It looks like you are using an ad blocker. That's okay. Who doesn't? But without advertising revenue, we can't keep making this site awesome. Click the link below for instructions on disabling adblock.
Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post.
Register to become a member today!
What year are you looking for? I can't speak for the Pathfinder, the the 4runner is generally pretty easy to work on (at least the 3rd generation). I'm not a mechanic (nor have I ever been), but I've replaced cv joints, ebrake cable, shift solenoids, fuel injectors, axle seals myself without many issues (just a couple with the fuel injectors). Either way, 4runner. More reliable and longer lasting, better build quality, more capable off road, better looking, etc.
saskskierWhat year are you looking for? I can't speak for the Pathfinder, the the 4runner is generally pretty easy to work on (at least the 3rd generation). I'm not a mechanic (nor have I ever been), but I've replaced cv joints, ebrake cable, shift solenoids, fuel injectors, axle seals myself without many issues (just a couple with the fuel injectors). Either way, 4runner. More reliable and longer lasting, better build quality, more capable off road, better looking, etc.
I might be biased though...
I was thinking 1992-2005, For both, I love your set up though, I've heard toyota is more reliable and longer lives.
Personally I would go with a 4runner. I've had my 1998 for 4 years, has 135,000 miles on it and is still the best/only car I've ever owned. If you did want one try to go for a 3rd generation because they have the best crash rating out of any of the generations made. Not the best gas milage (mine is around 13 in city and 20 highway), but I also have a small lift and the new wheels and tires don't help.
here's my rig
Plus they are super stellar for off-roading and winter. The only thing I would say is be careful in winter because with my old wheels and tires I would slide everywhere if I didn't have 4 wheel drive on(I just got the new shoes this summer so I haven't been able to see how it handles in snow yet.) Hope this kinda helps, good luck with deciding!
Another biased 4runner vote here. Mine is an 04 with 140k miles and while there were a couple minor problems when I bought it, it's been extremely reliable since then.
It's definitely been a tank in mud and deep snow. On ice you can make it fishtail slightly if you take turns too fast but traction control has always stopped any sliding quickly and if you drive appropriately for the conditions you will never have any problems.
4runner absolutely. The pathfinder is fine, but if you're going to decide between two SUV's from this era it should be a Jeep Cherokee or a 4runner.. and the 4runner probably wins.
bighomieflockAnother biased 4runner vote here. Mine is an 04 with 140k miles and while there were a couple minor problems when I bought it, it's been extremely reliable since then.
It's definitely been a tank in mud and deep snow. On ice you can make it fishtail slightly if you take turns too fast but traction control has always stopped any sliding quickly and if you drive appropriately for the conditions you will never have any problems.
I've got a friend with a 4th gen and the ONLY thing he doesn't like about it is not being able to turn off the traction control.
I've been considering a 4 runner for a long while and the entire time there hasn't been any good condition manuals where I live. Should I just say fuck it and get an auto? Used for city and the occasional off-road adventure.
I have 105k on my 09 4Runner Sport and I've only ever changed the oil and sparkplugs. The engines can be somewhat of a hassle to work on because the are some tight spaces, but the engine bay overall is huge. Mine's lifted 3 inches on Icon stuff but even stock it drove really well. It's great in the snow and I take mine offroad quite a bit. The coolest feature on the car is that the cargo space window rolls down.
Thanks for the input guys, i'm leaning more towards the 4runner now, i wont be buying it until next summer when I graduate college and am working full time.
What is the best year in your opinion? im curious, I like the older models like '99 and older.
Also is the 4runner easy to customize/ get parts that fit? roof rack, lift, tires, mud flaps, winch maybe?
ski-for-lifeThanks for the input guys, i'm leaning more towards the 4runner now, i wont be buying it until next summer when I graduate college and am working full time.
What is the best year in your opinion? im curious, I like the older models like '99 and older.
Also is the 4runner easy to customize/ get parts that fit? roof rack, lift, tires, mud flaps, winch maybe?
I think most people will say mid 90's- early 2k's.
Ease of customization is up to you and yes there is a good aftermarket. I noticed you also live in Ontario, so be aware of rust and look for it when you check them out. Yes a newer vehicle should have less rust, but that is up to how much the owner took care of their vehicle.
PoikenzI think most people will say mid 90's- early 2k's.
Ease of customization is up to you and yes there is a good aftermarket. I noticed you also live in Ontario, so be aware of rust and look for it when you check them out. Yes a newer vehicle should have less rust, but that is up to how much the owner took care of their vehicle.
Sounds good to me, I like the body on these 4runners more.
And yeah rust is huge, thank god my subie has no rust. But yeah i'll keep an eye on the rust when I look at one.
I always wanted a 4 runner but theyre more expensive. Pathfinders are still the bees knees though. I had a 1995 for 2.5 years that never gave me any trouble, not even once. it was stock but it was still great in snow/mud/atv trails or whatever. Just sold it Recently and got a 1996, which is alot nicer and newer looking. Have a 3 inch lift on it and it takes me anywhere. It will rape any atv trail/dirt road, and can also rip through ruts for bigger trucks and jeeps and shit. Relatively easy to work on yourself too and super reliable. I love my pathfinder, but I still want a 4 runner one day. my pathfinders both cost me less then 1500 bucks too which is way less than a decent condition 4runner
mowgliiI always wanted a 4 runner but theyre more expensive. Pathfinders are still the bees knees though. I had a 1995 for 2.5 years that never gave me any trouble, not even once. it was stock but it was still great in snow/mud/atv trails or whatever. Just sold it Recently and got a 1996, which is alot nicer and newer looking. Have a 3 inch lift on it and it takes me anywhere. It will rape any atv trail/dirt road, and can also rip through ruts for bigger trucks and jeeps and shit. Relatively easy to work on yourself too and super reliable. I love my pathfinder, but I still want a 4 runner one day. my pathfinders both cost me less then 1500 bucks too which is way less than a decent condition 4runner
Most of the 4runners I"ve been looking at have high km and are $$$ for the year they are, like you said about the pathfinder being cheaper I definitely see that, I'm dutch so I of course want to cheap out and buy the less expensive, |But I'm getting in to the construction field/ renovations so I need the space for tool s and material, rather than my legacy wagon.
My subaru just had a massive rad leak, Im in the midst of replacing it, and if that doesnt solve the problem I'll be getting a 4runner sooner than later.
Thanks for all the imput guys!!
^ as to the post above, Yes i agree removable tops look bitchin. I will be looking into that....
Slurpsicle.Personally I would go with a 4runner. I've had my 1998 for 4 years, has 135,000 miles on it and is still the best/only car I've ever owned. If you did want one try to go for a 3rd generation because they have the best crash rating out of any of the generations made. Not the best gas milage (mine is around 13 in city and 20 highway), but I also have a small lift and the new wheels and tires don't help.
here's my rig
Plus they are super stellar for off-roading and winter. The only thing I would say is be careful in winter because with my old wheels and tires I would slide everywhere if I didn't have 4 wheel drive on(I just got the new shoes this summer so I haven't been able to see how it handles in snow yet.) Hope this kinda helps, good luck with deciding!
It depends on what years we're talking.. The new Pathfinder looks like garbage. I've had a 2001 Pathfinder and 2002 4Runner in the past. The Pathfinder is much faster, but the 4Runner is better for offroading. 1 complaint I had of both was the rear suspension is way to soft.. if you have 2-3 people in the back and a trunk full of gear, you're maxed out.. get some airbags for the rear coils IMO. They both have pros and cons depending on what you're doing with it.
KravtZWhat about an xterra? Basically a smaller pathfinder and just as capable. Pretty cheap also
It depends on what you are looking for in a vehichle. I have owned '89, '92 and '98 pathfinders and now a 2001 xterra. In '95 and after, the pathfinders switched from a box frame to a unibody, slightly limiting the mod options and overall strength of the vehicle but made for a much more comfortable vehicle, that was still quite capable. Mechanically they changed very little over that time, making parts easy to come by (especially in junk yards) and are pretty easy to work on. All my pathfinders lasted 250,000+ km and were only killed by rust (fuck MTO and their salt use). I switched over to the XTerra for something more rugged, as they use the same chassis as the Frontier pickup. The older ones are absolutely bare bones making them easy to work on and less complications, which I like. There are tons of options for the early models for aftermarket parts if you want.
While I am slightly biased to the Nissan family, I looked at several 4runners before finding the XTerra and was impressed by them as well. The earlier models were simple and rugged, but I did find that the later models went the way of the Pathfinder and turned to more of a luxury vehicle (not what I wanted)
Both hold their values fairly well so expect to spend a fair bit, but either are great choices!
KravtZWhat about an xterra? Basically a smaller pathfinder and just as capable. Pretty cheap also
Xterra, has less space.
MacMahoooonIt depends on what you are looking for in a vehichle. I have owned '89, '92 and '98 pathfinders and now a 2001 xterra. In '95 and after, the pathfinders switched from a box frame to a unibody, slightly limiting the mod options and overall strength of the vehicle but made for a much more comfortable vehicle, that was still quite capable. Mechanically they changed very little over that time, making parts easy to come by (especially in junk yards) and are pretty easy to work on. All my pathfinders lasted 250,000+ km and were only killed by rust (fuck MTO and their salt use). I switched over to the XTerra for something more rugged, as they use the same chassis as the Frontier pickup. The older ones are absolutely bare bones making them easy to work on and less complications, which I like. There are tons of options for the early models for aftermarket parts if you want.
While I am slightly biased to the Nissan family, I looked at several 4runners before finding the XTerra and was impressed by them as well. The earlier models were simple and rugged, but I did find that the later models went the way of the Pathfinder and turned to more of a luxury vehicle (not what I wanted)
Both hold their values fairly well so expect to spend a fair bit, but either are great choices!
I love the pathfinder more, but the 4runner are more available, and the body is starting to grow on me.
MacMahoooonThe earlier models were simple and rugged, but I did find that the later models went the way of the Pathfinder and turned to more of a luxury vehicle (not what I wanted)
4Runners definitely started appealing to soccer moms starting with the 4th gen but they still kept the same construction and capabilities.
I enjoy my pathfinder, its a 2000 and has given me minimal problems for having 200k miles on it. Never had a 4runner but I am a fan that you can just roll down the back window from the drivers seat, makes picking up fellow ski bum hitch hikers a little easier. I can sleep in my pathfinder which makes it nice for camping and it holds all my gear and my crews nicely.
