How many 5th gen owners had a 4th gen? What do like, what do you miss?
- Thread starter Jeff T
- Start date
enginerd4ni
Member
2013 Trail vs. 2005 Sport 4WD and 2007 SR5 4WD
-I think it is ridiculous that Toyota dropped the projector headlights and LED tail lamps from the 2006-2009 4th gens only to bring them back in 2014 as a "new" feature.
-I also wish they had kept the automatic climate control that all 5th gens had and offered it in all 5th gen models (now, only the Limited gets it).
-I miss the Torsen limited slip center locking differential of the 4th gen as it allows much more drivability around town at occasional freeway speeds. I don't have regular access to trails and it is a challenge to drive the 5th gen in 4Hi enough to keep things lubed. But that is another discussion. Long term, I think I would prefer to have the robustness of the part time 4WD system (5th gen) over the complexity of the Torsen setup (4th gen), though. I just find some straight roads and keep it under 50mph once a month. Avoid parking lot turns and excessive speeds.
-5th gen w/KDSS feels much heavier yet handles much better than 4th gen XREAS (2005 Sport) which handles better than regular suspension (2007 SR5) for highway maneuvering and cornering. The steering feel is lost in the 5th gen but I'm ok with that as I don't expect an SUV to feel like my sports cars did. However, it would be nice to have a little more feedback in slippery/icy/snowy/off road conditions.
-5th gen has much larger turning radius than 4th gen so I do a lot more 3-point turns in places where the 4th gen could make it with full steering lock
-4th gen V6 feels more responsive and powerful than 5th gen even though it is essentially the same block with improved valvetrain. This is likely due to the substantial extra weight.
-4th gen didn't come standard with side curtain, knee, etc. airbags until 2008 I think while the 5th gen has it as standard equipment. This adds weight but if I ever need it, I'll be glad it is there.
-5th gen Entune Premium sound is better than JBL and regular systems of 4th gen, imo. I didn't really want to pay extra for all the Bluetooth and NAV stuff but now I like it and would recommend at least the bluetooth. The NAV is terrible but better than the system in my $80K Chevy. The Toyota NAV is very difficult to actually search for destinations, even if you already have the exact address. The only nice things are that it is built into the dash and it dims the volume of the stereo when announcing turns.
-I'm sort of neutral about the sliding deck (5th) but never found a reason to actually use the stacking cargo deck (4th) so it was always in the down position taking up space. The 5th gen seats seem much easier to fold down without moving the front seats up a lot. The head supports rotate/collapse.
-4th gen had a soft close rear hatch which is nice assuming the motor doesn't fail.
-The 5th gen seems to have a lot more room in the front and back seats, especially for legs.
-Changing the oil filter on the 5th gen is a royal PITA. The 4th gen filter location was the best I've ever experienced on any car I've ever serviced.
-The smog pump on my 5th gen (2013+) is really annoying as it always pops when I turn the engine off.
Overall, I think the 5th gen is a better vehicle than the 4th gen because of technological improvements, styling, and interior space but the 4th gen is still a fantastic option if you are buying used. If your budget affords, I would recommend a 2012 TE for versatility/ruggedness/modifications or Limited for convenience/comfort/stock capability. If you don't need 4WD, go for an SR5 for the best value. (I recommend 2012 rather than 2013 because the 2013 comes with the smog pump, a really expensive thing to fix if it fails that has little benefit to emissions). If your budget affords a 4th gen, try to get a 2008 or 2009 so you get the latest tech of the generation and standard airbags for safety. The XREAS on the sport is nice but will probably start leaking soon so the best value would be an SR5 4WD. If you can find a V8, go for it, but don't pass up a good deal on a V6 unless you, like Jeremy Clarkson, crave POWWERRRR!
What are the chances anyone from Toyota reads this thread and decides to actually listen to the enthusiasts rather than the soccer mom focus groups?
-I think it is ridiculous that Toyota dropped the projector headlights and LED tail lamps from the 2006-2009 4th gens only to bring them back in 2014 as a "new" feature.
-I also wish they had kept the automatic climate control that all 5th gens had and offered it in all 5th gen models (now, only the Limited gets it).
-I miss the Torsen limited slip center locking differential of the 4th gen as it allows much more drivability around town at occasional freeway speeds. I don't have regular access to trails and it is a challenge to drive the 5th gen in 4Hi enough to keep things lubed. But that is another discussion. Long term, I think I would prefer to have the robustness of the part time 4WD system (5th gen) over the complexity of the Torsen setup (4th gen), though. I just find some straight roads and keep it under 50mph once a month. Avoid parking lot turns and excessive speeds.
-5th gen w/KDSS feels much heavier yet handles much better than 4th gen XREAS (2005 Sport) which handles better than regular suspension (2007 SR5) for highway maneuvering and cornering. The steering feel is lost in the 5th gen but I'm ok with that as I don't expect an SUV to feel like my sports cars did. However, it would be nice to have a little more feedback in slippery/icy/snowy/off road conditions.
-5th gen has much larger turning radius than 4th gen so I do a lot more 3-point turns in places where the 4th gen could make it with full steering lock
-4th gen V6 feels more responsive and powerful than 5th gen even though it is essentially the same block with improved valvetrain. This is likely due to the substantial extra weight.
-4th gen didn't come standard with side curtain, knee, etc. airbags until 2008 I think while the 5th gen has it as standard equipment. This adds weight but if I ever need it, I'll be glad it is there.
-5th gen Entune Premium sound is better than JBL and regular systems of 4th gen, imo. I didn't really want to pay extra for all the Bluetooth and NAV stuff but now I like it and would recommend at least the bluetooth. The NAV is terrible but better than the system in my $80K Chevy. The Toyota NAV is very difficult to actually search for destinations, even if you already have the exact address. The only nice things are that it is built into the dash and it dims the volume of the stereo when announcing turns.
-I'm sort of neutral about the sliding deck (5th) but never found a reason to actually use the stacking cargo deck (4th) so it was always in the down position taking up space. The 5th gen seats seem much easier to fold down without moving the front seats up a lot. The head supports rotate/collapse.
-4th gen had a soft close rear hatch which is nice assuming the motor doesn't fail.
-The 5th gen seems to have a lot more room in the front and back seats, especially for legs.
-Changing the oil filter on the 5th gen is a royal PITA. The 4th gen filter location was the best I've ever experienced on any car I've ever serviced.
-The smog pump on my 5th gen (2013+) is really annoying as it always pops when I turn the engine off.
Overall, I think the 5th gen is a better vehicle than the 4th gen because of technological improvements, styling, and interior space but the 4th gen is still a fantastic option if you are buying used. If your budget affords, I would recommend a 2012 TE for versatility/ruggedness/modifications or Limited for convenience/comfort/stock capability. If you don't need 4WD, go for an SR5 for the best value. (I recommend 2012 rather than 2013 because the 2013 comes with the smog pump, a really expensive thing to fix if it fails that has little benefit to emissions). If your budget affords a 4th gen, try to get a 2008 or 2009 so you get the latest tech of the generation and standard airbags for safety. The XREAS on the sport is nice but will probably start leaking soon so the best value would be an SR5 4WD. If you can find a V8, go for it, but don't pass up a good deal on a V6 unless you, like Jeremy Clarkson, crave POWWERRRR!
What are the chances anyone from Toyota reads this thread and decides to actually listen to the enthusiasts rather than the soccer mom focus groups?
Jimfirefitr
New member
Currently own a 2014 SR5 with Bilsteins on all four (fronts at 0.85), stock size Cooper AT3s, and 15% front tint. This is currently the wife's daily driver with the thought of me taking it over in a year when we purchased something new for her. Well, she loves it and wants to keep it for herself. I am now considering purchasing a 4th Gen for myself now, or waiting a year and buying another 5th Gen. Found a well maintained 2007 4th Gen SR5 with 43k miles for $17,900. This thread is making me lean towards buying it. Decisions, decisions.
Until 2 weeks ago, I had a 2005 T4R Sport V8. I bought it new on 12/31/04 and put on 185,000 miles. After the secondary air pump and values ($3,000) blew (mouse nest, yes...mouse nest) and I also needed a new timing belt, brakes and tires, I decided it was time to pass it along. I bought a certified pre owned 2012 T4R SR5 with the premium leather package and 3rd row seating.
What I don't like on the 2012 (in order)
#1 (by far) - No V8 option
#2 - Whip antenna (2005 was in glass?) - I just ordered a stubby to replace it.
#3 - Auto start function
#4 - No locking gas compartment
#5 - No soft close rear hatch
What I really like on the 2012 (in order)
#1 - Smother ride onroad/potholes (the 2005 sport edition road noticeable rougher, similar tires)
#2 - Extra air bags
#3 - Heated leather seats (my wife has a bad back, so the heat helps)
#4 - Stereo system (XM radio, Bluetooth streaming, MP3 jack)
#5 - Hands free cell
#6 - Seems larger on the inside, more leg room
#7 - Body style
#8 - Amount of charging outlets
#9 - Parking assist
#10 - No timing belt to change
All that being said, if I had a choice of buying a 2005 V8 with 20,000 miles or a 2012 V6 with 20,000 miles, I'd choose the 2005. That V6 is killing me. I keep thinking that I'll get used to it. However, it makes me think that I should have got the Lexus GX-460 V8 instead.
What I don't like on the 2012 (in order)
#1 (by far) - No V8 option
#2 - Whip antenna (2005 was in glass?) - I just ordered a stubby to replace it.
#3 - Auto start function
#4 - No locking gas compartment
#5 - No soft close rear hatch
What I really like on the 2012 (in order)
#1 - Smother ride onroad/potholes (the 2005 sport edition road noticeable rougher, similar tires)
#2 - Extra air bags
#3 - Heated leather seats (my wife has a bad back, so the heat helps)
#4 - Stereo system (XM radio, Bluetooth streaming, MP3 jack)
#5 - Hands free cell
#6 - Seems larger on the inside, more leg room
#7 - Body style
#8 - Amount of charging outlets
#9 - Parking assist
#10 - No timing belt to change
All that being said, if I had a choice of buying a 2005 V8 with 20,000 miles or a 2012 V6 with 20,000 miles, I'd choose the 2005. That V6 is killing me. I keep thinking that I'll get used to it. However, it makes me think that I should have got the Lexus GX-460 V8 instead.
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NoDak
Senior Member
2004 v8 Sport
- hvac controls sucked, the star pattern was the worst idea in the world
- otherwise interior/features was perfect for the time
- drivers window controls in the most asinine place, who in there right mind thought this was a natural spot, when every other vehicle in the world practially put them on the door rest plane.
- interior/features fit the times
- wish all the interior/exterior lights were led/bi-xenon instead of halogen (if you can do it on a lexus es that is about 5-10k less than a 4runner)
- make exterior light bulbs easier for owner replacement (head/fog/drl/turn, i see way to many vehicles nowadays where you have to remove the front end to even replace these now, im looking at you my late subaru legacy)
- remove the gear shift lever and put a knob on the dash, replace the gearshift area with a storage area/shelf. the LE has no quick storage space (aka dodge ram 1500), hell my legacy had more driver reachable storage space.
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