2008 Sport V8 -> 2016/2017 Trail Premium?

[salong53]

I owned a 2004 (V6) and sold it for my 2016. If I were in your situation, I would absolutely keep my 2008. The 4th gen is just more sporty feeling to drive, and it's paid for.

Put $400 a month into a savings account. When the 4th gen finally breaks in a few years and you're stuck with something like the transfer case issue that I had in my 2004, then use the money in savings and upgrade.

 

[Gecko]

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:

I see this logic over and over again on this forum... by the same thinking, Toyota could have just kept building the 1st gen 4Runner because it has 4 wheels, seats people, has 4X4 and serves it's intended purpose. The problem with this logic is that the 4Runner doesn't exist in a vacuum. Outside of this forum, plenty of people cross shop with Grand Cherokees and even things like Highlanders, Explorers and Durangos. The 4Runner is an outdated dinosaur by every measure in comparison to these vehicles unless you do significant offroading frequently.

While things like push button start, blind spot monitor, 8" LCD screens, SmartKey and automatic lift gates may not matter to you, try driving one of the aforementioned vehicles above for any length of time, and then driving a 4Runner. The 4Runner quickly feels as old and outdated as it is.

Being BOF, built at Tahara, great resale and having legendary reliability, the 4Runner still has a certain unique value proposition but it's diminishing as every model year goes by and competition is upping the ante with technology. I'm confident that the 6th gen 4Runner will deliver on the legendary 4Runner formula that we all know and love while also being more advanced competitive with other midsize vehicles. But in the meantime, the 5th gen is just not a huge advancement over the 4th gen as was originally referenced.

 

[Brandonium]

We don't share the same mindset. For you this stuff might matter and switching from a vehicle that has it to one that does not might be a big deal. For me it is not and I have come from a vehicle that had just about everything except the true offroad capability of what the 4R offers. I still had 4WD, air suspension, etc but no way it could go the places a 4R can. If you want both that AND the tech then perhaps you should be looking elsewhere.

I often drive an Outback with Eyesight, adaptive cruise, blind spot detection, lane departure, etc and while it is nice I don't shrivel up and die inside my 4R or begin to second guess my purchase. I knew what I was getting into when I purchased it.

Perhaps you should have purchased a Landcruiser if you want a BOF SUV with ALL the tech you need? I don't know if the Landcruiser has lane departure, etc as the 80k price tag keeps me from even looking.

I see this logic over and over again on this forum... by the same thinking, Toyota could have just kept building the 1st gen 4Runner because it has 4 wheels, seats people, has 4X4 and serves it's intended purpose. The problem with this logic is that the 4Runner doesn't exist in a vacuum. Outside of this forum, plenty of people cross shop with Grand Cherokees and even things like Highlanders, Explorers and Durangos. The 4Runner is an outdated dinosaur by every measure in comparison to these vehicles unless you do significant offroading frequently.

While things like push button start, blind spot monitor, 8" LCD screens, SmartKey and automatic lift gates may not matter to you, try driving one of the aforementioned vehicles above for any length of time, and then driving a 4Runner. The 4Runner quickly feels as old and outdated as it is.

Being BOF, built at Tahara, great resale and having legendary reliability, the 4Runner still has a certain unique value proposition but it's diminishing as every model year goes by and competition is upping the ante with technology. I'm confident that the 6th gen 4Runner will deliver on the legendary 4Runner formula that we all know and love while also being more advanced competitive with other midsize vehicles. But in the meantime, the 5th gen is just not a huge advancement over the 4th gen as was originally referenced.

 

[WallyT4R]

I see this logic over and over again on this forum... by the same thinking, Toyota could have just kept building the 1st gen 4Runner because it has 4 wheels, seats people, has 4X4 and serves it's intended purpose. The problem with this logic is that the 4Runner doesn't exist in a vacuum. Outside of this forum, plenty of people cross shop with Grand Cherokees and even things like Highlanders, Explorers and Durangos. The 4Runner is an outdated dinosaur by every measure in comparison to these vehicles unless you do significant offroading frequently.

While things like push button start, blind spot monitor, 8" LCD screens, SmartKey and automatic lift gates may not matter to you, try driving one of the aforementioned vehicles above for any length of time, and then driving a 4Runner. The 4Runner quickly feels as old and outdated as it is.

Being BOF, built at Tahara, great resale and having legendary reliability, the 4Runner still has a certain unique value proposition but it's diminishing as every model year goes by and competition is upping the ante with technology. I'm confident that the 6th gen 4Runner will deliver on the legendary 4Runner formula that we all know and love while also being more advanced competitive with other midsize vehicles. But in the meantime, the 5th gen is just not a huge advancement over the 4th gen as was originally referenced.

Yeah I can see we just have different mind sets which is welcomed. I would love it if Toyota still made the first gen 4runner. How great would it be to take the top off, have that awesome 22r motor again with a manual transmission?! Sweet! By the way I do drive a vehicle like that all the time...I have a 1989 FJ62 that is now for sale since I just bought a 5th gen 4rnr to replace it. I love my out dated dinosaurs!:yo:

 

[progress4m]

To OP: just two weeks ago I did similar change you are inquiring about- I went from 2005 V8 4x4 to 2013 Trail; purely from appearance: 2010-13 trail is the only model from 5th generation I like more than 4th gen… and to me 2010-13 trail is arguably one of the best looking 4runners made so far (6th gen may prove me wrong)… never could warm-up to 2014 and up models frontend… and believe me I have tried;

IMHO following is worth being noted:

1) 4th gen V8 is definitely quieter and smother-no comparison… and it is lot more powerful on the street, courser\louder sound of V6 (on the street) make 5th gen feels lauder and not as refined; despite saying that, once you get on highway 5th gen V6 feels as good or even better than V8… and on the highway 5th gen is quieter overall (engine\wind\road noise) and feels easier going 75-80 MPH vs. 4th gen. (note: I have moved tires Nitto TG (265/70/R17) from my 4th to 5th gen)

2) Comfort: 5th gen wins hands down; seats position is much better, truck is bigger inside and overall feels great! another thing I would recommend to pay attention to is softex leather in TEP: I like the feel of the cloth seats better than softex leather… that maybe because I had real leather in my 4th gen… not sure;

3) Suspension: I went with KDSS (being originally against it – based on points that have been discussed here many times such as: long-term potential problems, limiting factors for lift);
Primary reason that have changed my mind was the week long loner (2016 TEP without KDSS) I drove less than a month ago; without KDSS 5th gen felt a lot more top heavy, leaned a lot in the corners and overall felt not as stable and heavy (on the highway and street) vs. 4th gen (even lifted one like I had)-so I felt like it would be a big step down from road manners stand point;

I even pulled the small trailer (1700 Lbs.) with that 2016 TEP and even with that small trailer weight I could feel every lateral move of that trailer on the hwy. Pulling the same trailer with 2013 KDSS trail was like a night and day difference- yes, it was that much better with KDSS;

Overall – I am very happy with 2013 trail! KDSS is awesome –feels very very stable and road manners are great- makes driving it easy and enjoyable! I have a big smile on my face every time I am driving it! :banana:

If you are serious about the swap: test drive as much as you can to make the correct decision for you!

Good luck to you!

My $0.2;

 

[alico268]

I see this logic over and over again on this forum... by the same thinking, Toyota could have just kept building the 1st gen 4Runner because it has 4 wheels, seats people, has 4X4 and serves it's intended purpose. The problem with this logic is that the 4Runner doesn't exist in a vacuum. Outside of this forum, plenty of people cross shop with Grand Cherokees and even things like Highlanders, Explorers and Durangos. The 4Runner is an outdated dinosaur by every measure in comparison to these vehicles unless you do significant offroading frequently.

While things like push button start, blind spot monitor, 8" LCD screens, SmartKey and automatic lift gates may not matter to you, try driving one of the aforementioned vehicles above for any length of time, and then driving a 4Runner. The 4Runner quickly feels as old and outdated as it is.

Being BOF, built at Tahara, great resale and having legendary reliability, the 4Runner still has a certain unique value proposition but it's diminishing as every model year goes by and competition is upping the ante with technology. I'm confident that the 6th gen 4Runner will deliver on the legendary 4Runner formula that we all know and love while also being more advanced competitive with other midsize vehicles. But in the meantime, the 5th gen is just not a huge advancement over the 4th gen as was originally referenced.

It's people like you that'll get the 4Runner turned into a unibody or worse, put in it's grave. Toyota makes what you want, but perhaps you just don't want to pay the price of admission. And with all the delicacies you exhibit in your needs for a vehicle, perhaps the platform that was designed to get dirty wasn't made for you to begin with.

 

[alico268]

[MENTION=22981]Mirlen[/MENTION]

If it were me, I would stick with what you have. You have another 150k easy if you maintain it. The 4th gen to me, was a high point with regard to drivetrain options, and that's something that doesn't look to be improving in the near future.

I really like my 3rd gen and 5th gen, but you have what we all want... low-down torque. There will always be lightly used 5th gens if you ever change your mind and why not see what happens with the 6th gen. No need to make any knee jerk decisions.

 

[philsey]

It's people like you that'll get the 4Runner turned into a unibody or worse, put in it's grave. Toyota makes what you want, but perhaps you just don't want to pay the price of admission. And with all the delicacies you exhibit in your needs for a vehicle, perhaps the platform that was designed to get dirty wasn't made for you to begin with.

A bit reactionary, but, you see, Toyota is smart enough to make the LE for owners like [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] , and the TE for guys like you, and the SR5 for middle-of-the-roaders like me.

:rockon:

 

[alico268]

A bit reactionary, but, you see, Toyota is smart enough to make the LE for owners like [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION] , and the TE for guys like you, and the SR5 for middle-of-the-roaders like me.

:rockon:

Agreed, I think for the price point, the trims cater well to a wide audience and I'm glad that the Limited works for [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION]. Just a little raw that he decided to state that getting any trim other than a Limited is 'asinine.'

One of the reasons I love the 4Runner, is that it's original design and mission has been keep intact with every generation. It, like the Wrangler and Porsche 911 are special cars that have not had to jump through ever changing hoops to stay successful. You hear a lot of people complain about what the 4Runner lacks with other models at it's price point, but do those vehicles share the same expense of a transfer case, solid axle, 2 separate structures and so on?

 

[blakjack23]

Obviously these are all opinions here. Buying one model over another is not in fact asinine. Everyone buys what they need/like/want/justify/afford....it's different for everyone. I think its great they offer all these trim levels on the 4Runner.

I got the LE because I came from an 07 Sport and I didn't want to lose any features (center diff, auto climate)...and in fact wanted to gain a couple, like leather seats(Since I have two small kids) and push button start. Some people don't care about push button start and that's great. For me its an excellent feature. Its not about 'turning a key'. Its about not having to get my keys out of my jacket or pocket when its -15 degree's outside.

To answer the OP's question, I think you should keep the 4th gen like some others have stated. Put some more miles on that V8!

 

[Gecko]

It's people like you that'll get the 4Runner turned into a unibody or worse, put in it's grave. Toyota makes what you want, but perhaps you just don't want to pay the price of admission. And with all the delicacies you exhibit in your needs for a vehicle, perhaps the platform that was designed to get dirty wasn't made for you to begin with.

What are you talking about? A Land Cruiser? I have no need for a three row behemoth that gets 13MPG.

Curious how "people like me" will put the 4Runner in it's grave? If Toyota was keeping pace with other midsize vehicles, they'd be selling even more of them. There are people who buy Grand Cherokees and the like because they do legitimately offer more feature content and tech updates. Including these options would only be a good thing for the 4Runner.

Agreed, I think for the price point, the trims cater well to a wide audience and I'm glad that the Limited works for [MENTION=114416]Gecko[/MENTION]. Just a little raw that he decided to state that getting any trim other than a Limited is 'asinine.'

One of the reasons I love the 4Runner, is that it's original design and mission has been keep intact with every generation. It, like the Wrangler and Porsche 911 are special cars that have not had to jump through ever changing hoops to stay successful. You hear a lot of people complain about what the 4Runner lacks with other models at it's price point, but do those vehicles share the same expense of a transfer case, solid axle, 2 separate structures and so on?

To be clear, I do not think that the TE, TE-P or SR5 are asinine by any stretch. For people who have true off roading needs or are enthusiasts like we have on this forum, they make a lot of sense. What IS ridiculous is Toyota's lack of updates and tech that is commonplace in cars that cost even sub-$20k.

There are plenty of people who don't care about blind spot monitor or ventilated seats and smart key - for sure. However, the competitive set has come up very quickly around the T4R and Toyota hasn't kept pace. I don't rock crawl on the weekends or take trips to death valley, but I do take trails to fishing and hiking spots and the weather here can get spotty in winter. The 4Runner is a great vehicle for these types of conditions but it should offer a little more tech for what it costs in 2016, IMO. I'll also keep this car until it doesn't run anymore, and that's something fewer and fewer people are doing in a consumption society like we have today. "Lease it for 2-3 years, dump it and move on." Unfortunately, people are caring less about what's reliable and proven, and more about what's the latest and greatest. This is where Jeep and others are doing well with beautiful, hi tech garbage like the Grand Cherokee.

I agree very much with the second part of your statement. 4Runner is becoming a modern icon very quickly and Toyota now has this part of the market cornered.

 

[alico268]

Curious how "people like me" will put the 4Runner in it's grave? If Toyota was keeping pace with other midsize vehicles, they'd be selling even more of them. There are people who buy Grand Cherokees and the like because they do legitimately offer more feature content and tech updates. Including these options would only be a good thing for the 4Runner.

I say that because people who desire these sort of conveniences and find it too difficult to say manually close a tailgate or are unable to see the road without HIDs, for example, will also begin voice things like, "this thing rides and corners like crap. Why can't Toyota get with the program and go fully independent and lower the center of gravity?" Now that may sound like a stretch, but read a Consumer Reports review and that's basically how it reads and simply disregards it's driver's by saying none of them actually go off-road anyway and are draining the earth of it's non-renewables. I also targeted you because of the asinine comment, and that was crappy of me. For that, I apologize.

To be clear, I do not think that the TE, TE-P or SR5 are asinine by any stretch. For people who have true off roading needs or are enthusiasts like we have on this forum, they make a lot of sense. What IS ridiculous is Toyota's lack of updates and tech that is commonplace in cars that cost even sub-$20k.

Thank you for the clarification :kiss:

I agree very much with the second part of your statement. 4Runner is becoming a modern icon very quickly and Toyota now has this part of the market cornered.

And in some way, I think that's why Toyota doesn't have to put as much convenience technology into the 4Runner. They're filling a niche market and can pad their pockets more by not including those features that every other crossover is including to attract buyers. They did it with the Tacoma when the Colorado and Ranger bowed out. We also know Toyota to be conservative and slow-to-adopt to perhaps not upset their QDR- perceived or not.

I'm glad to hear you are in for the long haul with your 4Runner and that it includes some features that you value. It is my opinion that long-term ownership of a vehicle is much more enjoyable if the vehicle doesn't have a bunch of superfluous crap... otherwise I'd probably own something German.

 

[RainCityShecks]

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:

I'm counting on Trump (who i did not vote for) to repeal all of those laws and now Toyota can move forward with their coveted 12 cylinder 6th gen 4runner. Just wait for that rig - it's all but a guarantee now.

Gonna be sweet hombre.

 

[WallyT4R]

I'm counting on Trump (who i did not vote for) to repeal all of those laws and now Toyota can move forward with their coveted 12 cylinder 6th gen 4runner. Just wait for that rig - it's all but a guarantee now.

Gonna be sweet hombre.

Sounds like it, that will be sweet!:trophy:

Really it would just be nice to have what the rest of the world has vehicle wise.

 

[Mirlen]

Following up a few years later...

Bought a Tesla Model S ROFL!

I did miss my baby, so much so that I kept an eye out for her and then I found out she was killed:

https://en.bidfax.info/toyota/4runn...-2008-silver-47l-8-vin-jtebt14r08k003202.html

So if you bought my baby and ran it in Utah until death I'd love to hear from you! I hope she got some good trail time and memories!!!

Still love my Model S but for different reasons, would be nice to have both.

 

[Ida4runner]

The real question should be did you get more of a vehicle over your 4th gen with the $30-40k you spent for a 5th gen?

 

[Ida4runner]

I'm counting on Trump (who i did not vote for) to repeal all of those laws and now Toyota can move forward with their coveted 12 cylinder 6th gen 4runner. Just wait for that rig - it's all but a guarantee now.

Gonna be sweet hombre.

You voting for Brandon is why you'll never see a new V8 4runner, thanks!