Going back to the toyota family, need insight!

[seanxgodfrey]

Hey guys! It's been a while but I'm looking at another t4r and now rather than a 3rd gen its going to be a 4th gen! So excited to get back into a car that isn't going to bottom out if I go over a speed bump too fast!

Now the reason behind this post is so that maybe you guys can give me some thumbs up or downs from the information you see in this CL adds, also I'm from AZ and might go out to California to pick one up, any insight on picking up a car out of state? Any who here are some of the Runners I'm looking at!


Black 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport 4WD with Diff. Locking

2004 Toyota 4Runner

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (think its 2wd ...)

Toyota 4runner on sale!!

 

[Martinjmpr]

Hey guys! It's been a while but I'm looking at another t4r and now rather than a 3rd gen its going to be a 4th gen! So excited to get back into a car that isn't going to bottom out if I go over a speed bump too fast!

Now the reason behind this post is so that maybe you guys can give me some thumbs up or downs from the information you see in this CL adds, also I'm from AZ and might go out to California to pick one up, any insight on picking up a car out of state? Any who here are some of the Runners I'm looking at!


Black 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport 4WD with Diff. Locking

2004 Toyota 4Runner

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER (think its 2wd ...)

Toyota 4runner on sale!!

Well, hell, I was going to invite you to come out to Colorado and buy my '07 SR5 in SRP (maroon) but I have to be honest, those all look like screaming deals.

(OT question: Did the bottom fall out of the 4runner market or what? I guess when I re-list my 4runner I'll have to lower the price if I want it to sell. )

In any case the only thing I can say is: Make sure you test the 4wd system in all modes (2wd, 4hi unlocked, 4hi locked, 4lo unlocked, 4lo locked.) If it doesn't go smoothly into/out of 4wd, run away, it's a very pricey repair.

What's your budget, under $10k I'm assuming? V6 or V8? If you get a V6 I think for sure you'd want a 2005+ for the extra gear in the transmission and the VVTI engine. Also less likely to have HG issues. Personally I like the 2006 'facelift' a lot and depending on your budget I think a 2006+ would be a better buy.

If it's a V8 make sure the T-belt was done at 100k.

 

[seanxgodfrey]

Well, hell, I was going to invite you to come out to Colorado and buy my '07 SR5 in SRP (maroon) but I have to be honest, those all look like screaming deals.

(OT question: Did the bottom fall out of the 4runner market or what? I guess when I re-list my 4runner I'll have to lower the price if I want it to sell. )

In any case the only thing I can say is: Make sure you test the 4wd system in all modes (2wd, 4hi unlocked, 4hi locked, 4lo unlocked, 4lo locked.) If it doesn't go smoothly into/out of 4wd, run away, it's a very pricey repair.

What's your budget, under $10k I'm assuming? V6 or V8? If you get a V6 I think for sure you'd want a 2005+ for the extra gear in the transmission and the VVTI engine. Also less likely to have HG issues. Personally I like the 2006 'facelift' a lot and depending on your budget I think a 2006+ would be a better buy.

If it's a V8 make sure the T-belt was done at 100k.

Thanks for the quick response my man! Budget right now is 10k and a V6, only cause the original reason I got rid of my runner was cause it was sucking gas like no other, but the car was almost 20 years old.. But I will definitely try all of those once I'm out there, going to probe a bit from the owners before I get the money.. Also if you know anyone in CO who's selling a v6 4x4 let me know, it gives me another excuse to go out there!

 

[fdbyrne]

I wouldn't immediately rule out the V8 for gas reasons. Honestly, neither the V6 or V8 get very good gas mileage and the V8 is only 1 or maybe 2 mpg worse than the V6 depending on driving style.

I have an 04 V6 that I just put a new head gasket on. I wouldn't worry too much about the head gasket issues. It's unlikely to hit you, but even if it does it doesn't cost a whole lot more than doing the V8 water pump/timing belt job twice. The issues with the V6 can be more expensive for sure, but the timing belt job every 90k on a V8 adds up to about the same amount of money if you have to do it a few times. Both are good platforms in my opinion.

I'd advise against a 2wd. Even if you don't use it often it's a good option to have and the 4wd versions will hold their value better.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Also if you know anyone in CO who's selling a
v6 4x4 let me know, it gives me another excuse to go out there!

Yeah, I know somebody in CO selling a V6. ME!


And really, do you need an excuse to go to CO? :

 

[Martinjmpr]

PM & email sent.

 

[Frontline]

I have 2004 v8 and am averaging 18.5 on highway @76mph and 21 @ 60mph. I am happy with hose numbers

 

[NuclearN8]

Having bought 2, used, v6 4runners since 2012 (2005 and 2007), resold the 2005 so now we only own 1.... I would look for a V8 in your price range.

mpg difference, in stock form, is minimal.

Whatever you buy, you're gonna need to tune it up to optimize ride quality and mpg anyway... and given that since it's likely to be at least 10 years old given your budget, I'd rather own the unicorn of 4Runners than just another early model, v6 4th gen 4Runner.

Don't get me wrong. I love our 2007 but if I had to do it all over again, I would have held out for a V8.
The 4.7L is much like it's 5.7L big brother, it's bulletproof....
You may also want to consider an early model Lexus GX470. Most of these vehicles have been absolutely babied/ pampered as soccer mom vehicles or mall crawlers (have never seen offroad and are usually garage kept since the people who can afford them new are usually rather affluent) and share the same platform and drivetrain as the 4Runner and provide some additional interior creature comforts. They are also a bit cheaper (believe it or not) and easier to find used than a 4Runner.

 

[slyfox75]

I didn't see anyone addressing your links, so here goes.
The black one(2004).....is a v8 and 4wd......which means full time 4wd.....which I have and personally LOVE. You owe it to yourself to drive one if you haven't.
The white 05......yep 2wd
The bluish/grayish/silver 2004, says 4cy......so get more info on that one as that is obviously not right.
The tan 04 V6....Appears to be what your after.....06, 4wd, and hey...it's a "1 honor"

Things to look for......at this mileage they may or may not have had the front CV boots replaced. I'd check and make sure no rips.
I run my V8 to 120K before timing belt......they go much further and some of these might not have had it done yet(if v8)....that's a 700-1000 job if at the dealer so be mindful of that.
I replaced my shocks about 150K(same time I replaced my CV boots that had ripped)......so be mindful of that.
Probably time for new plugs on all of these.

Good point on V6 head gasket vs V8 timing belt.

 

[Ralph Blake]

I had no real need for a 4wd so i bought a 2wd 08 v6 4runner. You may require a 4wd. But i sure would look for a much lower millage 4runner. And make sure it has no rust. And see if they have kept up on any needed maintenance.
I know you said you are just spending 10K so it's not an easy thing to find a low miles in good shape,unless someone is needing the money.
But what i see you have been looking at,with the high miles i am betting you will be getting into a truck needing a lot of upkeep. Anyway good luck.

 

[2003-4x4runner]

Stay away from the 04 & 05 V6's

If you can get the V8, you should. The gas mileage isn't that much more compared to the V6. Just try to stay clear of the 2004 and 2005 V6's. They seem to have more Head Gasket issues then the other years. Good luck and welcome back to the family.

 

[BOFFROAD]

I had an 03 V6 which I enjoyed and have nothing to complain about. It had plenty of power and I never had any problems with it. I sold it for an 05 V8 mainly just because I wanted a V8 for its power and sound. There is a difference in fuel economy, however it would be unnoticeable without the MPG computer reading. About 1 mpg change for me although that number would probably be bigger if I got a 03 or 04 V8.

You cant really go wrong with the V6 or V8. Although the manifolds on the V8 tend to crack and cause a horrible ticking sound, which I may have and I really wish Toyota would do something about:crybaby:.

 

[MrRoo]

I was in the same price range as OP. $10k tops. I found a spotless over maintained one owner 2004 V8 Limited in Arizona. I'm in Michigan remember. I bought a one way ticket to Phoenix and drove back 2000 miles. Averaged 18ish heading back going no less than 80 the whole way. Now that I've had it for a couple weeks, I'm averaging 16mpg back and forth to work. I wasn't happy with my two previous V6 4runners and have driven plenty of newer V6 and V8 4Runners. The V8 is a must for me as my other car has 500 hp. I love my V8 and would never look back. I was difficult for me to find the "one". Took me about 6 months of solid looking before I settled on this one. So glad I took the gamble and flew out west and got mine.

 

[rooost]

CA - Sales Tax might be an issue if you take physical delivery in CA

I would guess you in AZ might have better info than me, but just in case you have not considered................

 

[robaroni]

Unless you are towing the V6 is fine. I've driven both and the butt dyno tells me the get up and go is very close. The V6 will get you about 2 extra MPG.

Plus the V8 has the time belt which can snap at any given moment and transform your vehicle into a flaming ball of fire instantly consuming all of it occupants! :flame:

 

[seanxgodfrey]

You all rock! Thanks for all the info!! I've still got about a month or so until I'm selling my german cash bucket but I know what to keep my eyes out for! So excited, maybe this one can handle 33's better than my 3rd gen did :lol:

 

[Martinjmpr]

You all rock! Thanks for all the info!! I've still got about a month or so until I'm selling my german cash bucket but I know what to keep my eyes out for! So excited, maybe this one can handle 33's better than my 3rd gen did :lol:

Shoot me an email or a PM when you're ready to buy, I have a trip planned for next week and then in early December I'm going in for minor knee surgery so mid-December is probably about when I'll put mine up for sale. FWIW it has 32's on it now with no clearance issues (265/70/17.)