Toyota trucks you wish you could cocoon for later in life

[paddlenbike]

After getting hit from the rear in the 4Runner recently, I've been thinking more about what would happen if I had to replace my 4Runner. The 3rd and 4th gens are old enough now that trying to find a low mileage one in excellent condition is getting extremely difficult. If I had the money and space (of which I have neither), the list of vehicles I'd like to cocoon for later in life include the following:

Sunfire Red Pearl 3rd gen:


and a Thundercloud Gray, for good measure:


2006-2007 Land Cruiser in Imperial Jade Mica (2006-2007 are the only years of the 270 hp vvti engine.)


Anyone else?

What inspired this thread is my neighbor's new purchase. They bought their parent's 1999 Imperial Jade Mica LandCruiser and the thing is literally perfect and only has 115k on the odometer. It's hard to find purchases like this any more.

[Seanz0rz]

I have thought about this too. I think 06+ 4th gen or a clean, great condition 3rd gen (any year) would be a pretty direct replacement for me. I have also looked at the 2nd generation Tacoma as well.

I do have to say though, I have always had my heart set on the Autumn Blaze Metallic from 99. Only seen 2 or 3 maybe?

Not a replacement, but an addition to the family will be a 100 series Land Cruiser, probably 03+.

[YotaFun]

I have a large list myself lol!

1) Anthracite Metallic 3rd Gen:
At first this color really didn't jive with me but it grew after a while and I love it and love having it


2) Autumn Blaze Metallic 3rd Gen:
They only came out in 99, I would love to fine one grab it, restore it and the store it lol!


3) Thunder Cloud Sport 3rd Gen:
This color is on my stepdads which was orignially what made me fall in love with the 3rd Gen 4Runners:


4) Golden Pearl 3rd Gen:
I love the this particular white:

[DHC6twinotter]

'03+ Land Cruiser in Thunder Cloud Matallic would probably be the only SUV I would buy now to save for a future date. 4Runners are great, but not really a vehicle I would cocoon for latter.

A stock '97 or '98 Supra would be a car I would love to hang on to for 50 years.

[toyotech]

if only we could get toyota to build new older models according to customers wants....

[Seanz0rz]

There is definitely progress though. 3rd gen suspension was much improved over 2nd gen, and 4th gen was even better. All the people screaming for solid axles won't buy a new one anyway because of the airbags, nice interior, and high price. I do wish the vehicles would stop growing each generation. And I wish they offered models without all the electronics nannies.

[paddlenbike]

There is definitely progress though. 3rd gen suspension was much improved over 2nd gen, and 4th gen was even better. All the people screaming for solid axles won't buy a new one anyway because of the airbags, nice interior, and high price. I do wish the vehicles would stop growing each generation. And I wish they offered models without all the electronics nannies.

I agree Sean. There are a lot of things to like about the 3rd gen, but for me, the durability, reliability, ease of repairs, etc., make it a great long-term vehicle to own. I suspect as the 4th gens get older they will have all of the issues of the 3rd gens plus things like the auto-latching hatch will break, vehicle skid control systems and sensors going bad, TPMS issues, the dashboards look like a nightmare to take apart if/when the heater core ever goes...things like that. The 3rd gen is pretty simple. Plus the 5VZ's iron block will take boost like a mad man; not so much with the newer aluminum engines.

[toyotech]

There is definitely progress though. 3rd gen suspension was much improved over 2nd gen, and 4th gen was even better. All the people screaming for solid axles won't buy a new one anyway because of the airbags, nice interior, and high price. I do wish the vehicles would stop growing each generation. And I wish they offered models without all the electronics nannies.

i agree. the air bag increase cost of bumpers. plus you cant (not that i know off) turn the bags off when offroad since i seen videos of them going off on bumpy fireroads...
not a fan of the electric traction controls that uses that brake system. talk about replacing pads/rotors often if you acually off road your vehicle

toyota should start doing built to order vehicles. options from all models (taco,fj,4runner,tundra,land cruiser) that be sweet!!

[paddlenbike]

I have expanded upon my plan. Once Dan gets his first set of aircraft and buys/rents a hangar, maybe he'll let me park my cocoons there.

[DHC6twinotter]

I have expanded upon my plan. Once Dan gets his first set of aircraft and buys/rents a hangar, maybe he'll let me park my cocoons there.

LOL...I wish I could afford a few aircraft and a pilot's license. That is an expensive hobby, and I've got too many other hobbies. Would love an old Waco and a Diamond DA-42 or Quest Kodiak. I actually wouldn't mind flying bush planes for a living, but paying 70 grand for a CPL is not worth the mediocre pay.