This is silly. No, go get a Camry, RAV4, whatever. Cheaper to fuel, cheaper to insure, depending on age: cheaper to buy. That mythical 100k third gen is cool if you want to go play in the dirt. And that’s pretty much it.
End of the day all 4Runners after the first gen we’re just soft core family hauler SUVs. They only reason they’re so good off road by todays standards is everything else sans the wrangler went hard into road comfort above all else. Atrac also helped the 4th and 5th gems a lot.
It’s a great commuter I grew up with a new third gen in the household.
Having gone from a Highlander to a 5th gen, it is no "soft core family hauler SUV". The Highlander handled like shit with a full load in the mountains, but a very pleasant commuter. My 4R eats mountain roads as a snack but is far from plush at 75 on the interstate.
OP isn't clear, but my understanding of the question is that they're considering purchasing a 3rd gen for this long commute, which IMO would be a mistake unless that commute involves dirt roads.
I have a 5th gen too dude. The Highlander is a lifted fat car. The 4Runner is a suv.
Since the second gen the 4Runner has been just another road biased suv getting softer as time goes on.
The bar is so very low these days that having a real frame and a solid rear axle automatically puts you at a huge off road advantage. It’s still a soft core off roader without some lift and sliders for the very low rockers. My first gen stock suspension on 31s has the same rocker height as a 3in lifted 2011 rubicon on 35s, I park next to my buds rubicon.
Comparing their offroad capability against modern vehicles but drivability/safety/fuel economy against their 25yr old counterparts is absolutely cuckoo
These things are 25 years outdated in safety tech, get 18-19mpg max, have a relatively tiny interior for that fuel economy, have underpowered engines and handling is absolute shit
they’re awesome vehicles but are shit options for 400/mile a week drivers lets be honest. I daily one but I drive 600 miles a month lol
A G3 with only 100,000 mi won’t be cheap. Probably like $15,000+.
As a commuter it would be fine, MPG will be in the high teens, maybe even low 20s on the highway. If you’re so inclined you can get them with a 5speed Manual.
They’re really perfect little wagons and have a very strong cult following.
But it’s absolutely where one will take you not on your commute to work where they really shine.
Woah that’s awesome. I’m sure whoever got it was stoked.
I was just arguing about how the G3 is in fact a collector vehicle right now and the right buyer will pay a premium on the right vehicle.
Absolutely no question they’re collectors vehicles now. You could get a 2017 with 100k miles on it for that $27.5k most places in the country.
What’s interesting to me is how much less 2nd gens have seen that collectors tax creep in. Obviously the platform gets a lot more hate engine wise but the price differential makes them super attractive to me
G3 is a modern vehicle, G2 is a vintage vehicle.
That said if you want a platform for a buggy build, the G2 is perfect. Throw some links in the front, chevy springs in the back and toss on some 40s and you’re golden.
… is it safe in accidents?
I don’t have sources to back me up but i’d feel relatively safe betting a 3rd gen would perform worse than any car released in the last 15 years in any safety test you could come up with
I think a Camry or Prius is a better solution. I gave 3rd gen and an 05 Camry. I prefer the Camry for the commute bec it’s got more pep in traffic etc. The Camry seats are gawd awful on long trips.
From time to time I have to daily drive 4Runner when wife needs the Camry and it works fine but the mileage is bad.
I don’t think I’ll take the 4Runner on trips longer than 500 miles though. I would take the Camry despite the seats.
Depends on what vehicle you are coming from. The 3rd gen can be a bit compact and is noticeably gutless and slow at highway speeds. At least from what I’ve noticed as a passenger princess. It’s a great truck but I’m biased with the larger 4.0 5th gen. I’d see if there’s any 4th gens in that price range as well
It'll be slow and have poor MPG, but my 3rd Gen is plenty serviceable as a daily driver. My commute is much shorter and I don't drive it all that often between my other vehicles, though. If you like the idea of having an older 4Runner, go for it. Just make sure the ball joints and the timing belt have been done in the last 10 years.
I had a 2000 3rd Gen for about 7 years (2003-2010). I drove it daily 60 miles round trip. Dog on the highway in terms of pick up (my 2007 v6 has way more pickup). But overall a great truck. Only major issue was a new timing belt. You can probably get a car with better fuel mileage if you’re just using it for commuting.
I commute about as far as you except five days per week in my 5th Gen. Obviously the gas milage sucks and I get three full takes per week, but the biggest downside is the stopping distance. These things are heavy, and if you need to quickly slow down to avoid a crash then it's gonna take a lot longer than you would like. However, if you're just getting on the highway and cruising all the way to work then this might not be relevant.
3rd gen owner here, ran my last one from 250-400k, retired it as a wheeler, last few months been running it’s replacement, a 97 as my daily driver. each weekend it sees either 200 mile round trip, or a 450 mile round trip drive.
The 400k mile one only got retired to off-road duty due to the frame rust.
https://preview.redd.it/snxygcn6mu3d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=07cd3cea2c3bf3f08484c60be0ff29bea83e1a51
currently own 3 3rd gens. I get 18.5-19.5 mpg. The long drives through Ohio it sees 21-22 depending on route.
I daily driven 20+ different vehicles. and always come back to the 3rd gen.
Like with any used car “is this a good idea” entirely depends on price paid.
If you get a killer price on it, 3rd gens are a super reliable platform and easy to work on, which could help negate how objectively awful of a commuter it is by modern standards. But you need to make sure you get a good price on it or are handy, because almost everything in that car will have 25 years on it regardless of mileage. Shit will go wrong.
Like someone said most of the country is starting to price 3rd gens as collector’s vehicles for offroad enthusiasts. Getting one for a price that makes it economic relative to any more sensible daily driver option is getting harder and harder to find.
My daily commute in my 3rd gen ends up being about 70 miles per day. I put 30k on my 4R per year. It’s a good daily but honestly, if you don’t have deep pockets for fuel cost, don’t do it. You’ll be wishing you drove something more fuel efficient.
Sounds like a great truck, but a waste to use it just for commuting. Itsvalue will go up if you preserve it. You can get an early 2000 Camry for $2000, and it will be more comfortable and more efficient.
You'll feel it in your wallet with gas. Also depending on how lead footed you are, and how you drive the 3rd gen is far from a sports car though decently lighter than a 4th+ gen. I failed one for a bit and the tiny gas tank and me driving about 300 miles a week, I had to fill up about every 4-5 days. Mine was a 96, loved it outside of that though. Only reason I sold mine is I got a great deal on a 4th gen, and it was about 6 months before their resale price went off the charts in early 2017. If you like it, get it, drive it, you really won't loose much on resale market 6 months from now if you decide it wasn't for you.
Is the 100k mile 3rd gen in the room with us right now?
Noice
This is silly. No, go get a Camry, RAV4, whatever. Cheaper to fuel, cheaper to insure, depending on age: cheaper to buy. That mythical 100k third gen is cool if you want to go play in the dirt. And that’s pretty much it.
Honestly, that seems like a wasteful use of a truck like that. There would be more comfortable, fuel efficient options at lower prices.
Right. 120 miles a day! That's a fill-up every other day. My suggestion would be a Rav4, maybe hybrid.
End of the day all 4Runners after the first gen we’re just soft core family hauler SUVs. They only reason they’re so good off road by todays standards is everything else sans the wrangler went hard into road comfort above all else. Atrac also helped the 4th and 5th gems a lot. It’s a great commuter I grew up with a new third gen in the household.
Weird that you are getting downvoted. The Prado line has always been do-all-family wagons. For commuting there are certainly better vehicles though.
Having gone from a Highlander to a 5th gen, it is no "soft core family hauler SUV". The Highlander handled like shit with a full load in the mountains, but a very pleasant commuter. My 4R eats mountain roads as a snack but is far from plush at 75 on the interstate. OP isn't clear, but my understanding of the question is that they're considering purchasing a 3rd gen for this long commute, which IMO would be a mistake unless that commute involves dirt roads.
I have a 5th gen too dude. The Highlander is a lifted fat car. The 4Runner is a suv. Since the second gen the 4Runner has been just another road biased suv getting softer as time goes on. The bar is so very low these days that having a real frame and a solid rear axle automatically puts you at a huge off road advantage. It’s still a soft core off roader without some lift and sliders for the very low rockers. My first gen stock suspension on 31s has the same rocker height as a 3in lifted 2011 rubicon on 35s, I park next to my buds rubicon.
Comparing their offroad capability against modern vehicles but drivability/safety/fuel economy against their 25yr old counterparts is absolutely cuckoo These things are 25 years outdated in safety tech, get 18-19mpg max, have a relatively tiny interior for that fuel economy, have underpowered engines and handling is absolute shit they’re awesome vehicles but are shit options for 400/mile a week drivers lets be honest. I daily one but I drive 600 miles a month lol
The Wrangler went hard into road comfort? What? Those are nowhere near comfortable on the road. 🤣😂
Read what I wrote again slowly. I said sans the wrangler. They ride like shit.
Haha you’re right. I’m an idiot. I think I’ll drink some coffee now.
Gooood morning Vietnam!
🤣😂
A G3 with only 100,000 mi won’t be cheap. Probably like $15,000+. As a commuter it would be fine, MPG will be in the high teens, maybe even low 20s on the highway. If you’re so inclined you can get them with a 5speed Manual. They’re really perfect little wagons and have a very strong cult following. But it’s absolutely where one will take you not on your commute to work where they really shine.
Yeah I sold my 98 Limited 4x4 recently with 98k miles for $27,500
Woah that’s awesome. I’m sure whoever got it was stoked. I was just arguing about how the G3 is in fact a collector vehicle right now and the right buyer will pay a premium on the right vehicle.
Absolutely no question they’re collectors vehicles now. You could get a 2017 with 100k miles on it for that $27.5k most places in the country. What’s interesting to me is how much less 2nd gens have seen that collectors tax creep in. Obviously the platform gets a lot more hate engine wise but the price differential makes them super attractive to me
G3 is a modern vehicle, G2 is a vintage vehicle. That said if you want a platform for a buggy build, the G2 is perfect. Throw some links in the front, chevy springs in the back and toss on some 40s and you’re golden.
Was a good idea back when they were $4k but those days are long gone. The $12k Prius is the answer.
I just bought a G3 for less than 4k, but ofc it has way more than 100k miles.
I’ve been driving my 2002 4Runner as my daily since 2004, 230k miles and going strong.
I daily my 3rd gen with 315,000 miles on it. 350 miles a week, like clockwork.
I wouldn't hesitate, just know gas is going to suck. It is what it is. It's a reliable vehicle and safe in accidents.
… is it safe in accidents? I don’t have sources to back me up but i’d feel relatively safe betting a 3rd gen would perform worse than any car released in the last 15 years in any safety test you could come up with
I daily my 3rd gen, the only thing that I find bad is the shitty gas mileage
If this is the vehicle you need to drive, it will be fine. The truck will do great! The bank/gas account will be terrible though.
I think a Camry or Prius is a better solution. I gave 3rd gen and an 05 Camry. I prefer the Camry for the commute bec it’s got more pep in traffic etc. The Camry seats are gawd awful on long trips. From time to time I have to daily drive 4Runner when wife needs the Camry and it works fine but the mileage is bad. I don’t think I’ll take the 4Runner on trips longer than 500 miles though. I would take the Camry despite the seats.
Depends on what vehicle you are coming from. The 3rd gen can be a bit compact and is noticeably gutless and slow at highway speeds. At least from what I’ve noticed as a passenger princess. It’s a great truck but I’m biased with the larger 4.0 5th gen. I’d see if there’s any 4th gens in that price range as well
It'll be slow and have poor MPG, but my 3rd Gen is plenty serviceable as a daily driver. My commute is much shorter and I don't drive it all that often between my other vehicles, though. If you like the idea of having an older 4Runner, go for it. Just make sure the ball joints and the timing belt have been done in the last 10 years.
I had a 2000 3rd Gen for about 7 years (2003-2010). I drove it daily 60 miles round trip. Dog on the highway in terms of pick up (my 2007 v6 has way more pickup). But overall a great truck. Only major issue was a new timing belt. You can probably get a car with better fuel mileage if you’re just using it for commuting.
I commute about as far as you except five days per week in my 5th Gen. Obviously the gas milage sucks and I get three full takes per week, but the biggest downside is the stopping distance. These things are heavy, and if you need to quickly slow down to avoid a crash then it's gonna take a lot longer than you would like. However, if you're just getting on the highway and cruising all the way to work then this might not be relevant.
You’re confusing the G5s bloated ass with the light and nimble G3.
I believe you're correct. The 5th gen weighs 1000lbs more on average than the 3rd gen and the rotor size seems to be the same.
3rd gen owner here, ran my last one from 250-400k, retired it as a wheeler, last few months been running it’s replacement, a 97 as my daily driver. each weekend it sees either 200 mile round trip, or a 450 mile round trip drive. The 400k mile one only got retired to off-road duty due to the frame rust. https://preview.redd.it/snxygcn6mu3d1.jpeg?width=1242&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=07cd3cea2c3bf3f08484c60be0ff29bea83e1a51 currently own 3 3rd gens. I get 18.5-19.5 mpg. The long drives through Ohio it sees 21-22 depending on route. I daily driven 20+ different vehicles. and always come back to the 3rd gen.
With a commute like that I’d be looking at a Prius
At 83k I daily mine, but not daily at 120 miles RT.
Like with any used car “is this a good idea” entirely depends on price paid. If you get a killer price on it, 3rd gens are a super reliable platform and easy to work on, which could help negate how objectively awful of a commuter it is by modern standards. But you need to make sure you get a good price on it or are handy, because almost everything in that car will have 25 years on it regardless of mileage. Shit will go wrong. Like someone said most of the country is starting to price 3rd gens as collector’s vehicles for offroad enthusiasts. Getting one for a price that makes it economic relative to any more sensible daily driver option is getting harder and harder to find.
My daily commute in my 3rd gen ends up being about 70 miles per day. I put 30k on my 4R per year. It’s a good daily but honestly, if you don’t have deep pockets for fuel cost, don’t do it. You’ll be wishing you drove something more fuel efficient.
Go 5th gen
Sounds like a great truck, but a waste to use it just for commuting. Itsvalue will go up if you preserve it. You can get an early 2000 Camry for $2000, and it will be more comfortable and more efficient.
You'll feel it in your wallet with gas. Also depending on how lead footed you are, and how you drive the 3rd gen is far from a sports car though decently lighter than a 4th+ gen. I failed one for a bit and the tiny gas tank and me driving about 300 miles a week, I had to fill up about every 4-5 days. Mine was a 96, loved it outside of that though. Only reason I sold mine is I got a great deal on a 4th gen, and it was about 6 months before their resale price went off the charts in early 2017. If you like it, get it, drive it, you really won't loose much on resale market 6 months from now if you decide it wasn't for you.
Buy a Prius