solid build quality, resale value, good handling, commanding view of the road, no maintenance issues, tough exterior looks, still the best looking of all suv's in my opinion (except possibly new 4Runner w/sport pkg or X5)

Rear passengers complain of bumpy ride (its a truck?), Lack of one touch open/close sunroof a little annoying, Leather interior quality only average, seats feel a little thin, not big fan of the fake wood grain

Great SUV, seriously considering a new 4Runner to replace this one at some point. Bought mine used with 35k miles back in '99 for $24K so I feel its been a great value. The prices are starting to come down now that the Highlander is out and the 4Runner future is uncertain. In my opinion it makes it an even better buy. Next time I'll probably get a new SR5 with the sport pkg instead of the Limited. Dont need the wood grain, leather, sunroof, etc.

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Really wanted a 4Runner from the start. Wont buy gm, ford, jeep, merc, izuzu, mitsu, or others with reliabilityquality issues. I like the way some of them look but dont want to own one. Nissan Pathfinder was the only real competition but resale values are low for the pathfinder for some reason. RX300 was a little too upscale for me at the time. I am used to Honda reliability but couldnt stomach the Isuzu Passport, (I refuse to call it a Honda)

Handels Good, all controlls/Gages placed well, GOOD on Gas, Paint shines like new with normal wax/washings. NO RUST!!!!

Premature Tire Wear/several Allignments required.
Back Window-Mech need to be replaced (parts avail by dealer only $400 job.
Trans-Leak (reqired new seals)
NOW DIFFERENTIAL NOISE/4x4 problem suspected!!! $$$$
Little crambed on long trips.

(1-10) Would have given it a #9 till recent problems after 118K mi. Give-IT a #6.75 Now. Bought the truck used with 36kmi paid 18,700 + TAX From Dealer in NJ. UP till 100K miles ran Average-Good, nothing major just what ive been reading (under-powered-noisy valves, Rear-Window-Mech Rusted, repaced all normal ware and tear items (Timming belt- breaks,exhust,tires,battery, etc...) Truck Handles good, looks good, rides like a truck should (snow mud-good) Im cool with that!!! "THAT's MY NINE!!!! Recent problems are Tran's Leak, and Banging/clunking sound from front end...my mechanic suspects front 4x4 Differencial unit may be trying to engage ? through it only happened less than half doz times in last six months, Also front-end seams to require tire/wheel allignments more freq, because front tires are starting to wear 2x faster (requires tire rotations more freq)also pulls in 4x4. Somethings up!! with front-end/Differential. In last 9 mo repair bills have HIT the Roof aprox $1200.00 plus ths next -rebuld....SORRY 6.75-7-tops...TOYOTA quality only goes so far!!!!

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91 Ford Ranger 4x4 XLT (My Truck)175k going strong NONE of the annoying problems that Ive had with the 4-runner. FORD OUT-LIVE TOYOTA in my Garage!

This truck is tight! 22mpg pulling a trailer, pleasure to drive, performs pretty well off-road for stock truck, good resale, 4wheel coil suspension, proven part time transfer case, fits my 6'3" 330lbs frame, good handling given the ground clearance, quiet ride for suv, and adults can actually move their legs with the front seats all the way back.

Since 1984, the 4Runner has had problems with the tailgate, liftgate, and the combo....it still exists. The handle sticks, the window is quirky, etc. Toyota, if you are reading this, just make a simple rear liftgate, no frills-no break!

I love my truck. I say this to my wife everytime we pull out of the driveway. I overall am very satisfied with my truck. I wouldn't own anything else. I have driven nearly every SUV on the market that is worth buying. THey all short of the 4Runner for my needs. I am not one of those people that say "Yup, Toyota.....that thing'll run a good 200,000 miles with no problems." This is not true. I have had my fair share of problems with Toyota's. But the track record of quality is there.

I like that this truck is no frills. Yes, it has leather and a moonroof, but the guages and switches are simple. Along with fancy gadgets come expensive repairs when they break. Toyota has focused on fundamental necessities and done it well. They still use the same HVAC controls as the 84 4Runner. Why?...because it works.

REAL LIFE TESTAMENT
I am part of the 5% that take their trucks off of the pavement. And I am probably part of a smaller percentage who do it on a regular basis. I have had my 4Runners underwater to the windows, riding on two wheels, flying on no wheels, and up against trees. I also take them cross country to the intermontaine west, downtown to see Miss Saigon, and to the lumber yard to get supplies. I wear my trucks out. The 4Runner is able to do 95% of the things I need to do very well.

I recently bought a 3rd seat and took 7 people to Florida towing a trailer with all of our camping/snorkeling/beach gear. In 95 degree heat under this tremendous load my 4Runner averaged 22mpg for the trip! UNBELIEVABLE.

I only have one wish for the new 4Runners that Toyota produces. I wish the top could come off like the 1st generation 4Runner. That was soooo cool.

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86 4Runner, 85 4Runner, 83 Land Cruiser, 86 4Runner, 98 Cherokee, and have driven the rest. Strongly considered a Land Rover before I purchased the 4Runner but the Rover's history of nightmare repair and maintenence is enough to scare away the worlds greatest mechanic.

The chassis, 4WD tranny, VSC, Toyota engine. The quality that I payed for the SUV was well worth the extra thousand or two. I consider it an early investment because I know that my 4Runner will be running strong long after those "other" SUV models will become scrap metal.

Though the engine is slightly underpowered, I feel that this makes up the difference with the fuel range - however, hindered due to the small gas tank. And yes, the damn moonroof button. I would have to agree with the last review. Whats up with having to holddown the switch!

Background research for reliability, and safety directed me toward the 4Runner. Its demeanor, truck chassis, and ground clearance made it clear that the 4Runner was for me. However, buyer beware. This TRUCK is not for everyone. I've read too many reviews complaining about the level of difficulty entering the truck and its harsh ride. WHAT DO YOU EXPECT, IT'S MADE TO GO OFF-ROADING. I for one did not expect it to have a comfortable ride. If you want the looks of a big truck but not the harsh ride, buy a Highlander. It's slightly larger than the 4Runner and rides like a car. Hence, the reason why Toyota introduced the Highlander - to separate the 4Wheelers from the want-to-bes.

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Chevy Suburban, S10 Blazer, 96' 4Runner, Honda Accord

Quality-you get what you pay for, there must have been a reason that with 80k miles, the N.A.D.A.(from the credit union), the vehicle still booked at $24,000.

Give me about 10 years, then maybee I might be able to find something to gripe about, and I am very hard to please. But I think It will be a LOOOOONG time untill the 4Runner gives me something to gripe about

After years of family members telling me to buy a Toyota, I finaly listend. I have owned many, and I mean many vehicles in the past 5 years.
Ford, Nissan, Isuzu, Jeep. Now I can finaly stop looking and trading in.
The 4runner is by far the best made vehcile I have had the pleasure driving. My 98 4runner had 80k miles when I purchased it, high miles for the year. However, park mine next to a 2001 model and don't look at the odemeter. I will pay you $5.00 if you can tell me which one is the used one. Took it on a 600 mile one way road trip 2 days after buying it. I strained to hear a squeek, rattle, anything(oh what a feeling). I think I could take a sledge hammer to the interior, and could not make it rattle.

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99 Isuzu Amigo-Great Off road- 14 times to the dealer for warranty work-Amigo was at Isuzu dealer getting repaired again, when I traded it in on the Toyota. Sorry to who ever buys the Amigo, hope you have a reliable second car.
96 Nissan Pathfinder- no major complaints, just vanilla style and performance-gas milage SUUUCCKED
1999 Ford Ranger-Pay $17k Brand new, one year later trade in value was $10K, Hmmm, where's the retail value ?
92 Jeep Cherokee-again no major problems, Interior sucked. base model, seats had one position only, reclined at 45 degree angle

Suspension is still in great shape.
Paint still shines.
Front end always true. I wear out a set of tires naturally.
Driving comfort.
Sound system, speaker placement.

My cost.
The cost of any/all repairs Toyota charges. Not good!
Short on weight hauling capabilities. Tends to weigh down the rear of the vehicle.
A little tight in the engine compartment. I have small hands though!

I love my 4Runner! I bought it used 6 years ago. This is the classiest vehicle I have ever owned. No engine noise in the cab. Amazingly quiet. I live 1.5 mi. off the pavement and have driven this rotten road for over 6 years, through rain, sleet, snow and the hottest, driest conditions you can imagine and my 4Runner has endured. I have invested a couple good amounts on repairs but to this day and 184,000 miles later we're still traveling! In style! I think this is an appropriate vehicle for families as well as adventurers.

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Pathfinder---there is no comparison!
Ford Pickups--before comfort was invented.

looks good its a '92 but i get complements like i just drove it of the lot.
the sunroof!!!!! its huge i fell in love with it ill never have a car with out one!
great features-mines loaded-but other things like if the key is in the ignition you cant lock the doors and for a good (i dunno) 20 seconds if you dont open the drivers door you can roll up the windows-thats kinda cool

um that exhaust pipe thats really it i guess
i havent had any problem with the rear hatch or anything(knock on wood)

ive had nothing but good luck with it. everyone knows that 4runners are weak and that kinda sucks sometimes but how fast do we really need to get there? id trade the weakness for all the trips you'd make to the ford dealer with an explorer! something is wrong with my exhaust pipe its broken twice now. i dont do any heavy off-roading or anything i just go where i need too. but really its not too big a deal. other than that i cant complain one bit about it. oh the stock 28" tires are pansy they just dont look right but if you through some 31"goodyears or BFG's that'll make it look real good. might hurt mileage a bit, but i still get about 250 miles to the tank.

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1967 chevelle-well this one had a bit more power-haha-but thats comparing apples to oranges.
ill just put it this way ill move my moms expedition out of the way to get mine out of the drive way before i just take hers.

Reliability, off-road, reliability, engine, reliability

As everyone else has pointed out, both the 4 cyl and the V6 are gutless engines...but if those boneheads want power, performance, and handling, try a sports car.

Bought for 16K in late 89...12 Years, 220,000 miles and this SR5 4 cylinder, 5 spd engine is just getting started. Replaced 3rd clutch and brakes recently...about 110,000 miles on each the first 2 times...un-freaking believable. Value? 10 stars, maybe more!

I will gladly live with a "gutless" engine, and reap the rewards of unmatched reliability, style, and multi purpose off-road and highway capabilities. I've loaded it with 4 folks and tons of gear for trips from Seattle to Alaska, California, Colorado, and Illinois, plus hundreds of weekend getaways.

When I'm moving up Snoqualamie or North Cascades Pass in third gear, I can only smile at those suckers that pass me in any other vehicle.

The wife wants to sell it but I could never get out of it what it is worth to me...I will not sell...Oh the stories this truck could tell!

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Trust me( and 99% of every other 4Runner owner)...nothing compares

Reliability, interior ergonomics, engine performance, lack of rattles after 75K, decent mileage (20 mpg), seating comfort. Oh, and I think it has the best looks of the medium-size SUVs.

Factory keyless entry has a mind of its own (beeps but doesn't lock, locks vehicle without command to do so), harsh ride over bumps, clutch developed some problems, interior finishes mar easily (noticed mostly on dash around passenger airbag).

This vehicle has been everything I hoped and expected it would be: fun, reliable, tough, and it holds its value. With so many SUVs on the market now, it is so hard to choose. I would look elsewhere if you feel like you need a carlike ride and a lot of luxury features. I wouldn't want to do any heavy (<3000#) towing with it. If you need a lot of interior space, you may find the 4Runner a bit cramped. However, if you need a basic SUV for 4 people or less, with good all around performance and great reliablity, I would definitely recommend the Toyota.

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RELIABILITY- can't stress that enough, Off-road capabilities- best in its class, durable product all around- just try and kill it.

need more power- I thirst for a supercharger.

I bought the 4 Runner with 100,000 miles and it now has 180,000. It has exceeded all my expectations. I take it off-road at least twice a month on the toughest trails and it performs great without a lift kit. I can go places where MOST stock SUV's cannot. I have never been stranded on the side of the road or off-roading. I love my truck and would not trust any other product. Ohh yea, It still runs like new.

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