Fun fact: when I was in college, I had a friend who owned one of these. Years earlier, she had been messing around with friends and they rolled it over in wet grass. They got it back on its wheels and *drove it home.* She then drove it around - FOR YEARS - with dents on the roof but otherwise perfectly fine. I personally drove it 500 miles from Atlanta to Savannah and back, no issues.
my moms water broke while driving one of these thru a chicago blizzard im forever grateful for the 3nd gen 4runner that got an unborn me and her to the hospital
Huh. An old beat up 1999 Ford wind star barely got my sister born by the skin of its engine. Dad had the pedal almost to the floor trying to get her and my mom to the hospital in time, and later he said he was going like 101mph. But my sister came early and she was born right there in the front passenger seat, literally right in the center of the road dividing the two counties. Our family was too big for the van after that and we junked it the next year. We got a 2005 Honda Odyssey after that and have since driven it a quarter of a million miles. So that's my little story.
Came here to say the same thing, it’s to redirect air to stop dust and dirt collected in the tail vortex from getting caked all over the back window. I had an LX 470 with the same feature and it worked rather well.
Best combination for reliability is Japanese designed and american built. That's why Hondas are great. They are designed by people with practicality and reliability in mind and made by Americans with pride. Edit for all the insecure confrontational American hating clowns. I am in no way saying anyone else builds a bad car. I'm simply saying that Asians design good manufacturing processes and we do a good job following the processes in America. That doesn't mean anyone else is doing bad. So grow TF up and quit making everything and argument and confrontation.
I have a 1997 with 370,000 miles, no issues and will never sell it. Ready to spend 5k in upgrades. I call it 'Brother' because it has always been there to see me through very difficult times in my lives and never let me down.....even once. I cannot betray it by selling because of the great memories it has given me.
I always wondered what that was for! I have a 92 so no third brake light built in up top or anything just a straight across 90 degree wing pretty much. Just thought it was some weird aero bit and I guess it is in a sense.
I was almost gob smacked by Dougal saying he didn't understand what the "spoiler" was for ! Does he just say things like that to get comments going or does he really have no intrinsic understanding of physics !
@@inindian I wonder if he says things like that sometimes just to get comment threads started. He seems to say something wrong about some very common basic part that nearly everyone who ever drove a car would know, let alone someone who's living revolves around cars, on around every 3rd or 4th video. Almost every new car brochure since the '70's for wagons, and in recent times, SUV's, pictures the back of the vehicle and highlights the spoiler for keeping the back window clean. He's HAD to have seen or read that sometime in his life!
@@leum9787 Yeah, I understand your point, like he had some questions about a Ferrari, the Lamborghini, and a couple of cars written in a foreign language. That makes sense. But what we're talking about are common sense things, that even advertising and brochures and manuals specifically point out and mention. He once had what I thought was a really weird question about a tape deck function, and I wondered, "how could he possibly NOT know what that's for"? But then I realized his age and figured he's probably never had a car, or anything else, with a tape cassette. Still kinda odd to me, but I can understand that. But a lot of other things, even without actually knowing their function, can be figured out just by thinking about it for a second. I've done that in many of his vids. Sometimes I can assume its function before he even mentions it, and on some more obscure things, I can usually figure out what they do while he's rambling on about them. And I'm not saying this to sound smart, I'm saying it because almost all of them are common sense. I think it's his "schtick" learn about most of the oddities and interesting things about a car, then start talking. When he comes across something he didnt specifically prepare for, he just keeps talking and acts like it's something really unusual. Maybe he does it to make his vids more interesting, maybe to get people to comment and "engage" (a word that TH-cam is always talking about to help your channel). I really dont know. I dont hate him for it, nor am I really criticizing him about it, just mentioning it because it seems odd. That's all.
More so for emissions. I took mine off thinking it was useless. Little did I know that downward force of air kept exhaust from floating in to the cab because of the low pressure behind the vehicle.
I will go on record and say this was one of the greatest vehicles ever made. My parents bought our 5-speed manual 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 brand new. As of last month, it has 450,000 miles on it on the original engine! I learned how to drive on it as did my sister, it took us both to college, it’s taken us on countless vacations all over the US and Canada and it never skipped a beat. If you have one of these, do not let it go. Years from now it will have a charm that many people overlook when a vehicle is somewhat new: nostalgia. My mom is adamant that regardless of how tired our 4Runner may get, we are never selling it.
@BR-P-2001 // DougDemuro knows way more about cars than Scotty Kilmer. The only thing Scotty talks about is reliability on 20 year old Toyotas and Hondas. Doug actually talks about features, tech, driving etc.
The rear spoiler is a dust deflector. When driving on dirt roads it directs air down the back of the car to ‘try’ to stop dust sticking to the rear window.
More so to keep the exhaust from being pulled in through the rear window. My Suburban will kill you in about 5 minutes if you only have the rear window down.
@@affordabledcgenerators1607 ooh, that's interesting. I would have guessed that it's for reducing drag, by backfilling the recirculation zone behind the car, but keeping exhaust away from the window (also by increasing pressure there, and through the inertia of the air too) makes a lot of sense. Maybe it does both?
I was lucky enough to work at a Toyota dealer in high school when these were new. We couldn't keep them on the lot, people knew how good they were 20+ years ago. EDIT: Just saw what it sold for... I think this model topped out at maybe 30k. That's like basically ZERO depreciation.
So the owner parked $30k in a car they only drove 1k miles/yr in order, along with paying registration/insurance/maintenance, just to earn 0% annual returns? Lucky them I guess they didn't hemorrhage money on a depreciating asset, but if they were driving it that infrequently, it was still a big loss leader in their portfolio.
@Schlabbeflicker The original owner did a service to the car community. The real cheat code with these 3rd gens is to buy them used. I picked up an absolutely mint 98 5 speed 4x4 for $8k. I will be able to drive that thing for 10 years and sell it for more than I paid. It is a free vehicle. And the 2024. That, will be worth way more than we just paid once the 4 cylinder hybrid 10 speed nonsense is all that's available.
My friend recently purchased one of these used. 2001, SR5, 2WD, base cloth interior with the 5VZ-FE engine... and almost 290,000 miles. Once I drove it, I immediately fell in love with it. The front cloth seats are unnaturally comfortable, the dash gauges and controls are everything you need, and nothing you don't. Folding the rear seats flat basically turns it into a covered short bed pickup. Despite the mileage, it still runs phenomenally well, and will most likely make it past 500,000 miles with regular maintenance. Truly one of the best vehicles I've ever driven. Edit, over 1 year later. After multiple failed sales and people who "leased" the 4Runner from my friend, and him trying his absolute hardest to kill it, I purchased it for a whopping $600. There's now over 304,000 miles on the odometer and the V6 still sings happily, though I'll be changing the fluids and plugs soon. the radiator leaks, but it holds temp fine (I will be replacing this though). there was a CEL from an evap code, which eventually stopped appearing. I used it to move out of my last semester of college, with crap packed all the way to the roof and I had to use my side mirrors only. I used it to move out of an apartment as well. These trucks are that one friend who is always there for you, no matter what.
Really is funny when you're younger "oh supercar!! Gotta watch". But when you're an adult "Dang the 4runner is so sick. 400k miles and still goes. Back window rolls down! Honda Odyssey has so many options and good space"
Man , as a poor car enthusiast , I can't put in words how cool it is to see Doug making a positive review in the car that I own :) I have a 96 Hilux Surf , as we call the 4 Runner here in Japan , it has 230k KM , and my mechanic keeps saying "It will run at least, for some more decades" XD Much success for you in the years to come Doug ! You deserve !
I had a 98 until winter truly hit and my transmission stopped engaging. I sold it with a bunged transmission for enough to buy a 06 Honda Civic safetied on the road. I shed a tear for my 4runner every time I get in the Civic...
My mom bought one of these new in 2001, on the way home we took it “off-road” in the front yard of our local elementary school. Now, 20 years later it still works with little issues over the years with 200k miles. Absolutely love the truckiness of these SUVs and worry free ownership.
I've got a 1997 Limited 3rd Gen with the E-locker and it has 420k miles on it now. Running strong! I have driven it all over the country and aside from basic maintenance such as oil changes and repairs as parts literally wear out (most recently a rear wheel bearing), it just won't quit. They are so easy to work on and I have learned so much from doing my own repairs on her over the years, from those oil changes to water pumps, timing belts, AC compressor, alternator, the aforementioned wheel bearing (I just bought a salvage axle and saved a ton of time and $). Next up is the valve cover gaskets! 3rd Gen 4Runner fam for life. I will never sell it.
Doug: "You may wonder why they put access to the trunk on the key fob." Me: "So you can access the trunk?" Doug: "SO YOU CAN ACCESS THE TRUNK!" Me: ...
I don't think it's possible for Toyota 4x4s to get any more expensive. They're already at 2x Land Rover prices, and under 150k miles it's practically the same price to buy new. I've been thinking of selling my 15-year-old 4Runner to buy a F250 and a camper.
Close, it’s actually a dust control device. The theory was that the wind deflected across the window will keep it from getting too dirty to see through
2 other things to note about these are that it has a non-interference motor. So if you blow a timing belt, you only have to re-time it and put a new belt on, no damage to the head. If you have issues with power windows and lock functions, check the wires in the driver's door jam, they commonly break there
You're not kidding about them being popular in Colorado! Drove through on my way to Las Vegas and felt like I was in an alternate reality where all the vehicles were 4Runners. I was also driving my 97 4Runner there lmao!
@@scherzva Older cars were new once, so you also think all 1990's and 2000's sucked when they were new? If you think new cars suck, you obviously hate people for owning them. Also cars that came out in 2000's were newer at the time.
@@automation7295 the newest car I own is a 2005 Mercedes C230, I have a '03 SLK320, a 2000 Land Cruiser, and a '97 BMW Z3. My next purchase will be something like the 3rd gen 4Runner or a Series 80 Land Cruiser. I am not a fan of new cars. I am in tech, I don't want it in my face when I drive.
@@scherzva By newer cars, you clearly meant newer than 2005 or what? You said "newer cars suck", that could also mean your 1997 BMW Z3, 2000 Land Cruiser, 2003 SLK320 and 2005 Mercedes C230 sucked when they were first came out.
Haha, same here. In fact, TH-cam is trying to get me to watch the $3,000,000 McLaren P1 GTR video from a month ago that I never clicked on. But I clicked on the 2000 4Runner video an hour after it was uploaded.
About that spoiler; it's purpose was to direct air down behind the car and decrease the low-pressure zone behind the car. This keeps dust from settling on the rear window and harming visibility. I live in a rural area and almost all vehicles (SUV's, school busses, etc.) that have a flat back have a spoiler like this to control gravel dust.
I have owned two 4th gen 4Runners, a Tacoma and I just bought a 3rd gen! My favorite by far! Simple, clean lines and it feels like you are driving a little tank. ❤️
My middle school guitar teacher drove one of these. My buddies and I were tasked with loading her truck for a performance and we found it hilarious when we turned the key and the back window rolled down, but in retrospect it’s a great feature!
The back window is awesome, it's great when you pull in to go grocery shopping and someone parks behind you, don't have to worry about hitting their car with the tailgate just open the window
its probs been said but the rear spoiler is to keep exhaust fumes from creeping up in the dead air area and getting into the open rear window also believe it or not my 4runner still has all 3 garage door opener buttons
I drove a 4 cylinder 5-speed 4WD of this generation for about 8 years as a field vehicle before I switched jobs. It was terrible driving up steep mountain roads, but off road, it was a absolute beast. I frequently used low range, and, that clutch start cancel came in handy more than once. When I left that job 8 years ago, it had over 150K on it. The "features" on this one is without doubt the fully loaded version. What an absolute gem.
Also exhaust fumes. I converted to a JDM spoiler and the amount of exhaust fumes in the cabin is almost unbearable. The spoiler is there to divert air flow down and away from the cabin
@@ajskowron which is also why modern station wagons don't have rear windows that can be dropped. I'm AMAZED at the things Doug doesn't know sometimes, or at least lack of creative thought about why something is the way it is. What would he make of the ridges in '80s Mercedes tail lights, for example..
@@yungboicontigo9278 See, the part where I didn't say he didn't do research indicates that I don't think he doesn't do research. I knew he did before he told us about this. He reads the flipping manual in half the videos!
@@yungboicontigo9278 Jeez man, I'm not saying we cancel him; nor am I mad at him, but thanks for the personality assessment of a stranger, dude. Pull your head in.
Thanks a lot, Doug. Thanks to you I went and bought a '98 3.4L 5-speed. I've had five 4Runners and a couple of Land Cruisers and this video rekindled my love of them. 340,000kms (recent timing belt/water pump/battery), 2" suspension lift, two sets of tires and rims. Needs some minor TLC but it was $4000!
Same! One I'm getting soon has a small dent and that's all the TLC it needs! 230k mile 2002 SR5 4Runner for $5000 which is crazy with how the market is right now!
My favorite 4Runner generation. I once owned a ‘99 SR5, then an ‘02 Limited. There is something to be said about simplicity melded with great style. The thin C and D pillars, relatively narrow body and tall stance made this generation a work of automotive art.
I love my '96 Limited. It's got 270k+ miles on it and is all original. ZERO rust. All original. Everything works. Literally a time capsule. It took me years to find one in this shape and I'm not getting rid of it. LOVE THESE THINGS!
Well I can’t pass up on commenting this: drove our ‘99 4Runner Limited from Oregon to Ushuaia, Argentina over 15 months. Shipped it home from Buenos Aires to Jacksonville, FL and drove it cross country back to our garage in Portland, OR. Drove her to the mailbox yesterday. 205,000 miles and still running strong.
I was going to comment about this too. I had a '67 Wagoneer with a roll down rear window but no spoiler. Not just dust, but exhaust would enter in the rear depending on conditions.
He's definitely self-promoting. But to his credit, he's telling the truth. A 4Runner in that good of condition with only $26k miles is really a unicorn. That's a collector's car right there. It is PRACTICALLY impossible. This car will be in a Mecham Auto Auction in another 10 years.
I just bought a 2001 4WD SR5 version. I'm SO happy with it! So much room in the back I'm going to build a sleeping/storage platform for camping. Has only 190k, but I have seen some in person with 450k+ on the original engine. The most bulletproof engine in existence I think in a non-commercial vehicle!
Had a 2000 SR5 for 9 years, then I sold it to my friend for about $4500, and he drove it another 9 years. Loved that vehicle. The rear window roll down was my favorite feature on any car. My dog loved it, and I loved having smooth air flow through the cabin when I'd ride with my windows down (which I did a lot). Fantastic SUV
Put a self tapping screw in it for the track to clear the wiper motor and now my back window rolls down. I was so happy and impressed. Love showing it off.
Nice video. I have the same one with 300k miles on it. Haven’t had it long but have fallen in love with it. Pretty cool to see you point out all the features and talk so highly of it. There are def a lot of cool things on this truck. They were thinking of everything when they made this gem. I’m going to drive mine until the wheels fall off.
I too owned a 2000 4Runner Limited. I live in the northeast in a high salt area. The car lasted me 19 years. The engine and transmission were beasts, nothing but normal maintenance. Never garaged, never failed inspection, never left me stranded. The interior never worn out looked great up until its last day. The only thing that happened was the frame rotted due to the yearly salt exposure. I think 19 years is a very reasonable time for a car to last. Loved that car.
Did you do anything apart from normal washing of the underside to fight the rust? I’m sure it was inevitable being up there. I own one with a very clean frame but is my only snow capable vehicle, so hoping to keep it up as much as possible from the mild winters we have. Should only see a few snows a year.
These are so awesome. We bought one of these with almost 240k miles, and drove it from Portland to Panama and back to Honduras. It was still smooth as butter, and just needed regular maintenance. It only stopped when the next owner crashed it in Mexico. If only we had these in Europe, I'd buy them. (yeah yeah, I know, Hilux. But I want that sweet reliable gas V6)
I remember seeing a green 3rd Gen 4R loaded out at the dealer, probably about 10 years ago now, for roughly $12000. About 100,000 miles. I thought that price was crazy at the time. But I guess these are highly desirable- and I see them in person and it's like being taken back to my teenage years.
best vehicle I ever owned, driving this thing is a blast. love my 99 SR5. the whole thing feels like it was milled from a solid block of aluminum, or steel, or whatever. so, so solid and reliable. insane.
I own a 97 4Runner sr5 with the auto 4wd and 266k miles and it still drives so good, even with the check engine light on lol 1 year later update, I hit 277K-280K. fixed the check engine light (it was the catalytic converter) and while I was underneath the car I decided to put a custom exhaust from the cat back, 12" glass pack. She runs good, and sounds good too. Just for anyone wondering.
I have a 98 4wd. Got it at 301k around march this year. At almost 311k now, but I had to do a lot of maintenance. Had to take care of a few different engine light scenarios. TPS sensor twice (got an oem the second time) and catalytic converter. Valve cover gaskets, oem LBJs. Vac lines, intake hose, a lot of tape, zip ties, new center console. I've wrenched on this thing and learned to take quite a few different parts off and put it back. First vehicle I've ever been off roaded for real. I'm not really counting Tacoma snow drifting or driving through the woods. I drove the 4runner climbing over small rocks, drove through creeks and mud, camping, and way out of civilization. Stock suspension and 265/75/16 falkens. Load C. Never even got punctured. Since it's been cold, my battery is dying even with the new alternator and battery clamps. It was so cold that I discovered battery insulation wraps, which is my ultimate mod very soon. I haven't had the 4runner towed yet, but I'm trying so hard not to let that happen either. Money pit. Already spent almost 10k in maintenance on a kazillion different things, but that's what I get for buying a hunting woods toy from Tennessee
@@mrvictory1999 awesome runner. I had a 2000 limited auto with the diff lock. Bought it with 212k everything worked except the ac. Not a squeak or rattle. still had the original shocks. Just next level durability.
I have the '98 version. It's not a spoiler, its a deflector. It's meant to force air down thus assisting in lowering the amount of exhaust gasses from entering when the rear window is open. It works best when going over @ 40 mph, so it's not much use in stop n go traffic.
I used to drive one of these in college. It was a 1997 with a V6 and 220,000 miles when I bought it at 18. TOTAL beater already at that point… it had shit falling apart all over and looked like a death trap. When I was a pledge I had the bright idea to use it to pull a trailer full of tailgate stuff 4 hours to Houston and somehow it managed to pull the hell out of it both ways. Two years later I offered to drive 10 hours to Panama City Beach and back, and it miraculously made it. It finally took a dump right before I graduated and it had a little over 290k miles, and took a lot of extra abuse along the way. The thing was a tank.
One thing Doug didn't mention is that halfway through the 3rd gen run, Toyota added the "multi-mode" transfer case (first on the Limiteds beginning in 1999, and the rest of the line later). Multi-mode was very clever and years ahead of its time. The way it worked was that by pushing a button on the transfer case shifter, you could toggle between rear wheel drive and true AWD (as opposed to 4WD). Meaning you could sent power to all four wheels safely on pavement by bypassing the center diff lock, or by shifting the transfer case you could lock the two axles together for true four-wheel-drive. And for the first two years of multi-mode, you could also get the rear differential locker option. Pretty brilliant, especially for two decades ago!
In 1996 I bought anew 4Runner limited which i still have. It has been unbelievably reliable. It still has its original rear brakes, air conditioning, transmission, one change of front rotors and pads at 230,00 miles. Does not burn oil and none is needed between oil changes. Drives beautiful and is great off road. It currently has about 236,000miles on it! GREAT SUV!
Wait until the 6th gen comes out. I heard the 6th gen will be a 4cylinder hybrid. I’m pretty sure this and the 4th gen V8 will go up in value once that new one comes out.
Fun fact: when I was in college, I had a friend who owned one of these. Years earlier, she had been messing around with friends and they rolled it over in wet grass. They got it back on its wheels and *drove it home.* She then drove it around - FOR YEARS - with dents on the roof but otherwise perfectly fine. I personally drove it 500 miles from Atlanta to Savannah and back, no issues.
First replyyy
Will you ever tell a story on VINwiki?
And what happened to the 4runner? 😏
Buy one Doug, your quirkradar demands it
Wow
my moms water broke while driving one of these thru a chicago blizzard
im forever grateful for the 3nd gen 4runner that got an unborn me and her to the hospital
If thats not an advertisement for a 4runner, idk what is
Cool story bro
Huh. An old beat up 1999 Ford wind star barely got my sister born by the skin of its engine. Dad had the pedal almost to the floor trying to get her and my mom to the hospital in time, and later he said he was going like 101mph. But my sister came early and she was born right there in the front passenger seat, literally right in the center of the road dividing the two counties. Our family was too big for the van after that and we junked it the next year. We got a 2005 Honda Odyssey after that and have since driven it a quarter of a million miles. So that's my little story.
Toyota should see this
@@sterlingstauffer2915 were not worthy so these cars bro. they mean the world to some
The “spoiler” isn’t for downforce. It’s for aerodynamics and helping to keep the rear window clear. School busses have them too.
I was going to say this. I had a 98 without the "spoiler" and the back window would collect dirt like crazy.
Came here to say the same thing, it’s to redirect air to stop dust and dirt collected in the tail vortex from getting caked all over the back window. I had an LX 470 with the same feature and it worked rather well.
It also helps with snow build up
Shame things like this have to be pointed out to a 'car person'
@@__The_Real_V__ downforce as in air pushing more weight on the rear wheels?
The amount of reliability these early 90s to mid 2000s Toyotas have is MIND BOGGLING
Best combination for reliability is Japanese designed and american built. That's why Hondas are great. They are designed by people with practicality and reliability in mind and made by Americans with pride.
Edit for all the insecure confrontational American hating clowns. I am in no way saying anyone else builds a bad car. I'm simply saying that Asians design good manufacturing processes and we do a good job following the processes in America. That doesn't mean anyone else is doing bad. So grow TF up and quit making everything and argument and confrontation.
It's so mind boggling that even clarkson's genius can't handle it. The genius that generates gravity can't handle this.
They're fun to fuck in too 😸
Brother has this exact model and has a stack of service records, but the transmission won't go above third and the radiator has been replaced twice
@@bilbobaggins4710 holy crap, chill😂
I have a 1997 with 370,000 miles, no issues and will never sell it. Ready to spend 5k in upgrades. I call it 'Brother' because it has always been there to see me through very difficult times in my lives and never let me down.....even once. I cannot betray it by selling because of the great memories it has given me.
That rear spoiler was to direct air across the rear window to keep it clean. 🚙
I always wondered what that was for! I have a 92 so no third brake light built in up top or anything just a straight across 90 degree wing pretty much. Just thought it was some weird aero bit and I guess it is in a sense.
I was almost gob smacked by Dougal saying he didn't understand what the "spoiler" was for ! Does he just say things like that to get comments going or does he really have no intrinsic understanding of physics !
@@inindian I wonder if he says things like that sometimes just to get comment threads started. He seems to say something wrong about some very common basic part that nearly everyone who ever drove a car would know, let alone someone who's living revolves around cars, on around every 3rd or 4th video.
Almost every new car brochure since the '70's for wagons, and in recent times, SUV's, pictures the back of the vehicle and highlights the spoiler for keeping the back window clean. He's HAD to have seen or read that sometime in his life!
@@leum9787 Yeah, I understand your point, like he had some questions about a Ferrari, the Lamborghini, and a couple of cars written in a foreign language. That makes sense. But what we're talking about are common sense things, that even advertising and brochures and manuals specifically point out and mention.
He once had what I thought was a really weird question about a tape deck function, and I wondered, "how could he possibly NOT know what that's for"? But then I realized his age and figured he's probably never had a car, or anything else, with a tape cassette. Still kinda odd to me, but I can understand that. But a lot of other things, even without actually knowing their function, can be figured out just by thinking about it for a second. I've done that in many of his vids. Sometimes I can assume its function before he even mentions it, and on some more obscure things, I can usually figure out what they do while he's rambling on about them. And I'm not saying this to sound smart, I'm saying it because almost all of them are common sense.
I think it's his "schtick" learn about most of the oddities and interesting things about a car, then start talking. When he comes across something he didnt specifically prepare for, he just keeps talking and acts like it's something really unusual. Maybe he does it to make his vids more interesting, maybe to get people to comment and "engage" (a word that TH-cam is always talking about to help your channel).
I really dont know. I dont hate him for it, nor am I really criticizing him about it, just mentioning it because it seems odd. That's all.
More so for emissions. I took mine off thinking it was useless. Little did I know that downward force of air kept exhaust from floating in to the cab because of the low pressure behind the vehicle.
4Runner prices after this 📈 as if they weren’t expensive as shit already .
I just bought a 98 limited. I'm a fan for sure.
Fax I wanna buy one but they’re so expensive
Overpriced, far more uglier than x5, q7, ML...
Bruh I was looking for this comment, I’m so lucky I got mine for 1500 bucks, but they’re so overpriced now it’s so messed up.
@@zakky4498 not the most pleasing aesthetically, but definitely practical, reliable, powerful, and definitely worth the money for sure.
If doug gets pulled over by a cop, he'd be like "but before I show you my license and registration, make sure to check out cars and bids"
haha
xd
carssssss ad bidzzzzzz
Officer finds sweet crown Vic on cars and bids, lets Doug go.
Cars And Bids go Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...
I will go on record and say this was one of the greatest vehicles ever made. My parents bought our 5-speed manual 2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 brand new. As of last month, it has 450,000 miles on it on the original engine! I learned how to drive on it as did my sister, it took us both to college, it’s taken us on countless vacations all over the US and Canada and it never skipped a beat. If you have one of these, do not let it go. Years from now it will have a charm that many people overlook when a vehicle is somewhat new: nostalgia.
My mom is adamant that regardless of how tired our 4Runner may get, we are never selling it.
Just picked a 2000 up with 200k on it last year and honestly I hope I have it forever! Such a fun toy
💋
@Nomen Clature thanks for the tips!
The 1999 we have in our family has 789,000 miles on the original transmission and engine. Still going strong. No joke.
I agree with you but the Lexus LS400, Toyota Land Cruisers and 90's Accords and Civics were rock solid as well!
This is the only thing Doug and Scotty Kilmer agrees with.
Scotty will be glad to see this
But Toyota celica is the best car according to scotty 😂
@@ramilashraf2669 Plot twist: His Celica doesn’t actually work since we have never seen it drive
@BR-P-2001 // DougDemuro knows way more about cars than Scotty Kilmer. The only thing Scotty talks about is reliability on 20 year old Toyotas and Hondas. Doug actually talks about features, tech, driving etc.
I used to like Scotty Kilmer's videos but his click bait titles have turned me off. Never watch his videos anymore.
Most reliable car to ever be bought at a Chrysler dealer
That's a hard fact!
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Thats a fact
They probably shined it up nice and put it at the front because it was the best vehicle on the lot
😂😂😂
The rear spoiler is a dust deflector. When driving on dirt roads it directs air down the back of the car to ‘try’ to stop dust sticking to the rear window.
More so to keep the exhaust from being pulled in through the rear window. My Suburban will kill you in about 5 minutes if you only have the rear window down.
@@affordabledcgenerators1607 +1 on this reply. It is for exhaust.
@@affordabledcgenerators1607 ooh, that's interesting. I would have guessed that it's for reducing drag, by backfilling the recirculation zone behind the car, but keeping exhaust away from the window (also by increasing pressure there, and through the inertia of the air too) makes a lot of sense.
Maybe it does both?
That part of the video got me wondering if Doug actually knows what DOWNforce is
@@Traxxmaciek Doug doesn't know much about much
My dad had this exact car and he never stops talking about how much he loved it
My dad had it and passed it on to me. Still driving it today. 456k miles and still trucking along
I love mine too 🚐💨🚐💨
@@stevob6609 love mine too mine has 247k
@@stevob6609 my grandpa passed the 97 on to me and I've been driving it 6 years and it's still my first car. Nothing more reliable out there
he was the previous owner?
In my household we call that rear window the fart glass, when someone let's one go, you simply press a button and the air becomes breathable again.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
what about when someone does that in your double-wide?
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Why would you let it out? Enjoy it.
@@increase9896 You open the door and go outside.
I was lucky enough to work at a Toyota dealer in high school when these were new. We couldn't keep them on the lot, people knew how good they were 20+ years ago. EDIT: Just saw what it sold for... I think this model topped out at maybe 30k. That's like basically ZERO depreciation.
So the owner parked $30k in a car they only drove 1k miles/yr in order, along with paying registration/insurance/maintenance, just to earn 0% annual returns? Lucky them I guess they didn't hemorrhage money on a depreciating asset, but if they were driving it that infrequently, it was still a big loss leader in their portfolio.
@@Schlabbeflicker the biggest loss on their part was driving it that infrequently. it's meant to be ridden, not be preserved as a collectible :)
they were about $35k
@Schlabbeflicker
The original owner did a service to the car community. The real cheat code with these 3rd gens is to buy them used. I picked up an absolutely mint 98 5 speed 4x4 for $8k. I will be able to drive that thing for 10 years and sell it for more than I paid. It is a free vehicle.
And the 2024. That, will be worth way more than we just paid once the 4 cylinder hybrid 10 speed nonsense is all that's available.
It's not a spoiler. It's an air deflector to help keep dust off of the rear window.
When I first read about this, I noticed it does help with keeping rain off the window too
200IQ Toyota 😎
It’s to keep exhaust fumes from entering the car when the back window is open as well!
🍎
Air Deflectors started as a dealer installed accessory, but became factory installed by the 1970's, usually paired with the roof rack.
Best 4Runner of all time, hands down, not even close.
What about the 2004 generation v8
I prefer my 2nd gen
@@alexwise5459 3 point slow 12 valve:)
@@hp2402 love me some exhaust header heat soak 😍 and how popular the cat is with thieves
@@hp2402 I dont mind it
3rd gen is the best! I love the size of them and how narrow they are. And they just don’t quit
Man, the Japanese really thought about every tiny detail! So impressive. Great car for its time!
The 4th gen is a way more comfortable vehicle to be in but what do I know....I drive a 1990 corolla lol
You can squeeze right past people who don’t more over enough when turning left
@@Bada_Boom78 Handsome
They never quit i dont know how they end up in junk yards
My friend recently purchased one of these used. 2001, SR5, 2WD, base cloth interior with the 5VZ-FE engine... and almost 290,000 miles. Once I drove it, I immediately fell in love with it. The front cloth seats are unnaturally comfortable, the dash gauges and controls are everything you need, and nothing you don't. Folding the rear seats flat basically turns it into a covered short bed pickup. Despite the mileage, it still runs phenomenally well, and will most likely make it past 500,000 miles with regular maintenance. Truly one of the best vehicles I've ever driven.
Edit, over 1 year later. After multiple failed sales and people who "leased" the 4Runner from my friend, and him trying his absolute hardest to kill it, I purchased it for a whopping $600. There's now over 304,000 miles on the odometer and the V6 still sings happily, though I'll be changing the fluids and plugs soon. the radiator leaks, but it holds temp fine (I will be replacing this though). there was a CEL from an evap code, which eventually stopped appearing. I used it to move out of my last semester of college, with crap packed all the way to the roof and I had to use my side mirrors only. I used it to move out of an apartment as well. These trucks are that one friend who is always there for you, no matter what.
* doug uploads supercar video * me - "eh"
* doug uploads 3rd gen 4 runner video * me - "👀👀👀"
Same, I don't even watch the supercar videos, they just kinda suck imo. They're for the 12-year-olds.
Honestly, yeah. Better than supercars, no matter the number of views.
@@kuebby specially when he shows a McLaren 5 billion times
Same here. Couldn't care less of the new cars, but these reviews are the best.
Really is funny when you're younger "oh supercar!! Gotta watch". But when you're an adult "Dang the 4runner is so sick. 400k miles and still goes. Back window rolls down!
Honda Odyssey has so many options and good space"
Man , as a poor car enthusiast , I can't put in words how cool it is to see Doug making a positive review in the car that I own :)
I have a 96 Hilux Surf , as we call the 4 Runner here in Japan , it has 230k KM , and my mechanic keeps saying "It will run at least, for some more decades" XD
Much success for you in the years to come Doug ! You deserve !
I’m at ~ 550,000 km on my 99 and it still runs great.
@@1970HondaCL100That's awesome
I had a 98 until winter truly hit and my transmission stopped engaging. I sold it with a bunged transmission for enough to buy a 06 Honda Civic safetied on the road. I shed a tear for my 4runner every time I get in the Civic...
My Grandpa's '99 has 320k miles. I think all that really broke on it was a heater core, which was an easy fix.
Funny because I have a 2000 4Runner and a 2006 Civic 😳
I have a 2001 that me and my dad bought with a bad transmission now im gonna buy it cause my truck broke down
Civic ehwwwww
@@royale7620 I love my Civic even though its a bit underpowered :)
My mom bought one of these new in 2001, on the way home we took it “off-road” in the front yard of our local elementary school. Now, 20 years later it still works with little issues over the years with 200k miles. Absolutely love the truckiness of these SUVs and worry free ownership.
Congrats! Still have my 98 Jeep Cherokee, a little over 200,000 miles. I absolutely love it as well
Repent now god is coming🙏❗❗❗❗✋✋✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️✝️
@@moelester3062 Prove it.
@@keon5779 I cant but he will come eventually search up prove god exist
@@moelester3062 That's confirmation bias, fool. You can't prove a thing.
I've got a 1997 Limited 3rd Gen with the E-locker and it has 420k miles on it now. Running strong! I have driven it all over the country and aside from basic maintenance such as oil changes and repairs as parts literally wear out (most recently a rear wheel bearing), it just won't quit. They are so easy to work on and I have learned so much from doing my own repairs on her over the years, from those oil changes to water pumps, timing belts, AC compressor, alternator, the aforementioned wheel bearing (I just bought a salvage axle and saved a ton of time and $). Next up is the valve cover gaskets! 3rd Gen 4Runner fam for life. I will never sell it.
wow you have the e-Locker? I'm really jealous of you
Doug: "You may wonder why they put access to the trunk on the key fob."
Me: "So you can access the trunk?"
Doug: "SO YOU CAN ACCESS THE TRUNK!"
Me: ...
must be new here
😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
As if prices weren’t high enough, now Doug’s featured this car..
@Rita , WANT ВОУ !!! You are ugly
Foreals 😂😂 I want one now
This is such an edge case I would not bet on it. Biggest problem right now is tax season + spring, so prices are going to shift up.
Thank you Doug making my turd worth more.
I don't think it's possible for Toyota 4x4s to get any more expensive. They're already at 2x Land Rover prices, and under 150k miles it's practically the same price to buy new. I've been thinking of selling my 15-year-old 4Runner to buy a F250 and a camper.
The back wind deflector isn’t a spoiler. It creates a wind curtain for the rear window and prevents buffeting.
Close, it’s actually a dust control device. The theory was that the wind deflected across the window will keep it from getting too dirty to see through
My pathfinder had exactly the same thing. Really rounded off the rear end
Doug always gets corrected. Whenever he explains what something is, often times it’s not super specific, kinda sorta half right, or completely wrong
Also to deflect exhaust away from the open window while driving.
This is how SUV should be: Capable, Simple , durable
Chevy Blazer has entered the chat.
@@GaryKetchum808 nobody wants that piece of junk. Gimme a Toyota any day.
@@GaryKetchum808 fuck the blazer, and i drive a 80s k20
@@GaryKetchum808 reliable**
And reliable
"I wanna start with the garage door opener situation."
This was the first time in human history that those words were strung together in that order.
Garage door manufactures, garage door installers and the vehicle designer who came up with that quirk may have said those words lol
@@brianking392 Buzz Killington, everybody.
R/brandnewsentence
Doug could review a bowl of cereal and I'd still watch that's how good Doug is at his job
Such a clean example. Those things can last a lifetime
more than a lifetime if u take good care of it
2 other things to note about these are that it has a non-interference motor. So if you blow a timing belt, you only have to re-time it and put a new belt on, no damage to the head. If you have issues with power windows and lock functions, check the wires in the driver's door jam, they commonly break there
Mf i seen this comment and checked my door jam, i immediately found out why the windows wouldn’t work😂 thanks man
I’m about to check rn having that same window problem
Does this apply to 4th gen? The power window issues?
Me:
Bugatti review: Asleep
2000 Toyota review: *A W A K E*
hahaha i feel this 1000%
So true! I just want to watch stuff about quirky relatable cars from the 80s-00s, not some unobtainable billionaire’s 60th car.
@@texasBMXer exactly!
@@texasBMXer awe you’re so cute
Wow
Every 3rd gen 4Runner with less than 200k miles is considered “low mileage” by every Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist seller.
that is low mileage for them
Mine has 325k😂
Damn truth
When a vehicle can go 400K, and even half a million miles, 200K IS low mileage.
“Don’t low ball me, I know what I have.”
Common Nostalgia cars like this are the reason I subscribed to Doug.
Same
Yes agreed. So much so that I bought one of these last month. Now because of Doug the value has shot up double what I paid. Thanks Demuro!
You're not kidding about them being popular in Colorado!
Drove through on my way to Las Vegas and felt like I was in an alternate reality where all the vehicles were 4Runners. I was also driving my 97 4Runner there lmao!
As a Vegas resident... I love my 4 runner. As well as all the smart folks here!
Back in the 80's and 90's they were actually affordable. Nowadays they price them like a Lexus
Just accept it because it will never be 1980's and 1990's again.
@@automation7295 No way! 🤦♂️
Did you factor inflation? Back then a good interest rate was 10% apr. I use to be a car salesman.
@@OneManOnFire good point, I don't know how much inflation there was. My dad paid something like $11K or $12K in 1986.
The new ones don't depreciate much so it's still a very good buy.
I just watched a 26-minute video on a 4Runner LOL.
a used 21 year old 4 runner lol. me too haha
I am watching it now. Actually. So we all the same. We are controlled by Doug.
A 26-minute commercial for his site.
@@MyKeeP81 A 26min video of a 20yr old 4Runner for which I owned one and yet I too watched the whole video 🤷♂️
@@sensibleb bids are over 22k already
I love these "older car" videos. New cars are cool, but its way more fun to see what was the norm when I was a kid.
I dont. Becasue hes gonna make the process go up.
The newer cars suck
@@scherzva Older cars were new once, so you also think all 1990's and 2000's sucked when they were new?
If you think new cars suck, you obviously hate people for owning them. Also cars that came out in 2000's were newer at the time.
@@automation7295 the newest car I own is a 2005 Mercedes C230, I have a '03 SLK320, a 2000 Land Cruiser, and a '97 BMW Z3. My next purchase will be something like the 3rd gen 4Runner or a Series 80 Land Cruiser. I am not a fan of new cars. I am in tech, I don't want it in my face when I drive.
@@scherzva By newer cars, you clearly meant newer than 2005 or what?
You said "newer cars suck", that could also mean your 1997 BMW Z3, 2000 Land Cruiser, 2003 SLK320 and 2005 Mercedes C230 sucked when they were first came out.
As an owner of a 2002 4Runner, I just want to thank you for continuing to do car reviews for the little guys 😂
something that will last forever should get higher than a 7 on quality
The Doug Score is bullshit that makes no sense, don't try to understand it.
It accounts for more than reliability. Don't forget about all the very cheap and ugly plastics etc
Though I do feel it should be an 8, but whatever
I owned one. They don't last forever and are hugely overrated
@@stanleymasterson1135 It is a vehicle after all
If it was a European vehicle I am sure the score would be higher.
Next week on Dougs Channel
“THIS... is my new Toyota 4 runner”
After he gets rid of the Defender 😭
Haha, same here. In fact, TH-cam is trying to get me to watch the $3,000,000 McLaren P1 GTR video from a month ago that I never clicked on. But I clicked on the 2000 4Runner video an hour after it was uploaded.
This is the exact car I learned to drive in. Same trim, colours, interior, everything. This really takes me back, thanks Doug!
i am in love with my 3rd gen. Its 20 years old and still rocks the biz!
"This 4runner is currently listed on sale for Cars and Bids"
Why am I not surprised? The site is obsessed with Toyota offroaders.
If there wasn't a market for them, they wouldn't be on the site selling like crazy.
Everyone is obsessed with toyota offroaders.
I loved Doug subtly throwing out the $20,000 number (hint, hint), LOL
@@K2theAblam yea fr, I’m not an off roading type of person but I love the look of 4runners and land cruisers
I swear like 25% of the site is ONLY Toyota land cruisers and 4 runners
About that spoiler; it's purpose was to direct air down behind the car and decrease the low-pressure zone behind the car. This keeps dust from settling on the rear window and harming visibility. I live in a rural area and almost all vehicles (SUV's, school busses, etc.) that have a flat back have a spoiler like this to control gravel dust.
It's very logical don't know how he couldn't think of that
Bingo. Blazers, broncos, etc. had them too for the same reason.
@@moskitosTR Doug's a bit of an idiot when it comes to common sense.
♥️
When you realize your teenage car is now vintage, welcome to adulthood.
When you realize that the next generation of teens are still driving this truck and the Tacoma’s of the same time.
@@aaronjones5742 when you are a teen that recently got a 3rd gen as their first car
@@leoperelman2394 Good job! Im 40ish and wish I had one NOW
When you hear the rock songs of your youth on the classic radio station, you’re getting old.
When you are 19 and own a third gen 😲
I have owned two 4th gen 4Runners, a Tacoma and I just bought a 3rd gen! My favorite by far! Simple, clean lines and it feels like you are driving a little tank. ❤️
Finally the day has arrived when Doug reviews a car I've owned
That 4Runner is a unicorn with those miles and manual transmission. I have an automatic 2002 with 200K miles and I love mine!
My middle school guitar teacher drove one of these. My buddies and I were tasked with loading her truck for a performance and we found it hilarious when we turned the key and the back window rolled down, but in retrospect it’s a great feature!
That would be called child abuse today for making you work lol. I always imagine school guitar teacher driving a Prius or something lol.
SNIFFLING LIME!! MW2 Master! BROO MY GUY!!! I cant believe you watch the same channels as me!!!
@@djyems1021 haha hell yeah man! Love Doug’s channels
The back window is awesome, it's great when you pull in to go grocery shopping and someone parks behind you, don't have to worry about hitting their car with the tailgate just open the window
its probs been said but the rear spoiler is to keep exhaust fumes from creeping up in the dead air area and getting into the open rear window also believe it or not my 4runner still has all 3 garage door opener buttons
Yoooooo wtf Roanoke is here
And you have a 4Runner cool
I bought mine at 211k and all three were up there and untouched, the 3m tape wasn't even used
I drove a 4 cylinder 5-speed 4WD of this generation for about 8 years as a field vehicle before I switched jobs. It was terrible driving up steep mountain roads, but off road, it was a absolute beast. I frequently used low range, and, that clutch start cancel came in handy more than once. When I left that job 8 years ago, it had over 150K on it. The "features" on this one is without doubt the fully loaded version. What an absolute gem.
Fun fact: Doug Demuro makes the value of old cars go up when he reviews them
True why you think this video came out when it did? Dougs smart Him and his friend will make more off of it
Same with RCR videos
Not the Maybach thats still on sale for over a year lmao
The rear "spoiler" is meant to keep dust off the back window. Toyota did these on the Sienna also.
Also exhaust fumes. I converted to a JDM spoiler and the amount of exhaust fumes in the cabin is almost unbearable. The spoiler is there to divert air flow down and away from the cabin
I always thought it was to throw more air down the back window when it’s down
@@ajskowron which is also why modern station wagons don't have rear windows that can be dropped.
I'm AMAZED at the things Doug doesn't know sometimes, or at least lack of creative thought about why something is the way it is.
What would he make of the ridges in '80s Mercedes tail lights, for example..
@@yungboicontigo9278 See, the part where I didn't say he didn't do research indicates that I don't think he doesn't do research. I knew he did before he told us about this. He reads the flipping manual in half the videos!
@@yungboicontigo9278 Jeez man, I'm not saying we cancel him; nor am I mad at him, but thanks for the personality assessment of a stranger, dude. Pull your head in.
Thanks a lot, Doug. Thanks to you I went and bought a '98 3.4L 5-speed. I've had five 4Runners and a couple of Land Cruisers and this video rekindled my love of them. 340,000kms (recent timing belt/water pump/battery), 2" suspension lift, two sets of tires and rims. Needs some minor TLC but it was $4000!
Same! One I'm getting soon has a small dent and that's all the TLC it needs! 230k mile 2002 SR5 4Runner for $5000 which is crazy with how the market is right now!
They put those “spoilers” on station wagons for decades. Forces air down over the tailgate to keep the glass clean
Also on hatchbacks too
@@automation7295 And minivans.
@@plmn93 And some buses and trucks on front deflectors above the windshield.
That is not a spoiler on the back glass. It is a protector so you dont hit the top of the vehicle when going reverse.
Ahhh i did not no that's what they were for, thanks for that factoid .
Last time I was this early, Doug still owned the Cadillac CTS wagon
Shut up
@@pissoff234 F OFF
tht was a long time ago I think
@@estevanorozco3954
Nobody was talking to you.
Now go back to begging for food in your third world country.
My favorite 4Runner generation. I once owned a ‘99 SR5, then an ‘02 Limited. There is something to be said about simplicity melded with great style. The thin C and D pillars, relatively narrow body and tall stance made this generation a work of automotive art.
I love my '96 Limited. It's got 270k+ miles on it and is all original. ZERO rust. All original. Everything works. Literally a time capsule. It took me years to find one in this shape and I'm not getting rid of it. LOVE THESE THINGS!
Well I can’t pass up on commenting this: drove our ‘99 4Runner Limited from Oregon to Ushuaia, Argentina over 15 months. Shipped it home from Buenos Aires to Jacksonville, FL and drove it cross country back to our garage in Portland, OR. Drove her to the mailbox yesterday. 205,000 miles and still running strong.
The rear “spoiler” is to deflect air to blow dirt/dust of the rear window. Many station wagons/SUVs back in the day had them.
I was going to comment about this too. I had a '67 Wagoneer with a roll down rear window but no spoiler. Not just dust, but exhaust would enter in the rear depending on conditions.
Its also to reduce drag and increase fuel efficieny.
my 04 outback has it lol
@@tomsriv as well as an extra bit of down force, albeit slight... these trucks are pretty prone to roll-over.
@@cultparade2981 not going fast enough to make a difference in downforce. But it is true they are prone to roll over. I spun out in mine once.
The rear "spoiler" is in fact a wind deflector and it's purpose is to keep the rear window cleaner from dust and rain.
These are my favorite videos of Doug’s- the late 90s/early 2000s cars that were so symbolic of their time. These were the cars I grew up with.
Doug: "finding one of these in this condition is PRACTICALLY impossible" - here's one for sale on my website....
Tbf he’s right. You literally will not ever find one like this again. I’ve watched for years.
Now it is, he found the only one lol
@@chasechapman4689 I’d be happy just finding one without holes rusted through the tailgate...
@@powersurge001 mine has no rust and 294k miles🤷🏻♂️
He's definitely self-promoting. But to his credit, he's telling the truth. A 4Runner in that good of condition with only $26k miles is really a unicorn. That's a collector's car right there. It is PRACTICALLY impossible. This car will be in a Mecham Auto Auction in another 10 years.
Doug, the type of guy to make his parents to read a car’s manual as his bedtime story.
Lmaoooo
very overused joke fortnite kid
overused joke just like your overused hole lmaooo
speak english little boy..
Yea, but Doug’s laughing....all the way to the bank....
You’ve done 5th gen and 3rd gen now, PLEASE do 4th gen next !!
I second that!
Preferably with the V8.
Yes
No lol
Yes please!!!
The definition of an SUV. I’ve wanted this vehicle since I first seen it as a child in the 90s, and I’m finally getting one this month.
So?...... how is it
@@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle i ended up getting a bike lol
@@Sapioso live in the city?
@@HTV-2_Hypersonic_Glide_Vehicle what city
@@Sapioso any
The best out of all Gens in my opinion. Timeless Rig that can run forever. I still got mine that I’ve had for 20yrs and she still going strong
Same, my 2002 has 225k miles and still going! I've owned it since 105k.
The 5VZ with a 5sp is incredibly smooth even by today’s standards. One of the all time best engines ever made.
The 4.0 V6 5 speed auto in the 5th Gen is better in every way
Yup! I have that setup in my 04 Taco. So smooth! 465K kms and counting. ORIGINAL CLUTCH!
I just bought a 2001 4WD SR5 version. I'm SO happy with it! So much room in the back I'm going to build a sleeping/storage platform for camping. Has only 190k, but I have seen some in person with 450k+ on the original engine. The most bulletproof engine in existence I think in a non-commercial vehicle!
Had a 2000 SR5 for 9 years, then I sold it to my friend for about $4500, and he drove it another 9 years. Loved that vehicle. The rear window roll down was my favorite feature on any car. My dog loved it, and I loved having smooth air flow through the cabin when I'd ride with my windows down (which I did a lot). Fantastic SUV
Put a self tapping screw in it for the track to clear the wiper motor and now my back window rolls down. I was so happy and impressed. Love showing it off.
These things don’t die, my father had it since 1997 & sold it a few years ago with 300k miles with no issues
same here! for ever a legend in my book
I have this car, 380 thousand miles on it so far and it runs amazing. I love the old thing.
Nice video. I have the same one with 300k miles on it. Haven’t had it long but have fallen in love with it. Pretty cool to see you point out all the features and talk so highly of it. There are def a lot of cool things on this truck. They were thinking of everything when they made this gem. I’m going to drive mine until the wheels fall off.
I too owned a 2000 4Runner Limited. I live in the northeast in a high salt area. The car lasted me 19 years. The engine and transmission were beasts, nothing but normal maintenance. Never garaged, never failed inspection, never left me stranded. The interior never worn out looked great up until its last day. The only thing that happened was the frame rotted due to the yearly salt exposure. I think 19 years is a very reasonable time for a car to last. Loved that car.
Did you do anything apart from normal washing of the underside to fight the rust? I’m sure it was inevitable being up there. I own one with a very clean frame but is my only snow capable vehicle, so hoping to keep it up as much as possible from the mild winters we have. Should only see a few snows a year.
These are so awesome. We bought one of these with almost 240k miles, and drove it from Portland to Panama and back to Honduras. It was still smooth as butter, and just needed regular maintenance. It only stopped when the next owner crashed it in Mexico.
If only we had these in Europe, I'd buy them. (yeah yeah, I know, Hilux. But I want that sweet reliable gas V6)
I remember seeing a green 3rd Gen 4R loaded out at the dealer, probably about 10 years ago now, for roughly $12000. About 100,000 miles. I thought that price was crazy at the time. But I guess these are highly desirable- and I see them in person and it's like being taken back to my teenage years.
I’ve been waiting for this moment all my life.
Legit I was saying this 3 years ago lmao.
me too, my dad had a ‘96 manual 4runner that i always wanted.. he had to sell it sadly
@@__The_Real_V__ joke?
Haha as a 3rd Gen 4Runner owner and Doug fan, same.
Same man. 1999 SR5 here
best vehicle I ever owned, driving this thing is a blast. love my 99 SR5. the whole thing feels like it was milled from a solid block of aluminum, or steel, or whatever. so, so solid and reliable. insane.
9:40 The "get out of a parking space on a San Francisco hill" button
Thank you for giving the 3rd gen the love that it deserves.
He forgot one of the best quirks! The vent under the steering column for the driver's.... undercarriage!
the cooch-cooler? ;)
the ball chiller
WAIT IT HAS A COCK VENT LIKE SOME CLASSIC CARS?
700-900 series Volvos have it and I think my E39 did too. Many more that I've driven did too. Not that rare, just good design
Wow this makes me feel so old. I was in high school when these came out and you still see so many on the road today. What a great truck.
Haha same
I remember as a younger child me and my friends used to all sit in the cargo area with the rear window open and did road trips often. Good times.
That sounds awesome
I've had my '00 4Runner for almost 10 years, gonna keep driving it a whole lot longer.
Thrilling story. Thanks for sharing.
@@rcsor3 and a fucking stellar reply.
@@BentonHart thanks, I stayed up all night working on it.
@@rcsor3 😭💀
Doug gets pulled over by the cops: “THIS...is my driver license and registration”
@Rita , WANT ВОУ !!! no
🤣
lol, some normal people do tht probably
@TableRocked I’m fucking dead wtf 😭😭💀💀
@TableRocked THIS is my 🖕
I own a 97 4Runner sr5 with the auto 4wd and 266k miles and it still drives so good, even with the check engine light on lol
1 year later update, I hit 277K-280K. fixed the check engine light (it was the catalytic converter) and while I was underneath the car I decided to put a custom exhaust from the cat back, 12" glass pack. She runs good, and sounds good too. Just for anyone wondering.
I have a 98 4wd. Got it at 301k around march this year. At almost 311k now, but I had to do a lot of maintenance. Had to take care of a few different engine light scenarios. TPS sensor twice (got an oem the second time) and catalytic converter. Valve cover gaskets, oem LBJs. Vac lines, intake hose, a lot of tape, zip ties, new center console. I've wrenched on this thing and learned to take quite a few different parts off and put it back. First vehicle I've ever been off roaded for real. I'm not really counting Tacoma snow drifting or driving through the woods.
I drove the 4runner climbing over small rocks, drove through creeks and mud, camping, and way out of civilization. Stock suspension and 265/75/16 falkens. Load C. Never even got punctured.
Since it's been cold, my battery is dying even with the new alternator and battery clamps. It was so cold that I discovered battery insulation wraps, which is my ultimate mod very soon. I haven't had the 4runner towed yet, but I'm trying so hard not to let that happen either. Money pit. Already spent almost 10k in maintenance on a kazillion different things, but that's what I get for buying a hunting woods toy from Tennessee
Loved everything about owning one. These just feel so robust and the visibility is amazing.
The visibility great! The driving position feels great, considering your not in a huge truck, but it feels like one.
I am the owner of this truck. I agree that visibility in a 3rd gen 4Runner is better than any other vehicle I've ever owned.
@@mrvictory1999 awesome runner. I had a 2000 limited auto with the diff lock. Bought it with 212k everything worked except the ac. Not a squeak or rattle. still had the original shocks. Just next level durability.
Currently have 272k on mine 5speed 4x4, still runs like new. 96 - 02 were the pinnacle years of toyota
I have the '98 version. It's not a spoiler, its a deflector. It's meant to force air down thus assisting in lowering the amount of exhaust gasses from entering when the rear window is open. It works best when going over @ 40 mph, so it's not much use in stop n go traffic.
I used to drive one of these in college. It was a 1997 with a V6 and 220,000 miles when I bought it at 18. TOTAL beater already at that point… it had shit falling apart all over and looked like a death trap. When I was a pledge I had the bright idea to use it to pull a trailer full of tailgate stuff 4 hours to Houston and somehow it managed to pull the hell out of it both ways. Two years later I offered to drive 10 hours to Panama City Beach and back, and it miraculously made it. It finally took a dump right before I graduated and it had a little over 290k miles, and took a lot of extra abuse along the way. The thing was a tank.
People on craigslist sell these with 500k miles for 7000 bucks still LOL.
No, they "ask" $7000. No one is paying that
@@click9914 you're crazy lol
@@click9914 I owned one. Its definitely NOT worth the asking price
@@click9914 it's definitely not worth the asking price LOL that's a rip-off
Not worth it plus the sag in the back
I have an 01 and I love it has over 325k miles and still runs strong! Love your videos!
One thing Doug didn't mention is that halfway through the 3rd gen run, Toyota added the "multi-mode" transfer case (first on the Limiteds beginning in 1999, and the rest of the line later). Multi-mode was very clever and years ahead of its time. The way it worked was that by pushing a button on the transfer case shifter, you could toggle between rear wheel drive and true AWD (as opposed to 4WD). Meaning you could sent power to all four wheels safely on pavement by bypassing the center diff lock, or by shifting the transfer case you could lock the two axles together for true four-wheel-drive. And for the first two years of multi-mode, you could also get the rear differential locker option. Pretty brilliant, especially for two decades ago!
In 1996 I bought anew 4Runner limited which i still have. It has been unbelievably reliable. It still has its original rear brakes, air conditioning, transmission, one change of front rotors and pads at 230,00 miles. Does not burn oil and none is needed between oil changes. Drives beautiful and is great off road. It currently has about 236,000miles on it! GREAT SUV!
My 3rd gen actually still has the unused velcro and nonbroken garage door opener buttons!
you can even source the pieces from toyota camrys from 1997-2001!
Mine as well!
All mine do.
Doug is such a proud papa of these crazy time capsule deals that keep showing up on Cars&Bids and I love watching what they go for
you know damn well 4runners are gonna go up in price after this video
I thought the Scotty Kilmer videos were from god, now this. They’re worth every bit and more of the ask rn for a good one.
Wait until the 6th gen comes out. I heard the 6th gen will be a 4cylinder hybrid. I’m pretty sure this and the 4th gen V8 will go up in value once that new one comes out.
@@Xcrafter3000 It will skyrocket in price.
Good thing I already bought mine
The prices will definitely go up along with the Tundra, Lexus GX, LX and Land Cruiser.
I love the interior function, and exterior looks of these trucks, it's perfect! You can tell they really did their research on what people wanted.
Ehhh. Radio is hard to reach