3rd or 4th Gen 4runner?
 

I'm ready to get back into a 4runner, but I'm really having trouble deciding which I want. I never really considered the 4th gens but after looking at one the other day I kinda like them. I know there may be bias in this section, but maybe it will help educate me on the differences and I can make my own decision. So, here's the scenario. I'll be using this as a daily driver. I plan on getting a 4wd, but I will be doing very little (really no) off-roading. I've got a $10k budget, which really limits me on the newer ones. I'm considering the 99-02 4runners and the 03, anything newer is out of my price range. I had a 97 2wd 4runner a couple years ago. For the most part, I liked it. Everything I didn't like comfort wise has been fixed in the 99-01's (interior change). The only thing I didn't like was power, I felt it was very sluggish. That is the main reason I'm looking at the 2003 because it has more power. I will be towing things from time to time, and while not really large, the extra power would be nice. Also, I'm really thinking about getting the 03 with a v8 if I can find one. My goal is to find one (either gen) with 125k miles or less. Which do you guys think would make a better vehicle for my uses? Is one engine/platform going to be more reliable than the other? I'd appreciate any comments/recommendations. Thank you!

I'd shop both gens and drive each one since that's the only way you'll know what's best for you.

4th gen does have the power with either the V8 or the V6.

I almost spent the extra money and got a 4th gen because they have MUCH less maintenance. Ex: spark plugs every 120k, V6 has a chain instead of a belt (V8 has a belt), and the tranny almost never needs to be serviced. 4.0 L w/ VVTI is awesome and has plenty of power and pretty much the same gas mileage as the 3rd gen. But, over the long run I think that it would be cheaper to maintain a 4th gen and if you are going to keep it forever I would get one if you have the money. I have a 3rd Gen because it was about 1/2 the price for 30k more miles and I like the look more.
3.4 L is probably more reliable since they have been making them for a long time where the 4.0L is a pretty new engine. 4.0L can tow quite a bit without an issue and the 4th gens have rear disc brakes.

I am not going to let the motor be the deciding factor. I'd prefer the v8, but if I find one with the v6 I'd take it. Most of the local ones are way out of my price range, and I hate to bother someone for a test drive when I know I can't afford it. As mentioned, I had a 97 so I pretty much know what they are like. I'll drive the 4th gen and see, but I'm just doing some research first. It sounds like the 4.0 is a solid engine, which is great. I'm planning on keeping this one for a while (several years at least and hopefully longer), so I wanna make sure it's reliable. I'd deal with less power if it meant a big increase in reliability. I really won't be towing anything really heavy, so I'm sure the v6 would be ample.

You don't mention in your avitar where your "area" is. Depending on your area, the price will be quite a bit different. Couple of things to decide as you have mentioned, what the truck looks like to your eye. I personally do not care for the styling of the 4th gen. toyota got away from a "truck" look. Engines are a great basis for deciding. Also something to consider are what sort of mods have been done on the 4th gen vs the 3rd gen, accessories you can purchase in the area of performance and amenities. It really is a personal choice so decide what things on both of these gens has that you like the most, want the most, need the most. Give each area its rank of importance and you can decide which way to go. If styling is of no concern, it goes to the bottom and you consider preformance, capabilities, comfort, amenties etc, then which ever one rates the highest on your comparison, then find one. You also mentioned a $10k cap so that could limit you as well, but again deciding on which gen you want first will also dictate which one you purchase. Your budget may be stretched a bit if you decide on the 4th gen but then again you may find a screaming deal on 01/02 for that price range. Very good luck

Honestly I like the 3rd gen better. I like everything about them except for the feeling that they are underpowered. I'm in Arkansas. I've found 4-5 03's with around 100-120k miles, v8, 4wd, for $10k (none are within 400 miles of me though). I've found plenty of the 99-02's, so I've got a much larger selection. However, the 03 with the v8 has over 100 ft lb of torque more than the 3 gens. I'm thinking that'd really make a difference. It's not that I don't like the look of the 4th gen, it's just that I don't like it as much as the third. That's the problem, I'm not sure if I should go with eye appeal or performance. I currently have a 96 Mustang Cobra and have grown use to the power. Going from nearly 350 hp to under 200 (and a lot of added weight) is going to be a disappointment I'm afraid.

Find a third gen limited with supercharger, locker, and 5spd!! Best of both worlds third gen with POWER. If I was looking to spend a deceint chunk of change that's what I'd get.

I thought about going with the 3rd gen and adding a TRD later on, but I just don't wanna deal with the hassle. I'd rather spend the money up front and have a more solid/reliable vehicle with potential. I'm not sure how well the 4runner would work with 150k+ miles and the TRD. I'd want to do the TRD myself, people like to cut corners and I don't wanna end up finishing someone else's project.

I don't like the look of the 4th gens, but, I like the idea of a v8 in a 4runner :D

Understand where you are coming from on the horse power. As for a V8, I saw a thread about a guy in Austrailia that put a Lexus V8 in a 3rd gen ... WOW! Very good luck with your search, but as far as getting used to the grunt in your Stang, you just have to get used to not pushing so hard so quick on the 3rd Gen. You're still gonna get there and really, if you think about it, how much time do you save by zipping to where you're planning on going. I'm sure you will find one that will fit what you need. Keep looking and don't settle for the easy and quick, search be diligent and fate will favor the patient. Best of luck on your search.

It's not that I'm going to be racing everywhere, it's just that power was the reason I got rid of my 97. I felt it wasn't enough to do what needed done. My dad has an 02 Tundra 4x4 with a v6, and we've needed to pull things on occasion that maxed the truck out. I'm afraid with the 3rd gen that problem would only be worse, whereas the 4th gen would really shine. I don't pull stuff much, it's about like 4wd, most of the time I don't need it but I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I test drove an 07 last month before I picked up an 01. Here's my Op.
Looks - 3rd gen
Comfort - 3rd gen, atleast my 01. I hated the seats in the 4th gen I drove. And I really disliked the interior on the 4th Gen. I like to be able to refer to a runner as a "truck" and didn't feel that it applied to the 4th gen. I'm not a gadget person and felt that the 4th gen had too much soccer mom junk inside.
Ride - 4th gen
Power - a slight edge to the 4th Gen, although I am happy with my 01
Reliability - 3rd gen just because it's been around longer, I never really like to have something as soon as it hits the market, eventhough the 4th gens have been out a little while now.
Overall, I can see myself in my 3rd gen until it falls into atleast 16 different pieces and I couldn't say that for sure about the 07. Go waste a sleazy car dealers time and burn some rubber in a 4th gen, that's what I did.
Also it may be worth your time to drive a few hundred miles. I drove for 8hrs to get my 01. The guy traded title for title for my 04 Corrola :banger:

Definitely 3rd!!!! Toyota is on an Ugly streak right now!!! I'll look elsewhere before I buy a 4th gen.

They finally ruined the Sequoia...

I think the '05 Sequoia is what the 4th Gen 4Runner should have looked like...but smaller of course. I love my '05 Sequoia with the BFG A/T's

We have an '04 with 85k on it. It's got power. The V6 will tow 6,400 lbs with a better hitch and tranny cooler. We used to have a 5,000 lb boat that I towed regularly and I swear it went 0-60 with the boat faster then my 2nd gen unloaded. I hardly ever went above 2k RPM, and still kept up with traffic.

But I haven't had a 3rd gen to compare it to.

I really just can't get use to the looks of the 4th gens. There are some I like, but I don't have near that much money. How well do the 3rd gens react to gearing changes? I was thinking I could get the 3rd gen and have some lower gears put in. I wouldn't go really low, it's a daily driver. However, I'd think this may help a little in my situation. I know I went from 3.27's to 3.73's in my Mustang and it was night and day difference. I realize we're talking 4runners, but I was hoping that may be the solution. I'd like some nice tires, probably no taller than stock but maybe a little wider. I know that'd only worsen the power problem, so gearing would help that as well. Thanks everyone, I really appreciate the help!

had owned 2nd, 3rd gen at the same time and now 3rd and 4th gen at the same time. I'd keep the 3rd. if you want the looks, go for the 1st.

Yes, the 4th gens are faster and have more power, but that isn't everything. From my readings regarding Toyota truck engines, the 3.4L V6 5VZ engine is a better/stronger built engine than the newer all aluminum 4.0L V6. I'm not sure about the 4.7L V8, but the 5VZ is known to last pretty much forever and can be modified to produce 1000 hp without too many internal mods.