As the title says, I have a few ppl looking at my M3 this weekend and it will most likely be gone in a few days. I am in the market for a 4runner. Thus far I've narrowed it down to this selection:

My budget is in low 20's so anything about $22,000 and under.

So far I'm leaning towards a 2006 Sport Edition 4WD. but still havent decided on a V6 or V8 though. but here are a few things.

1. I will not be towing anything
2. I will not be off roading it (thus far).
3. It will be used as a daily driver. (all in city).
4. I will be taking it on Snowboarding trips atleast 6-10 times a year. (actually one of the main reasons I am selling my M3, along with expensive ass maintenace costs).

Few things about bakersfield, CA.
1. It has never snowed in the last 10 years ive lived here.
2. It rains maybe 5 times a year. (i call it a drizzle)
3. It gets extremely hot here during the summer 100+ for months on end. So will be running the AC on full blast for majority of the year.

Ive driven a V6 but I have never been able to find a V8 at the dealerships around here to test drive.
When going to look at a 4Runner, what are some particular items to look at (since i will be buying one with around 50k miles on it). Any major concerns or issues on the 2006 models.

I love my V8, but if I didn't need to tow ~6k lbs 5-10 times per year, I would have went with the V6 in favor of better gas mileage. It's more than capable of hauling a significant amount of weight with significantly adequate acceleration... just not enough for reliably towing my track car. Especially for city driving, the V6 is definitely the smarter choice.

to be honest with you even though i dont need a V8 since i wont be doing any towing or need 4WD all the time, i lean toward the V8 cause for some reason I have concerns that the V6 may lack in power when running the AC on full blast more than half the year. But i cant say as ive never owned a 4runner V6 before, thus the thread. Thats y any input will be helpful. (not trying to turn this thread into a V6 vs. V8)

I love the V6. Plenty of power, good highway ride, and smooth. You don't need a V6, and you'll like the extra gas mileage especially with gas supposed to go up (isn't it always?). I haven't seen any issues with my V6 and it's got 99k on it. I've seen plenty of them go to 150k miles at least. Someone posted not too long ago with an 03 with 248k on it! I've even towed an older 4runner with a trailer (probably 4500lbs) and it did fine in town with that. I'd really recommend the V6 for what you need.

The V8 is nice, but looking at the ones coming into the dealer from around town with 15MPG on the readout just isn't encouraging. Many people around here claim higher, but that's what I've seen. Mine usually sits around 18 with the V6 in town and about 23-24 on the highway.

You said you test drove the V6, did it have enough power? I feel like only you can answer the question of how much power you want. I know for me the V6 has plenty of get up and go.

well the only 4Runner i have ever drive was a 2003 V6 SR5 2wd as thats the only 4runner they had at the dealership. I am looking at buying a 2006 Sport Edition, so I am sure there are a few difference in 2003 vs. 2006. In terms of power, the V6 seemed fine, but like ive mentioned, i have yet to drive a V8 so couldnt really compare it. The V6 i believe would be better suited for my purpose but like ive said i live in a desert that gets about 360 days of sun a year with about 7 month summers.

My concern is only how the V6 will perform and last in the long run with running the AC full blast for more than half the year. Also if someone notices the V6 struggling to get going when running the AC most of the time. Sorry about the stupid question. I wish i had a better way to explain it.

I have a 2007 V8 Sport edition. I love it. I have driven the V6, while they are comparable, I just like the way the V8 delivers power. I live in the Bay Area and travel to Fresno a lot for work and during those 100+ degree days, I run the AC, drive 85-90MPH and the truck never bogs down. If you can find one I would get a V8...BTW it snowed on the Grapevine, so maybe a 4x4 would come in handy...hahaha

Gas mileage is not my biggest issue as my M3 only gave about 16mpg in the city. Highway it did give up to 23mpg but I was always paying way more for maintenance cost per mile. lol Plus not being able to rotate tires and going through a new set every 20k on my previous two cars was a pain in the ass. So I am just glad to be able to look into a more reliable and longer lasting vehicle.

I had a 2008 V6 couple years ago. The V6 is strong/powerful, but I like the V8 better. Since you are not concerned about gas mileage(and coming from a M3), I would suggest you to find a V8. There are quite a few V8's available in the United states and I am sure you can find some very good ones within 1000 miles radius. When I was looking, I expanded my search to 1000 miles and found mine 500 miles away. Bought a oneway flight ticket, picked up the car and drove it back the same day.

The other thing you might want to consider is getting a 4Runner with some features (may be a sport edition/Limited). I had a E46 M3 before my 2008 V6 and I definitely missed the luxuries of a BMW.

Yea I know after owning a 350z, then a M3, i will miss the power. Thats why I had a little concern with the power of the V6. I know for a fact that I wont get the Limited as its not in my price range and also I like teh running boards and hood skoop on the the Sport Edition, thats the reason ive narrowed in down on the 06 SE.

I have my AC on about 8 months out of the year and have never had any power issues and Im lifted on 33's, I was worried about the power issue until I test drove one and it was more than enough. Its not a race car but it can definitely get up and go when I need to.

It obviously wont have the same get up and go as your M3 though lol

Lol thats ok with me as long as my maintenance costs arent going to be the same as the M3. I have always like the 4runner and was suppose to get one when i sold the 350z, but the inner teenager in me made me get the M3. But then i fell in love with snowboarding (and got tired of pouring money into the M3, and still constantly worrying with something going wrong), so decided to finally get me a 4runner.

I have a V6 and for my needs it powerful enough. Normally, when I'm on the highway, it's either going to be myself or myself and my wife. When i'm going about 100km/hr (60mph), then step on it, it goes. This is based on 2 adults inside the car.

Drive a V6 down the highway, add a few adults and get a rough idea how much power you need.

Any pics of ur M3? are you on E46fanatics or M3Forum?