Which would you buy??

[Niteghost]

So as the title States I have two options and I want to know what you guys think would be the better buy.


2002 4Runner SR5 151K: cloth, no sunroof, the car last had its timing belt changed at 66000 miles so it will need to be changed here shortly So tack another $700-$1000 onto the price for all that, but otherwise it is absolutely spotless California car for $4500

Or option 2

2004 4Runner SR5 118K: cloth, sunroof and 4x4. I would give it a B grade. Paint is fading on the deck lid and it has some light rust underneath for $8500.
I live in Virginia so the 4 by 4 will be used for probably two to three months a year but not having it also isn't a huge deal which car I guess is the better buy / which engine is better. But I do want to take it camping and into national parks with my wife and pooch.

Please help! Thanks

 

[ThorInc]

Well you have certainly stacked the odds by posting in the 3rd gen section. Lol, 3rd gen all the way.....:cheers:

 

[Niteghost]

I thought that might happen, I was going to post in gen4 as well but I know its against forum rules, any better suggestions on where to post so I get unbiased replies? I have pros and cons for each just trying to get advice from the experts here.

 

[LittleCaesar]

4th Gen all the way. It has 4wd. You might run into frozen calipers and other issues but as long as you can turn a wrench to mitigate some labor costs, its the one I would choose.

V6?

 

[GangsterOfLove]

Seems to me that it depends on how badly you want 4x4. I'm plenty happy with my 2wd but I don't deal with snow and don't know where you want to camp.

For me the rust-free California truck would be my first choice, but then again I have no experience with rust and the whole idea of a truck with rust terrifies me. I specifically sought out a truck with no sunroof and minimum options because I want minimum maintenance costs - YMMV.

I will say that $4,500 for a clean 2wd with those miles is a good value here in SoCA.

 

[GangsterOfLove]

4th Gen all the way. It has 4wd. You might run into frozen calipers and other issues but as long as you can turn a wrench to mitigate some labor costs, its the one I would choose.

V6?

The 4th gen forum spends as much time talking about head gasket failures as the 3rd gen forum spends talking about LBJ failures and front end issues. Is this a V-8 problem? Or not a problem at all?

 

[Niteghost]

4th Gen all the way. It has 4wd. You might run into frozen calipers and other issues but as long as you can turn a wrench to mitigate some labor costs, its the one I would choose.

V6?

Yeah V6

 

[JayRolla]

4th gen. 4x4. More power. Semi updated interior. Newer

 

[Tylerz71]

Generally I prefer the looks of the 3rd gen. If price diff is more than 3k or so I would prefer the 3.4 truck

 

[thunderrunner02]

I would buy the 3rd gen if 4wd is not necessary. Less things to break. Plus its rust free that is hard to come by. And if u get the 4th gen u will have to eventually do something about rust and the paint fading


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[StreetCreeper]

I'd take the clean 02 in a heartbeat over that 4th gen.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I'd take the 4th gen for more power, better ride quality, updated interior. But the 3rd gen is better looking. 4th gens get just as good of reliability reviews as 3rd gens, and that one has fairly low miles

 

[nissanh]

3rd gen:
Less things to break.
LBJ failure (new OEM ball joints $165 at camelback toyota)
Pink milkshake:Before it happens, get a new radiator $125 problem solved



4th gen:
Newer
Stylish
Roomier
4x4 (in your case)
Head gasket failure on pre06
More things that can break (specially 4Hi and 4Lo selector/actuator) It is not just the part, the timing is really complicated
Painting a peeled car/truck is a bit costly

How long do you plan to keep the truck? If it is for a longer period and plans to hangout at T4R, I think 4x4 will be your best option.

If I have a choice between 3rd and 4th gen 4x4's; I'll get the 3rd gen.