loking for a 4th gen 4 runner... any insights?

[black]

Starting do my research on replacing my 2003 xterra with a 4th gen fore runner.
if the long term reliability is true... then 80k 2005 4 runner witha v6 will last m about 200k i figure.. right?
If any one has any insight for my research I'd appreciate.

the trim differences...

- Parts that will wear down/ need replacing for a '05
- Major/ mod/ minor issues that pop up
- is long term reliability true can I fully expect t a 80k 4 runner to last to 280k??
- the fuel mileage is listed as 16–18 city / 19–22 hwy how true is that?
- any major service intervals.. such as the timing belt seems to be every 9 years or 90k miles

 

[MONTYMTB]

Starting do my research on replacing my 2003 xterra with a 4th gen fore runner.
if the long term reliability is true... then 80k 2005 4 runner witha v6 will last m about 200k i figure.. right?
If any one has any insight for my research I'd appreciate.

the trim differences...

- Parts that will wear down/ need replacing for a '05
- Major/ mod/ minor issues that pop up
- is long term reliability true can I fully expect t a 80k 4 runner to last to 280k??
- the fuel mileage is listed as 16–18 city / 19–22 hwy how true is that?
- any major service intervals.. such as the timing belt seems to be every 9 years or 90k miles

This thread will give you plenty of reading material to start. Good luck in your search.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I think most of the V6 head gasket problems were in 03-04 models. Also the 03-04 had the older 4 speed auto but in 05 they got the 5 speed which is a much better transmission. I don't normally like automatics but I'll admit the 5 speed is pretty good for a slushbox.

It's a personal thing but there were some cosmetic and technology updates starting in '06 (LED taillights, moved the turn signals up to beside the headlights, bigger fog lights, deleted the lower taillights, etc.) If it was me, I'd get an 06+ just for that, even if it had higher miles. FWIW I got my '07 in 2012 with 92,000 miles on it and it's been absolutely trouble free for the last 2 1/2 years and 37,000 miles.

 

[verman84]

I also recommend the idea of trying to find one of the later 4th gen models for the reasons Martinjmpr listed above, not to say that early 4th gens weren't great vehicles, but they made some mechanical and style changes from 2003-2009 and made subtle improvements here and there.

When I was looking into 4runners earlier this year, I was originally just trying to buy the newest vehicle I could afford and unfortunately that put 5th gens out of reach for me.

After reading about 4th gens on this forum and elsewhere, I narrowed my search down to 2006-2009s v6 4x4 for a lot of the reasons listed above.

I ended up with an 08 sr5 and love it so far. I will be the first to admit that I was nervous about picking up a vehicle with 100k miles but after test driving a bunch of 4runners with miles varying from 50k-150k, these vehicles keep tight very well.

As for the MPG, its absolutely spot on. I drive like a normal human being so in the city we average 17-18, highway about 20-22 with no lift (yet) and normal tires.

 

[black]

good info...

I'm going to test drive some 4 runners this weekend to get a feel.
the X was always "loose" more so as it gotten older.
it could last another 50k i think i just almost want a nicer ride and teh 4 runner might give that tome

does the v6 also require premium unleaded or just unleaded. i saw somewhere that v6- premium and v8 = regular unleaded.

any idea on price replacement of the timing belt? for the X it ranged from 6 to 1200 at the dealer....... again it was a mostly labor cost

 

[Martinjmpr]

I use the cheapest rot-gut 85 octane gas I can get and I've done fine so no, you don't need premium.

And the V6 has a chain, not a belt. Does not need replacing (one of the advantages of the V6 vs. the V8 although I'll admit it's a pretty minor one.)

 

[black]

here is one quick question I didnt see in my research

how "on the fly" is the 4wd

biggest issue i have with my X is that i have to go down to 25 to get into 4HI
PITA when oI'm on the highway snow starts falling and building. dont want to slow down / pull over engage then move along.

I see the V8 is all time AWD which is AWESOME! but a few mpgs would be nice if the 4wd is more on thefly

 

[Martinjmpr]

here is one quick question I didnt see in my research

how "on the fly" is the 4wd

biggest issue i have with my X is that i have to go down to 25 to get into 4HI
PITA when oI'm on the highway snow starts falling and building. dont want to slow down / pull over engage then move along.

I see the V8 is all time AWD which is AWESOME! but a few mpgs would be nice if the 4wd is more on thefly

You can shift to 4wd up to 55 mph.

4wd systems of the V8 and V6 are pretty much the same except that the the 4th gen V6 is multi mode which means you have a 2wd option that the V8 does not.

If you wanted to you could put your 4runner into 4wd in October and leave it in 4wd until May. As long as you don't lock the center diff you are fine. IOW if you want an AWD, you have one.