Bought my 2008 V8 SR5 new in Feb. ‘09 and currently have 94,xxx mi on it, 90% of which are highway. Have an appointment Friday for the timing belt, H2O pump, thermostat & serpentine belt replacement.
This thing has been our rock. Survived five Minnesota winters in which the single vehicle I would have traded the T4R for would have been an H1. Can’t tell you how many “4WD” others I pulled out of snow banks over those five years. Did treat mine to weekly car washes though during Winter and Spring months to keep the rust away.
We own a 2014 MB ML350 also and I prefer the 4Runner for many reasons. Yes, the MB is “easier” to drive but the 4Runner has infinitely more personality, which I wouldn't trade for anything (but that H1).
I wanted a V8 in white with some specific options, had my local dealer find it and ultimately brought one to CA from a NV dealer who happened to get an exact match, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
I towed a filled-to-the-gills UHaul trailer from CA to MN, five MN to WY round trips, two MN/CA round trips and so far four CA/WY round trips. All of that on top of towing a 24’ Airstream up and down CA, a bunch of boats/accessory trailers/random other towables around CA and the thing is unstoppable.
I’ve driven 6cyl 4th Gens and while my 8cyl isn’t 25% more “powerful” than, it’s at least 100% more awesome than.
I turn 37 today and plan to drive mine until one of us dies.