'06 4Runner SR5 Sport V8

[HiRez]

Greetings and Salutations,

I am looking for a snow-worthy vehicle for midwest. I am leaning towards a suv given the abundance of one-hand drive type people.
Came across this '06 4Runner SR5 Sport V8 @94k.
Appreciate your responses on my questions and concerns:
1. Carfax is pretty clean except "Rear differential fluid flushed/changed, Differential and transfer case serviced, Front differential fluid flushed/changed" @30k more than 3 years ago. No repeat was recorded.
2. Is '06 a good model year?
3. I suspect the timing belt, serpentine and transmission will be big expenses; how far away will I be from those events?
4. Anything to look out for?
5. It has 3rd row seat option, does it preclude the spare wheel (may sound unusual it is the case on some X5s)?
6. Is this model really snow-worthy?
7. How good is the rear visibility while backing up?
8. Any experiences with adding HDRadio to the stock stereo via iSimple Gateway, or something similar?
9. How challenging would it be to add an amplifier to the stock radio and replace speakers?
10. What would be the typical operating costs, excluding fuel?

Many thanks in advance.

 

[TRDCal]

Hi and welcome to the forum and potentially the 4runner family. Ill answer what I can, if I skip a question its because I don't have an answer.

1. I wouldn't have much of an issue with the fluid not being changed. As long as the driveline feels tight then just change it as soon as you get the chance. Not the end of the world in my opinon tho.

2. 06 was a great year! LED taillights, projector headlights + redesigned front grille and bumper.

3. Timing should have been changed around 85k. Im not sure of the exact miles cuz we use kms up here. If it hasn't been changed then I would be cautious and that is a big expense if you can't do the work yourself. Serpentine belt shouldn't be expensive and as for the transmission, that would be expensive but you should have to worry about that anytime soon.

4. Just the usually stuff when dealing with used car salesman.

5. 3rd row shouldn't effect the spare tire since its located under the vehicle and has nothing to do with the extra seats

6. 4runners are great in the snow as long as its 4x4 and you have a good set of winter tires. Just search on youtube if you don't believe me.

7. Rear window visibilty is plenty sufficient. If your concerned then look for a model with a backup camera.

10. Fuel and insurance are my only operating costs and since i'm a heavy footed 20 year old those cost are pretty high but I love my 4runner so I don't complain.

Good luck

 

[Daron-t4r]

Greetings and Salutations,

I am looking for a snow-worthy vehicle for midwest. I am leaning towards a suv given the abundance of one-hand drive type people.
Came across this '06 4Runner SR5 Sport V8 @94k.
Appreciate your responses on my questions and concerns:
1. Carfax is pretty clean except "Rear differential fluid flushed/changed, Differential and transfer case serviced, Front differential fluid flushed/changed" @30k more than 3 years ago. No repeat was recorded.
2. Is '06 a good model year?
3. I suspect the timing belt, serpentine and transmission will be big expenses; how far away will I be from those events?
4. Anything to look out for?
5. It has 3rd row seat option, does it preclude the spare wheel (may sound unusual it is the case on some X5s)?
6. Is this model really snow-worthy?
7. How good is the rear visibility while backing up?
8. Any experiences with adding HDRadio to the stock stereo via iSimple Gateway, or something similar?
9. How challenging would it be to add an amplifier to the stock radio and replace speakers?
10. What would be the typical operating costs, excluding fuel?

Many thanks in advance.

06' is a great model year, really there are no years you can go wrong with, but 06' was the first year of mid-generation revamp, and it has variable valve timing. Timing belt may need changing if it has not been changed. Look out for rust on the underbody. The 3rd row does not mess with the spare tire.

Snow worthyness is great- i live in a very snowy region, and the 4runner has performed great in the snow. Aslong as your tires are all-season/snow tires, you won't find any snow problems.

I have no problems with the rear visibility, MUCH better than the FJ cruiser, and better than most trucks. If the one you are looking at has those mirrors in the back, that may help as well. Stereo is fairly easy to mod. Adding an amp is easy, i've done it twice with ease. These yota's are exceptional vehicles, Normal operating costs besides gas and oil changes (including stuff like differential fluid-make sure they change that for you)) Very little things go wrong.

Hope to see you joining the family.