I am in the market for a 4r and have been doing some research. the vehicle is above everything else I have looked at, and I really wish I would have bought one instead of the durango R/T that I am trying to unload now. The 00' durango is a good vehicle if the year was 1977 but we all know if you want technology and great design don't buy a dodge. anyway maybe somebody can give me some advice to hone in my seleciton here. I know I want a ltd. and a 4th.gen. my question is did they make the 5speed auto in every 4th gen or did that apear more recently? and is possible to find a 5speed man. in a ltd. 4th gen. I have also settled on a v6 unless anybody thinks the v8 is a must have. my budget is under 20k and I want less than 60k miles is this dooable? thanks for anybodys comments.
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boston_kevin
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Re: 4speed to 5speed
I think you would be fine with an '05. You won't see an '03 or '04 for much less than an '05 depending on the mileage. As far as the 4 spd tranny, I have this on my V6 and you won't really notice any major differences. The 5 spd has a lower 1st gear and a taller top gear, so you will probably see better mileage on the highway. You will probably see a difference in acceleration on the track, but on the highway it won't be as noticeable.
chadcincy said:
I think you would be fine with an '05. You won't see an '03 or '04 for much less than an '05 depending on the mileage. As far as the 4 spd tranny, I have this on my V6 and you won't really notice any major differences. The 5 spd has a lower 1st gear and a taller top gear, so you will probably see better mileage on the highway. You will probably see a difference in acceleration on the track, but on the highway it won't be as noticeable.
In this market, and with your price ceiling, i seriously doubt you'll have a hard time finding the perfect 4runner for you, no doubt. I would suggest the V8 personally, as most SUV owners I've ever met who had a choice, always seem to say "wish I had gotten the V8". MPG between the two is minimal, at best. But the V8 seems to be much smoother and quieter, or so I've heard on here. I've driven one v6 4runner, an 06', and wasn't that impressed with the noises I heard. But, that might of been due to lack of care given to the car. Personally, you can have my V8 when I'm dead, and not a moment sooner. I don't care what gas prices are, V8's are great, balanced, and very handy when needed. And when buying a used car, V8's don't need to work nearly as hard as a V6 does...which usually means a V8 is in better condition. Again, these are just my own personal experiences... I've bought used V6's that had some problems, and 4's, but the two V8's I've owned "95' Lexus LS400" and my current 4runner, have both been absolutely perfect engines. The LS, sold at 132k miles last year, was still the smoothest, if not the best, engine I have ever had.
The thing I notice about prices on the 4runners, are the options. Prices really go up with the more options you have. The one I have, an 05' SR5 with sunroof, was listed at $24,xxx last August, with 52k on the clock. I got it for a tick over $20k. That was when gas was around $3 a gallon, and you bet I played that card. Now a days, you can practically steal them. Well, not like a Jeep or other SUV's, but still, can get a great deal! Anything I'd make an offer on in today's market, would be at least $5k under asking price to start, at least!
The thing I notice about prices on the 4runners, are the options. Prices really go up with the more options you have. The one I have, an 05' SR5 with sunroof, was listed at $24,xxx last August, with 52k on the clock. I got it for a tick over $20k. That was when gas was around $3 a gallon, and you bet I played that card. Now a days, you can practically steal them. Well, not like a Jeep or other SUV's, but still, can get a great deal! Anything I'd make an offer on in today's market, would be at least $5k under asking price to start, at least!
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Uneek
Super Moderator
nc211 said:
The V8, 1UZ, in your LS is a Ward's Top 10 Engine winner and many consider it to be one of the best V8s ever made, if not the best. The 4.7 V8, 2UZ is based on the award winning 1UZ. So certainly a lot of engines out there won't hold a candle next to the Toyota V8s.
fuel econ
I think it really depends on wha trans and whether or not you have 2 or 4wd. I have a 2003 V8 2WD and i can get 18 in the city if I drive right. Most times I avg 17-18 in city after subtracting 2 from the computer. On the highway I have gotten 22 but most time i get 20-21 which isn't bad for the highway. If you don't do a whole lot of driving around like me (my work is less than a mile away) then you should get the V8 but if you have to go to work 30-40 miles away, the 1-2 mpg difference can add up over time. Although the V8 is fun to drive, and with 110K on it, it's still buttery smooth.
I think it really depends on wha trans and whether or not you have 2 or 4wd. I have a 2003 V8 2WD and i can get 18 in the city if I drive right. Most times I avg 17-18 in city after subtracting 2 from the computer. On the highway I have gotten 22 but most time i get 20-21 which isn't bad for the highway. If you don't do a whole lot of driving around like me (my work is less than a mile away) then you should get the V8 but if you have to go to work 30-40 miles away, the 1-2 mpg difference can add up over time. Although the V8 is fun to drive, and with 110K on it, it's still buttery smooth.
what seems to make my mpg readout drop is the idling at stop lights and such. When on the highway with cruise set to about 80 mph, I reset the mpg/avg speed settings so it can start fresh, and I seem to sit around the 23-24 window. Mine is perm. 4x4, which I'm not crazy about. Around town, it drops down to about 18.5-19.3 on a gentle foot. 16.2-17.0 on a heavy foot. But, in the V8, you only need a heavy foot if you need to haul butt, and you're above the speed limit by a good bit before you know it.
In terms of MPG and cost of operation differnces in gas, I'm sure the V8 costs more on an annual basis, it's just plain logic that it would. But, the question you need to answer for yourself in deciding, is having the V8 under your foot worth probably an extra few hundred dollars a year? For me, it's a no brainer, well worth having that kick in the pants ready and willing when I need it/or want it. Probably costs me an extra $300-$400 bucks a year in gas over the v6 model. But, I'm ok with that. Plus, as mentioned earlier, you have better odds when buying used that a V8 hasn't been worked as hard as a V6. Simply due to the V8 not needing to rev has high to pull the car. Cost increases of gas, can be offset by less repairs due to more engine wear incurred.
The other fact that most driver types that would chose to abuse an engine (teenagers-mid 20's) simply prefer the insurance costs of a V6, instead of a V8. So, better odds of getting one driven by an adult. Mine, at 60k now, is still on it's original michelin tires, rotors, and rear pads. The front pads were replaced by the dealership when I purchased it. The only thing that tips off a driver of the miles on mine, is the odometer. Everything else about it suggests maybe 20k miles.
The V8 is so good, I'll tell you a true story on my old LS. I bought it from a Lexus dealership back in 04', with 86k miles. One owner, locally owned, normal maintenance done. The dealership used the car for about 5k as a "tester" for people thinking about buying a new LS430. They put a black piece of tap over the odometer and told people to take it for a test drive. When they came back, they asked the potential customer to estimate the age and mileage of the car. Nearly every single one guessed it was about two years old with around 20k miles. It was 9 years old, with 4 times the mileage. They sold more new LS430's that way than any other. To this day, chances are you can find an older LS400 sitting at a lexus dealership being used for the same thing. I was on the fence about buying it, until the salesman told me that story. A few minutes later, a customer walking out of the dealership to get into his new 04' black 430 saw me checking out the 95', and said "I bought this one because of that one" and confirmed the salesman story. Best car I had ever owned. Drove it to Key West, Pennsylvania, NYC, KC, Birmingham and countless trips down to the coast, with out a single problem.
In terms of MPG and cost of operation differnces in gas, I'm sure the V8 costs more on an annual basis, it's just plain logic that it would. But, the question you need to answer for yourself in deciding, is having the V8 under your foot worth probably an extra few hundred dollars a year? For me, it's a no brainer, well worth having that kick in the pants ready and willing when I need it/or want it. Probably costs me an extra $300-$400 bucks a year in gas over the v6 model. But, I'm ok with that. Plus, as mentioned earlier, you have better odds when buying used that a V8 hasn't been worked as hard as a V6. Simply due to the V8 not needing to rev has high to pull the car. Cost increases of gas, can be offset by less repairs due to more engine wear incurred.
The other fact that most driver types that would chose to abuse an engine (teenagers-mid 20's) simply prefer the insurance costs of a V6, instead of a V8. So, better odds of getting one driven by an adult. Mine, at 60k now, is still on it's original michelin tires, rotors, and rear pads. The front pads were replaced by the dealership when I purchased it. The only thing that tips off a driver of the miles on mine, is the odometer. Everything else about it suggests maybe 20k miles.
The V8 is so good, I'll tell you a true story on my old LS. I bought it from a Lexus dealership back in 04', with 86k miles. One owner, locally owned, normal maintenance done. The dealership used the car for about 5k as a "tester" for people thinking about buying a new LS430. They put a black piece of tap over the odometer and told people to take it for a test drive. When they came back, they asked the potential customer to estimate the age and mileage of the car. Nearly every single one guessed it was about two years old with around 20k miles. It was 9 years old, with 4 times the mileage. They sold more new LS430's that way than any other. To this day, chances are you can find an older LS400 sitting at a lexus dealership being used for the same thing. I was on the fence about buying it, until the salesman told me that story. A few minutes later, a customer walking out of the dealership to get into his new 04' black 430 saw me checking out the 95', and said "I bought this one because of that one" and confirmed the salesman story. Best car I had ever owned. Drove it to Key West, Pennsylvania, NYC, KC, Birmingham and countless trips down to the coast, with out a single problem.
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Ginneta
New member
I bought by 05' SR5 for just $9690!! Although she does have a few miles on her she runs strong and the miles were all highway! the only thing I have had to repair was the rear diff. which I just did this past weekend in only 3.5 hours and $350. I must say I got a great deal!! 
I'm sure if you look throughly you will find one in your rice range but I'm not sure you will find one with a manuel transmission. Happy Hunting!!
I'm sure if you look throughly you will find one in your rice range but I'm not sure you will find one with a manuel transmission. Happy Hunting!!
galactic_04
New member
If you really want a manual you may want to look at the FJ Cruiser as well.
BlackWorksInc
New member
You would think it was based on the 1UZ-FE by the designation and the similarity in design. But in reality it is very different from the 1UZ-FE, the 2UZ-FE is the only cast iron block V8 in the UZ family of engines. It was also designed from the ground up for the sole purpose of low end torque for applications in the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Tundra applications. Its built for the heavier use a truck/SUV sees compared to the 1UZ-FE, which was designed more or less as a car engine.
The 1UZ-FE and 2UZ-FE are great engines and you can expect similar reliability and quality in the 2UZ-FE that you saw in your 1UZ-FE engine.
*Insert tune here* the more you know.