Buy a 100 series or keep the 4runner?
- Thread starter CrosbyDog
- Start date
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I'll add my .02 here as a 100 owner and having just convinced some family members to purchase an '04 V8 4Runner.
I love my 100 and will likely never find a better built full-size SUV. Everyone here is not lying when saying that it just feels like it was machined from only solid block of metal. No squeaks, rattles etc at 140k and it still runs like a top.
HOWEVER, the 4Runner I just found for my family was a one owner, 2004 Limited with literally every option available and it was clearly maintained with the expectation that this would be with them until it bit the dust. With 185K on it, it felt incredibly solid and I was VERY impressed with the lack of rust and the overall appearance of it despite living it's entire life in New England. I too expected more of hollow feeling, plastic-y vehicle but I was impressed with how well taken care of it was and just goes to show was regular washing can do to inhibit rust.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you take care of it, a 4Runner with essentially the same running gear as a LC (in V8 form) should last you for a long time and while it will probably not have the level of refinement of a similarly cared-for 100 series, it will be a perfectly solid vehicle as can be expected from Toyota.
I love my 100 and will likely never find a better built full-size SUV. Everyone here is not lying when saying that it just feels like it was machined from only solid block of metal. No squeaks, rattles etc at 140k and it still runs like a top.
HOWEVER, the 4Runner I just found for my family was a one owner, 2004 Limited with literally every option available and it was clearly maintained with the expectation that this would be with them until it bit the dust. With 185K on it, it felt incredibly solid and I was VERY impressed with the lack of rust and the overall appearance of it despite living it's entire life in New England. I too expected more of hollow feeling, plastic-y vehicle but I was impressed with how well taken care of it was and just goes to show was regular washing can do to inhibit rust.
I guess what I'm saying is that if you take care of it, a 4Runner with essentially the same running gear as a LC (in V8 form) should last you for a long time and while it will probably not have the level of refinement of a similarly cared-for 100 series, it will be a perfectly solid vehicle as can be expected from Toyota.
- Thread starter
- #23
I'd feel totally confident recommending an '04 4Runner to anyone. The truck is a beast and feels super solid. My torque converter issue aside, I am convinced that if my truck was an Arizona car with no rust I'd be in a different position.
I considered buying another 4th gen 4runner (thought about going for the V6 this time for fuel efficiency and a timing chain over a belt), but the Land Cruiser's size and pedigree is really appealing.
I had Surf 3.0 liter TD before the LX.
A few weeks ago I drove in a near identical Surf and realised that I had made the right choice. The LX is so much more smoother to drive, not so bouncy and all.
A few weeks ago I drove in a near identical Surf and realised that I had made the right choice. The LX is so much more smoother to drive, not so bouncy and all.
- Thread starter
- #25
Got it. But man am I jealous of you Aussies and the rest of the planet… I'd love to be able to buy a Toyota 4x4 with a diesel. Toyota says they won't bring their diesels to the states because conforming to the diesel emissions standards here will be too costly.
...and because petrol is soo cheap in your part of the world that it isn't viable.