What Is The Car Equivalent Of The 3rd Gen 4Runner?
- Thread starter StreetCreeper
- Start date
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.
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.
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jgue467
Senior Member
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:
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IBallEngineer
New member
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
Elite Member
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
New member
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
New member
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.
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
New member
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!
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...
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.
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TheDurk
Elite Member
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.
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willbgood
New member
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.
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
New member
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
New member
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
New member
This! My 3rd Gen miata is about as fast as a turbo:llama:!
MTD
New member
you would be surprised...
MTD
New member
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
New member
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.
