Close to purchasing 04 V8 ..have some ques?

[ssingh]

I was in the market for a 05 v6 Sports 4X4 but a dealer is offering a good deal on a used certified 04 Limited v8 4X4 for about $34000! It also has nav with all the standard limited options.

Mileage is about 19k on the vehicle. I know everybody's praising the new v8 tranny on the 05's but is the 04 tranny really that under-powered. Do note that I'll NEVER be doing any towing or trying to race that kid in his new Dodge: This is gonna be a family car or rather SUV.

Any recommendations highly appreciated.

Thanks

BTW, what color is the interior of a dark grey 4Runner?

 

[Kanab]

On the 04 and 05 the V8 transmission is the same, both are 5 spped auto's with the WS ATF that never needs to be serviced. The difference between 04/05 V8's is that the 05 has the VVTi that adds HP at the higher rev's. Not a big deal. $34K with 19K miles??? They paid the guy that traded it in around $27K. Does certified extend the warranty to 6 years and 100K miles? If it was a Benz then the warranty extension would be great but not needed with the Toyota. Look up this vehicle in www.kbb.com and look at "private party" price with the 19K miles on it, add all of the options in and that is what you should be able to buy it for without the "certified" warranty addition. Just buy a new "Sport Edition" V8 AWD and add after market leather and you will have more vehicle for about the same price. My 2004 SE V8 AWD listed for $35,600 last April and I bought it $3000 off that number. Good luck you can't go wrong with the 4runner.

 

[Northof49]

Mileage is about 19k on the vehicle. I know everybody's praising the new v8 tranny on the 05's but is the 04 tranny really that under-powered. Do note that I'll NEVER be doing any towing or trying to race that kid in his new Dodge: This is gonna be a family car or rather SUV.

The 03-04 V8's are not under powered AT ALL! I was very pleased with my 03 V8; the 05 V8's are just more of a good thing

 

[RaysMD]

umm, you can get on 05 V8 Limited for that price too.


I paid $29.5K before taxes, title, and registration for a V8 Sports Edition.

 

[fastlif306]

My 04's are not underpowered by any means, and I tow as well. I do agree that the price is steep, I would buy a new 05 V8 or whatever you want for less, long as you go with a non Limited, which to me is overpriced in any event. Tell them a much lower price on the used one, or shop around for new. Highly recommend the 4Runner tho, its an awesome vehicle.

 

[slyangel9]

I'm not sure if that is steep, but here's my thinking...

I paid $30,900 plus taxes and registration for a '04 V8 SE

By no means is this car underpowered because it's an '04. I think for that price the dealer wants, you can get an '05 V8 SE for way less than $34,000. Do you really need the Nav? It's a nice feature and I wish I had it sometimes, but the cost in my opinion really doesn't justify.

 

[doctob]

The 04 v8 is not underpowered at all. Nice engine, great power distribution and torque. As a person who has owned an 04 and traded for an 05 (yes, I am stupid), I will have to say there are some pretty significant subjective differences. There seems to be much better acceleration with the 05, not completely due to increased power I don't think, but it is a difference. You can tell the power differential between the two (04 and 05) if you have driven both. Engine seems smoother to me as well. That being said, the engine was not why I switched. I had an 04 SR5 and wanted the SE when I got it. So, when I had the chance to get the 05 and pay difference between stickers essentially, I took the plunge.

Just my $.02.

J