In the hunt for a 4runner, no more taco, no more Rav, I want on of the big brothers Options

[njccmd2002]

1st gen rav 4 vs 1996 - 98 single cab tacoma.

around same price 4000 to 5000.

pro tacoma = truck, haul stuff

rav4 can be 4x4 mud fun and has a good cargo area.

plus the rav has 5sfe that im familiar with,

idk whats in the taco.

which would you choose.

its for a beater while the celica has a heart transplant,

This post has been edited by njccmd2002: Oct 30, 2009 - 3:33 PM

[njccmd2002]

[SwissFerdi]

RAV4.

[njccmd2002]

why? i need encouragement either way, (grey top swap? )

[SwissFerdi]

I was gonna say, swap in a 3S-GTE like some kid from Greece (?) did.

[njccmd2002]

hmmm sounds doable

[spolski07]

grey top FTW


or a blacktop into the tacoma

[Nartanian]

Try starting a poll.

[AMCMoe]

I'd go for the Tacoma...and the 2.7 liter...

[Hanyo]

i have a tacoma. from my experience it doesn't not have very much creature comforts. There is very little noise insulation, lacks vvti, and very bouncy (stiff springs/fat tires). For daily driver and to commute with i would stay away from tacoma. But if you want a truck. I would get the rav4 over the tacoma for regular driving.

But you would kick yourself for not owning a truck when you have to move a couch.

[MaskedMan]

Personally, I would go with the Tacoma, because I feel as if it's more useful when transporting larger items. How come you want a 1996-1998 Tacoma? The entire first gen went from 95-04, and went through several face lifts during this time. So a 98, looks different than a 97. I was just wondering why you had these specific years in mind.

Also, the RAV4 doesn't use the 5sfe, it uses the 3sfe .

This post has been edited by MaskedMan: Sep 29, 2009 - 12:15 AM

[CelicaST_CALI]

[njccmd2002]

yeah i was searching through ravworld forums and found about the 3sfe, hmm

well the tacoma years i mentioned are close to budget. the higher the year the more money. Like i said i need a beater, i will drive it a lot.

i wish i could find a nice 2 door rav, bot those are rare.

i need to decide 1 -2 months.

[njccmd2002]

think i found it.. 4x4 rav 4 ill see if it wants to come with me



who knows, maybe 3sgte in the future, lol

[njccmd2002]

well i have been browsing for common faults in these vehicles, i will be looking it tomorrow, anybody can shed some advice about what to look for.

125k miles, 4x4 5 speed.....

[vile_v]

Hey Nimmy.

My mom has one, bought it brand new in 2000. It has about 140,000kms on it now. The car has never had one major issue within 9 years of its life. Other than the one small sensor here or vsv going there its solid. the 3sfe is slow, but very dependable. It can get about 9-10L/100kms (sorry I only know metric) It's perfect for snow even with all season tires. The back seats aren't really conformable, the way the fold up to increase luggage is sorta annoying.

some info:
- clock tends to fail (100-200 to get one)
- sticky gas pedal (clean intake throttle valve)
- hardest timing belt job if you buy one that has abs, according to all Toyota mechanics. Easy if you have small hands like myself LOL
- angle of the oil filter is worst than our celicas, drips everywhere once removed
- rear corners bumpers are really expensive
- 2 wheel packages 235/60/R16 and 215/70R16; apparently the 235 tires can cause a 1L difference in mileage
- the rear view mirror tends to become lose overtime very annoying and expensive to replace
- check for egr and vsv replacement, those tends to have an issue

that's all i can think of off the top of my head.. hope that helps.

PS. I heard the 5 speed version have a tendency to have a popping out fifth gear issue!

This post has been edited by vile_v: Oct 3, 2009 - 5:35 PM

[njccmd2002]

thanks.

[njccmd2002]

154k automatic with 4x4, exterior and interior are mint!!!


HELP, cant decide

what wrong could i expect with this one

[NgoFcukinWay]

Tacoma and do a 2JZ swap in the future. they have motor mounts available for it already

I like the 4Runner. More room. the 1st Rav4 i wasn't a fan of the lack of room in the back seat.

[Hanyo]

154k automatic with 4x4, exterior and interior are mint!!!


HELP, cant decide

what wrong could i expect with this one

its slower then balls. I drive a 98 special edition all the time. The 4x4 is nice, but the engine lacks power. However it has 185k+ miles on it and doesn't leak a drop of oil.

[jimmykay]

my assumption is that whatever you find, it has to be a toyota?

If not, on Autotrader, I found a '96 F150 at American Motors in Brownsville that might be worth a look.
Also, a '98 Ram 1500 in Cordova, TN

either way, I'd go with a truck for the hauling ability.

[njccmd2002]

yeah toyota...


it will prbable be a while, i gots to make the right choice.

[tomazws]

I'd definitely go with a Tacoma. But not that one. At least a raised up version if not 4x4.

[njccmd2002]

I live in the south, most of the tacos that are lifted have been seriously off roaded by some teenager, i kid you not. So Im steering away from them, at least the 5 that i have seen.

[tomazws]

I think almost of all SUV's, off road trucks never left the pavement in Los Angeles lol

[njccmd2002]

browsing and found this baby, to bad is too yellow, but only 36 k miles clean carfax...

[96bluevert]

Good miles. But I'm personally not a huge fan of the spyders. I'd much prefer a 1st or 2nd gen.

You thinking of getting another Toyota convertible?

[njccmd2002]

i dont know what to get.

[schmooot]

a 4runner will hold its value much better than a rav4. Maybe I'm just 4runner biased though

[gt_driFFter]

yeah toyota...


it will prbable be a while, i gots to make the right choice.

Beautiful. Go with that.

+ More comfortable than Taco and Rav4
+ More room than Rav4 for hauling
+ Best looking

- Worse gas mileage

[njccmd2002]

all the black 4 runners seem to dissapear quick, i know about the mileage, but who cares.

[njccmd2002]

[CastrolCelica]

I always thought the Rav4 was quite ugly. It looks like it has the same built quality as a PT Cruiser. Blah. Go with a 4 Runner.

[samir0189]

not crazy bout the chrome fender things, easy to take off though. The chrome bumpers i'd say are an advantage over painted, they can take much more abuse and still look decent, IMO.

i dont know a whole lot about toyota suv's but id say go with the 4runner if gas doesnt matter, the pulling capability always comes in handy.

This post has been edited by samir0189: Oct 30, 2009 - 7:41 PM

[Hanyo]

not crazy bout the chrome fender things, easy to take off though. The chrome bumpers i'd say are an advantage over painted, they can take much more abuse and still look decent, IMO.

i dont know a whole lot about toyota suv's but id say go with the 4runner if gas doesnt matter, the pulling capability always comes in handy.

my runner has been towing boats, cars for years. Now with 185k miles it still runs strong. But the interior is quite dated compared to the celica.

[GriffGirl]

I LOVED my 4Runner. LOVED it. I only sold it because my commute to work is 40 miles a day, which adds up QUICK at 17 mpg. I had a '92 and sold it w/217k miles on it and it ran like new. NEVER leaked a drop of oil. A few months after I bought it, the tranny went out on it, but I think it was due to a pre-existing condition combined with driving it to Burning Man. Playa dust doesn't go well with automotive anything.

I still miss my 4Runner. So far as I know, they don't have any known issues. But yes, it's true - they lack serious hp. It's probably the only complaint I had about it, is that I expected it to have a lot more get-up-and-go than it did. But yeah, it's a GREAT family rig.

[Random_Stranger]

I was thinking about buying a 4Runner as well or a Tacoma if I don't end up buying an MR2 Turbo, because the thought of being able to haul stuff seems like it could come in very handy. Does anyone know if a 4runner or Tacoma (mid to late 90's models) are capable of towing something like per say a 6th gen Celica? My uncle said the V6 4Runner should be able to, however I want to be 100% and I think this could apply to anyone who is interested in one or has experience with one who is going through this thread.

[njccmd2002]

it should, thats why im looking for one.

[Random_Stranger]

it should, thats why im looking for one.

Sounds good. So either one? 4Runner or Tacoma?

[GriffGirl]

I'm quite sure the 6 cylinder 4Runner could tow a Celica. And I've seen Tacos towing all kinds of stuff around here, did/do they come w/the same engine? Obviously a Tundra is going to be better for any serious towing, especially if it's mountainous where you are, but for occasional towing I think either would be fine. Best bet is to research what the towing capacity is of them though, I forget what the exact actual weight limit was on my 4Runner.

[Random_Stranger]

I'm quite sure the 6 cylinder 4Runner could tow a Celica. And I've seen Tacos towing all kinds of stuff around here, did/do they come w/the same engine? Obviously a Tundra is going to be better for any serious towing, especially if it's mountainous where you are, but for occasional towing I think either would be fine. Best bet is to research what the towing capacity is of them though, I forget what the exact actual weight limit was on my 4Runner.

Thank you Michelle.

[Hanyo]

I was thinking about buying a 4Runner as well or a Tacoma if I don't end up buying an MR2 Turbo, because the thought of being able to haul stuff seems like it could come in very handy. Does anyone know if a 4runner or Tacoma (mid to late 90's models) are capable of towing something like per say a 6th gen Celica? My uncle said the V6 4Runner should be able to, however I want to be 100% and I think this could apply to anyone who is interested in one or has experience with one who is going through this thread.

My family own both tacoma's and 4 runners. Both are 4 bangers, and they can tow a 6 gen in the city just fine. But if your going up hill or on the highways look else where. The vehicle weight is too light compared to a 6gen with a trailer. Its not horsepower or torque that you have to worry about. Its has to do with vehicles weight and what the brakes on the vehicle is design to do.

So if your serious about towing, get a half-ton pick-up. But for small trips around town, the 4 runner and Tacoma can most everyday jobs.

[njccmd2002]

So if your serious about towing, get a half-ton pick-up. But for small trips around town, the 4 runner and Tacoma can most everyday jobs.

yup, i just researched that in yota tech forums, but who cares, a v8 swap will take care of that!!!

[samir0189]

toyota put a 4banger in the 4runner??!!?!? that is uncool! and somewhat lame... ! I would have thought it at least had a v6 as standard and a 8 optional, but man! thats nuts, i wouldnt wanna strain a poor i4 towing something..

[GriffGirl]

toyota put a 4banger in the 4runner??!!?!? that is uncool! and somewhat lame... ! I would have thought it at least had a v6 as standard and a 8 optional, but man! thats nuts, i wouldnt wanna strain a poor i4 towing something..

Yeah, they did. It was the lamest idea ever I think. I don't even KNOW anyone (personally, at least) who has/had a 4Runner w/a 4 cyl. The SR5 lacks HP in the 4Runner (it's a HEAVY rig), I can't even IMAGINE what a 4 cyl is like! lol

I do think that the newer 2000+ 4Runners come standard w/a V6 & offer a V8 as an option. I know the Highlander comes w/a V8 option.

[samir0189]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05ru1l2gN88...player_embedded

I'd imagine this would happen with the 4cyl 4runner, lol!

[Celiquick]

Before the Celica, I inherited a '93 Land Cruiser from my folks as my first vehicle. Lemme tell you, overall, it was a tank. It started out as a business vehicle for my father in '96, with our family being the second owners to the vehicle. Then in '99, my father dropped LC in favor of a BMW 750 il V12. Then in turn, my mother received it until '04, where I acquired ownership until March '08, when I got the Celica. My parents had it for sale at about this last time last year, until it was decided that my younger sister would be driving it, by which she still does. So it goes without saying that Toyota's quality amongst it's SUVs is unmatched, considering at 255,XXX miles, 16 years, and a whole family, it's still running strong.

I never had any serious issue with the vehicle, with the exception of the brake rotors; whereas this large vehicle had so much force applied to the aforementioned parts, that those had to be replaced on about an annual basis. I'm not sure if 4 Runners or larger 4 Runner trims could relate to that or not. Besides the expected low gas mileage from the 6-cylinder 1FZ-FE (14 mpg-18 mpg), I've yet to see any structural or mechanical issues with the vehicle, albeit it is the 4 Runner's larger, and beastly bigger brother.

Just keep in mind, that even with a smaller engine, it'll have more to haul, thus lower gas mileage (hence the straight 6 that is pulling the Land Cruiser). So even if you do find a V8, you'll still be expecting a similar MPG ratio, regardless. So in my opinion, if you can find a clean V8, I'd stick it with that for sure.

[njccmd2002]

i love that land cruiser, but at 13mpg, it made me think twice, and i dont love it that bad. still on with the runner....

[Random_Stranger]

You know.... If I could afford it right now, I wouldn't mind getting me a V8 TUndra, or even a FJ Cruiser... I dunno what it is about them... Heck, or a Camry... IT sucks when you love Toyota this much, because you want it all.

[njccmd2002]

would you hit this one?

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u...;standard=false

the leather pretty banged up, its gopin to need new tires, but its 10 mins away...




the thingis there is a great difference with the 99 model, where all the stuff is digital.

[samir0189]

that looks pretty clean man! Ive seen leather far worse than that, it doesnt appear to have any tears in it, which is good.. the steering is all messed up but no biggie there either.

GREAT color though!

[ILuvMyCelica95]

I love my 4Runner- awesome choice


I didn't read through this thread but the only thing I did notice when I was looking for mine is that the ones with the chrome bumper tend to rust VERY easily. Make sure you check for rust when looking at one

Scoopamus Prime:

[njccmd2002]

this is what i have planned for it , of course in the long run...

[njccmd2002]

well, i cannot find a descent 3rd gen and time is running out.

i will go for a 2004 4x4 v8 listed for 14000, with 144k miles. hope its still there by tuesday.

[njccmd2002]

At the dealer right now, getting raped lol,


Pay to play right

[SwissFerdi]

^ Give 'em hell. Try to mention brand loyalty, that you drive a Toyota now...one that's 13 years old, even.

This post has been edited by SwissFerdi: Nov 17, 2009 - 7:54 PM

[CastrolCelica]

At the dealer right now, getting raped lol,


Pay to play right

Tell them you know where they live.................wait that never works.

[njccmd2002]

almost

[schmooot]

toyota put a 4banger in the 4runner??!!?!? that is uncool! and somewhat lame... ! I would have thought it at least had a v6 as standard and a 8 optional, but man! thats nuts, i wouldnt wanna strain a poor i4 towing something..

I've got a 1990 4runner with the 4 cyl 22re (same as some older celica's 2nd gen I think). The engine is bulletproof but does lack power very much(this generation came with a 6cyl as well but it was very weak and prone to disasterous timing belt and headgasket issues). Most guys remedy this by either swapping in a 22rte or a standard port and polish of the intake/head/exhaust as well as upgraded cams seems to breathe new life into it. As it stands I can barely tow my celi with a bare bones car trailer...can smell the poor clutch at every take off but it pulls my little utility trailer quite nicely, and it's great on gas

[njccmd2002]

i did what i could, you know how many runners like this one i could find, so its probably a little overpriced, but it does not matter to me... whatever.....

have a final judgment tomorrow.

[njccmd2002]

Driving it home today, wow the power of a v8 is wonderful

[SwissFerdi]

Nice! Pics or BS.

[njccmd2002]

as soon as i can will have big brother next to little brother..