Car-shopping: I still don't know what I'm doing

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
08/17/2016 at 17:25 • Filed to: Who is this asshole?

One of the top contenders for whatever I’m buying next is a 1st gen 4Runner — SR5 with the 22RE, 5-speed. These aren’t too common, but they’re out there. But what I’m finding is that I could get a 3rd gen 4Runner for maybe $2000 more.

More options standard, more modern, perhaps objectively better vehicles, more “safety” [wife would like]... But this all definitely out of my element. It’s a modern SUV, rather than the 2nd gen which feels like just a 4-door enclosed 2nd gen pickup. It would be extremely luxurious (by my low standards) and might be much more vehicle than I need. Then again, either would check most of my boxes. Just thinking about rolling around in an SUV seems so... !!! — I don’t even have a word for it!

I feel like a 4Runner — either gen — would be a vehicle I could fall for and keep for more than five months. I’m just really used to owning small cars, though.

DISCUSSION (21)

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:28

I’ve owned both. DO IT!

TheHondaBro > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:29

Try to find that blue Starlet I’ve posted about and make an offer.

Brian, The Life of > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:31

You can’t take the top off of a 2nd gen.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Brian, The Life of
08/17/2016 at 17:32

Counterpoint — you can’t find a 1st gen that isn’t chopped up or expensive

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Brian, The Life of
08/17/2016 at 17:32

Back window rolls down, plus he lives in the PNW.

Steve in Manhattan > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:33

Let the wife win this battle (and all of them, frankly). An airbag that could save your life is important, as well as safety features that protect kids. As I have said many times before, if I had to get a car today, I’d get a Volvo wagon with all the airbags they could pack into it. Yeah, I threaten Boxster. But I mean Volvo.

HammerheadFistpunch > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:33

Tough call, 1st gens are more romantic, but the 3rd gen was a killer focal point for function and usability.

interstate366, now In The Industry > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:34

Buy 3rd gen for wife, take Vibe for yourself. Or something. I’ve been drinking and should thusly be taken with a grain of salt.

TheHondaBro > Brian, The Life of
08/17/2016 at 17:34

Not with that attitude.

vicali > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:35

1st gens around here are pretty rare - they are either not road worth due to rust, or running into the 500k km zone..

2nd gens are pretty bad rust wise as well, I don’t mind front fenders because toyotafiberglass.com is local, but replacing the rear 1/4 panels sounds terrifying.

Kinja'd!!!

plus that damn rear window is always broken..

3rd gens are always $5K+ ; out of my range for a fun project.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Spaceball-Two
08/17/2016 at 17:39

but which one?

InFierority Complex > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:39

You sure you dont want a sweet Vehicross though?

Kinja'd!!!

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 17:49

3rd gen. They handle really well for a body on frame suv.

Brian, The Life of > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/17/2016 at 18:01

LOL! That’s certainly a consideration ... 2nd gen it is!

Spaceball-Two > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/17/2016 at 18:08

3rd gen was more comfy, but it was newer so you know. Both easy to wrench on. The 2nd was kind of Holloway inside and lots of squeaks and rattles. Like you said above, it was basically a pickup.