Help me choose a 4th gen.

[DanMan]

Well I'm ready to ditch the Highlander(soccer mom one not 4R trimline) and get back into a 4runner.

Here's a few i'm looking at. I'm a little scared of getting an 04 or 05 after reading the cracked dashboard thread. I'm mainly looking at V6 2WD, boring i know but i'm mainly just using it to drive to and from work in Oklahoma.

Which year would you guys recommend out of these? Trying to keep it ~$14k. Thanks for any help.

2004 T4R
2005 T4R
2006 T4R
2007 T4R
2007 T4R

 

[Stuck CAPS]

Well I'm ready to ditch the Highlander(soccer mom one not 4R trimline) and get back into a 4runner.

Here's a few i'm looking at. I'm a little scared of getting an 04 or 05 after reading the cracked dashboard thread. I'm mainly looking at V6 2WD, boring i know but i'm mainly just using it to drive to and from work in Oklahoma.

Which year would you guys recommend out of these? Trying to keep it ~$14k. Thanks for any help.

2004 T4R
2005 T4R
2006 T4R
2007 T4R
2007 T4R

I'd suggest still looking for a 4wd 6cyl, as it could always come in handy, and the fact that you can run it in 2wd will save gas. But it really comes down to what you like. If you like the face lift given in '06, go with the '06 or '07, if you don't like it, I'd say go with the '05. I have an '04, and the 4spd transmission is nice, but the 5spd is even nicer. And another reason to go with 4wd is you may eventually get into offroading. I have a 2wd because I thought I wouldn't ever offroad, but I'm kicking myself now that I look back in retrospect. I now feel the need to either convert to 4wd, or trade my truck in (which is horrible considering all the time I've spent in it).

 

[ghostridr]

They all seem to be around 70-90k miles & 2WD base models for the asking price of a 4WD model.

Seems a bit high to me, but that could just be the normal price point for your area. Have you tried checking KBB or similar sites to get a baseline on the specs you're looking for?

 

[DanMan]

I'd suggest still looking for a 4wd 6cyl, as it could always come in handy, and the fact that you can run it in 2wd will save gas. But it really comes down to what you like. If you like the face lift given in '06, go with the '06 or '07, if you don't like it, I'd say go with the '05. I have an '04, and the 4spd transmission is nice, but the 5spd is even nicer. And another reason to go with 4wd is you may eventually get into offroading. I have a 2wd because I thought I wouldn't ever offroad, but I'm kicking myself now that I look back in retrospect. I now feel the need to either convert to 4wd, or trade my truck in (which is horrible considering all the time I've spent in it).

I'd love to get a 4wd, but i'm not sure i want the extra maintenance. However, you make a good point it will be hard to own a 2wd 4runner. I'll look at some 4wd's.

They all seem to be around 70-90k miles & 2WD base models for the asking price of a 4WD model.

Seems a bit high to me, but that could just be the normal price point for your area. Have you tried checking KBB or similar sites to get a baseline on the specs you're looking for?

Oklahoma's market is terrible low supply and high demand because of hail storms, tornados, etc. So i look in Texas, but they're still pretty high. I'm still looking for a good by owner to come up. I don't really need any options a spoiler and sunroof would be nice, but not a must.

Thanks for your replies guys.

 

[lunchindabox]

Would mine interest you? I would do 13.5K delivered to Oklahoma.
I have a 04 V8 SR5 with just about brand new wheels/tires (take off from a 2013 tacoma with 5k miles) and a timing belt/water pump done last week (receipt available) New serpentine belt too. Recent brakes and rotors in the rear. WeatherTech floor matts. 102k miles. Zero Rust.
This thing is loved! Clean carfax. I got it from a dude whose mom died and was liquidating her estate.
No kids, no pets and no smoking.
Looks great. Runs perfect.
The only things it needs is a bulb in HVAC controls for when you are driving at night (I can get it fixed) and I need to get the TPMS sensors programmed. And one light parking lot scruff restricted to the bumper only.
Pics available if you email me at [email protected]

 

[DanMan]

Would mine interest you? I would do 13.5K delivered to Oklahoma.
I have a 04 V8 SR5 with just about brand new wheels/tires (take off from a 2013 tacoma with 5k miles) and a timing belt/water pump done last week (receipt available) New serpentine belt too. Recent brakes and rotors in the rear. WeatherTech floor matts. 102k miles. Zero Rust.
This thing is loved! Clean carfax. I got it from a dude whose mom died and was liquidating her estate.
No kids, no pets and no smoking.
Looks great. Runs perfect.
The only things it needs is a bulb in HVAC controls for when you are driving at night (I can get it fixed) and I need to get the TPMS sensors programmed. And one light parking lot scruff restricted to the bumper only.
Pics available if you email me at [email protected]

Thanks for the offer lunchindabox, but I just can't justify the V8.

 

[lunchindabox]

I didn't think I could either, but if you are mentioning MPG's, there is hardly a difference.
And everyone seems to love the V8 better anyways. It is tried and tested since they started putting it on the LX470 in 1998. I think the V6 only started in 2003.

https://www.fuelly.com/ seems to the a great place to check it out. You can see people's ACTUAL milage instead of EPA crap that is never reliable.

Anyhow, good luck on your search.

 

[RAIDN]

I would highly suggest that you definitely get 4wd. It is worth the $500 or whatever extra cost in the used market, I guarantee it. If you don't want 4WD, then don't pay the extra cost to drive a big truck around, get a car that gets good gas mileage, or stick with the highlander. I feel like a 2WD is a truck, that you can't really use as a truck... Like has been said, its pretty likely you will wish you had gotten the 4WD down the road if you get a 2WD. I haven't had any extra maintenance on mine that is directly related to the 4WD, these cars are so good on everything, sure some quirks, but for the most part super solid.
Also, I have loved the V8, but the V6 is a good engine too, definitely get the 5 speed transmission though, meaning a 2005+ V6. When I was looking my criteria was Sport Edition, V8, 4WD and 2 years later I stand by all 3, I just wish I could have afforded to get the 2005 for the extra horsepower at the time. That being said, my truck is faster than most of my friend's civics and accords, so it isn't slow! Good luck finding one

 

[kevinpt]

I didn't think I could either, but if you are mentioning MPG's, there is hardly a difference.
And everyone seems to love the V8 better anyways. It is tried and tested since they started putting it on the LX470 in 1998. I think the V6 only started in 2003.

https://www.fuelly.com/ seems to the a great place to check it out. You can see people's ACTUAL milage instead of EPA crap that is never reliable.

Anyhow, good luck on your search.

fuelly is a really cool app. i use it every time i fill up

i get about 16-16.5 mpg with my v6 but thats because i only really do city driving. only reason i got the v6 is to be able to be in 2wd. makes driving in the dirt or snow a lot more fun

 

[lunchindabox]

I just started using Fuelly and I am at 17.1 with 3 fill ups average. One of those was 95% highway. But the others were almost all city and were 16.3 and 17.3

 

[KingPrat]

I've been tracking with Fuelly for over a year and I average 17.3 with a 4wd V8. My best mileage is 18.7 on a highway trip.

Honestly, of all of the ones you listed, I'd choose the 07 SR5 with 70k miles. Decent price, lowest mileage. I'll bet you can negotiate a grand or two off the price.

 

[DanMan]

I didn't think I could either, but if you are mentioning MPG's, there is hardly a difference.
And everyone seems to love the V8 better anyways. It is tried and tested since they started putting it on the LX470 in 1998. I think the V6 only started in 2003.

https://www.fuelly.com/ seems to the a great place to check it out. You can see people's ACTUAL milage instead of EPA crap that is never reliable.

Anyhow, good luck on your search.

I'll check it out. That V8 has been very reliable from what I have seen. Don't the two have very similar hp?

I would highly suggest that you definitely get 4wd. It is worth the $500 or whatever extra cost in the used market, I guarantee it. If you don't want 4WD, then don't pay the extra cost to drive a big truck around, get a car that gets good gas mileage, or stick with the highlander. I feel like a 2WD is a truck, that you can't really use as a truck... Like has been said, its pretty likely you will wish you had gotten the 4WD down the road if you get a 2WD. I haven't had any extra maintenance on mine that is directly related to the 4WD, these cars are so good on everything, sure some quirks, but for the most part super solid.
Also, I have loved the V8, but the V6 is a good engine too, definitely get the 5 speed transmission though, meaning a 2005+ V6. When I was looking my criteria was Sport Edition, V8, 4WD and 2 years later I stand by all 3, I just wish I could have afforded to get the 2005 for the extra horsepower at the time. That being said, my truck is faster than most of my friend's civics and accords, so it isn't slow! Good luck finding one

I know I know. I had 4WD in a 97' and 01' and it was a blast when there were conditions to use it, which is somewhat rare in Oklahoma. If I could find a decent deal on one I'd for sure consider it.

fuelly is a really cool app. i use it every time i fill up

i get about 16-16.5 mpg with my v6 but thats because i only really do city driving. only reason i got the v6 is to be able to be in 2wd. makes driving in the dirt or snow a lot more fun

So with the V8 there is no choice to be in 2wd?

I've been tracking with Fuelly for over a year and I average 17.3 with a 4wd V8. My best mileage is 18.7 on a highway trip.

Honestly, of all of the ones you listed, I'd choose the 07 SR5 with 70k miles. Decent price, lowest mileage. I'll bet you can negotiate a grand or two off the price.

Thats not to bad of gas mileage for a V8. Yea that's the one i'm liking the most.

 

[kevinpt]

only AWD and 4WD

So with the V8 there is no choice to be in 2wd?

 

[DanMan]

Going to look at a 2006 with 93k miles for $14,950 tomorrow. I realize this is way overpriced, but I figured I'd look. What are some things to look for I think I saw check the manifolds in one thread. I'm sure there were a lot of other items I wouldn't think about.

 

[KingPrat]

Going to look at a 2006 with 93k miles for $14,950 tomorrow. I realize this is way overpriced, but I figured I'd look. What are some things to look for I think I saw check the manifolds in one thread. I'm sure there were a lot of other items I wouldn't think about.

V8? 4wd? If yes to both, listen for the manifold tick. Also cycle the 4Lo and Center diff lock to make sure your actuator is working. If it hasn't been used in a while it can freeze and it's quite a serious undertaking ($2k+) for repair. I bought mine with 48k and within 2 months it was at Toyota for this. Thank god for service plans.

At 93k the Timing belt needs to be done on the V8. Check under the hood for a sticker, or check the maintenance records online. Walk away if it's not done, or demand they do it. V6s have a timing chain, and have a much longer service interval, and usually don't require replacement.


Also, regarding the V6/V8: Both have similar HP ratings pre-06. 06 V8 got a small bump in HP because they added VVT-i. The biggest difference is the torque. The V8 has some serious gumption if you get on the skinny pedal a bit. Definitely fun to drive.

 

[RAIDN]

I don't think timing belt should be a deal breaker for the V8, I'm at 130k miles and am about to have it done for the first time, mostly because I didn't realize I needed to. No problems yet, but I have a quote for $700. If that's the only major maintenance I have to do every 100,000 miles I'm happy. Ultimately though, I think that V6 or V8, either way can't go wrong, just drive both and decide for yourself.

 

[DanMan]

Thanks for the list of things to look for guys I'll note those. I actually didn't get around to the dealer today, but hopefully I will next week. It is a V6 2wd kinda just looking at this for practice unless they want to get real on the price. Thanks for the responses I appreciate it.

 

[hikenbike]

I don't agree with the 2wd or the v6, but of the list you give I like the last one the best. Best color.

Really, it all depends on which one drives and "feels" better to you. Overall condition is another thing that only you can see and judge.

4wd - don't say you won't need it because your situation may change and then you'll wish you had it.

v8 - don't say you don't want it until you drive one. It is markedly different, smoother, and stronger. And it also comes with full time 4wd.