Toyota reliability
Tons of after-market parts available!

Rear springs started to sag after a few years. Replaced with higher rate springs from Performance Parts. Original front shocks started to leak oil after first year. Replaced with a set of Bilstein shocks available from the dealer. CV boots split open at 25K miles. Changed over to Warn manual hubs to prevent it from happennig again. Air conditioner died two months out of warranty (3 years). Repairs included replacement of condensor and a partially occluded expansion valve. Two doors on the passenger side of the truck were replaced for free by the dealer because of rust at the bases. Feels anemic compared to Domestic SUV's.

Price paid $27K. I would definitely recommend the 4Runner to friends. This is The second Toyota truck I've owned. The over all costs can be kept low with scheduled maintenance. If you're a motor-head, there are many companies offering parts catalogs.

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Nissan Pathfinder, Isuzu Truck - I prefer the fit and feel of the Toyota.

The styling is great. Strong build quality. Smooth and refined ride compared to other SUV's. Spacious interior. Smooth automatic electronically controlled shifting. Excellent ground clearance for off road excursions and tracking through knee deep snow. 12V outlets. Plenty of 12V outlets. More than ample storage space for cups,pens, etc.

Gas gauge warning lamp illuminates with 4-5 gallons of fuel remaining!! I could easily travel another 75 miles or so before running the tank bone dry! Weak stereo in 1999 model. Toyota reduced the size of the speakers in the newer models. Bad choice. I had to put in a custom system for real listening pleaseure. Poor road handling-hits .67g's or something on the skidpad. Weak gas mileage.

I would recommened this vehicle for discriminating owners looking for a reliable SUV with very high resale value, comfort and styling. I paid about $31,500.00 for the vehicle. For those interested in Fuel Economy numbers, with a mix of inner city and suburbia driving I can travel about 240 miles on about 14.5 gallons.

I enjoy the versatility that this vehicle offers. With the rear seats folded down this truck can accomodate many children, many cases of beer, mountain bike, artwork, furniture-you name it the 4-Runner can carry it. And thats just on the inside. The roof with optional roof rack can handle all kinds of sporting equipment.

If your in the market for a 4-Runner opt for the SR5 4WD with the sport package-it looks better,(costs less than the Limited version), performs better and sells better in the long run than the lower end models.

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1995-1997 Ford Explorer Sport

fit and finish, quality 2nd to none, this is the truck to buy. If you change the oil toyotas will run forever. American trucks and cars are clearly not the same.

larger gas tank, this has nothing to do with quality however!

paid 31,000 for a 2000 sr5 roof, ac,cd,rack,fender flares,running boards,am/fm/cassett/windows,locks,scoop is tits,sport package. Truck is the finest in its class there is no truck that can compete,cherokee is a station wagon?Jimmy rattles after 40,000, merc,trans is way below average, so it has a small gas tank, if you off road take 5 gallons with you and stop crying, its the best ther is, highly reliable truck looks great. Make sure you deal with the dealer he will come down if you not a sissy?

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I have owned a jimmy and a blazer they cant compare trans went on a merc at 50,000 its sad we don't build our cars like the japanese we should go back to school instead of continuing to produce below average cars and trucks. I have owned many american cars and this is my third toyota, I will only buy toyotas from now on. I owned an avalon for 6 years and all I do is change the oil every 3 to 4000 miles with one tune up thats all it ever needed. My american cars actually needed work constanlty, I don't understand why the quality is so different but sadly it is. As far as the reviewer who said people will die in this truck he is probably a unhappy toyota customer. Or a dummy the truck is solid and if you drive it correctly it will preform 100% all the time!

Reliable
Good Looks
Good Fuel Mileage
Lots of cargo room...particularly with seats folded down.
Power rear window great for air flow (& dogs)!!

Rusting problems with tailgate and power rear window mechanism.
Lack's power on hills when loaded...just gear down though!!

We bought this vehicle as a demo in 92 and have never regretted it. It's been great in the snow and has never left us stranded. Still looks great too! We've never done any serious off roading but we do live in a rural area and the benefits of having such a versatile vehicle that can pull a trailer, handle some rough terrain, pull a car out of a snow bank and still seat 2 adults, a child, 2 dogs and or weekend camping gear comfortably cannot be understated.

My wife and I have owned several other toyota's all of which have been a pleasure to drive. I'd recommend them to anyone (...you may pay more upfront but you get it back in reliability & resale value). In fact, we liked this vehicle so much we've recently replaced it with a better equipped 98 4Runner...but we stayed with the 4cyl/5sp. I think Toyota makes the best 4 cylinder engines!

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97 Camry, (80,84,90)Corolla, 92 Celica
80 Ford F100 & 86 Chev. Cavalier (no comparison to toyota's)

Cargo space.

Rollover, bad mileage, dangerous to others on the road.

Bad decision to buy an SUV! I should have just gotten a sedan or coupe because I NEVER use this thing off-road! Now that gas is so expensive I realize that the 4Runner just doesn't make sense. It's a toyota, which is good, great cars, last a long time, well engineered for the price. But getting an SUV doesn't make sense -- I live in a mild climate, and I'm always only driving on the roads. The clincher was a friend who was broadsided by some jerk in a Ford Expedition. She lost her left arm! A tragedy. They guy in the Ford didn't see her. She'd be OK if he wasn't driving a behemoth.

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toyota camry

Both the 1986 and 1996 are very reliable. The older one has 400k miles and is driven daily ( passed the new emissions test !!! ). Never stranded us( heat or cold ).The newer one has 45k. The new one is just great, Luxury, style, and power when compared to the older one. I am 6'3" and fit very comfortably into both SUV's.

The 86 is getting old and is in need of some cosmetics. The engine knocks if driven before it has warmed up, runs great otherwise (low power from the 4cyl.) The Rear hatch on the '96 Ltd. is in need of switch repair and the leather seat had a rip but the dealer fixed it for nothing. Loves fuel ( the '96 ).

paid $4k for the '86 SR5 four years ago, yes I do recommend for anybody who is into doing their own work.

paid $37k for the '96 Ltd. Simply a great investment. Despite some of the known issues relating to these SUV's, In my opinion they are a great way of getting around on this planet day or night, rain or shine, snow emergency or weekend cruise. It pulls our 16' boat and still feels like a solid well built luxury car.

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'99 Grand Cherokee, the Jeep looks heavy but feels like a plastic toy. '97 Exploder resembles my old '86 but feels lite and delicate. '94 Range Rover, too loose, slow and noisy.

Comfort Level, Design, Functionality, Stlying, & Quality.

Small gas tank, Low power (torque & horse), & Price.

I bought a new 1999 Ltd after hearing rave reviews from other 4-Runner owners in the area. After purchasing the SUV, I agree with them in most areas. It's a great vehicle to haul grocery & children around in and can easily handle all types of terrain and weather found here in the Pacific Northwest region while maintaining an aura of 'coolness'.

However, I am not impressed with price for such luxury, refinement, and quality. Also, the limited power makes it difficult to merge into the flow of freeway traffic & pass other cars at higher speeds. And finally, I get approximately 200 miles on a full tank of gas which means that I have to fill the tank quite frequently.

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Suburban, Explorer

Good power, excellent quality, decent fuel economy (19/21), nice styling, plenty of room for passengers

Head gasket problem (recalled), cargo space is tight, security system/door locks are possessed, handling does not inspire confidence.

Paid $27,200, which was a good deal, about 4 grand under MSRP. The 4Runner is a solid SUV that doesn't really standout in any area except reliability. The basics (engine, transmission, 4 wheel drive) have impressed me. Tops on my wish list would be more room for gear (in this regard, the Tahoe and Landcruiser seem to be the right size). The handling is about what you should expect from a truck-based platform (lots of body lean in turns, sketchy on slippery surfaces). The problem with the keyless locks is annoying--often when I press the "lock" button, I get the chirp telling me that it locked, but the doors remain unlocked. Overall, I recommend this SUV, especially as a used vehicle.

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My first SUV

Solid, smooth shifting transmission, great design, power "tailgate" window

Gas gauge does not work, could use some more horsepower. Small passenger interior. Built for 4 total, no more!

Paid approx $30,500 for a Highlander edition (hood scoop). Absolutely eye catching with the hood scoop! I bought it b/c my friends have had their 4Runners for 8 years or more. I can see why they all purchased 4Runners. This generation is even better! Smooth acceleration, but could use some more power. I can see it really struggling up a steep mountain w/ 4 people and gear. Interior is made for 4 max! 5 is extremely tight!

If you are looking to purchase a 4Runner and intend to keep it for awhile, AND you can afford to spend the $$$ upfront, buy a 4Runner.

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Nissan Xterra- much better build quality, power, and more refined interior

reliability....styling (getting old though)

stock tire & battery

22k. my very first suv and i really love it, i had no major problem except for the battery & original tires.. i'm planning to keep this for few more years then i'll get the newest model of 4runner... highly recommended

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