egs21

Hey guys, I'm thinking of selling the GS300 and getting into a Toyota 4Runner. I have a growing a family and the room / utility of a SUV is appealing. Looking at the 4th Generation 4Runner (2002-2009). They seem to be very solid and reliable vehicles.

Am I crazy for wanting to move on from the GS300? I love the car, but some of the suspension issues are scaring me.

gsbs300

Egs-
I have both a gs3 and a 3rd gen t4r.

it's hard to choose one over the other.they are both great vehicles but I use them for completely different things.if I had to pick the more we'll rounded vehicle id pick the runner .i don't have to worry as much when I have the wife and kid in there about something getting scratched or stained or broken.I also do a lot of work carrying dirty car parts,materials for work,taking dogs to the park and vet and the beach.so just ask yourself what you need the car/truck for most.
I also noticed you mention 02-09, the 4th gen 4runner started in 03 so the 02 is still a 3rd gen. I like both but I grew up on the 3rd gen so that's just what I know.
Hope this helps good luck

egs21

Thanks gsbs300. I appreciate the thoughts.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I was trying to find a 04-09 sport or limited 4 runner for the longest time but couldn't. I used to own a 99 which is a lot like the 2002, and while it was a great SUV it was bumpy, slow, and pretty simplistic, it was one of my favorite cars and it just felt like you could not kill the thing, I didn't worry about hitting potholes or anything like that. I would trade the gs if you got a limited or even a sport, but not for an sr5. I know the gs has suspension issues, but some 4runners have issues as well. Some earlier v6 models had head gasket problems, the v8s suffered from cracked exhaust manifolds. Also watch for leaking xreas suspensions on the sports and some limiteda. Both the gs and 4runner are very reliable, but both have there issues as well. The 03-09 4tunners ride very well, but are still very too heavy. The interior is a little cheaper feeling, but still feels very well made. Also some came with 4 speeds and others 5. It really comes down to what you need the car for. I tried to find one because I often go out of town skiing, or boating, but I realized for myself at least, I found myself on the highway much more so it made sense to keep my gs300 instead of selling it to get the 4runner. If you have any questions pm me as I have pretty thorough experiences with the 97-02 4runner, own a gs, and drove countless 03-09 4runners and still have one in the family.

egs21

Gray ES,

Thanks for the detailed response. I've always like the 4Runners and we can get some pretty tough winters where I live and having the 4x4 and extra space would be nice. But honestly I think I am just getting some cold feet given some of the suspension issues I'm finding out about the GS. The ball joints are not a big deal, but the control arms are very pricey and I'm just nervous about shelling out big money on the suspension. My plan with my GS was to keep it until at least 150k and possibly 200k. I just crossed 90k over the weekend so I need to decide soon whether I want to keep it long-term.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I just replaced both upper control arms, ball joints, caster arms, and tie rods. It cost me about 1.5k all together, which isn't terrible. The 4runner would have been great for me because of weather because Buffalo has been hit pretty hard as well. Just some repair costs for the 4runner are 1.2k for cracked manifolds, 1.4k for leaking differential/transmission, $500 per side for rear axle seals, and the rust issues they have. I was having the same thoughts about my GS300, but now all the repairs are done, i feel like im set for at least 100k if i keep it that long, but I think I wont have it that long since once I'm done with school, I'm hoping to get a 4th gen GS. If it helps, control arms on rock auto, (for moog, very good quality) are about $150, probably a little less and places will only charge about $100-200 to change it. I found this out after i had already changed one side at the tune of $500 since a factory arm was bought at the price of $300.

egs21

Interesting. At what mileage did you do all this suspension work? I guess I'm wondering how much time I have? Just hit 90k and the car is showing no signs of any suspension issues from what I can tell.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

I'm at 84k, but the ball joints were replaced at 80, but my car is a 2002 that spent time in NYC.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

The tie rods one upper control arm and caster arms I just replaced because I didn't want to pay for an alignment more than once.

MikeFoxx

iTrader: (8)

Get one of these

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/lex...000-miles.html

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...eneration-218/

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

That would be a fair compromise...or skip the GX and go straight to a 2007 LX470, or LX570. I miss our LX470.

bigguppy

iTrader: (15)

Go with the GX. The cabin inside is much larger than a 4runner, has 3rd roll seats in most equipped GX and 4WD all day long. Only downside are the cost of airbag and shocks if they fail but you can go with after market or parts from a 4runner or FJ. I am going to replaced my wife's rear shock with a 2004 4runner this weekend. Parts cost shipped under $90 vs $350~ each for oem. Plus it's hard to find a 4runner with leather, navi, no mark levison option and 4WD.

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

^If ou get a v8, it comes only with 4wd, at least here in the north east, not sure about elsewhere

Riksgs808

iTrader: (2)

I got a 04 gs300 and a 05 4runner. It does not have the leather and navi in the 4runner. It wasn't necessary for us. Other than that, I love everything about it. Yes, the material is cheaper than leather, but is of good quality. It is used every day of the week, and the interior is still immaculate from the date of purchase. The paint is the original black, and is still in great shape. It's just me and my girlfriend so it doesn't really matter what car we keep if it came down to it.( 4runner out, the gs is my baby) lol. But sounds like to me the sensible thing for you would be to trade the gs for the 4runner. Good luck bro.

Lmcqueen

Well, I'm a bit of a hoarder, I have gen3 4Runner, GS430 and GX470.

We got the GX couple of months ago, I fully intended to get rid of my 200k mile 4Runner, but I know I won't get much for it, so the GS became decent weather DD, and 4Runner became my winter beater and boy, did I need it this past winter in Chicago... (still expecting up to 10" tomorrow, not done with my 4Runner yet this winter)

Going from your GS, I think you'll be more comfortable in a GX... unless you don't mind bit of less luxuary. I came from Jeep Wrangler side of the world, where it made my Gen3 4Runner feel like a Rolls Royce 10+ years ago.