Buying a used T4R. Couple of questions

[walrus]

New member here.

Selling the truck for a T4R. Been shopping the dealers around the Dallas area and looks like a 2005-2007 is in the cards. All depending on price, mileage, options, condition etc. So here's some questions.

V8 or V6? Is the mpg difference that significant?

Toyota certified? Worth it?

Most dealers around here are owned by Gulf States Toyota. Any experience with these guys?

Toyota financing. How competitive is it? Should I even bother with getting a quote from the CU?

Any advice is much appreciated.

 

[jlmilligan]

I love my V8, however, if I was to buy a new one, it would be a V6. On paper the mileage isnt that much different. But in the real world (a close friend has a 2004 V6) a 4 mpg spread seems average. I average 16 to 16.5. He gets 20 to 21. If you tow alot then go for the V8. Otherwise I would get a V6. thats just my opinion. Toyota certifed is nice because of the 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and the new car financing rates. You should check with your local Cu and go to toyota.com and check there local specials for current rates. My best advice would be to find the one that you just can't live without. V6 or V8, toyota certified or private party, it really won't matter in the end. As long as you are happy with the price you paid and got the model that best suits your style. You will hear a lot of opinions on this site which is great for information. but like mine, they are just opinions. Some will say buy a V8 and others would buy a GMC, go figure.

When your GMC friends are selling their 90,000 mile trucks due to age problems, and yours is going in for its first unschelduled maintenance item at 150,000, you will be REAL happy with any 4Runner.

 

[eskimochaos]

I say get the V8. The next gen 4runners will not have any V8 option so it will be nice to own the most powerful 4runner every made. Furthermore, I feel it is a better engine.

I would definitely get a CPO.

 

[hulk311]

I would go with the CPO but with the 6 cylinder engine because of better gas mileage.

 

[walrus]

Wow. Toyota dealers sure are proud of their 4Runners. Typically priced several thousand over independent and other dealers. Can't get the CPO from them though. Is the CPO really worth that much? Thats the question I gotta figure out. If it were a Chevy or other Detroit time bomb, then yes. I just don't hear about Toyotas taking major dumps unless abused. Toyota financing ain't that great either. I can get 5% at my bank. Best Toyota will do is just over 5%.

 

[TobyMcCann]

Walrus,

I spent the better part of 3 months looking for a pre-owened 2006-2008 4Runner. I had terrible luck with the dealerships in the DFW area. Everything from bait and switch to flood damage to price gouging.

I finally called Jerry Reynolds - The Car Guy on WBAP 820 ([email protected]) and he pointed me in the direction of Freeman Toyota in Hurst. It took a while for them to get a good lease return in (they don't buy many from auctions), but they finally received a 2007 lease-return SR5 V8 4x4 w/leather & only 9800 miles!

I used Freeman for financing, who ended up using EECU (credit union) for the lowest rate which was very competitive if not lower than my own credit union.

Email Jerry and tell him what you are looking for. I'm sure he'll put you in touch with BJ @ Freeman. Ask them to check their lease returns for 4Runners with your specs.

Whatever you do, stay away from Toyota of Richardson (bait & switch), Jerry Durant in Granbury & Weatherford (selling flood damaged vehicles), Rene Isip in Lewisville (bait & switch + deceptive advertising), & Vandergriff (bait & switch) in Arlington! I didn't have the best experience @ Texas Toyota in Grapevine, but they didn't do anything dishonest while I was there. Toyota of Fort Worth seems okay, but they didn't budge on price for base models.

 

[Chalk Outline]

The V8 is an excellent motor, but I don't know about it being "better" than the V6. I looked at both at went with the V6 because - lower inital cost, better mileage, timing chain vs timing belt, 200 lbs lighter, 2wd/partime 4wd vs fulltime 4wd and that cool 'oil filter on the top' feature. The V8 does have more ooomph and sounds sweeeeet. That said, I've never felt underpowered. The V6 runs great. 4 liters & 240hp, it's not too bad.

 

[BlairB]

I have the rare ability to say I have had both a V8 and a V6. The V8 is more powerful, but the V6 gets decently better mileage. I am more than happy with my V6 and do not regret not getting a V8.

 

[HB 4X4]

I have the rare ability to say I have had both a V8 and a V6. The V8 is more powerful, but the V6 gets decently better mileage. I am more than happy with my V6 and do not regret not getting a V8.

He's always trying to convince himself that my V8 isn't better than his V6.

 

[BlairB]

He's always trying to convince himself that my V8 isn't better than his V6.

And I am not giving up anytime soon :flipoff: :lmao:

 

[walrus]

Thanks Toby. I'll keep Freeman at the top of the list. Seems like most of the Toyota dealers around here are owned by Gulf States. Bunch of clowns. Especially Plano. Go to their web site and search for used cars and half of them are tagged SOLD. What a crock.

I may just end up buying from anyone BUT a Toyota dealer. They're consistently higher. Not sure I want the aggravation of getting the run around. Plus I'm not convinced that the Toyota Certified used vehicle add on warranty is worth it if its going to add thousands to the price.

 

[TobyMcCann]

I don't think CPO is worth it. Maybe if you are paying cash so you aren't financing an extended warranty, but in that case you could pay cash for a less expensive 3rd party warranty.

Make sure you take it to a mechanic before buying. They will let you know if there's anything to be leary of. I went to Dajda Do-Right in Hurst & for $80, he did the full on inspection with the computer and all. He brought me out when it was lifted and showed me the undercarriage and places to look for poor treatment, flood damage, etc. He is a big Toyota guy.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[toto]

The MPG difference between the V6 and V8 is marginal, and depends on your driving habits.

This thread will give you a quick idea of the changes from year to year. A lot happened in 06.

 

[eskimochaos]

The mileage is negligible. 1/2mpg is nothing really. Yes, the V8 is a better engine, period. I will not go into detail.

 

[walrus]

Thanks everybody for your replies.

So is the mpg difference really negligible between a v6 and a v8 in the 2006? I'm no hot rodder but I do appreciate reasonable economy. If its just 1/2 mpg thats no biggie and would justify the v8. Overall cost of ownership is whats important to me. Remember, I'm coming from the large 5.3 liter v8 GMC gas hog world where 17mpg is the best I can reasonably expect even on the highway. Feeding my GMC over the years has not been fun.

Whats your experience with T4R v8 mpg specifically on the 2006?

I've been wanting to keep the total mileage under 60k. Starting to think I should consider under 80k to save a few bucks.

 

[BlairB]

I would definitely not say that the mpg difference is negligible. I am getting better/about the same mileage than I did with my V8 even though my V8 was stock and my V6 has lift, MT tires, roof basket, light bar etc...

Also, my milage has always been around 3-4ish mpg better than Josh (HB 4x4) who I always wheel with, although my roof basket and MT's have been narrowing that gap slightly. Then again both of us are pretty aggressive drivers, so maybe the difference would be less if you were not driving that hard. I can't speak for everyone but I figure that this is pretty decent first hand experience.....

 

[HB 4X4]

I would definitely not say that the mpg difference is negligible. I am getting better/about the same mileage than I did with my V8 even though my V8 was stock and my V6 has lift, MT tires, roof basket, light bar etc...

Also, my milage has always been around 3-4ish mpg better than Josh (HB 4x4) who I always wheel with, although my roof basket and MT's have been narrowing that gap slightly. Then again both of us are pretty aggressive drivers, so maybe the difference would be less if you were not driving that hard. I can't speak for everyone but I figure that this is pretty decent first hand experience.....

Your MT's help you over my fat-ass 285's though. Your Basket has been the biggest factor, IMO; followed by the lift.

 

[simple]

yeah... I dunno, 1/2mpg over an average (for me) 20gal per fillup adds up fast.

Josh, how does the lift effect gas mileage?

 

[BlairB]

A lift by itself won't provide a huge drop in MPG, probably less than 1 mpg. The thing that really gets you is when you start upsizing tires and putting more aggressive tires on (AT, MT etc...).

Josh is right, the thing that is hurting me the most in the roof basket and lights. My truck is the aerodynamic equivalent to a brick.

 

[MikesToy]

I love my V8. It's an '03 and i still can't keep my eyes off of it.