dont downgrade to 5th Gen

[CraigRoberts]

:violin:

I own a Porsche Cayman S and know what decent power and acceleration feels like. I have never felt underpowered with the 2010's V6 and anything I want to do with it...

 

[Javelin]

V8S are a thing of the past. Its all about MPGS these days. Which brings me to the ultimate question...

WHY DONT WE GET A DIESEL MODEL?!?!

 

[jimithing]

We can sure dream, but there is no way the 5.7 is getting put in the 4Runner. There's no need for it, really. The 4Runner is probably too small to tow anything that would require the 5.7 L anyway. Hoping to see the 4.6 L in the 4Runner though, makes no sense to me in the first place why they stopped putting the V8 in, high gas prices or not. I do think the 5th gen looks good from the front, but kinda minivan-like from the rear. I wouldn't mind driving one though.

Yup, no way the 5.7 makes sense int he 4Runner. I do think the 4.6 should be an option in the 4Runner but I'm not sure it'll happen. The HP rating on that engine is 347 hp. Compare that to the VVT-i 4.7 which has an output of 271 hp. And the new dual VVT-i 4.0 V6 is rated at 254 hp. I don't think they have a V8 that's in the 300 hp range.

 

[CraigRoberts]

I do prefer the styling of the older models to the stock 5th gen (Limited stock looks too Soccer Mom-ish). With the mods members on here have been posting on here in the 5th gen section though, they're looking pretty nice.

 

[Mark86]

I was stoked and holding out for a 5th Gen, then I saw one, then I sat in one, then I drove one... I went and bought a BMW and kept my V8 4Runner, I have the best of both worlds.

I'm holding on to my truck until it costs too much money to keep on the road, which doesn't look like will happen anytime soon.

Hell, I like the truck more than the BMW :guitar2:

Which BMW did you buy? I would love to add something more sporty in the future and was thinking of a 1 series.

 

[T4rman]

I do prefer the styling of the older models to the stock 5th gen (Limited stock looks too Soccer Mom-ish). With the mods members on here have been posting on here in the 5th gen section though, they're looking pretty nice.

That's the truth. The lack of clearance on the front and rear bumpers really kill it for me. Put a fresh new shrockworks and some icon goodies on it and it'll look awesome.

I like the interior as well. I wouldn't mind the v6. If I want to tow i'll get a cummins. I keep killing my bank account with gas prices and my 15mpg v8. :spank:

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Interior got as bit cheaper from the 3rd to the 4th,no auto up AND down windows,glass headlamps were lost on the 4th gens I believe and didn't reinstate the rear locker til the last model year since Toyota did realize that 4Runner onwers will take their trucks off road but the 4th gen overall was Toyota's attempt to leave the more rugged trails behind but conceded to the off road crowd by introducing the 5th gen TE model.

With the 3rd gens they all were the same capable with the same options for the most part strung out over the whole line.

Obviously if my truck stickered at about $35k in late '98 and the 4th and 5th gens coming in at the same price range Toyota obviously made some cuts but most we don't see.

 

[BOSMECH]

I like it.
To me it looks tough, the lights can be redesigned a bit but still it looks like a tank and has modern technolagy on it.
As for the gas cap release that is one less thing to go wrong on it.

 

[JG1911]

Which BMW did you buy? I would love to add something more sporty in the future and was thinking of a 1 series.

2011 M3... I like the 1's, try to get a 1M if you can swing it, they should be available towards the end of the year. I wouldn't keep a BMW out of warranty unless you have a great European mechanic around :-D

 

[Southernbike]

I had 2 4th gens, one V6 and one V8. I still have the V8 (2006 Sport) and also have a 2011 4Runner. I prefer the way the exterior looks on my 2006. The 2011 V6 seems a lot smoother than what I remember on my 4th gen V6. Toyota did cheapen up the 5th gen a little, but it is still a very nice and great riding 4Runner and well above all most everything else out there. To date I have never had anything go wrong with any of my 4Runners. Love them!

 

[Mark86]

2011 M3... I like the 1's, try to get a 1M if you can swing it, they should be available towards the end of the year. I wouldn't keep a BMW out of warranty unless you have a great European mechanic around :-D

That is my dream car My dad just got an X3 35i and I love the twin turbo. 1M is awesome too but I have to see where I stand in a few months. All that I know is the 4Runner isn't going anywhere. I would never keep a Bimmer past it's warranty either. You are looking for tons of out of pocket expenses.

 

[Mijfwb23]

I originally had an '04 V6 SR5 and loved it, no problems at all. I traded it in for a 2010 TE and the only thing I missed about my 4th gen was the mirrors in the back corners. I hated the 5th gen look when it first came out until I went and test drove my TE. It had more power, handled better, felt bigger and less car like. I never had any desire to mod my 4th gen except for a new stereo. Now in the short time I have had my 5th gen I have done quite abit to it because I plan on keeping it till it dies. I have never felt this way about any of my vehicles before so for me it is the best gen. I am not sure what everyone is talking about the 5th gen interior is cheap plastic. The 4th gen was cheap plastic also but arent all cars nowadays. I like the more upright dash and windshield except for attracting rocks it just feels more like how a real SUV should. But all this is mute as everyone is going to love the Gen they currently own and trash the ones they don't or haven't ever.

Either way we are all apart of the 4Runner family so lets just enjoy the ride.

 

[rebelbowtie]

i dont agree Mijfwb23, i would own any 4Runner body style. i just have a 4th gen because of the v8, i like the thick sheet metal and manual transmission option of the 3rd gen the best though. they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

personally the best gen would be a combo of all the body styles, a small SUV with solid axles, v8, leather interior with a manual transmission. thats what i want...

 

[Mijfwb23]

personally the best gen would be a combo of all the body styles, a small SUV with solid axles, v8, leather interior with a manual transmission. thats what i want...

Wouldn't that be nice.

I just meant the 5th gen is the best gen I have owned, I would love a locked '85 with solid axles and the 22RE, but I have never owned one.

 

[NJshadow93]

It seems like most people that don't like the 5th gen are the 4th gen V8s. It just sucks to have to lose power, but gain size. But the 5th gen is definitely more powerful than the 4th gen V6.

 

[1engineer]

Wow, so much hate! I won't come in here and bash, as some 4th genners do in the 5th gen forum because you need to own it to have the right to bash it. I looked at buying a 4th gen 4Runner several times between 03-09 and apparently they designed it for shorter people unless you drive lying down lol. I liked the 4th gens, I like my 5th gen. Very simple and robust. I do have a question for you though:

When the 4th gen came out orginally, did they start out with LED taillights, Projector Headlights and all the other goodies they usually add during a mid model refresh? Just curious.

 

[JG1911]

That is my dream car My dad just got an X3 35i and I love the twin turbo. 1M is awesome too but I have to see where I stand in a few months. All that I know is the 4Runner isn't going anywhere. I would never keep a Bimmer past it's warranty either. You are looking for tons of out of pocket expenses.

If you're buying a new one, any BMW, make the dealer order it for you and do Performance Center Delivery! It doesn't cost you anything other than the expense of getting to Spartanburg SC and gas on the way home. BMW picks up the tab for 1 night in a pretty nice hotel, all your meals, they give you a car just like yours to tear around their track, you get a hot lap in a M5, you go on the skid pad, you tour the BMW plant, and you get to drive an X5 on the "off road course", then they give you your car and go over EVERYTHING. The meals are damn good, plus you get to bring a friend/wife/girlfriend/who ever with you, all on BMW's dime. It is well worth it. My GF said it was the best vacation she has ever had... and they are super nice, really take care of you, and actually know what they are talking about. They spent 90min lining up my hood, it was just a touch off, and then touched up the bolts. The body shop guys went above and beyond.

The BMW dealership here sucks.

 

[Natey]

I'm a complete Toyota n00b and have been driving a Mazda station wagon as a daily for years. One thing I can say, tho, is the 5th gen is the 1st 4runner that's really appealed to me since the 1st gen with the pop-top.
I was ready to buy an Audi all-road or Lexus CT until we rented a 4runner for the weekend and took a snowboard trip to Tahoe. Suddenly I changed my way of thinking.
We bought a 2012 Limited and I couldn't be happier. The way it looks, drives and swallows cargo is just what the doctor ordered. It's got this boxy, tough look that you don't see in many new trucks and that's what sold me. Once I lose the lame 20's and do a couple minor mods, I think it'll be about perfect for what my family needs.

*puts on flame proof suit*

 

[4RunnerFan]

When the 4th gen came out orginally, did they start out with LED taillights, Projector Headlights and all the other goodies they usually add during a mid model refresh? Just curious.

My guess is you already know the answer to your question, but if not, you are correct that those features were added as part of the refresh. A question not asked, and I honestly don't know the answer: When the 4th gen came out originally, did they remove (decontent) many of the features that were part of the 3rd gen?

 

[4dailyRunner]

Wow, so much hate! I won't come in here and bash, as some 4th genners do in the 5th gen forum because you need to own it to have the right to bash it.....

1engineer and the group:

It is not hate. It is nothing personal aimed toward the 5th gen owners. In my case, it is disappointment and frustration. My 4th gen has been the best vehicle I have owned. It is as if I was let down with the 5th gen.

As an engineer, I suspect you strive to design quality. I suspect when you finish a design and complete it, you may even wake up in a cold sweat 3 days later with an idea that "would have made it sooooo much better". Perhaps, you lost an argument in the design review and your whiner associate gets his way. Perhaps, your associate's way absolutely goes against the grain of every design principal you know. You end going to production with something you can't support because it is the wrong way completely polarized opposite to what what you consider the RIGHT way to do something.

In my humble opinion and since it is still a free country allowing me to have an opinion that I can share .... for now, the 5th gen design is "...that wrong way".

No hate. No bash. In my opinion, it is the unbridled truth.

How 'bout those Yankees?

~~
4DR