What Is The Car Equivalent Of The 3rd Gen 4Runner?

[T4R2014]

The economy car suggestions are so far off IMO. Those are equally reliable, but meant to be boring. The Highlander has more in common with those.

I would equate the 3rd gen with a vehicle like a Cressida or early Lexus GS. Possibly the IS.

 

[MTwEeZi]

In my opinion the 4Runner has a character that the Camry/Corolla models were lacking. I would say, an MKIV Supra, or SW20 MR2.

 

[nissanh]

Prizm " Sprinter"

TOYOTA SPRINTER : aka "GEO PRIZM"

I bought a 92 Prizm with 175 K miles in Reno NV for $500 in 06. It is my DD since then. Amazing quality. I drove across country while front CV axle leaking trans oil (manual) really bad. Made it to my destination without zero issues.
Never ever had an issue.

Now, 250K miles and still going strong. Fuel consumption city: 26 and highway 38 to 41

1st picture: Prizm converted to toyota sprinter (not mine)
2nd picture: My car. Notice 2nd gen 4runner arm rests: I converted all manual windows/locks to power.

 

[jgue467]

I see a lot of Corrola and Camry votes, what years and engines/transmissions to look for and avoid? Same question for the Volvos!

As for the Miatas....I don't think I would even fit into one.

I've got an (original owner) 03 xle camry with the 2.4 4banger and auto trans (5 sd manual available!). Its had 131000 trouble free miles, no timing belt on these, a real timing chain! Gets 28 city 34 hwy, woohoo! Whatever year camry you go for, get the xle model - decked out like the limited 4runners! (except no seat heater but in central texas we only have 2 cold days a year-haha)

Only significant potential issue on the 2.4 are the headbolts, some stripout supposedly cuz they were drilled too short into the heads, don't really know, but check the top back of the engine for water leak evidence. This problem only occurs to about 5% of them, but when a manufacturer makes 400,000 of these a year that can be quite a few out there! :cowboy:

 

[tors10]

Toyota makes great appliances. That's exactly what I want in my truck. In a car I would look for something with better driving dynamics. Think Honda Accord 4 or 6 cylinder, or a any Mazda product. Driving a car should be fun!

 

[IBallEngineer]

Toyota makes great appliances. That's exactly what I want in my truck. In a car I would look for something with better driving dynamics. Think Honda Accord 4 or 6 cylinder, or a any Mazda product. Driving a car should be fun!

Well Mazda doesn't make anything remotely dependable as a Toyota. So it by definition can NOT be equivalent. The OP didn't ask what car you like best, not to pick on this post, but in general the equivalent would be utilitarian, trouble free and awesome. So I vote for my 79 Chevrolet Caprice!

:hungry:

 

[T4R2014]

Same question for the Volvos! .

Get a Volvo 850 Turbo. In the wagon variant, of course. I have one and the 5 cylinder under that hood just goes and goes and goes, and pretty quickly too. It's a tank. The 850 Turbo only came in auto, but it's a pretty robust Aisin unit. Did I mention turbo 5 cylinder? :hungry:

Mine currently has 160k and runs like a bat out of hell. These things don't ever seem to rust either. I was rear-ended by a Buick going 30MPH while stopped at a RR crossing. I feared the worst in terms of body damage, but all this thing needs is a new rear hatch, bumper, and taillight. Nothing major was bent. The Buick did not fare quite as well with a mangled core support and headlight shattered to oblivion. I can't wait to get the Turbo brick fixed up.

My mechanic has one with 300k that runs like top too. All original engine and transmission with no internal work ever done.

 

[UnderFire]

The economy car suggestions are so far off IMO. Those are equally reliable, but meant to be boring. The Highlander has more in common with those.

I would equate the 3rd gen with a vehicle like a Cressida or early Lexus GS. Possibly the IS.

I've been trying to think of which car would be closest to the 3rd gen overall since he made this thread,but nothing had come to mind that fit the bill, and I must say, you are 100% correct when you say the Cressida.

 

[tors10]

Well Mazda doesn't make anything remotely dependable as a Toyota. So it by definition can NOT be equivalent. The OP didn't ask what car you like best, not to pick on this post, but in general the equivalent would be utilitarian, trouble free and awesome. So I vote for my 79 Chevrolet Caprice!

:hungry:

If Consumer Reports can be believed, your statement is inaccurate. But I'm with you, the OP should definately buy a Caprice. Maybe he can even find one with a Landau top.

 

[7echo]

I see a lot of Corrola and Camry votes, what years and engines/transmissions to look for and avoid? Same question for the Volvos!

As for the Miatas....I don't think I would even fit into one.

Mid '90s Volvo 940 turbo, maybe the last ones were '96? The next version, the 960, was OK but had some issues that required work. The 940s were the last of the 'simple' ones. The older 240 was great as well and simple to work on. The problem with those is it is getting hard to find nice examples due to age.

 

[Unner]

I bought a 2008 (Gen 3) Acura TL with 53 miles. Loving it.

My Financee is taking of the CT200h

About the Acura:

260HP, reliability reviews off the charts.

Luxury interior, great styling.

23-24 MPG city, 31 HWY

I love these cars. They're my favorite "regular" car from the last 10 years or so. Great styling, great wheels stock, and also a little special. They can be had in a manual and that dark blue color that's simply stunning. Nice find!

Some people are old enough to remember WW2 and still hate on Japanese and European (german) cars. Other people are patriotic enough to BUY AMERICAN no matter what. We don't see it much where I live in Cali, but take a trip to middle America and that's pretty much the rule of thumb.

That's where all those Chevy Malibus are going. lol


...and OP, I think the closest-related car to a 2008 4runner is probably a 2008 Camry.

I don't like that people still think like this. A lot of foreign cars are now made stateside and a lot of "American" cars are made in foreign countries and then imported back here...

 

[Tarp Man]

Here in Canada, a big part of drive ability is winter weather handling. We've had our 2000 Honda Accord 4 door 5 spd since 91,000km and it just turned over 310,000km. Factory clutch lasted to 254,000km. With proper snow tires, and some respectable driving skills that car has gone places no one else thought possible. It has had A couple suspension issues, but that car rides so smooth, loaded to the gills with 2 kids and 2 adults and all the road trip stuff you don't need. Suspension issues were likely from carrying enough stuff to supply a small Walmart on road trips. It has some decent power and space, and with the 5 spd it is fun to drive. It is relatively easy to work on, and parts aren't too pricey.

 

[TheDurk]

From what I have read the Corolla is the most cost effective car to drive, but lord is that car brown paper bag. I bought my son a 2007 standard Honda civic for his graduation which has good reviews but also is the most stolen car in America. The problem with comparing anything to a 3rd gen 4runner is that it would have a good looking car as well as reliable and cost efficient. The Camry,Civic, and Miata are all decent looking, but the Corolla..... only if you drive it at night, with no streetlights

I liked the looks of my 1980 Corolla--first car I bought with my own money. It was elegant and simple, like our 3G 4Runners. Also rock solid reliable and easy to work on, and hooked me on Toyotas for life. But no good looking car design goes unruined for long.

 

[willbgood]

rain snow or shine,(no ice) my favorite daily driver is my 2007 HD flhp

What can I say, reliable, and user friendly. If you want to learn how to work on EFI, modify intake and exhaust and tune ECU, its the perfect training tool...You can also do limited dirt road and trail riding, if your experienced. Of course it eats shoes, but the sacrifice is worth it.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

What can I say, reliable, and user friendly. If you want to learn how to work on EFI, modify intake and exhaust and tune ECU, its the perfect training tool...You can also do limited dirt road and trail riding, if your experienced. Of course it eats shoes, but the sacrifice is worth it.

Did you just compare the reliability of a 3rd gen 4Runner with a Harley Davidson? Ok, maybe if you have hit 150,000 miles with it, without issues and without oil leaks. Have you?

 

[willbgood]

Did you just compare the reliability of a 3rd gen 4Runner with a Harley Davidson? Ok, maybe if you have hit 150,000 miles with it, without issues and without oil leaks. Have you?

Nah, I just have 58,000 on the road king...my CVO ultra has about the same. Although it is not uncommon for a well maintained Harley to go 100,000 to 125,000 before a major overhaul, and I have not had one leak oil in years.

One of my riding partners is at 110,000, but in reality there is no comparison to a Toyota, and I owned just about as many Toys as I have Harleys.

 

[9494runner]

The first three generations of Miatas. My aunt has had four. Simple design, bullet proof motor (first timing belt I ever did) and parts, even OEM, were relatively cheap. Lots of aftermarket add ons to make them go fast. Fun to drive on smooth roads and a track.

This! My 3rd Gen miata is about as fast as a turbo:llama:!

 

[MTD]

As for the Miatas....I don't think I would even fit into one.

you would be surprised...

 

[MTD]

I liked the looks of my 1980 Corolla--first car I bought with my own money. It was elegant and simple, like our 3G 4Runners. Also rock solid reliable and easy to work on, and hooked me on Toyotas for life. But no good looking car design goes unruined for long.

 

[yota_addict]

I always wanted a Toyota Corolla wagon. I thought it would be a great utilitarian vehicle. Nice space in back, slap a roof rack on and go! They don't sell in states anymore as far as I can tell. I did see an article that they may bring back to us market. Otherwise there's the Scion xB. I did like the Honda Element as well as far as utilitarian use.