Would you ever replace your rig with a 4Runner?

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I've considered a new 4Runner, but would rather stick with my 15 year old cruiser until I can afford to buy a newer cruiser. The 4Runner is nice, but it just doesn't compare to a cruiser, in my opinion. Bummer that a new lc is 85k tho'

Echo on the 85k. Wow!
 
I'd look for a newer 100 or a pre owned 200 if I were to do it all over again for all the reasons already mentioned.
 
I have a 60 and I'm tired of parts being disco'ed.
Toyota priced the 200 out the reach of most traditional Land Cruiser buyers, so for the young adventurer, a new LC is not an option. The problem with the 200 will never go away no matter how old it is, and will only compound as the vehicle ages: Overly complex and difficult to work on with very expensive replacement parts. It will always be expensive to own. The 200 (IMO) will be a nightmare vehicle to attempt to keep once it starts getting long in the tooth..say maybe 15 years old or so. Just about the time when younger guys THINK they can afford one.

Yes, I'm a 200 dissenter, but if my 60 got totalled tomorrow, a 2016 4Runner would replace it.
It would never compare, but I'm done with owning old cruisers that have diminishing parts support.
 
I have a 60 and I'm tired of parts being disco'ed.
Toyota priced the 200 out the reach of most traditional Land Cruiser buyers, so for the young adventurer, a new LC is not an option. The problem with the 200 will never go away no matter how old it is, and will only compound as the vehicle ages: Overly complex and difficult to work on with very expensive replacement parts. It will always be expensive to own. The 200 (IMO) will be a nightmare vehicle to attempt to keep once it starts getting long in the tooth..say maybe 15 years old or so. Just about the time when younger guys THINK they can afford one.

Yes, I'm a 200 dissenter, but if my 60 got totalled tomorrow, a 2016 4Runner would replace it.
It would never compare, but I'm done with owning old cruisers that have diminishing parts support.

Same exact arguments from my buddy who has an 80 and tried to talk me out of selling a car under warranty for an 80 or 100. I guess it is all relative.
 
I have a 60 and I'm tired of parts being disco'ed.
Toyota priced the 200 out the reach of most traditional Land Cruiser buyers, so for the young adventurer, a new LC is not an option. The problem with the 200 will never go away no matter how old it is, and will only compound as the vehicle ages: Overly complex and difficult to work on with very expensive replacement parts. It will always be expensive to own. The 200 (IMO) will be a nightmare vehicle to attempt to keep once it starts getting long in the tooth..say maybe 15 years old or so. Just about the time when younger guys THINK they can afford one.

Yes, I'm a 200 dissenter, but if my 60 got totalled tomorrow, a 2016 4Runner would replace it.
It would never compare, but I'm done with owning old cruisers that have diminishing parts support.


I justified my purchase of an 04 4Runner using similar logic. My 94 80 series was ~$35k (new). Kept it 10 years. Looked at the 04 LC, ~$55k (+ options). "Holy Cow! I could get a fully loaded 04 4Runner Limited v8 4x4 for just under ~$40k! That's pretty much the same drivetrain as the 100 series @ 2/3 the cost. What have these guys been smoking?" Well the 4Runner was a relatively well built Toyota, and a nice vehicle, but it was not a Land Cruiser. After spending some time with the 4Runner, it gave the impression that it was engineered with a budget, and things just had to be "good enough". After a while I couldn't stand it anymore and went back to Toyota's flagship/halo vehicle, (I even got an "L" on the grill) where everything seems to be (over) engineered to be "just right" without too much compromise.

I'm not making that mistake (trying to replace a Land Cruiser with a 4Runner) again.
 
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I'm not anti 4runnner at all. I really want to like them as much as I like my 100. Especially since you can get a new one for $40k with a warranty... I'll probably end up going in that direction at some point if (when) my 100 eventually becomes unreliable, too costly to maintain or spends too much time in my garage. The 4Runner will win out for cost reasons mainly... Unless I can find a rust free, low mileage, mint condition, black, 2006-2007 100 series for a nice price. Pretty sure those don't really exist :) . It bums me out.
 
I've had both. The 4Runner will never be a 100 series. For my all around current use, I wouldn't replace with a 4Runner. If it was only me riding in it and doing lots of traveling, I'd get a 4Runner or Taco.
 
I looked at the 4Runners, even drove a friend's off road. IIRC it was a 2009. It had the same sort of feel that my 1988 4R had. The ergonomics were the same--too cramped for me. So if I was in the market, it would be another 100, or a serious look at a used 200 in the 25k price range some years down the road. I would also be looking at the JK series. I really like the room on the 100.....
 
I owned and modified a 2003 4Runner with the V8. It got eaten by a boulder on a road, and then I bought a LC because it is what I wanted and I could now afford it (side note, the LC got totaled by a fool without breaks and now I have a LX). I loved the 4Runner, I liked that it was more simplistic than the LC. I had manual seats, no outdated Nav or DVD system, it was... rougher. But I also didn't feel as bad cutting into it and modding it. Aftermarket parts, like the vehicle itself, were cheaper which is a big plus. I bought my LC, but have less cash after to do the same mods I had on the 4Runner. I never felt like the 4Runner would give up or out on me in all the places it went out west. The space between the LC and 4Runner was similar enough since I can sleep in the back of both at 5'9".

I think it really comes down to use and desire. The 4Runner was cheaper but performed it's function like a real champ. The LC/LX have been great, but I can't extol specific reasons why the LC/LX is better. After my wrecked LC I wanted to go back to the 4Runner but I had already invested about 4k in mods that were still sitting in my garage. There are more 4Runners so it makes it easier to find a babied non-rust version. Finding a LC/LX took me a lot of time.

This is specific to the 4th generation 4Runners, my buddy has a 5th gen trail and it is nice, but I can't really comment.
 
Every time I go camping with a certain group, we have a base camp and head out for day trips.

Invariably, a guy who has ridden in some of the other vehicles gets in the 100 and says, DAMN this is comfortable. Mind you, I have it set up for dirt, but still :grinpimp::grinpimp::grinpimp:
 
I used to own a 3rd gen 4Runner, then went to a dodge cummins. After throwing more money into that truck than it was worth, I sold it and went back to TEQ with the 100 series. I looked at newer 4Runners, but to me the LC just beats the 4R. Theres a bunch of reasons Ive made in my mind as to why I chose it, but it was mainly that the cruiser was just more comfortable and enjoyable to me.
 
I know this is kinda crude.... but when I purchased my first LX470 the first review I read said... If god had an SUV it would be an LX470... that was 15 or so years ago and I still believe... how about this... my wife after 20+ years in every BMW made... and I have tried to buy her new cars... is still in love with her LX470,
it's like asking... would you trade your box seat for general admission... would you trade your harley for a honda? or your prom queen for the quarterback....

just say'n
 
I had 2 4rs. A 2008 and a 2010. As much as I loved the 2010 and spent a lot of money modding it, I convinced my husband we should get a 100 Series as a third vehicle after inundating him with Expedition Overland episodes which featured their 100.

So we get the 100. And every time I would drive anywhere I would invent a reason to drive it over the 4R. The LC is so solid, so refined, so smooth, and has so much power. And someone already said you can sense the quality when you slam the door. My 4R felt hollow, plasticky. And while that is not a reason to sell it to get an LC, it was one thing in a long list of reasons why I prefered driving it over the 4R. It got to the point where my husband finally told me he was not willing to trade trucks and I got his blessing to get a 100 of my own.

I acknowledge that I have a problem at this point. My dining room is stacked with parts for both Cruisers. I wake up dreaming about them. Its sad, really.

When I drive my 2007 I feel like I know a secret no else is privy to. I've had it for a month and smile every time I get in it.

I think when rust takes over, which is inevitable where I live, I'll go to landcruisersdirect and get myself an imported one. Maybe by then the 200 series will grow on me, but at this point I would just get another 100.
 
Had a 3rd Gen and then a 4th gen V8 for 10 years. The minute I drove the 100- first one I test drove- I had to have it right then and there. Huge difference in quality/feel. I have 3 cars and previously drove the 4R only in snowy weather or for towing. Basically only when I absolutely had to. With the 100 I don't mind driving it at all and kinda look forward to it.
 
There is not a chance in Aech Eee double hockey sticks that I would ever go from a Land Cruiser to a 4runner....(or any other vehicle)

Seriously, is there a better vehicle on the planet than a Land Cruiser? Is there a better used car buy than a decent shape Land Cruiser? No and NO
 
Don't do it. I had a 96 80 and sold it. I drove my wife's 03 4 runner for a few months and called the guy that bought my 80 and tried to buy it back. I then bought an 06 LX. Got tired of it and drove my wife's 2011 4 Runner. Hated it and bought an 05 LC. The 4Runner is not nearly as solid. The 2011 has a "thrashy" engine and feels about 2,000 pounds lighter than the 100. Any time we go somewhere, I always drive my rig. 140,000 miles and solid. Best of luck.
 
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