2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5: Regular Car Reviews

My godfather Tim would pick me up once a month in his red 1997 4Runner. My favourite part was how the back window rolled down and we would go barreling down the highway with all the windows down playing The Offspring. We would always go to McDonalds back when there was a 2 cheeseburger meal. Whenever I see a 3rd gen, especially red it takes me back to my special days with Tim when I was a teenager. He is still around and I now see him once a month in his elder years.

I really like the format of mr regular just driving around while talking about the vehicle, feels fittingly personal for a well used car

that random board room bit really struck me again how good of a writer you really are, crude shit and all

Back in 2000, my dad bought a fully loaded 4Runner of that model year. It has everything from the in-bumper fog lights, the leather seats, the matte black spoiler on the back, and even the slightly larger 5-spoke rims in chrome. He held onto it through economical hardships and various adventures. It drove me everywhere, home from the hospital, to and from school and practices, and along several road trips. I am lucky to say that 2 years ago, it became mine, at only 153,000 miles on the clock. Now I’ve worked on it myself to get it up to snuff, getting rid of those terrifying-down-hills warped rotors, putting in all new fluids and synthetic oils, and all the new seals that leak quite terribly if not changed. I’m not wanting to put bigger tires or change anything on it—keeping it the way it is and forever was is a representation of my life, only now do I take full control of it. It now has 177,000 miles and it’s running smoothly like it always has. I’ve gotten large cash offers for it various times, but like my life, it’s not for sale and it never will be. Thank you for this review—I’ve been waiting for this video since I would sneak glances at it in the background. I’m happy to see that the true star of the show finally gets the deserved attention. You nailed every emotional feeling this car is and then some. And just as you stated in your review of the Camry, this car evokes everything I find ideal in a partner—they may not be the best, but they’re always going to be there for you and up for adventure. Happy trails and keep ‘Runnin!

I've got a 3rd gen with 360k that gets 21mpg and the only thing it needs is new shocks. incredible machines!

just moved to hawaii to live with family and they gave me my cousin’s old 99 4Runner to use, i’ve never had a car that felt like such a faithful companion and endeared me so much to it in such a short time

My Dad had a 1997 limited when I was growing up. So I have a soft spot for these trucks. Unfortunately that Runner had spent most of its life in Chicago so it was totaled by rust by 2014. Loved that car.

Best looking 4Runner ever…

Dude this is probably one of your best video reviews ever.

Moved from Oregon to Colorado in November 2005. Found a 1998 4Runner Limited in Boulder for $12K and thought of it as a 'throw away' that I could easily let go of for something new. 18 years later and I am still driving it daily. I deal with its weaknesses, feed its habits, and paint it to keep it fresh. I have no plans to replace it. It's a reliable old friend that has earned my loyalty time and again. I totally understand.

Regarding the brakes, you should consider upgrading the the front calipers, rotors and pads to the ones used in first gen Tundras. Its a pretty common mod with noticeable improvement. I used to get brake fade in the mountains but that never happens since I upgraded my brakes. I feel like the stopping distance is also improved.

One of the best vehicles ever made, period. If I could have one for every day of the week I would. Great tribute 👌

I know all good things come to an end, but it is my hope that RCR stays the course as long as possible. These videos are such quality listening material. From the wild, off the wall jokes to the relatable glimpses into our lives and sometimes our past. Great job. Keep it up

I had a ‘98 that saved my life! It was my first car. I wish I still had it, it was absolutely incredible. Hit a patch of slush in the middle of the NYS thruway at 12AM, like if the plow had skipped over it and left a 6in pile in the middle of the road. It bounced and lost traction, started to spin, and got nailed in front of the pedals by an 18 wheeler. I spun the other way, slid onto the shoulder and the front right tire found purchase, which sent it rolling over. When it finally stopped, I still had to turn that beautiful engine and lights off for the final time. When I unbuckled, I landed on the drivers side window. This was the only injury I got other than heartbreak. A total of 9 stitches. To add insult to injury, the 18 wheeler was one I just loaded on my shift at UPS. If I could afford it I’d 1000000% buy another Gen3.

In 2020 I fell into a a ‘99 manual transmission 4Runner for $4k before I knew it was rare. I bought it off the original owner with the receipt from our neighborhood dealer. It had 330k miles and a bootleg Jane’s Addiction concert in the tape deck. But the rust is getting to a point where I should let it go. There are so many other Toyota trucks I could ride through the apocalypse. But if I refuse to leave 1999, maybe the apocalypse will never catch me.

That ending really struck a cord with me. Earlier this year I got my hands on a 2005 4runner, which is the generation I'm nostalgic for. Having grown up around early to late 2000s cars. Shortly after I parted ways with a Subaru SVX that I absolutely loved, but wasn't the right car for me at the time. I knew that, but I felt incredibly guilty about it, like I had failed the car. Half a year later and I'm loading my entire life into a uhual trailer and towing it across the USA to move states for university, inside my Toyota 4Runner. I feel an unwavering comradery to that car. And even though I had to make lots of changes in my life, parting ways with some things I wish I didn't have to, the 4Runner ended up being my chariot to carry me through those changes, with no second guesses or concerning noises. And I've been absolutely loving uni so far. Change does not have to be a bad thing.

I worked on these for a decade and I totally agree. They’re incredible. I’m partial to the on-ramp ability of my ‘07 V8, (needs thousands of $$ of manifolds) but I was always a sucker for G3.

Bought one of these 3 months ago & I love it. Bought it off a buddy w/ 256k mile on it for $2000 & he threw in his 2nd gen Tacoma wheels & tires for free. It has a slow oil leak & the AC didnt work. Got the AC comppesor and fan clutch replaced & added some oil. Added some creature comforts like a subwoofer, a trunk cargo cover to keep it hidden, white LEDs for the interiors & headlights, rain gaurds to match the hood deflector. Since I have worked from home for the last 3 years I barely put 2k miles on cars a year. I'ev already put 4k in the 4 months I've had this thing just taking road trips!

My first car was a 94 4Runner. I loved that car. My second car was a 98. I loved that car. And then gas was well over $4 a gallon and I was a poor college student driving 60 miles a day, getting 14mpg on the highway on a good day, working part-time for not much above minimum wage, and I had to say goodbye and switched to a Jetta that only lasted me a year and a half. That 94 was in service for a long while after that, and made it to a cool 250k before it was put in the grave in an intense battle with a tree. Now I have a 96 Tacoma and it's just like my first car all over again, except worse because it's only got a wee baby 4 cylinder and it's not happy with so much as a few cinderblocks in the bed. I love you, every 90s Toyota. I'll love you forever.

The day has finally come where RCR reviews the car I am currently driving