V8 AWD 4EVR
New member
Hi all,
I have had a 4th Gen V8 for a long time, and it has been a great vehicle. The best I have owned - until now.
I delayed getting a new vehicle for the last year or two hoping a 5th Gen 4Runner with a V8 would be offered. I have also been a critic of the Nav system, 20 inch wheels and the rest.
Well, a Shoreline Blue Limited 4x4 with tan leather and Nav showed up at my friend's dealership so I took it home at close to invoice price plus tax and title fees. I am driving a bit like a granny since its very new, but I have to observe the build quality is very high, at least as good as my 4th Gen in my opinion. It is also quieter on the road than my 4th Gen.
A few things -
The rear visibility when backing up is not as good compared to the 4th Gen. You need to look over your right shoulder to safely back up a car, and the 4th Gen had awesomely functional pillar mirrors that let you see the blind spots when you looked over your shoulder and through the rear window. This is very, very safe. The 5th Gen 2nd row headrests and seatbacks block the lower part of the rear window, and there are no pillar mirrors. The back up camera is nice, but you can't look over your shoulder and look at the back up camera at the same time. I think the old pillar mirrors were much safer, idiot proof, and cheaper.
The rear windshield wiper only wipes about 1/3 of the window. The 4th Gen wiper is on the bottom and covers about 3/4 of the rear window. I am guessing they changed position because the rear wiper's seem exposed to snagging and damage.
Third row seats - useless and cost almost 1.5K to cost. No Limiteds without 3rd row seats now, at least in my region.
The Nav system is actually pretty great, especially compared to Mercedes Benz' system. Maybe the BMW Nav is better than Toyota's, but I think its close. The Nav offers something quite different than an iPad, and my initial belief that the Nav was not worthwhile seems incorrect after some road time with the system. Get the Nav if you can.
My example has Yokohama Geolander tires and I like them so far. Ride quality is very good, and much stiffer than my 4th Gen (which needs new shocks and tires for certain). My 4th Gen has standard SR5 suspension and no XREAS.
Most noticeable is the 5thy Gen increase in headroom and interior space, it feels much roomier than the 4th Gen (and my companion that drove me to the dealership in his fairly new 4th Gen 4Runner agreed it was a significant improvement). It seems to ride higher than the 4th Gen, and it is a few inches taller to get in as well.
The truck DOES NOT seem underpowered, though I am trying to do the 1st 500 miles without hammering the gas too much. I still want a V8, but now it will be a trade-in scenario!
Buy this rig with confidence. I thought I could not live without another V8, but now I just sit in my old one and pop the hood in the driveway to get my fix!
Cheers!
V8
I have had a 4th Gen V8 for a long time, and it has been a great vehicle. The best I have owned - until now.
I delayed getting a new vehicle for the last year or two hoping a 5th Gen 4Runner with a V8 would be offered. I have also been a critic of the Nav system, 20 inch wheels and the rest.
Well, a Shoreline Blue Limited 4x4 with tan leather and Nav showed up at my friend's dealership so I took it home at close to invoice price plus tax and title fees. I am driving a bit like a granny since its very new, but I have to observe the build quality is very high, at least as good as my 4th Gen in my opinion. It is also quieter on the road than my 4th Gen.
A few things -
The rear visibility when backing up is not as good compared to the 4th Gen. You need to look over your right shoulder to safely back up a car, and the 4th Gen had awesomely functional pillar mirrors that let you see the blind spots when you looked over your shoulder and through the rear window. This is very, very safe. The 5th Gen 2nd row headrests and seatbacks block the lower part of the rear window, and there are no pillar mirrors. The back up camera is nice, but you can't look over your shoulder and look at the back up camera at the same time. I think the old pillar mirrors were much safer, idiot proof, and cheaper.
The rear windshield wiper only wipes about 1/3 of the window. The 4th Gen wiper is on the bottom and covers about 3/4 of the rear window. I am guessing they changed position because the rear wiper's seem exposed to snagging and damage.
Third row seats - useless and cost almost 1.5K to cost. No Limiteds without 3rd row seats now, at least in my region.
The Nav system is actually pretty great, especially compared to Mercedes Benz' system. Maybe the BMW Nav is better than Toyota's, but I think its close. The Nav offers something quite different than an iPad, and my initial belief that the Nav was not worthwhile seems incorrect after some road time with the system. Get the Nav if you can.
My example has Yokohama Geolander tires and I like them so far. Ride quality is very good, and much stiffer than my 4th Gen (which needs new shocks and tires for certain). My 4th Gen has standard SR5 suspension and no XREAS.
Most noticeable is the 5thy Gen increase in headroom and interior space, it feels much roomier than the 4th Gen (and my companion that drove me to the dealership in his fairly new 4th Gen 4Runner agreed it was a significant improvement). It seems to ride higher than the 4th Gen, and it is a few inches taller to get in as well.
The truck DOES NOT seem underpowered, though I am trying to do the 1st 500 miles without hammering the gas too much. I still want a V8, but now it will be a trade-in scenario!
Buy this rig with confidence. I thought I could not live without another V8, but now I just sit in my old one and pop the hood in the driveway to get my fix!
Cheers!
V8
