Extereme durable configuration from the factory

[lightbulb]

:happens:

I hate unexpected expenses. I hate things breaking. That's why I'm interested in the venerable 4R. I want to buy a vehicle that will last me a damn long time with hard use, 200k. I'm gonna pay this SOB off for a change.

So what options are worth the extra cost in the long run?
-Leather vs cloth:
-X-REAS vs non:
-V6 vs V8:
-Sunroof vs non:
-Nav vs non:
-JBL vs non:
-Various years?

 

[bensanders]

get ready for a lot of varying opinions

Mine would be:

Leather
X-REAS (unless you are planning on an aftermarket suspension like coilovers)
V8
Sunroof
No NAV (install later on if you want for more features/less cost, DIY via Crutchfield)
No JBL (again, can be installed yourself for less money and better quality)
2006+

 

[lightbulb]

-Leather vs cloth:
Heated seats with leather are nice, but cloth doesn't rip. When/where does the leather rip? Does it hold up long term? I'm single and 25, so it's harder to justify the price premium when I'm going to be the only one in the vehicle.

-X-REAS vs non:
My previous vehicles have been cars - I like nimble quick vehicles that scoot. Before my current vehicle (V6 RAV4) I was in a 2k4 BMW 3-series and several smaller agile cars. SUVs are heavy and have a high CoG, so I realize there's no way to get what I'm used to. X-REAS is supposed to help a lot with cornering at speed, but a non-X-REAS vehicle I've tested has done well... so it seems. X-REAS is an integrated system that would have to be replaced a whole, but from what I've read it holds up well. But long term well? Any problem with using it to 125k or whatever and then replacing with vanilla shocks?

-V6 vs V8:
I don't want to debate religion here. Before researching I preferred the V8 because it can tow more, and I do tow. It comes with a slightly significant increase in everyday performance, with a slight decrease in gas mileage to match. But the V6's are no slouch, and I don't tow frequently anyway. But used V8's don't command much of a price premium, but they are harder to find. The V8 has mandatory timing belt+WP maintenance, but the V6 has a tendency to eat head gaskets leading to potentially very expensive repairs.

Do the V6 and V8 use the same transmission?

-Sunroof vs non:
I've heard of rust developing around the sunroof. But I really like a sunroof. Thoughts?

-Nav vs non:
My phone has better nav than the car nav unit, so it doesn't make sense. But it's cool. But it's integrated in to a bunch of stuff that could lead to an expensive mandatory repair. Thoughts?

-JBL vs non:
I like music, but is it worth the extra cost and PITA of repair / upgrade if something breaks?

-Various years?
It seems that 05+ VVTi V8s are just as reliable as the previous non-VVTi, true? I prefer the 06+ facelifted models - any downsides?

 

[zerowkul98]

So what options are worth the extra cost in the long run?

-Leather vs cloth: Ive had leather, and ive seen the leather seats of 4runners and Sequoias...cracks and ugly. Plenty ugly IMO. I like that i can shampoo and clean my cloth seats and these things dont rip. My 03's cloth seats still look fantastic.
-X-REAS vs non: Both mine have XREAS, and regardless if you have it or not, you can change it out to FJ springs and Bilsteins if you want to. You just have to remove the XREAS completely should you choose to do so.
-V6 vs V8: I have two (2) V8's. I drove the V6 first, loved the fulltime 4wd and power of the V8. I still get 18-20 mpg from my V8's and yes, the timing belt, water pump and 90k service isnt cheap, but when you get the rig back from the shop afterwards, the thing is practically new and good for another 90k!
-Sunroof vs non: Are you tall? If so, you might find the roof lower with the sunroof. Yes, there have been documented decay issues, but its something to keep an eye out for. My 03 has a little underneath the weather seal stipping for the rear door. I took a wire brush, clean it, wiped it down to a shine with alcohol, 3x primer, 3x paint, 3x clear coat. Its been cool since.
-Nav vs non: My Iphone 4S has better nav that the OEM deck. Besides, i switched them out for Scion decks anyways.
-JBL vs non: I like a good sound system. I used to have 20" subs and crossovers and amps, etc etc...but im over 30, and the days of "bumpin' down the blvd" are over.
-Various years? I have the 03 Sport Edition V8 and an 08 Sport Edition V8. The 08 has the slight body changes, the 03 has the grey textured sport cladding trim. I love them both...but there's a special place in my heart for the textured grey 03. It was so short-lived that i see it as a limited edition.

Good luck with your 4runner hunt!

 

[Mark86]

Leather vs cloth: Cloth wore much better compared to the leather in my current truck. My leather has a few tiny cracks in it and I condition regularly. I think the leather seats in my limited are much more comfortable. I also cannot live without the heated seats during the winter. I also prefer the look and feel of leather over cloth as well as I get less shocks with leather.

XREAS vs non- both of my trucks have been equipped with this option so I cannot give a fair opinion. For an SUV, I think it corners fine.

V6 vs V8- never had a V6. I love my V8 and don't think I could live without it. The acceleration is amazing and the throaty groan never gets old. Gas mileage between the both aren't drastically different either. This is part of the reason that I still own my 05!

Sunroof vs non- I think this is a must have on those sunny days in the summer. A little sunlight shining into your vehicle never hurts! Must have for me. If your 4Runner has a third row, you are not going to have a sunroof.

Nav vs no nav- The 4th gens are going to have dated navs. You are not going to have traffic navigation and bluetooth was only available in 2006-newer models. Also, Toyota does not allow you to program the nav while driving. I prefer to have a navigation system built into my vehicle but you could probably do better with your cell phone or aftermarket navigation system. I am not disappointed with the factory nav and it does the job adequately. Just beware that the factory nav will cost you more in addition to having to pay for updated discs every few years.

JBL vs non JBL- I am a music lover so premium stereo is a must for me. The JBL with nav in my truck is not the best stereo I have ever heard but it is good. Compared to the non JBL in my sport, it is 100x better. Compared to the Mark Levinson or ELS system in our other vehicles, not a chance! Listen to them both and see what you think. Just realize if you buy a Limited, you will automatically get the non nav JBL 6 disc stereo. If you have factory nav, you get the JBL 8 speaker stereo without a changer. I never heard the non nav JBL stereo

Various years: here is a quick summary

2005- rear spoiler changed, V8 horsepower/torque increased and VVTi added, a few other appearance tweaker that were minor, TPMS

2006- slight facelift with LED taillights and projector headlights, interior tweaks, bluetooth standard with navigation, memory seats on limited, power seats available on other trims

 

[ErikU]

These are all personal preference issues... though I would echo a couple things mentioned here.

I also come from the small agile car background, and that is my preference, but I needed a big family car and 4wd too, so I added a Jeep Grand Cherokee to the mix. When I realized what an awful maintenance pig that was I moved on to a 3rd gen 4runner. Not nearly as nice as the Jeep, but very reliable.

Then I moved up to a 4th gen 4Runner. Night and day difference that I wan't expecting at all. Tons of power with the V6 and excellent XREAS handling. Much improved brakes too. I was actually quite surprised. Though it isn't my daily driver, I drove it today and had fun with it. As car like as you will get with a body on frame and solid rear. It also just feels and drives like a quality machine. We really enjoy it.

Also agree on the leather. For some reason Toyota leather sucks in a big way. I have an older Volvo with high miles and the leather looks factory new and is much "richer".

No downsides to the 06+. Many small improvements too.

Make sure you are comfortable in the seats for a long ride. Lots of complaint here. I'm 5' 11", 215lbs and don't have any complaints, but others do.

If you like to haul stuff you will want to avoid the 3rd row seats. Even with the 3rd row removed, the 2nd row doesn't go flat.

I'd go V6 with XREAS.. but you may find you prefer something different.

 

[Sants]

I wouldn't let v6 v v8 thing sway you too much. I ended up getting a v8 because I found a rig with the options I wanted and it happened to be a v8. I was Loking for a v6 at the time but am more than happy with the 8. My mpg isn't too far off from what v6 guys have been posting. Mostly 2 and sometimes 3 mpg difference. All Im saying is if you find one you like don't let the motor sway you. They are both great! With the tranny cooler on the 8, I would think the truck was designed more for abuse in mind than the 6. I have been in trucks before without coolers wheelin and tires spinning and have had to shut down because of transmission over heating. Only if you are really on it though for an extended period of time.

Factory nav: I have it. Works well but I need an updated nav disc. Wish I wouldn't have gotten it now. Could have spent $500 and got a good aftermarket unit that has iPod hookup and sat radio. I do love tge factory backup camera! Life saver when hooking up a trailer and parking in tight spots. I would go without nav and put an aftermarket unit in. I heard the jbl really comes alive with a good unit

I like the leather. Have dogs (still put a cover down) and a baby on the way. Leather is much easier to keep clean imo.

Go sunroof. I line to open the roof and bring the back window down. I found this helps keep the fumes out when the back window us down.

 

[scottm]

So what options are worth the extra cost in the long run?
-Leather vs cloth:
-X-REAS vs non:
-V6 vs V8:
-Sunroof vs non:
-Nav vs non:
-JBL vs non:
-Various years?

You've come to the right vehicle. I have a V6, some advantages and disadvantages, but for 200k+ I'd go with the V8. You basically get the engine and drive train that's been tried and true in the heavier Land Cruiser since '89, with many improvements over the years. The early V8 Land Cruisers have had transmission troubles, but the newer ones are fairly bullet-proof. The '03+ 4Runners should go 300k with normal maintenance, there are plenty of Land Cruisers getting there, and many of them have been off-roaded regularly.

You will have problems here and there, like the starter at around 100k. I just put new starter contacts in my Land Cruiser, $25 in parts, but you have to pull the intake off to get to it. I did it in around six hours first time, should take much less next time. I consider this a normal wear item.

The rear wheel bearings are no longer serviceable, but will certainly last 200k if you're not doing a lot of water crossings. This is one of my big complaints, but I don't plan to cross a lot of water on the way to the mall. Guys who wheel these aren't saying much about it, so maybe they're holding up better than I expect.

If you do all the regular maintenance with good fluids and parts, plus a little extra like transmission fluid that's not really lifetime, you should have a more trouble-free experience than pretty much any vehicle on the market.