2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5: Regular Car Reviews

Mr. Regular reviews his own car, as this week's Regular Car Reviews puts the spotlight on his 2000 Toyota 4Runner. One of the icons of the SUV generation, the Toyota 4Runner faced serious challenges from Ford, Jeep, and other brands that had Americans invested in bigger, more rugged cars. What could Toyota do to win them over? What is the legacy of the Toyota 4Runner? Join RCR for a test drive, a look at the features and the history of this car, and a deep dive into what makes the 4Runner worthy or unworthy of your time and attention. Suzie is ready for her close-up as RCR reviews the 2000 Toyota 4Runner!

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New 2nd channel "Regular and Roman"

[unicornshampoo]

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.

[lohenriksson]

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

[jaxothebuilder]

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!

[PhoenixsWorldVideos]

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

[gregskinner]

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.

[huelebcho]

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

[patrickscully]

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

[mdx_vr]

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.

[FunkatronicDingus]

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

[anthonykowalik]

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.

[Magocs]

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.

[dingusmcslow]

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 buy another Gen3.

[Tetsu]

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!

[architypeone]

Finally a review on the 4Runner in the background! You got a real keeper there.
My daily driver is a 2000 4Runner V-6 4WD. We bought it new in 2000 and it is a family member. At 195K I replaced the sagging original suspension with a 2" lift on Bilstein shocks, OME springs, SPC adjustable upper control arms, front diff drop, 285/70/17" Falken Wildpeak AT3w tires and Level 8 (6) spoke alloy rims. It completely transformed the vehicle. Two years ago with 225K miles, my daughter and I took it from KY to Colorado and explored the Alpine Loop near Telluride, Ouray and Silverton. It performed flawlessly and climbed over everything in it's path without breaking a sweat. We even got 18 mpg across Kansas fully loaded with camping gear and 2 adults. I have upgraded to Tundra front brakes and installed a JBA cat back exhaust, (from Summit), and it doesn't sound "farty", but actually purrs and reminds me of an old BMW I used to own. I just turned over 250k and I will drive it till it dies, or I die...whichever comes first. My money is on the 4Runner.

[bsg]

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

[khill]

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

[texboyporsche]

Started watching RCR in 2014. The 3rd gen 4runner was the one review I was waiting for. I have had my 3rd gen since 2010. Never selling

[jonlosito]

My old neighbor is a gardener, and he used to have a 2000 4 Runner SR5 (with a locking differential). He drove it to work everyday, and he even took it on road trips every year from New York to Florida and even to New England states without even taking an airplane. It even drove really well on snowy roads too. 3 years ago, he brought a 2020 4 Runner TRD Off Road Premium after his 2000 4 Runner unfortunately got rear ended after reaching up to about 400k miles back in late 2019 before COVID happened. He's now currently a senior citizen and he's doing well! Miss his 3rd gen 4 Runner!!

[beatificbroseph]

My dad basically brought me home as a newborn in his 01 Runner. Taught me to drive in it, it was my first car, and now I go wheeling with my dad in my Tacoma, and his same 3rd gen runner. Love that car!

[danthesupplyman]

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.