Advice Is Needed

[SAMURAY25]

Hello.

I live in Russia. Now I own right handed Nissan Terrano Regulus 1999 with 3200 turbo diesel engine (aka Infiniti QX4 in U.S.) It has "All mode 4x4" drive with rear LSD. I'm completely satisfied with it, but now I want to purchase 4 whell drive, left handed Toyota 4 Runner 2003-2005 from U.S.
Please could somebody help me with my choice? Which specification is better (SR5, Sport, Limited) with 4700 or with 4000 engine? What is real average mileage of each engine with 4wd? And how to determine if the vehicle has the rear LSD?

Thank you very much.

 

[TheBlueWave]

Your questions are a little loaded and based on opinion, except the rear LSD, which 4wd models do not have. They have "A-trac" which simulates LSD to some extent. Search the term "A-trac" for better explanations.
I have an SR5 and am totally satisfied, but many members here own Limited and Sport models, which have X-reas suspension systems (optional on Limited) that help with cornering on the road. Other than that, you get a few more luxury features with each move up the ladder (SR5 -> Sport -> Limited).
I have the v6 (4000) and like it very much, but I have driven the v8 model (4700) and its fantastic! Both engines are smooth and powerful but the v8 is exceptionally smooth. I get close to 20 mpg in mixed driving in the summer time (where I live in the states, MN, the winters are very cold) and around 16 in the dead of winter (not sure right now what the conversion is from mpg to lpkm). The v8 will get less, but a v8 member should comment on that.
In 2005, the v8 got more horsepower and the v6 got a 5-speed automatic, something to keep in mind.
The 4wd system works well, IMO. Its part time on v6 models (selectable full time) and full time on v8 models.
Hope this gets you started!

 

[<<<<]

For Russia I'd get SR-5 that's a V-6 but 4WD for 2 reasons:
1) better gas milage
2) less expencive
Also, you can have 4WD off when not needed.

 

[Mark86]

Another important difference between the two is that the V6 has selectable 4WD (you can drive in 2WD to save gas) and the V8 is always in 4WD. The mileage difference between the two engines is about 2-3 mpg.

 

[RamThis]

As for the SR5, Sport, or Limited, it's totally up to you on how much luxury items you want. SR5 is one of the most loaded "base model" vehicles around. For a base model it has as many features as some vehicle's middle to upper level models.

Being as such, had I not found the SR5 I own that had some of the nice Sport/Limited features special ordered by the original owner, I would have looked more for a Sport Edition, which is what I originally was looking for. The jump from SR5 to Sport in terms of options is a pretty decent jump, which most will say is worth it if you dont mind paying a bit more because of all the options and features you get.

Since I see you like to modify your rides, But like nice vehicles, I'd probably lean towards a Sport Model, because it's more luxury, but it's not so expensive that you feel hesitant to do some modifications to it to personalize it. I'd feel very anxious if I were to start modifying a Limited model seeing as how much those things sell for. Yikes!!

I have not driven the V8 4Runner, only the V6 that we have. And it has plenty of power to tackle traffic just fine. And that says alot, since I drive a 2000 Dodge Ram with a 5.9L 360 Cubic Inch V8, modified somewhat, re-geared differential, etc, that really moves. Unless you plan to tow or just have a really heavy lead foot, the V6 is more than enough power to keep up with, and in alot of cases, pass traffic without breaking a sweat.