Well, I'll add that we currently have two LC's and an 87 4Runner. I am sure you were thinking of getting a newer 4Runner than that, but with the 22Re and 5spd I still only get low 20's in the mpg department. Plus I just spent about $1,000 in maintenance on it last week. By the time I pay insurance and keep up with the maintenance there is no gas savings. The 4Runner is for sale.
Twin 80's or 4Runner + 80???
- Thread starter Jayrock77
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I have a 97 80 and a 2000 4runner, last year of the 5 speeds. Both are great trucks, but are totally different. My DD is the 4Runner, only because I get a whopping 20mpg on the highway. My wife drives the LC, but I am jealous and will sometimes take it to work, just for the driving experience. There's something really nice about driving my lifted LC with ARB front bumper and rear Kaymar bumper in traffic, a sort of confidence that people will get out of my way 
. Over the years the 4runner has been great for mild off-roading and camping in the mountains of CO, but it's not even in the same league as the LC. If you want a get around the city vehicle I would opt for the 4runner, if you want a more heavy duty, solid off-road vehicle, go for the second LC.
. Over the years the 4runner has been great for mild off-roading and camping in the mountains of CO, but it's not even in the same league as the LC. If you want a get around the city vehicle I would opt for the 4runner, if you want a more heavy duty, solid off-road vehicle, go for the second LC.
get both TLCs and then buy a shooter to run back and forth to work. like a honda or a toyota 4banger.
I had a 95' 4Runner and loved it, but needed more room and always wanted an 80 so thats what we got. I guess you have to ask yourself what you want to drive as it sounds like your wife will be driving the LX450.
I drive a 4cyl AWD vehicle as my DD
I drive a 4cyl AWD vehicle as my DD
After having both trucks - If I were in your situation I would go for 1 80 + 4runner:
I had a 2000 4runner SR5 - 5 speed, great truck 18-20MGP in the city 21+ MPG on the highway. Pulled our tent trailer better than the 80 can (probably due to manual transmission). Defects as I see - part time 4wd - practically useless for onroad winter diving in Canada were roads are intermittent ice, dry, ice..... The AWD of the 80 is far superior for that. 3rd gen 4runners are newer and at least as reliable as the 80 series LC. Clutch pedal is of poor design, but so is that of all current Toyota trucks (tacoma) - But there are easy ways to fix that. Parts are cheaper for the 4runner (in Canada anyway)
The 80 has other vertues, more storage, better grip (lockers), unique-factor.....and is superior offroad.
The 4runner is a better daily driver.
I had a 2000 4runner SR5 - 5 speed, great truck 18-20MGP in the city 21+ MPG on the highway. Pulled our tent trailer better than the 80 can (probably due to manual transmission). Defects as I see - part time 4wd - practically useless for onroad winter diving in Canada were roads are intermittent ice, dry, ice..... The AWD of the 80 is far superior for that. 3rd gen 4runners are newer and at least as reliable as the 80 series LC. Clutch pedal is of poor design, but so is that of all current Toyota trucks (tacoma) - But there are easy ways to fix that. Parts are cheaper for the 4runner (in Canada anyway)
The 80 has other vertues, more storage, better grip (lockers), unique-factor.....and is superior offroad.
The 4runner is a better daily driver.
Where are you located ?
5 speed 4 Runners are somewhat rare , and the way to go for one IMHO.
Back to the topic !
If the wifey is Ok w/ the 80, I'd go for 2 of those.
Mine thinks it is too big
( I had a 4 X Suburban before this ! ) , but that the 4 Runner is just right.
The fact that she had an '87 for 18 or so years couldn't have anything to do w/ that, could it ?
I think they are small compared w/ the LC interior room wise , but love the looks of the 1st , 2nd gens. The 3rd gen is a wee bit rounded, although still nice, and '97 & up offers the bigger/better V6 , and from what I read the '99's sit taller than any of the other years.
4th gens - me no likie.
All the V6 & V8's have timing belts - I really, really , like ! not having to worry about that with the 80.
Britt
5 speed 4 Runners are somewhat rare , and the way to go for one IMHO.
Back to the topic !
If the wifey is Ok w/ the 80, I'd go for 2 of those.
Mine thinks it is too big
( I had a 4 X Suburban before this ! ) , but that the 4 Runner is just right. The fact that she had an '87 for 18 or so years couldn't have anything to do w/ that, could it ?
I think they are small compared w/ the LC interior room wise , but love the looks of the 1st , 2nd gens. The 3rd gen is a wee bit rounded, although still nice, and '97 & up offers the bigger/better V6 , and from what I read the '99's sit taller than any of the other years.
4th gens - me no likie.
All the V6 & V8's have timing belts - I really, really , like ! not having to worry about that with the 80.
Britt
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
I had a 95' 4Runner and loved it, but needed more room and always wanted an 80 so thats what we got. I guess you have to ask yourself what you want to drive as it sounds like your wife will be driving the LX450.
I drive a 4cyl AWD vehicle as my DD
Nice WRX. Wish the STI came in red. I too DD a 4cyl AWD. Fun factor is many
's. While I agree that three is nothing wrong with have his/hers 80's, it's nice to have something a little different and making it something fun is great. For me, I have a hard time considering something without AWD in the climate I live in. A 4Runner or 80 will give you that obviously, but as much as I like Romer's Z4 or the 328 Bimmer, I couldn't do the RWD thing unless it was a fair weather only vehicle. Good luck with your choice. Here's another "fun" option if you're looking for ideas. My DD.
Nice EVO BTW! Finally after 4 years of producing USDM STi's finally 08's get red...
Don't get a 2nd gen 4r, whatever you do. After my first fzj80, I sold it and bought a 95 4r w/3.0 V6 4wd 5spd, I thought it would be more economical, which it was in purchase price, but parts cost about the same, and the mpg was negligible for me. I did not like it, it was small, cramped, difficult to access the smaller cargo area, my wife didn't like it, it was very underpowered, and only got 15mpg, compared to the 12mpg I had been getting in the 80. We were so unhappy, I ended up with my current LX, less than 1 yr later.
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
Ahh...one model too late. The '08s are hideous. Needed to offer red in the '07s and I might have considered changing teams.
Box Rocket
SILVER Star
hehe, my g/f calls it the 'rice cooker handle' on the evoit does look like the handles on rice cookers hehe. The Z4 is one of her fav cars
I love awd
AWD/4WD FTW!
I don't mind her calling it that at all. It definitely "cooks"!;p
....at least the wing is functional.
My 95' was a 3.0L 5spd as well and underpowered is very true. In 96' 4Runners got the improved 3.4L.
Ahh...one model too late. The '08s are hideous. Needed to offer red in the '07s and I might have considered changing teams.
Agree on the 08's...I can only hope they look drastically better in person, but I doubt it.
If I have to do it again, I would rather have two FZJ-80 in the stable. The 4Runner really doesn't save you much on gas especially the 2nd Gen Runner. Ask me how I know
Here is a picture of my 2nd Gen Runner which is now my daughter's rig.
I would say go with two, my family has 2 right now, we had three but parted with one of our 80's, so at this point i am driving the 94 80 series, and my dad has an 06 100, we are both very happy and sort of trade off driving cuz each one is a joy. but id say 2 80's could never hurt.
Before my BMW, I had a VW Golf R32 as a daily/project. It was a lot of fun, but I didn't like how thin the line was from control to out of control. Granted the line was a lot higher than with RWD, but there was no feel at the limit. And this was a car with Stasis coilovers, H&R swaybars and really sticky rubber... However, I still have dreams about the way that 15* V6 sounded!
nice car... dunno about the limit on the r32, never drove one. maybe it's how you set it up? they are known to be good handling cars I thought... well the 3.2 in the TT Q w/ DSG was nice, no 6M like the VW but felt pretty good. The BMW just has great balance and handling tho, look at the weight dist compared to the VW- that alone gives it a big lead.
I like VAG cars better tho excited to see the new A4 3.0TDI 6M,Quattro & 365ft-lbs tq
I like VAG cars better tho
excited to see the new A4 3.0TDI 6M,Quattro & 365ft-lbs tq 
