestly say that about my 3rd gen. It might just have been the conditions, but then again it might have had more to do with the ability of the ATRAC on the 4th gen.

Go ahead and get the 4th gen...you won't be sorry. Just get a 4wd this time!

 

[Y2KSR5]

I had a 08 Sr5 4wd 4.0L and I prefer my 2000 SR5. Its seems much more solid and better made. It looks 100% better and just way more fun. The 08 was plenty solid and reliable, just boring...like every other plasticy "SUV"

 

[hkspwrsche]

Sounds like you dont go off road much in your 2wd. I wouldnt hesitate to buy a 4th gen I test drove a few. It' is interesting that an owner of a 3rd and 4th gen said the 3rd gen is more solid.
3Rd gen is classic.