5th gen 4Runner vs LC 100 size/questions

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DirtyRunner

DirtyRunner

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jun 25, 2010
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2
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Looking to upgrade but would like some opinions. I have 3 kids in carseats and two small dogs so the 4Runner is getting tight.

-Does anyone have any first hand experience with the size of a LC/LX 100 vs a newer 5th gen 4runner without a third row (ie is it much roomier)?

-Do you think a 2005 LX with 56K miles with all service done to it will be as reliable as a 2010 4Runner with 36K miles?

-Can you fit a single graco folding stroller behind the third seats? Something like this without the car seat in:
Amazon.com: Graco Quattro Tour Travel System with Snugride30, Carlise: Baby

PLEASE do not move to that buying thread yet- I get maybe one response there and then it's on to the next person!
 
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The 5th gens are nice and roomy, no personal experience with a stroller fitting behind the seat, and they are quite capable off road. It will get a bit better MPGs than the LC but when it all comes down to it the 4Runner is not a LandCruiser!
 
Gottagetone said:
The 5th gens are nice and roomy, no personal experience with a stroller fitting behind the seat, and they are quite capable off road. It will get a bit better MPGs than the LC but when it all comes down to it the 4Runner is not a LandCruiser!
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Yeah, after test driving one the quality of it has made me pretty much disregard any other options I've looked at (Sequoia, etc). Not sure if that's good or bad. :D
 
-Does anyone have any first hand experience with the size of a LC/LX 100 vs a newer 5th gen 4runner without a third row (ie is it much roomier)?

They are pretty close but the 100 is a little bit bigger all around. Three across carseats will fit across the LX100 (depending on model carseat). It may or may not fit across the 5th Gen 4Runner, you'd have to go to the dealership and test. Ultimately you may need to get different thinner car seats to fit either vehicle. Luckily Britax, one of the best out there is also one of the thinnest. Skip the air bag style, they add extra thickness.

-Do you think a 2005 LX with 56K miles with all service done to it will be as reliable as a 2010 4Runner with 36K miles?

They will both be amazingly reliable and will last a very long time. Service visits will be cheaper on the 4Runner.

-Can you fit a single graco folding stroller behind the third seats? Something like this without the car seat in:
Amazon.com: Graco Quattro Tour Travel System with Snugride30, Carlise: Baby
There is very little room behind the 3rd row seats in both, as I recall the Graco Quattro is a bulky stroller, could be tight behind the 4Runner. The 4Runner has a bit less room behind the 3rd row seat. It just might squeeze in behind the LX.

As a note, both vehicles have split fold 3rd row. The nice part is you can put one 3rd row seat in place and not use the other, then you have 1/2 of the cargo area to put stuff. Removing both rear seats on the 100LX opens up a huge volume of space. Plus that great tailgate.

Gas will be much better in a 2010 4Runner.
 
Thanks for the responses! Headed there to buy it today, can't wait. :D
 
An 05' with 56k? Heck, the thing isn't even broke in yet!!:steer:

As far as the stroller, you also have the option of folding one half of the third row up on an LC to fit a stroller and a small Costo shopping trip.

And for me, I love having a tail gate!!!! :clap: Something the 4Runners haven't had since 89'.

But in the end, both are great vehicles. I'm sure you'll be happy with either one.:cheers:
 
KlausVanWinkle said:
The 100 only has 6 more cubic feet of passenger space. I don't think it's that much different size wise. Plus the 22 mpg highway is 6 mpg more than you'll get with a 100.
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I have a 2011 5th Gen. It does not get 22mpg on the highway with 285/70 tires. It is maybe 18 mpg when you are doing 75mph. You have to flog the v6 to get power out of it.

As for spacer, it feels more roomy up front, but the cargo area is smaller but quite a bit. The wheel wells protrude into the cargo area a lot. Golf bags have to fit in a diagonal on the 4Runner vs straight across on the 100.

I just did the FJ Summit in the 4runner and I just felt every time that the cargo area was crowded with not that much stuff compared to the 100. However legroom front and 2nd row in the 4Runner is probably better.
 
04UZJ100 said:
The 100 will last longer. Toyota is having HG issues on the 4.0L V6. The 2UZ is absolutely bombproof.
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Really? I thought the 4.0 was a solid motor?

You'll love the 100. Only 5th gen i'd trade for is a TE.
 
gtfour43 said:
Really? I thought the 4.0 was a solid motor?

You'll love the 100. Only 5th gen i'd trade for is a TE.
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Yes, unfortunately there have been numerous reports of rough idling early in the morning accompanied with a CEL for a misfire in cylinder 6. Not only is the HG failing, but the block is warping in some of the cases.

Just don't think that aluminum and plastic construction can compete with the iron block of the 2UZ under the same duty cycle.

The 2UZ was designed for the LC and only the LC in 98. The 1GR was designed for a 20k Tacoma.
 
04UZJ100 said:
Yes, unfortunately there have been numerous reports of rough idling early in the morning accompanied with a CEL for a misfire in cylinder 6. Not only is the HG failing, but the block is warping in some of the cases.

Just don't think that aluminum and plastic construction can compete with the iron block of the 2UZ under the same duty cycle.

The 2UZ was designed for the LC and only the LC in 98. The 1GR was designed for a 20k Tacoma.
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Interesting. I've heard many forum members that work at dealerships/Toyota say they have some 4.0 l with well over 200k zero issues. Very solid and comparable to the 3.4l
 
I get 21-22 highway in my 2010 4x4 for what it's worth.

So I drove 3 hours to Houston to look at the 05 and it was not in the condition that the salesman described. The DVD player did not work, the carpet was badly stained, the driver door lock did not work consistently, there was a new/spreading rock chip directly in front of the driver on the windshield, they only had the valet key/no masters. What makes me mad is that I had asked specifically about all of these over the phone and was told everything was working great. No clue what else was wrong if I spotted all that within 10 minutes.

After comparing both the LC feels much roomier overall... the seats, cargo area, shoulder room are all wider. The stroller I mentioned should definitely fit behind the third row.
 
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DirtyRunner said:
So I drove 3 hours to Houston to look at the 05 and it was not in the condition that the salesman described. The DVD player did not work, the carpet was badly stained, the driver door lock did not work consistently, there was a new/spreading rock chip directly in front of the driver on the windshield, they only had the valet key/no masters. What makes me mad is that I had asked specifically about all of these over the phone and was told everything was working great. No clue what else was wrong if I spotted all that within 10 minutes.
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That was my experience when looking at them too. The first 5 I looked at were all in rough shape. The last dealer wouldn't negotiate on price at all even though it was stained, needed a lot of mechanical work and was missing all but the valet key. On the dealer's computer, I found my current 100. I said what about that 2000 with 80k miles for less than you're asking for this one. He said, that's all the way in PA. So a week later I drove 6 hours to PA and got it. Had them take it to the local toyota dealer for an inspection before I got there. I go there wrote them a check for the asking price and drove off. Still think I got a good deal. Best car buying experience yet. The good ones are out there. Keep looking.
 
Good to know. I think I'm going to stop obsessing over lower mileage as well. OK with up to 100k or so right now as long as the timing belt has been done.
 
Don't be afraid of high miles, if the truck is in good condition and has been maintained. The 2UZ will go a looooooong time.
 
DirtyRunner said:
Good to know. I think I'm going to stop obsessing over lower mileage as well. OK with up to 100k or so right now as long as the timing belt has been done.
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People in general obsess too much over a couple of miles per gallon. At the end of the month, the difference that a couple of MPG makes is probably less than the change you lose in your sofa every month. At the end of the year it may get you and your family one Happy Meal each. And if you should ever feel like playing Ricky Racer to get that guy/gal who just cut you off, or flooring it to pass someone on that two lane road, there goes your MPG again.

re_guderian said:
Don't be afraid of high miles, if the truck is in good condition and has been maintained. The 2UZ will go a looooooong time.
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Real life stat: my 98 LC has 185k, my wifes LC has 265k. The only thing other than maintenance on either vehicle has been my wife's rear heater went out. I'm not sure if this counts or not, but this last weekend while doing a body lift on mine, the Tee fittings broke going to the heater core by the top of the fire wall. When I removed them, they were pretty deteriorated. I'm glad I caught them when I did! :eek:
 
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