Why a 4runner?
- Thread starter giovannie23
- Start date
SpidermanGeek
New member
Why a 4Runner?
Because it's just as good/practical/rugged as a Tacoma, but without the inflated used market prices.
Before buying my 3rd gen, I was in the market for a small/mid-sized 4x4. I live in a suburb, so I needed something that could fit inside my tiny 21x10 garage and also wouldn't look ridiculous in my small driveway.
I was looking at Rangers/B4000s mostly because of availability and average asking price. I REALLY wanted a Tacoma, but found them few and far in between (owners tend to hold onto them) or way overpriced for my budget.
I hadn't even considered an SUV as I really wanted something with a Box. But then an acquaintance of mine put his lifted T4R up for sale and it peeked my curiosity (cause it looked good), so I started looking into T4R's in general (that's how I ended up here). After reading how beloved these things were as well as their reliability/capability, I was sold. I feel like I got a good deal on mine (much better than any comparable Tacoma I could find), but the thing that really sold me on it, the absolute deal breaker as to why I chose a T4R over a 4x4 with a box... that power rear window.
If the truck didn't have that, I would have passed, but with that feature alone, there's not a whole lot more that a truck with a box could do that a T4R couldn't except in very rare cases of not being able to fit something in the T4R cargo area.
Because it's just as good/practical/rugged as a Tacoma, but without the inflated used market prices.
Before buying my 3rd gen, I was in the market for a small/mid-sized 4x4. I live in a suburb, so I needed something that could fit inside my tiny 21x10 garage and also wouldn't look ridiculous in my small driveway.
I was looking at Rangers/B4000s mostly because of availability and average asking price. I REALLY wanted a Tacoma, but found them few and far in between (owners tend to hold onto them) or way overpriced for my budget.
I hadn't even considered an SUV as I really wanted something with a Box. But then an acquaintance of mine put his lifted T4R up for sale and it peeked my curiosity (cause it looked good), so I started looking into T4R's in general (that's how I ended up here). After reading how beloved these things were as well as their reliability/capability, I was sold. I feel like I got a good deal on mine (much better than any comparable Tacoma I could find), but the thing that really sold me on it, the absolute deal breaker as to why I chose a T4R over a 4x4 with a box... that power rear window.
If the truck didn't have that, I would have passed, but with that feature alone, there's not a whole lot more that a truck with a box could do that a T4R couldn't except in very rare cases of not being able to fit something in the T4R cargo area.
I originally bought my first 2000 SR5 4x4 5 spd in 2000, only to lose it in a divorce. I explained to my ex-wife that I would buy it from her if she ever wanted to sell it. One day I found out she traded it in for a new 2010 Toyota minivan that she ended up only keeping for 1 year.
So recently I bought a 2000 Limited 4x4 automatic that I just love. Only problem I have is it's not a 5-speed. But I'm not too distressed about that luckily.
So recently I bought a 2000 Limited 4x4 automatic that I just love. Only problem I have is it's not a 5-speed. But I'm not too distressed about that luckily.
Mados
New member
It was either going to be a Runner, Cruiser, or Taco. I had wanted an FZJ80, but the gas milage made me hesitant. My favorite thing about the 3rd gens is they share so many body lines with the 80. My 3rd gen has ended up being my favorite vehicle I've ever owned, it's almost perfect. If only an auxiliary fuel tank was made for them, then it would be perfect.
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ShooterMcGavin
New member
It's a good thing you decided not to buy the PT Cruiser
Reasons for me were mainly...
Reliability
Off-road ability
Space
Price
Mileage
I can't think really think of anything in the price range that has as much to offer. Lots of vehicles are cheaper, but also lacking in several other areas.
I have owned a tj wrangler and have been in the market for one after 5 years of being without an SUV but couldn't justify any of the asking prices for a tj so I looked to comparable vehicles. 3rd gen T4R came to mind and they the same price, for more room and the build quality of the Japanese people. I enjoy the more room in my 4Runner over a wrangler and it has not let me down outside of typical use vehicle issues.
Sisente
Member
I have always been a Chevy person, and have owned many Chevy trucks. I am at a point in my life where all my kids are grown, and I wanted something I could hit the beach in, and do more fishing. One of the spots I go, you need a 4wd to get to. After doing some research, primarily around reliability, I came across this forum, and many, many happy owners, with very high mileage. I looked at jeeps, Nissan, Chevy, ford, etc. I couldn't find the loyalty, and reliability that I have seen with Toyota, and the 4Runner in particular. That was all the info I needed to go in search of a 4Runner. Found my current 2003 SR5 at a local dealer. In great shape, and I have been happy since. Have added some things like a roof rack, led bar, new stereo, and have made several trips to the beach. Great vehicle, and handles the beach perfectly.
OldManKamps
New member
My brother bought a '98 Tacoma which introduced me to Toyota's and 4x4 alike. I decided I wanted my first vehicle to be a Tacoma. After a year of searching, I couldn't find any for a good price until I saw a Toyota 4Runner. After a year of research into the 5VZ and the transmission and everything about Toyota Tacomas, I realized that 4Runners are just the SUV counterpart! Checked kijiji and found they were $4000 cheaper! So I picked up an '00 this past summer and am loving every second of it.
SnowLizard
New member
I'll bite..
been a ford fan my whole life, 97 ford v10 triton e350 I learned to drive in. first car was 65 mustang, then 66 bronco 75 bronco... yeah had it bad...
but I was always fix'n them... I reluctantly went 2000 chevy cav, hated it...
I told my wife I want a new 2015 f150, we looked at features and she wanted to test drive it and a 2015 tundra, I remeber I was dead set on the f150, it was gonna be bomb.
we drove the tundra 1st, it was the 1794 edition, 48k sticker, it was really nice, I was impressed and liked it.
went to ford and test drove the f150, same 48k sticker, but it was missing features we wanted... that was a 55k sticker, so we drove them both, I was 'dead set' I was gonna LOVE the f150, I remember getting in, and hating the truck, both f150's, they were cheap and felt poor quality. such a disappointment. I remember feeling heart broken and betrayed.
we decided to not go new for now, but look at something older, we stay'd away from jeep, we researched they had trans problems towing and heavy loads, so 4runner, any ford was out of the question with my wife... and I kinda agree'd.
we settled on a 2 owner 1995 2wd 4runner with 155k miles. we loved it, great for dogs, good ride, economy was 'ok' but reliability was amazing.
wife got t-boned... and end of that truck
we wanted our 4runner back. we were hooked
but we wanted 4wd for camping... enter 97
I sold my 75 bronco... enter 99ltd with e-lock
I'm converted, mostly to the quality of these. It's sad cause any future vehicle is gonna have to hold up to the standard that is now set with this 17yr old truck.
been a ford fan my whole life, 97 ford v10 triton e350 I learned to drive in. first car was 65 mustang, then 66 bronco 75 bronco... yeah had it bad...
but I was always fix'n them... I reluctantly went 2000 chevy cav, hated it...
I told my wife I want a new 2015 f150, we looked at features and she wanted to test drive it and a 2015 tundra, I remeber I was dead set on the f150, it was gonna be bomb.
we drove the tundra 1st, it was the 1794 edition, 48k sticker, it was really nice, I was impressed and liked it.
went to ford and test drove the f150, same 48k sticker, but it was missing features we wanted... that was a 55k sticker, so we drove them both, I was 'dead set' I was gonna LOVE the f150, I remember getting in, and hating the truck, both f150's, they were cheap and felt poor quality. such a disappointment. I remember feeling heart broken and betrayed.
we decided to not go new for now, but look at something older, we stay'd away from jeep, we researched they had trans problems towing and heavy loads, so 4runner, any ford was out of the question with my wife... and I kinda agree'd.
we settled on a 2 owner 1995 2wd 4runner with 155k miles. we loved it, great for dogs, good ride, economy was 'ok' but reliability was amazing.
wife got t-boned... and end of that truck
we wanted our 4runner back. we were hooked
but we wanted 4wd for camping... enter 97
I sold my 75 bronco... enter 99ltd with e-lock
I'm converted, mostly to the quality of these. It's sad cause any future vehicle is gonna have to hold up to the standard that is now set with this 17yr old truck.
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giovannie23
New member
All really good stories!!
The 4runner community seems to be filled with some cool people
Thanks for sharing everybody!
The 4runner community seems to be filled with some cool people
Thanks for sharing everybody!
I went with my then-wife to the Toyota dealership on Aug 9, 1999 when she picked out the Highlander that would be her vehicle. I was driving a '96 Camry, but the 4Runner was going to be hers. Sticker price was $33,412.27 + 6,795.05 CA sales tax, for a total of $40,207.32.
She was absolutely fanatical about taking care of 'her' 4Runner. I used it occasionally, but had a business to run, so didn't have time to give it much thought. What I liked most about was the way she took care of it, so I knew it was in practically perfect condition.
Fast forward to Dec. 2015. I'm now divorced, but when my son told me 'Mom is selling the 4Runner', I jumped on the phone and offered her the $6k she was hoping to get. It didn't hurt either that she'd recently had a $1400 paint job in matching Jade Mica. I also got the original window sticker, plus all the service paperwork.
So now I've got the 4Runner all to myself. Added a rack, stereo for Bluetooth, plus speakers. Has 112,000 miles, plus all the service records which showed she had 23 on-time oil changes, plus all other scheduled maintenance. It runs perfect.
This site has been a massive help in outlining some of the finer points of 4Runner ownership. I'm not planning any major mods, but at least now I have a better idea of what I'm looking at. The more I drive it, the more I like it. Funny how things work out.
She was absolutely fanatical about taking care of 'her' 4Runner. I used it occasionally, but had a business to run, so didn't have time to give it much thought. What I liked most about was the way she took care of it, so I knew it was in practically perfect condition.
Fast forward to Dec. 2015. I'm now divorced, but when my son told me 'Mom is selling the 4Runner', I jumped on the phone and offered her the $6k she was hoping to get. It didn't hurt either that she'd recently had a $1400 paint job in matching Jade Mica. I also got the original window sticker, plus all the service paperwork.
So now I've got the 4Runner all to myself. Added a rack, stereo for Bluetooth, plus speakers. Has 112,000 miles, plus all the service records which showed she had 23 on-time oil changes, plus all other scheduled maintenance. It runs perfect.
This site has been a massive help in outlining some of the finer points of 4Runner ownership. I'm not planning any major mods, but at least now I have a better idea of what I'm looking at. The more I drive it, the more I like it. Funny how things work out.
