2008 Sport V8 -> 2016/2017 Trail Premium?

M

Mirlen

New member
To upgrade or not to upgrade? I've got my 2008 Sport V8 with about 90k miles on it still, have been pondering an update and was hoping 2017's would be out by now but looks like that's actually happening in 2017...

Has anyone else gone up to 5th gen from 4th, specifically the V8 Sport to a Trail Premium? That's what I'm considering but the 5th generation has me a bit irritated as I'll be LOSING features... No V8, no center diff, no climate control (!?)... What were your thoughts on losing these, did you miss them? I can't bring myself to get the Limited, 20" wheels don't make sense on this vehicle and the chrome on it drives me insane.
 
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The lack of proper climate control and push button ignition on the 5th gen non-limiteds, is a crime against humanity.
 
Mirlen said:
To upgrade or not to upgrade? I've got my 2008 Sport V8 with about 90k miles on it still, have been pondering an update and was hoping 2017's would be out by now but looks like that's actually happening in 2017...

Has anyone else gone up to 5th gen from 4th, specifically the V8 Sport to a Trail Premium? That's what I'm considering but the 5th generation has me a bit irritated as I'll be LOSING features... No V8, no center diff, no climate control (!?)... What were your thoughts on losing these, did you miss them? I can't bring myself to get the Limited, 20" wheels don't make sense on this vehicle and the chrome on it drives me insane.
Click to expand...

I'd keep your current rig until it hits double that mileage (or 200K for that matter). I'm not sure you'd actually be 'upgrading' anyway. Stay put. Or opt for a different vehicle altogether?
 
Keep it

4 weeks ago I sold my 2008 Sport with 77k miles and bought a 2016 SR5 Premium with a lift kit installed. I wasn't even considering selling it until I hit 100k or maybe more. My dad needed a new-to-him vehicle and said he would only buy my used vehicle because he knew how well I took care of it. So, I basically gave it to my dad. I can't say no or gouge my dad, ya know. This is now my 3rd 4Runner (2002 SR5 was the first).

This new SR5 is nice and there are a few features I like. The Entune premium with nav head unit is nice. I already replaced all 8 speakers and added a subwoofer. The new stereo sounds better than the aftermarket stereo (with carplay) and speakers I installed in the old sport. The puddle lights on the exterior mirrors are nice. I like that all 4 windows have auto up/down buttons on the drivers side (in the old car I had to hold the switch the entire time). I like the USB port in the dash. I installed one in my old sport. I like the new car smell. I think the 5th gen looks cooler and more rugged than the 4th gen.

I don't like the fact that the "leather" seats don't have cooling (lotta good heated seats do me in San Antonio, TX). The sport had cloth, which I prefer to leather. When I close the rear hatch, I have to slam it shut. The old Sport had a motor that would pull the hatch closed when it was closed almost all the way. I don't have a key fob button that will roll down the rear hatch window like I did on my old car. I miss the hood scoop and the tubular roof racks and running boards I had on the old sport.

In sum, I don't really miss any features from the old car. These are minor first world problems. I like my new car but I would have happily kept the old Sport for another 2 or 3 years. I have the means to help out the man who raised me and I was "happy" to go spend a bunch of money to buy a new car so he could have my old one. That's some f-d up logic for ya.
 
You sound like a great son.


I can honestly say...if we had a V8 option I would have got it. Lots of life lest in your 4th gen, don't sell it as I'm sure it's paid for as well.:high5:

I love my Runner but nothing wrong with what you have.
 
We went from an 03 V8 4x4 with 190k to an 11 Limited. The 5th gen is extremely nice, but I do miss the 03 every time I drive the new one. I'd still have the 4th gen if it had lower miles.
 
I went from a 07 SR5 to a 11 Trail. I like the 11 better but my wife liked the 07 better. So we now have both. I drive the 07 ever now and than but don"t miss it.
 
Mirlen said:
To upgrade or not to upgrade? I've got my 2008 Sport V8 with about 90k miles on it still, have been pondering an update and was hoping 2017's would be out by now but looks like that's actually happening in 2017...

Has anyone else gone up to 5th gen from 4th, specifically the V8 Sport to a Trail Premium? That's what I'm considering but the 5th generation has me a bit irritated as I'll be LOSING features... No V8, no center diff, no climate control (!?)... What were your thoughts on losing these, did you miss them? I can't bring myself to get the Limited, 20" wheels don't make sense on this vehicle and the chrome on it drives me insane.
Click to expand...

I did this trade and I completely see it as an upgrade. The only thing I miss is the ability to roll down the rear window with the push of a button.

You just have to decided what more important to you. Consider waiting for them to reveal the possibility of a 2018 if you're really on the fence.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
GearJunkie88 said:
4 weeks ago I sold my 2008 Sport with 77k miles and bought a 2016 SR5 Premium with a lift kit installed. I wasn't even considering selling it until I hit 100k or maybe more. My dad needed a new-to-him vehicle and said he would only buy my used vehicle because he knew how well I took care of it. So, I basically gave it to my dad. I can't say no or gouge my dad, ya know. This is now my 3rd 4Runner (2002 SR5 was the first).

This new SR5 is nice and there are a few features I like. The Entune premium with nav head unit is nice. I already replaced all 8 speakers and added a subwoofer. The new stereo sounds better than the aftermarket stereo (with carplay) and speakers I installed in the old sport. The puddle lights on the exterior mirrors are nice. I like that all 4 windows have auto up/down buttons on the drivers side (in the old car I had to hold the switch the entire time). I like the USB port in the dash. I installed one in my old sport. I like the new car smell. I think the 5th gen looks cooler and more rugged than the 4th gen.

I don't like the fact that the "leather" seats don't have cooling (lotta good heated seats do me in San Antonio, TX). The sport had cloth, which I prefer to leather. When I close the rear hatch, I have to slam it shut. The old Sport had a motor that would pull the hatch closed when it was closed almost all the way. I don't have a key fob button that will roll down the rear hatch window like I did on my old car. I miss the hood scoop and the tubular roof racks and running boards I had on the old sport.

In sum, I don't really miss any features from the old car. These are minor first world problems. I like my new car but I would have happily kept the old Sport for another 2 or 3 years. I have the means to help out the man who raised me and I was "happy" to go spend a bunch of money to buy a new car so he could have my old one. That's some f-d up logic for ya.
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Everything he said! I don't miss my 2003 SE 4WD, but there are some "first-world-problems" with my 2015 TEP.
:violin:
I only sold my 2003 because it had 200k+ on it, and a leaky "new" windshield had caused mold to grow in the passenger side floorboard. (lesson learned - don't get a "cheap" windshield from a "cheap" installer without insurance)
 
I gave up a lot of tech moving from a Touareg to a 4Runner but I don't miss those things. I mean, I thought not having push button start and quad climate control would kill me but I actually learned that I can go without all this and still enjoy what the 4Runner is.
 
If I was you, I'd keep what I have and wait for the 6th gen in something like ~14 months.

To your point, the Trail - even the premium - is really stripped of features that are commonplace now, like smart key with push button start or ventilated seats.

You are clearly the kind of person who likes to keep a rig for a while and I am confident that the upgrades Toyota is making to the 6th gen will be worth the wait.

For what a 4Runner costs, all grades should have things like push button start with SmartKey, ventilated seats, bigger infotainment screens on the dash, LED lighting, the latest safety tech, blind spot monitor, etc.

A Trail is really better for my needs/budget but I just ordered a Limited because going without SmartKey, Push Button Start and Ventilated seats in a vehicle like this is asinine IMO.
 
If your on the fence, maybe keep your rig and do a couple of upgrades to freshen it up! and wait for 6th Gen.

I have a 16 Trail P and it's great. ( had an 08 SR5 V6 wish I never sold) I miss vented seats but don't care about the other "high tech" stuff I had on my 14 Jeep Summit- push start, LED etc.....
I actually like turning the key- old school.

Who knows, later you may decide to get a 2018 6th Gen and keep you 2008 V8- rare breed that V8
 
have you done your tbelt? do you have any for seeable cost in the future in terms of repair or maintenance? There is no reason investment wise to upgrade. 4th gen is just as capable.
 
The V8 would be the only thing keeping me from giving up the 4th gen. I've managed to go without the multi-zone climate control and push-button ignition on my TEP. Do I miss those features? Yes, absolutely. But like many have said, it's only first world problems.
I also agree with one of the other comments here: if you have no foreseeable major expenses in the near future, I think I'd keep the V8 4th gen till at least they debut the next generation given that it should be soon.
 
I would wait 6-8 more month until we see some sneak pictures of the 6th gen 4runner. It is too close to the 6th gen to buy a 2017 4runner.

I say keep your 4th gen for now.

I do like the looks of the 5th gen 4runner more than the 4th gen. I was even thinking of selling my 4th gen for a 5th gen. But do looks alone make me want to pay $37k for a new vehicle?? No!

So I am keeping my paid off 4th gen for a while.
 
Originally Posted by mwray8909 View Post
....The only th8ng I miss is the ability to roll down the rear window with the push of a button.

philsey said:
Say what?
Click to expand...

I think mwray8909 is referring to the button on the key fob. In the old days, there was a button on the key fob that would roll down the rear hatch window.
 
I am on 4Runner number 6...

my 2006 sport is the one I miss most:moping:

I miss that small box for sunglasses right up by the rear view - it was the sum of all those little things....
 
Gecko said:
If I was you, I'd keep what I have and wait for the 6th gen in something like ~14 months.

To your point, the Trail - even the premium - is really stripped of features that are commonplace now, like smart key with push button start or ventilated seats.

You are clearly the kind of person who likes to keep a rig for a while and I am confident that the upgrades Toyota is making to the 6th gen will be worth the wait.

For what a 4Runner costs, all grades should have things like push button start with SmartKey, ventilated seats, bigger infotainment screens on the dash, LED lighting, the latest safety tech, blind spot monitor, etc.

A Trail is really better for my needs/budget but I just ordered a Limited because going without SmartKey, Push Button Start and Ventilated seats in a vehicle like this is asinine IMO.
Click to expand...

I disagree with you on a few things...

Push button start...who cares, I mean is it that hard to turn a key???

Bigger screens...not a big deal for me. It's plenty big enough for nav and I won't ever be watching Braveheart on it so not an issue.

LED lighting...easily replaceable with aftermarket. Most manufacturers cut this corner.

the latest safety tech, blind spot monitoring...Plenty of safety built into the 4runner IMO. and...I am one of those old school drivers I guess that actually pay attention to what I'm doing instead of texting or looking at my big infotainment screen. In other words I don't rear end people while texting (because I don't text and drive) and when I change lanes I actually turn my head. The greatest safety mechanism we have is between our ears.

Ventilated seats....those would be nice but I went with the cloth seats so it's not an issue for me.

I have the Trail and IMO it's the best model of 4runner out today. Paying for stuff I don't need is the real asinine thing, IMO.

If I had a low mileage v8 4runner I would keep it until it has at least 200,000 miles on it. Wish they still made that model. But rolling the dice on what the 2018 is going to be is a risk IMO. Could end up being a Nissan Pathfinder. Hopefully Toyota won't be that stupid but the Obama/EPA rules are coming and they are effecting big time what the manufacturers are producing and what they will produce in the future. SUCKS!:mmph:
 
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