Oh, the Humanity (UPDATED WITH TEST DRIVE RESULTS)

[TimW]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by hispeed6:
I had a '95 4Runner with a 5 speed when I lived in PHX. It was a good truck but you're right, you could time that thing 0-60 with a sundial. And when we would go to San Diego over the mountains using 3rd gear on the uphills became a reality.

I test drove an auto equipped H3 this week and I'd put the accelleration above that of the 4runner and slightly beneath my 4.0 jeep wrangler 5 speed. It's tolerable but don't count on winning the race to the next light. Best bet would be go to Avis and rent one for a day to see if you're okay with the accelleration. Better to spend $100 to know for sure than have 5 years of payments.
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What engine did you have in your '95? Would that have been the 3.4L V-6 or...?

The Avis thing is looking more and more likely for the very reason you mention.

If there had been an easy way to put a (significantly) larger engine in the 4 Runner w/o major modifications, that'd be the way I'd likely go. But there isn't.

Now..as for the cargo area...how would you compare it with the 4 Runner?