Lookin' for opinions on 4th Gen.. Which yr is best

[Mudtallica]

OK guys & gals.. My wife is wantin' a 4th Gen 4Rnr now & where else to start lookin' for ideas to which yr we should look at but right HERE!! We're keepin' our '99 for our 15 yr old daughter since I've gotten to know it head to toe (not by choice).. Lookin' for opinions on which is the better yr, the pro's & con's of certain yrs, issues with certain yrs, etc..... Lookin' to stay with the V6, auto, 4WD.. We're lookin' to start test drivin' shortly.. Thank ya'll in advance..

 

[awdjunkies]

You'll obviously get tons of biased answers but that's expected. Bottom line, a Toyota is a Toyota is a Toyota, just make sure the PO did the maintenance, or make sure if and when you do? Bring her up to par maintenance wise, so you can enjoy maintenance-free years to come..

Now with hat being said, from what I've seen gathered, the '05 had the fewest reported problems. Key word there is "REPORTED"


Obviously you've picked the v6 due to the fact that it has a timing chain and not a timing belt, but they are both very reliable, just like anything as long as you maintain them. Of course judging from your 3rd Gen.. I'd say you understand the concept quite well

 

[awdjunkies]

Here is also a quick thread on the subject: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/67874-best-year-4th-gens-2.html

 

[oljedi11950]

Well all things being equal & the best of both , 09,v8,sport,4wd with low mi. I'm partial to cloth myself .Just my 2

 

[Synister]

2006 was the first year of the mid gen refresh so starting in 06 you'll see LED tail lights, projector headlights, slightly different cladding / front grill and other minor hidden changes. Its definitely not fair to say that the V6 is "plagued" by head gasket issues but it is documented; there are a handful of cases here, mostly 04 for some reason. With that said, V6's are more numerous than V8's, especially if you consider their presence in FJ's and Tacoma's so I wouldn't let the handful of cases deter you. If it were me, Id go with 07-09 for the continued improvements in the traction control system as well as the perk listed above.

 

[Gecko123]

The last year i would say is the best 2009

 

[chmura]

The last year i would say is the best 2009

Correct.

The best would be the lowest mileage possible 2009 4runner. This 2009 will have all the updates. Practically no TSB's associated to this year because its the last year of the 4runner so all the issues have been taken care of by Toyota at the manufacturing plant already.

I looked up my 2009 and I only saw 1 TSB listed. It was for the drive shaft clunk that I have no experienced anyway.

 

[Gecko123]

normally, the last would be the best as they put out improvements throughout the year and worked out all the bugs as well.

 

[Thai]

2009 Trail Edition. End of story.

 

[gm350reratliff]

IMHO, the best year and model would be the 2009 trail edition. Only built in '09 and kind of rare. Second on the list would be 2006-up sport edition. A close third would be 2006-up limited. That being said, my SR5 has been really good to me. Try to find a clean, well-maintained 4th gen and it'll treat you right for many years.

 

[WillK]

06' or up are all going to be about the same, except for age//wear and tear.

Biggest thing IMO, find the most well maintained at best price with the options you want on a 2006 or above.

 

[hikenbike]

I don't think v8's were available in 09 so that eliminates that year as far as I'm concerned. I could be wrong about that but I've never seen one.

To be considered "best" I think it should have a v8 IMO.

 

[Gatafly]

I don't think v8's were available in 09 so that eliminates that year as far as I'm concerned. I could be wrong about that but I've never seen one.

To be considered "best" I think it should have a v8 IMO.

They were and it was the last year of their production. . . . . very sad IMO.

 

[hikenbike]

They were and it was the last year of their production. . . . . very sad IMO.

You're right. I went to autotrader.com after I posted this and found only 3 or 4 09 v8's in the entire country available. Most white.

Yes, very sad.

 

[alaskaman]

'07 Sport V6 4WD. Last to be built all the way in Japan.

Swiss watch.

You really can't go wrong though. The V6 gives you an additional option for driving. If you want to tow go with the V8.