Just bought a 2005 V8 Sports Ed. and have a few questions

[jumpman86]

Hello All,

I just purchased a 2005 Sports Edition v8 with 64k miles on the odometer last night. The car seems to have been maintained throughout the years.

The car seems to drive well and the only issue that I noticed so far was a bulb out in the temperature display in the center dash, some rust spots underneath, and a few cosmetic items. 4Low engages as well as VSC.

I have a couple questions for you guys and I have tried searching but was not able to get some solid answers:

1. Along with my purchase last night, I also bought a 4 year 50k miles extended warranty for $1955. I have searched on this topic but most people discuss 5th gens only.

My thought on purchasing this was the fact that this is a 9 years old vehicle and I do not know how it was driven and taken care of.

I wanted to get your opinion on whether this is not a good idea as I think I have 30 days to cancel. I do plan on bringing it to my mechanic to have an inspection done.

The dealer did give me 30 days power train warranty so if I also have that protection.

2. I noticed that I can feel the car downshifting to first gear when the car is coming to a stop. Up shifts is smooth as butter but wanted to see if this is a normal characteristic for this transmission to behave when coming to a stop.

It is not overly abrupt but relative to up shift, I can feel it downshifting to first gear and only first.

I am sure I will have more questions later on if I am not able to search for my answers.

Thanks all in advance.

Take Care.

 

[ben550]

Hello All,

I just purchased a 2005 Sports Edition v8 with 64k miles on the odometer last night. The car seems to have been maintained throughout the years.

The car seems to drive well and the only issue that I noticed so far was a bulb out in the temperature display in the center dash, some rust spots underneath, and a few cosmetic items. 4Low engages as well as VSC.

I have a couple questions for you guys and I have tried searching but was not able to get some solid answers:

1. Along with my purchase last night, I also bought a 4 year 50k miles extended warranty for $1955. I have searched on this topic but most people discuss 5th gens only.

My thought on purchasing this was the fact that this is a 9 years old vehicle and I do not know how it was driven and taken care of.

I wanted to get your opinion on whether this is not a good idea as I think I have 30 days to cancel. I do plan on bringing it to my mechanic to have an inspection done.

The dealer did give me 30 days power train warranty so if I also have that protection.

2. I noticed that I can feel the car downshifting to first gear when the car is coming to a stop. Up shifts is smooth as butter but wanted to see if this is a normal characteristic for this transmission to behave when coming to a stop.

It is not overly abrupt but relative to up shift, I can feel it downshifting to first gear and only first.

I am sure I will have more questions later on if I am not able to search for my answers.

Thanks all in advance.

Take Care.

Congrats on the purchase! That some low mileage on an 05. As far as your warranty I'd do whatever your feel comfortable with. The chances of you needing the warranty are low but are possible with a used purchase with no known history on the maintenance from the past owner. I personally have never bought a warranty but it would provide some peace of mind. The V8 is a great engine. Once you have your mechanic check it out if he's confident in the vehicle and you have an emergency fund to fix a big problem, you might consider saving the 2 grand and canceling the warranty. Do what you feel comfortable with.

As far as the downshift. I have never really noticed the downshift on mine. I did notice a downshift when coming to a stop or coasting in my 07 Tacoma. It never bothered me and was never an issue. I'd have your mechanic check the transmission fluid to make sure its filled correctly and clean. If it is you should be fine.

Have your mechanic check the timing belt. You're supposed to change those out around 100k, but being your truck is closing in on 10 years old, It might be a good thing to do.

Enjoy your new ride.

 

[t-man]

Congrats!!! I wish mine had that low of miles! I have 172k on mine now.
As for the downshift, it is normal. The transmission in these downshift on grades and at times when slowing down and it actually helps you slow down. I personally really like it cause with my exhaust my truck sounds awesome doing it. lol.
Warranty. You are right at the mileage to start watching the exhaust manifold for cracking. If it is covered and is cracking get it replaced. You don't have to worry about the timing belt until 100k so that won't fall into your warranty.
Really, it sounds like you found a great low mileage truck and it will give you many years of enjoyment! The V8 in the 05' is the highest powered one too. I also have the V8 and it is a tuner-car-crushing beast! Even with my 33's and stock gears! Post some pics up if you get a chance. :typing:

 

[superman3043]

Congrats on your purchase. Wow, that's a great low mileage find!

Bulb is an easy fix.

I never purchase dealer offered add on plans. I have never had good luck with them. They're always happy to take your money, but every time I've tried to cash in on them, they never seem to want to honor them the way that they should work. Always just seems like they find ways to weasel their way out of taking care of your needs or do the bare minimum at most.

I think this "down shift" you're feeling is the infamous "drive-line clunk". Search the forum regarding the topic as it's been discussed in depth. Basically for us, the only thing we can do is keep all of our drive shaft fittings well lubed or just live with it. Toyota offered a half-assed bulletin regarding the issue on later model 4th gens almost way too late for anybody to cash in on it which involved swapping in drive shafts from the Lexus GX. I reckon if you could find a GX drive shaft in a junk yard, you could go that route as well. I just live with it and lube my drive shaft every once in a while. Doesn't really bother me that much.

Hope that helps. Enjoy your truck!

 

[jumpman86]

Thanks Everyone......

Those are some good recommendations. I will have my mechanic check on those additional items.

As for the transmission noise, I researched and that seems to be normal from what many posters had mentioned.

I will decide on cancelling the warranty after the inspection.

Thanks again.

Congrats on the purchase! That some low mileage on an 05. As far as your warranty I'd do whatever your feel comfortable with. The chances of you needing the warranty are low but are possible with a used purchase with no known history on the maintenance from the past owner. I personally have never bought a warranty but it would provide some peace of mind. The V8 is a great engine. Once you have your mechanic check it out if he's confident in the vehicle and you have an emergency fund to fix a big problem, you might consider saving the 2 grand and canceling the warranty. Do what you feel comfortable with.

As far as the downshift. I have never really noticed the downshift on mine. I did notice a downshift when coming to a stop or coasting in my 07 Tacoma. It never bothered me and was never an issue. I'd have your mechanic check the transmission fluid to make sure its filled correctly and clean. If it is you should be fine.

Have your mechanic check the timing belt. You're supposed to change those out around 100k, but being your truck is closing in on 10 years old, It might be a good thing to do.

Enjoy your new ride.

 

[jonesmw10]

As for the transmission noise, I researched and that seems to be normal from what many posters had mentioned.
Thanks again.

That's what I would assume. Mine can have a somewhat harsh downshift in to first gear sometimes. Haven't given it much thought

 

[phishtaco]

Hello All,

I just purchased a 2005 Sports Edition v8 with 64k miles on the odometer last night. The car seems to have been maintained throughout the years.

The car seems to drive well and the only issue that I noticed so far was a bulb out in the temperature display in the center dash, some rust spots underneath, and a few cosmetic items. 4Low engages as well as VSC.

I have a couple questions for you guys and I have tried searching but was not able to get some solid answers:

1. Along with my purchase last night, I also bought a 4 year 50k miles extended warranty for $1955. I have searched on this topic but most people discuss 5th gens only.

My thought on purchasing this was the fact that this is a 9 years old vehicle and I do not know how it was driven and taken care of.

I wanted to get your opinion on whether this is not a good idea as I think I have 30 days to cancel. I do plan on bringing it to my mechanic to have an inspection done.

The dealer did give me 30 days power train warranty so if I also have that protection.

2. I noticed that I can feel the car downshifting to first gear when the car is coming to a stop. Up shifts is smooth as butter but wanted to see if this is a normal characteristic for this transmission to behave when coming to a stop.

It is not overly abrupt but relative to up shift, I can feel it downshifting to first gear and only first.

I am sure I will have more questions later on if I am not able to search for my answers.

Thanks all in advance.

Take Care.

Make sure it shifts into 4low with no issues.

 

[jumpman86]

Make sure it shifts into 4low with no issues.

Thank s, 4lo seems to engage just fine. I do hear it engaging and disengaging.

 

[black4vcobra]

Congrats!!! I wish mine had that low of miles! I have 172k on mine now.
As for the downshift, it is normal. The transmission in these downshift on grades and at times when slowing down and it actually helps you slow down. I personally really like it cause with my exhaust my truck sounds awesome doing it. lol.
Warranty. You are right at the mileage to start watching the exhaust manifold for cracking. If it is covered and is cracking get it replaced. You don't have to worry about the timing belt until 100k so that won't fall into your warranty.
Really, it sounds like you found a great low mileage truck and it will give you many years of enjoyment! The V8 in the 05' is the highest powered one too. I also have the V8 and it is a tuner-car-crushing beast! Even with my 33's and stock gears! Post some pics up if you get a chance. :typing:

I can feel my truck downshifting to first upon slowing too but it is pretty smooth. I agree though, the V8 in the midsize 4Runner really makes them move.

I'm sure you probably know but the 2006-2009 V8's are just as powerful as the 2005 V8 even if the ratings are different. The difference in ratings was caused by using SAE certified power numbers

 

[delz05]

While the warranty may seem to be a good idea for future "maybe" issues, if it is not a Toyota backed factory warranty, you may have a difficult time getting the cost of repairs covered. It being a V-8, it is a good idea to get the 10 year old timing belt done, along with all the associated items. Check to see if the warranty covers that, if not, put that warranty money into the belt replacement and keep the change for upgrades...

Enjoy the ride...!

 

[Mr. Banks]

2005 4WD V8 4runner Sport

Congratz and welcome to the club!

Yes cancel the warranty. I paid for the warranty and never used it and now I regret handing over that cash when I could have used it for the just in case, rainy day fund. I'm currently at 115,000 miles with no problems. The only thing to even consider is the v8 timing-belt and water pump around 90,000 miles. Mine didn't need to be changed until well beyond the recommended 90,000 mile mark. The point I'm trying to make here is if you are paying a service department to do the maintenance, do the water pump and timing-belt together. Yes it is a little more money on an already expensive service, but its cheaper than doing the two jobs at separate times due to man hours, labor, and the location of the two components.

Any Toyota dealership with a service department can look up your VIN and see the status of the TSB for the driveshaft swap if that's something you can't shake out of your mind when driving and shifting. It doesn't bother me personally.

I added an aftermarket exhaust and I loved my decision and the final product. I tried a CAI for a while but it wasn't worth it. I bring this up because I don't know New Jersey's laws for CARB/SMOG requirements. To my knowledge their isn't a CARB legal CAI for v8 4runner. So if you want one, you'd have to remove, replace, and reinstall your stock airbox when you get smog'd. This wouldn't be a problem if I wasn't required by the military and state of California to get smog'd so I can get military base POV stickers.

Have fun looking up the future mods you will eventually perform!