Hey Scotty, I am currently looking for a 4x4 to work on while in high school. I am looking for something cheap, reliable, and good looking. I am currently between a Lexus gx470 and a 3rd gen 4Runner which I have seen for the same price in some cases. I found a 2000 limited 4wd SR5 4Runner with 180,000 miles by a private seller who has kept it in pristine condition and is selling it for 8,000. On the other side I have seen a few gx470s with higher miles and a bit higher price at dealerships. I like the luxury of the gx470 but I don’t know if it is as reliable as the 4runner.
I have owned both, a 98 4runner and I own a 2008 gx470. I would say that a GX470 does not fall into the cheap category, even a higher mileage one is going to cost a fair bit. The 4runner you mention is I think a bit on the high side cost wise. For $8000 for a GX, it will not be as nice. The GX is very comparable in price to a 4th gen 4runner though.
You said you want one to work on, what do you mean? If you want a 4X4 to practice fixing, get a Jeep, or become a real pro with a Land rover, those will give you plenty of practice.
The 3rd gen 4runners are great vehicles. The maintenance you run into is timing belt besides the normal stuff. The biggest problem I had was warping rotors, I even upgraded to the 199mm rotors, better but still warped. It also went through some calipers but I did have 225k on it. Overall super reliable. The cons are, not great for long distance driving, at least for those that are a little older and their back hurts after a while. Just not a cushy ride. Noisy cabin, something you don't pay attention to until your ears start ringing.
Overall, very few issues for my 4runner.
As for my GX, the 4x4/awd system is superior in nasty wet, ice/snow, conditions. It even wins out on rocks and such unless the 3rd gen had locking diffs. It is great for not losing traction in slippery conditions, which I love because I find myself in slippery conditions a lot. It is newer and has more safety features as well. I have had no brake issues with th GX so far, even with towing a lot.
The GX is like driving a cadillac compared to the 4runner. I can drive 3k miles and not hurting too much when I am done. It has a quieter cabin, can tow more, and better with air brakes that level the vehicle out, and is heavier.
The cons are slightly worse gas mileage, but nothing to talk about, the 3rg gen isn't great either. Also has timing belt to change. The starter is in a crazy location that costs more to fix, but it is a better spot for the starter as far as longevity goes. Things like the radio and climate control are fancy, but cost more if they break. I ripped out the stock radio as soon as I got it and replaced with a modern one.
Don't buy a white GX unless it has been painted, it is likely faulty and will fall off. As for a 3rd gen, just the age is going to affect the paint.
The only thing I have had to replace that I never did on my 4runner were the cv axles, the boots tore, but I do go through worse conditions with my GX than I did with my 4runner, so maybe to be expected.
Both are crazy reliable, with the edge given to the 4runner because it doesn't have the fancy suspension system, and crazy starter spot, and a few other fancy junk. Both engines can last nearly forever.
Hope that helps, I love both of them, just very different vehicles.
