LR3 to 3rd gen 4Runner: lateral move or upgrade/downgrade

[cornfarmer]

Idle hands, devil's workshop. Right now I'm on the 4th year of LR3 ownership (SE V6). I've been pretty happy with it, and have no big complaints other than the higher than average maintenance costs and so-so fuel economy, otherwise it's been reliable and has had no serious deal-breaker issues. I haven't been off road for a while and it's pretty much just been a daily driver. I do like having 4wd available though for the random and not often time it's useful, and the space it provides to carry stuff (mostly music equip and bikes lately).

I've been entertaining moving on to something a little cheaper to run but still offering the utility of the LR3....enter a 3rd gen 4Runner near me. It looks fine cosmetically, but has twice as many miles on it. The 2.7 4 cyl intrigues me as it looks more economical, gets a little better mileage and doesn't need premium fuel (hooray California and $4+++/gal. gas). I owned a '95 4Runner with the V6 in the late '90s and remember that being a super reliable, low maintenance experience.

The LR3 is a cushy ride, but mine is a stripper, no Nav, no heated seats. Good stereo though, and the 4wd system is pretty slick.

 

[Clymber]

Main issues i hear about LR3 is the air ride system and the available rim tire size. I have been thinking of swapping from tacoma to 4runner and a friend suggested the LR.

 

[cornfarmer]

Main issues i hear about LR3 is the air ride system and the available rim tire size. I have been thinking of swapping from tacoma to 4runner and a friend suggested the LR.

Knock on wood, haven't had a single issue with the air ride, mine obviously has been babied, it has about 103k on it. Tire choice is a little limited, and I stuck with the stock wheels...after getting mine I put on a set of moderate beefy Hankook's (forget the model #, maybe Dynapro's?)

I don't think the LR3/4 is a bad choice at all, but you have to factor in either doing your own work (I would but just don't have time or space to do much as it is), or budget for letting somebody else work on it. I've used a LR specialist when needed, which admittedly costs a little more than average, but not by that much.

Thus my pondering going back to a 4Runner like this. Just as reliable, if not more, cheaper to run, possibly lower cost of maintenance (does the 2.7 have good longevity?) and possible cheaper to insure (?).

 

[thezentree]

You're talking about a 200k mile, 17+ year old vehicle, so you need to expect to dump a bunch of money into maintenance up front.

That said, I have a loaded, ten year old half ton pickup that sits in my driveway 29 days out of the month because I like driving my 3rd gen more. It's older, louder, slower, and sucks up every spare dollar I have, but dammit I like my little Japanese tractor.

 

[redthies]

I’d call it a “smart” move. There is nothing wrong with 3rd Gen 4Runners as your daily driver. I haven’t driven a 2.7 version, but the 3.4 auto I had was a great all round rig. The LR is a fiscal ticking time-bomb. At some point it’s going to be worthless, either by virtue of being a LR, or by mechanical and electrical issues. It really depends on what you expect out of a vehicle. The 3rd Gen will be more “utility” and a bit less “sport”. I’d say do it. Or at least look at a couple of other 4Runners too and see what makes sense.

 

[cornfarmer]

I’d call it a “smart” move. There is nothing wrong with 3rd Gen 4Runners as your daily driver. I haven’t driven a 2.7 version, but the 3.4 auto I had was a great all round rig. The LR is a fiscal ticking time-bomb. At some point it’s going to be worthless, either by virtue of being a LR, or by mechanical and electrical issues. It really depends on what you expect out of a vehicle. The 3rd Gen will be more “utility” and a bit less “sport”. I’d say do it. Or at least look at a couple of other 4Runners too and see what makes sense.

I appreciate the reply, but believe it or not, the LR3's have been light years better than Land Rovers of old. Mine is practically boring because it's never let me down, doesn't need constant tweaking here and there, and just keeps going at 104k miles. The V6 in mine is the same old Ford 4.0 that's been used in Rangers, etc. forever (not the greatest motor, but runs like a clock).

 

[redthies]

Well, that’s good news, isn’t it? I like Land Rovers styling for the most part (Evoque excepted), but let’s face it... Build unreliable for decades, and the rep follows!

 

[eloist]

100% downgrade. My LR3 is the best truck I've ever owned. Way more capable than a T4R as well.

I own an LR3 and a GX470. The LR3 sees significantly less wrench time than the Lexus.

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[Montana Cruiser]

100% downgrade. My LR3 is the best truck I've ever owned. Way more capable than a T4R as well.

I own an LR3 and a GX470. The LR3 sees significantly less wrench time than the Lexus.

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If your GX470 has needed significant wrench time, I think you are in the minority, what have you had to do? My GX at 235K (owned since 40k miles) has been nothing but maintenance outside of an airbag and even that was torn by my shop. I've not owned an LR3/4 and heard they are greatly improved over the old series, but honestly curious how much better reliability could be than a GX470. Cheers.

 

[pluton]

Keep in mind that that 4Runner is almost guaranteed to need new springs, tires, and shocks, lower ball joints, radiator + hoses and a battery. Add another $1K to $2K for surprise repairs. How long do LR3's last, and how badly does their resale value decline with mileage? If the 4R you're looking at has an A/T along with the 2.7l engine, are you willing to take the on-highway performance hit?( I have a '97 3rd gen 4Runner with 170K miles).

 

[eloist]

If your GX470 has needed significant wrench time, I think you are in the minority, what have you had to do? My GX at 235K (owned since 40k miles) has been nothing but maintenance outside of an airbag and even that was torn by my shop. I've not owned an LR3/4 and heard they are greatly improved over the old series, but honestly curious how much better reliability could be than a GX470. Cheers.

Radiator, battery, brakes, rear driveshaft, replacing crap rear air suspension, hood struts, coolant overflow reservoir, a myriad of coolant hoses, Seat position sensor, various interior trim pieces, wheel bearing, literally every lightbulb in the vehicle. I mean i could go on....

Maintenance items? Mostly, yeah.. But damn thats a lot of maintenance. I was told Toyotas were built by the hand of God himself and never needed any work.
By contrast, the LR3 has had it's significant numbers of maintenance items as well, but I feel like I'm working on the GX more. It does have more miles than the Rover, but not by much.

They're both great trucks though, and I am super stoked to have both of them at my fingertips!

If I'm going anywhere that has challenging trails, I'm grabbing the Rover keys every time.

 

[tlrols]

Well...an LR3 is better built than the Disco 2 I once owned for sure. Not better looking but the Ford influence helped. Having said that I no longer drive anything Land Rover. I have a 3rd gen 4Runner with 300k miles on it. Bought it with 205k for $5K USD. I have performed modest preventative maintenance and upgraded as I wanted to. Amazing vehicle. I recommend you find a 2000ish Limited with the 3.4. The limited will have those upgrades inside you will miss from the LR3. They are different vehicle for sure. The LR3 might be more of a Lexus category...except for the reliability factor. The Australian and Africans have a saying about Land Rovers and Toyota’s: “Land Rovers will get you there, Toyota’s get you back.”

 

[JLee]

Radiator, battery, brakes, rear driveshaft, replacing crap rear air suspension, hood struts, coolant overflow reservoir, a myriad of coolant hoses, Seat position sensor, various interior trim pieces, wheel bearing, literally every lightbulb in the vehicle. I mean i could go on....

Maintenance items? Mostly, yeah.. But damn thats a lot of maintenance. I was told Toyotas were built by the hand of God himself and never needed any work.
By contrast, the LR3 has had it's significant numbers of maintenance items as well, but I feel like I'm working on the GX more. It does have more miles than the Rover, but not by much.

They're both great trucks though, and I am super stoked to have both of them at my fingertips!

If I'm going anywhere that has challenging trails, I'm grabbing the Rover keys every time.

You seem to have been spectacularly lucky on one hand and unlucky on the other.

Land Rover LR3 Reliability - Dashboard Light

Get long-term reliability information and rankings for the Land Rover LR3 and other vehicles using the Long-Term Quality Index.

dashboard-light.com

Lexus GX Reliability - Dashboard Light

Get long-term reliability information and rankings for the Lexus GX and other vehicles using the Long-Term Quality Index.

dashboard-light.com

 

[eloist]

You seem to have been spectacularly lucky on one hand and unlucky on the other.

Land Rover LR3 Reliability - Dashboard Light

Get long-term reliability information and rankings for the Land Rover LR3 and other vehicles using the Long-Term Quality Index.

dashboard-light.com

Lexus GX Reliability - Dashboard Light

Get long-term reliability information and rankings for the Lexus GX and other vehicles using the Long-Term Quality Index.

dashboard-light.com

haha!

Crazy isn't it?

I love both of the trucks though, and have no plans to get rid of either of them.

 

[eloist]

Oh, forgot to add: both front inner CV boots on the GX as well.