4th generation options

[gsnake]

I could not find this information yet so hopefully someone can point me to the right place..
I am looking to buy '06 4Runner or '04 GX470 and honestly I am not a huge fan of comfort, so I would rather have sport edition or 4Runner than GX470..
Where can I find the options for different models of 4Runner? I definitely would like not to have air suspension (like in GX) - maybe I am just wrong and this is a must have for such a car..

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Different years across the top, links to brochures at the bottom. That should help
Toyota 4Runner History 2006

 

[audiqtr]

I could not find this information yet so hopefully someone can point me to the right place..
I am looking to buy '06 4Runner or '04 GX470 and honestly I am not a huge fan of comfort, so I would rather have sport edition or 4Runner than GX470..
Where can I find the options for different models of 4Runner? I definitely would like not to have air suspension (like in GX) - maybe I am just wrong and this is a must have for such a car..

if you are not a huge fan of comfort, 4Runner Sport will be a perfect fit for you...especially on long trips..lol

 

[gsnake]

Different years across the top, links to brochures at the bottom. That should help
Toyota 4Runner History 2006

ok - thx!

 

[gsnake]

if you are not a huge fan of comfort, 4Runner Sport will be a perfect fit for you...especially on long trips..lol

yeah - if this long trip is not a highway, maybe..

 

[gusk2010]

yeah - if this long trip is not a highway, maybe..

Hey, I just took my '05 Sport on a 1700 mile road trip last week and it was mighty comfy. Granted I have aftermarket custom leather interior in there, yet the ride was smooth and sweet. I think 4Runners provide plenty of comfort. I consider the GX, yet I dont like the look and certainly wouldn't like the price of the parts/repairs... all for a simple badge and name.

 

[toto]

I wouldn't say that a Lexus is automatically more comfortable. A Lexus product will often have more bells and whistles either standard or available as options, especially when it comes to little electronic convenience features. And of course, each Lexus has real wood trim inside. Finally, the standard bumper-to-bumper warranty on a Lexus is 4 years/50,000 miles.

Since I don't have loads of expendable cash, I do find drawbacks to the Lexus name. The cost of service at a Lexus dealer is pretty high. A typical 5,000-mile service (oil + filter, lube, rotate tires, and all the inspection stuff) is $99 at a Lexus dealer. (I'd rather DIY that stuff, but it gives you an idea of the prices.) The service department is pretty and most of them have free beverages and some amount of food (more than just donuts), but you're paying for it. Lexus "service advisors" have offices, just like the sales people do; there is no serivce counter. There are fewer Lexus dealers than Toyota dealers, and while the product is made by the same company, a lot of Toyota dealers won't touch a Lexus or they'll charge more for it. That's mainly because Toyota won't allow Toyota dealers to acquire parts that only fit Lexus products. Bottom line, a Lexus can cost more to own over time, and it can be frustrating if you have to pass two Toyota dealers on the way to your Lexus dealer.

 

[gsnake]

I wouldn't say that a Lexus is automatically more comfortable. A Lexus product will often have more bells and whistles either standard or available as options, especially when it comes to little electronic convenience features. And of course, each Lexus has real wood trim inside. Finally, the standard bumper-to-bumper warranty on a Lexus is 4 years/50,000 miles.

Since I don't have loads of expendable cash, I do find drawbacks to the Lexus name. The cost of service at a Lexus dealer is pretty high. A typical 5,000-mile service (oil + filter, lube, rotate tires, and all the inspection stuff) is $99 at a Lexus dealer. (I'd rather DIY that stuff, but it gives you an idea of the prices.) The service department is pretty and most of them have free beverages and some amount of food (more than just donuts), but you're paying for it. Lexus "service advisors" have offices, just like the sales people do; there is no serivce counter. There are fewer Lexus dealers than Toyota dealers, and while the product is made by the same company, a lot of Toyota dealers won't touch a Lexus or they'll charge more for it. That's mainly because Toyota won't allow Toyota dealers to acquire parts that only fit Lexus products. Bottom line, a Lexus can cost more to own over time, and it can be frustrating if you have to pass two Toyota dealers on the way to your Lexus dealer.

very true.. as I DIY person I tend to have something more practical.. Even looking under the hood of Lexus and v8 toyota i can see big difference even though the engines are the same.. hmm. of course this is just money which we never have enough

 

[toto]

I agree - a Toyota-branded car is simply more practical. As for the engine difference, that's a piece of plastic that looks cool but comes off.

 

[Giskarded]

Checked out some 4Runners and a few GX 470's. Finally decided on a 4Runner.

For some reason, I was getting reasonably priced loaded 470's '06 models with 34Kmiles for 32000 (least felt reasonable). In the same range, was a 08 4Runner with everything and the kitchen sink... nav/RAS/X-REAS for 33K.

I was primarily looking for V8's and which is why I was considering the Lexus and would have liked the 3rd row seating.

Picked up an '07 4Runner Limited with nav but no X-REAS/RAS.

If you want V8, like to have 3rd row seating and prefer the better quality material in the interior of the car, pick the Lexus (3rd row seating is more common than not unlike the 4runner). It wont fit adults, but in a bind, it comes in handy.

Lexus dealerships and service was of better quality from what I've heard compared to Toyota, but you pay for that in the cost of service.

Ride comfort, the Lexus definitely feels more plush, and comfortable. If you are tall and have a longer torso, the extra headroom will also help. Legroom wise, both are left wanting. I have long legs and as someone else noted, the pan where your butt rests is too short and my legs dont get the support I'd like.

From what I've heard, if you can get the warranty, the Lexus is great, but once out of warranty, I'm not sure. The electronic tild/telescoping steering column must be expensive to fix out of warranty. Another thing to consider, if you get an extended warranty on the Toyota and decide to sell it within the warranty, it might be an added incentive to the buyer. Lexus warranty is not transferrable (This was as stated by 2 dealerships, so correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[toto]

Congrats on the '07!

I would concur that I had some positive service experiences with Lexus. They're quick to give you a loaner car for warranty repairs, and they don't give you any crap about performing work covered by a TSB. One time I even had a dealer proactively perform a TSB while the car was there for something else. I don't know that the work itself is necessarily any better - cars are still cars, regardless of the name on them. Any place can have good people or bad people. The only time I'd want to visit a Lexus service shop is for a warranty repair. Otherwise, it's too expensive!

I believe 3rd row seats are standard on the GX. Going forward, the GX will be the only way to get a V8 since the new 2010 4Runner doesn't offer it.

The Lexus extended warranty ("Vehicle Service Agreement") can be transferred to another owner. There's a brochure here.

 

[gsnake]

Checked out some 4Runners and a few GX 470's. Finally decided on a 4Runner.

For some reason, I was getting reasonably priced loaded 470's '06 models with 34Kmiles for 32000 (least felt reasonable). In the same range, was a 08 4Runner with everything and the kitchen sink... nav/RAS/X-REAS for 33K.

I was primarily looking for V8's and which is why I was considering the Lexus and would have liked the 3rd row seating.

Picked up an '07 4Runner Limited with nav but no X-REAS/RAS.

If you want V8, like to have 3rd row seating and prefer the better quality material in the interior of the car, pick the Lexus (3rd row seating is more common than not unlike the 4runner). It wont fit adults, but in a bind, it comes in handy.

Lexus dealerships and service was of better quality from what I've heard compared to Toyota, but you pay for that in the cost of service.

Ride comfort, the Lexus definitely feels more plush, and comfortable. If you are tall and have a longer torso, the extra headroom will also help. Legroom wise, both are left wanting. I have long legs and as someone else noted, the pan where your butt rests is too short and my legs dont get the support I'd like.

From what I've heard, if you can get the warranty, the Lexus is great, but once out of warranty, I'm not sure. The electronic tild/telescoping steering column must be expensive to fix out of warranty. Another thing to consider, if you get an extended warranty on the Toyota and decide to sell it within the warranty, it might be an added incentive to the buyer. Lexus warranty is not transferrable (This was as stated by 2 dealerships, so correct me if I'm wrong).

wow - thanks! this is very useful information - I am still getting the knowledge about both cars (while searching for a good one).
First of all I am in Canada and the choice is smaller and the prices are higher so I am targeting to get 04 GX or 06 4R..
I did not know the navigation is available for 4Runners (maybe starting from 07?), I definitely want one. I can live with 4.0 no problem but I do need to have the third seat row.
Lexus ownership should cost more but I am not sure if one has to go often to a dealer - I have Rav4 for the last 8 years and I only went to a dealer once when I bought it just to change the timing belt and the pump..

 

[gptoy96]

First of all I am in Canada and the choice is smaller and the prices are higher so I am targeting to get 04 GX or 06 4R..
I did not know the navigation is available for 4Runners (maybe starting from 07?), I definitely want one. I can live with 4.0 no problem but I do need to have the third seat row.

Nav is kicking around in Canadian Runners, like everything else in Canada they seem to be fewer and harder to find but they're out there, same with the 3rd row option. To find the two together might be the needle in a haystack. Nice thing about your situation is you can find your 3rd row Runner and then go aftermarket for Nav as it will offer more bells and whistles now anyways.

 

[Giskarded]

wow - thanks! this is very useful information - I am still getting the knowledge about both cars (while searching for a good one).
First of all I am in Canada and the choice is smaller and the prices are higher so I am targeting to get 04 GX or 06 4R..
I did not know the navigation is available for 4Runners (maybe starting from 07?), I definitely want one. I can live with 4.0 no problem but I do need to have the third seat row.
Lexus ownership should cost more but I am not sure if one has to go often to a dealer - I have Rav4 for the last 8 years and I only went to a dealer once when I bought it just to change the timing belt and the pump..

Here in the US, nav was available on old 4Runners as well. I know for a fact I've seen it on '06 as well. Aftermarket Navigation systems are another option.


Finding one with Nav and 3rd row might be tough, you are pretty much removing Sport Edition as an option since that doesnt come with 3rd row options.

The 06 to 07 from Lexus updated to a new Nav system, and added inputs for mp3 players.

 

[gsnake]

Nav is kicking around in Canadian Runners, like everything else in Canada they seem to be fewer and harder to find but they're out there, same with the 3rd row option. To find the two together might be the needle in a haystack. Nice thing about your situation is you can find your 3rd row Runner and then go aftermarket for Nav as it will offer more bells and whistles now anyways.

good point.. The only thing is to get NAV system that could be built-in, not attached to the windshield, etc.. not sure if this is possible though..

 

[gsnake]

Here in the US, nav was available on old 4Runners as well. I know for a fact I've seen it on '06 as well. Aftermarket Navigation systems are another option.


Finding one with Nav and 3rd row might be tough, you are pretty much removing Sport Edition as an option since that doesnt come with 3rd row options.

The 06 to 07 from Lexus updated to a new Nav system, and added inputs for mp3 players.

As far as I know the sport edition has 4.7L engine and X-reas.. I don't think I need both of them (based on the comments from this forum) so Limited edition (still want to have leather, etc) with 4.0 and third row would be the only option..

 

[Giskarded]

As far as I know the sport edition has 4.7L engine and X-reas.. I don't think I need both of them (based on the comments from this forum) so Limited edition (still want to have leather, etc) with 4.0 and third row would be the only option..

Not sure if it differs in Canada, but the Sport Edition here comes with V6 and V8. No 3rd row seating though. X-REAS is on all SE as far as I know.

From what I have seen, I researched some 50 or so 4Runners in the Midwest, and saw about 9 and drove 6. Of these, none that I saw had 3rd row seating (my pre-req was V8). Of the 50 online, 5 or 6 had 3rd row. So, on used models, think there was 1 V8 with 3rd row, and 5 V6 with 3rd row (2 Limited and 3 SR5).

The odds weren't very high of finding a V8, with low miles and 3rd row seating, so I dropped the idea of 3rd row seating.

 

[gptoy96]

As far as I know the sport edition has 4.7L engine and X-reas.. I don't think I need both of them (based on the comments from this forum) so Limited edition (still want to have leather, etc) with 4.0 and third row would be the only option..

Sounds like you're on the right track with the Limited. SE's had either the 4.0 or 4.7 and all had XREAS, no 3rd row option. The limited's also had both engine options but could vary on the XREAS, but the 3rd row was an option on them.

I shopped for mine in July 08, my city isn't that big so made a few calls to dealers in Edmonton/Calgary. Of the dozen or so I called on I did manage to find one with the 3rd row, IIRC it was an SR5 and I wanted a Sport so I skipped on it. So seeing that you're from Ontario, I'm thinking your odds must be better than mine of finding one so thinking with a bit of searching you could find one.

 

[gptoy96]

good point.. The only thing is to get NAV system that could be built-in, not attached to the windshield, etc.. not sure if this is possible though..

Yes, I was actually thinking of an in-dash type of system. I haven't done any serious shopping but from what I seen between the system, wiring, install etc. you're looking at about $1000 CDN and up.

But of course easier than than finding the 3rd row and you can get the system you want regardless of what Runner you buy.

 

[gsnake]

Sounds like you're on the right track with the Limited. SE's had either the 4.0 or 4.7 and all had XREAS, no 3rd row option. The limited's also had both engine options but could vary on the XREAS, but the 3rd row was an option on them.

I shopped for mine in July 08, my city isn't that big so made a few calls to dealers in Edmonton/Calgary. Of the dozen or so I called on I did manage to find one with the 3rd row, IIRC it was an SR5 and I wanted a Sport so I skipped on it. So seeing that you're from Ontario, I'm thinking your odds must be better than mine of finding one so thinking with a bit of searching you could find one.

yeah.. i saw a couple of listings and will try to see these cars (with the 3rd row) this or next week.. I hope the mechanical part of these is the same as for GX470 and I saw this one already and liked everything (especially the thing that you can remove them if you don't need them).