i believe the bas emodel is around $27k... with some options, youll probably pull an sr5 for about 30k.

 

A V6 SR5 for under $30k should be easy. When I bought mine I did it across the internet. Every dealer had internet pricing and responded with a set no quibble so much over invoice price. I also tried carsdirect.com and they were actually $9 over the best dealer quote. Pretty straight forward easy process. Go to kb.com and get the invoice price and work from there. I know the stealers have a reserve hold back but couldn't get any to break into it. Looking at the lots the 4Runners don't stick around much if at all so they aren't being pressured to deal, at least in central Indiana. I did talk to my sales guy and he thinks resale is staying strong. I'm thinking about selling mine outright but through the dealer (in-out deal to save the sales tax) and getting a 2005 since it appears I might be able to get it done for $1000-1500 difference. My brother has been turning his wife's Honda Odyssey around like this the last four years. Staying in a new vehicle for around a $100/month is a no-brainer. The downside is doing mods and getting serious off-road is tricky...

 

My V6 4x4 SE was under $30K

 

my attitude toward buying a 4th gen? let nike philosophy guide you...just do it! i really have not found much to dislike. creaks have developed, but from what i hear this is an all-generation 4runner thing, not specific to 4th gens. it does have a funky headliner that gets marred and fuzz-balled pretty easily, so do not walk on it . i keep hearing how much power the v6 has, but when i test drove i seemed to feel the difference between the v8 and the v6 albeit small; i just like having 8 cylinders. it is definitely too short from the factory, but lifts, and the aftermarket in general, are available more and more every day. what i like? dude, too long to list.... take tracy up on her offer and you will be hooked. in advance, welcome to the 4th generation!

oh, and i got my sr5 4wd v8 w/moonroof and 17" wheel options (and some others) for 30k.

 

I dont agree with that as the previous LC Prado was a very different vehicle from the 3rd Gen in my mind, I hope I can find some tech data on both models to show.

We will also need to see the sharing with the new Taco and 4th Gen.

To illustrate my point, look at which platforms Lexus chose to use for their SUVs. That will tell you something.

 

I had a hard time here in the Atlanta area going into the stealerships; They had the prices inflated, loaded them with dealer options, and only listed the MSRP.
While vacationing I stumbled upon a dealer that listed their vehicles by the selling price. This was holiday weekend and they had that selling price knocked down $1000. Using this information, I was able to strongarm the local dealer to where I wanted to be, about 31k, v8, 4x4, sport, leather, jbl... ...note that this is less than the price of the 2002's new.

Here is a link to the dealer who lists their selling prices: here

Another gripe is that the tailgate supports are stiff, it's hard to close one handed.

 

I got my 03 V8 SE S/C 4RUNNER for $31500 out the door.

 

hey JSB --
as far as aftermarket products, things are looking up. there's a guy here on the forums, fourunnabilly, who also has a 4th gen. and he has been whipping up some awfully nice things for us 4th gen'ers. i'm running some of his (Nitrous Enterprises') top-out spacers up front. i already have the 3" Revtek lift on, and his top-out spacers in the front have given me 4", and as soon as his coils are out, i will be putting those in the rear for 3.5" and using one of his shock relocation brackets to relocate the xreas shock to its stock position so as not to lose any function there.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f117/4th-gen-parts-wish-list-fill-us-33688/

anyway, Billy is working on a bunch of things for us, some of which are already out, and others of which will be in full swing come september 1st.

sooo ... my truck has about 4" in the front and 2.5" in the rear of lift, and still the rear sits .5" higher than the front. nonetheless, it's some nice lift, so if you're able to, do take me up on my offer. if you end up getting a 4th gen. and decide to install a lift, i would be more than happy to help you install it.

my email address is:
route@tx4roc.com

 

I got my 4WD V8 Sport with everything but navigation and 115VAC jacks for 33k brand new.

The paint does seem "soft" to me. I have a few scratches that went right down to the primer. My paint color is Imperial Jade Mica - not sold on 4Runners anymore, maybe that is why.

You might want to hold out for the 2005 models to come out. The V8 is rumored to get upgraded to ~270hp (up from 235hp).

Good luck with your decision!

 

Looking at the body, yes the LC70 series & LC95 Series Prados were different vehicles, even with the LC120 series (although these differences in the LC120 and 4th gen are no longer very big compared to the previous two, with the Prado having the bigger body).
But the platform is the same, i.e., ladder frame, engine, differential, and other items. In fact, the part numbers indicated in the Toyota EPC are the same.

 

Oh yea... Get the X-Reas, it's worth it and is simply the heat !

 

Well I went to a dealer close to work on lunch yesterday (cough not TOR cough) Sorry I couldn't resist. I picked up a brochure, and looked at the only one I saw there on their lot. It was a 2WD limited. I hate looking at the fully loaded version, because now I'm going to look at the realistic one and go mine doesn't have that, mine doesn't have this. lol Anyway, what's with the seats? They seemed so thin...which is cool for space, but in a way seemed cheap looking. This isn't the first car/truck I noticed this one. It seems like a trend. I did love the fact the the rear seats reclined. I was like Ooooh I like! Although, I won't be back there much. All in all I was pretty impressed. I didn't like the look when it first came out but it has definitely grown on me. I wish they had had a sport there. I wish you could order one to your specs. I want a sport, but I want the third row of seating also. I've got two car seats in my current 4Runner, and I'm tired of moving them out every time me and the guys take my rig to go mountain biking/etc. It would be nice just to have them in the third row!!! I'm also concerned with tires. I either want 16's or be able to upgrade my tires with out spending a small fortune. What's with these cars lately. Every year the wheels get bigger. Pardon my slang but this ain't pimp my ride. It's a 4WD SUV. Pretty soon my 32 inch BFGs are going to look like 40s on some 22s. Okay, sorry...I've broken off on a tangent here. I figure if I decide the new route, I'm immediately putting the spacers on and getting larger tires, so is there much out there? I've got my colors picked, I'm going to have to flip a coin between the Silver, Gray, or the Dark Blue. What's with not having a Green? I might be going SR5 w/options, instead of the sport. Does it have the same size brake calipers? I didn't see that in the brochure. I wonder how the preowned 4th Gen market is? To ebay, trader online I go?

 

Seriously, JSB, my offer remains standing. I will be getting some new wheels and MTRs on soon ... but you are more than welcome to come drive mine. It doesn't have a lot of the extras ... and it's a 4wd SportEdition v8 from 2003. Really, you should take me up on the offer, just drive it around for awhile.