Looking for our new vehicle/4runner help

[3rawfedweims]

Hello our names are Anton and Snow. We just resently rolled our 2004 Nissan Xterra and it was deamed totaled by the insurance company. We have since be reimbursed and are looking at our next vehicle. We would be transporting 2 dogs and us no kids. We are hevily involved in canine sports so we would be taking them to events and practices. We're looking for a 4wd so we can get back into the woods to go camping, fishing and hunting or whatever else. At some point we wish to buy a travel trailer but we're not sure weather we should get an V6 or V8? We're not sure on the year or trim package either. We were hoping we could get some help with that as well. We are cosidering 2004-2010 whatever is in the right price range, a 4wd V6 or V8. Everything we've found is the right price but high miles or vice versa. The most recent year we can find. I guess trim pakage doesn't matter to us we just wouldn't want or need the 3rd row of seats. We like the 5th gen trail package but can't afford that was a nice test drive though. I would assume the sport pkg has similar features? We chose a 4runner because of the excellent resale value and think it has a lot more room and is more solid than our Xterra. Any help with any of this would be greatly appreciated. Year? We were thinking
4th or 5th gens. Trim pkg? Has to have 4wd V6 or V8 for pulling a travel trailer or other small camper. and any other advice you can give us. Thanks again and have a blessed day/night.
Anton & Snow

 

[chaz]

this link will show differences in years 03-09 & more. Toyota 4Runner History 2003

 

[progress4m]

Test drive them both (V6 and V8) and then come back and test drive them again… My recommendation would be to get the one that you like the best and obviously fits your budget regardless of the engine…. You can’t go wrong with either.
You will find a lot of heated discussion on this forum regarding V6 vs V8… a lot of people here use V6 for towing and they are happy with it as well as a lot of people have V8 and they do not tow, but have it just to enjoy the power and smoothens of the V8.
Another recommendation is to stay from 2005 and up: V8 models got extra 35 HP (dual VVt-i) and V6 model got 5 spd trany.
Just on the side note if you like the ride in 5-th gen I believe you will be even more impress with 4-th gen with V8: smoother, quieter and more power.

Good luck!

 

[3rawfedweims]

What about mileage? Mileage on 4th gen's we've looked at seem to be around 80-100k miles. Is that something to be conserned about? Any info would be greatly appreciated

 

[Ross]

Toyota vs. Jeep

I have had two SUVs an 01 Jeep Grand Cherokee and recently an 04Runner So I will give you my opinion of each.

All around i like the Toyota better. I had an 01 Grand and it had the solid front axle. I did like that better because it is much easier to work on any suspension or steering issues. It is much simpler and easier to fix than most realize. A solid front axle is usually better off-road. I have a Jeep Wrangler I use for off-road so off road ability isn't a real consideration for me when it comes to an SUV. I live in a rural area with snow so 4 wheel drive is important, for that purpose I like the suspension and 4wheel drive set up in the Toyota much better.

Both vehicles ride nice. I think the Toyota has a much better drive line. I had six cylinders is both the Jeep and the Toyota. There is no comparison between the two six cylinders. The Toyota motor is so much better; the jeep motor doesn't even come close. The Toyota has much more power, much better gas mileage and runs smoother. The year Jeep I had came with the straight six that had been around forever, that jeep motor has been around for a long time and cheap and easy to fix but it is out dated and lacks in power and economy.

If you are wanting to build an off-road machine that you can maintain yourself I would say get the Jeep but if that is not the issue I would pick the Toyota over the a grand without a hesitation.

I have never owned a newer grand but have a few friends who have and none seem to thrilled about them, esp. if they have the new Jeep V-6. I did look at the newer Grands before I go the Toyota and did not like them at all. There where ugly and just didn't seem put together that well.

I also have a 2001 built Jeep Wrangler and recommend a Wrangler over about any vehicle (other than maybe older 4Runners pre 1986) if you where wanting something more for off-road. Even the new Wranglers 2 and 4 door are nice may be worth a look. The 2 door wranglers and tight on space, the 4doors have much more space than he 2 doors. The 4 door wrangler has less space than a 4Runner.

Don't have any experience with other SUVs.

 

[Casper421]

You made the right decision looking at the 4runner. They are reliable, tough, fast(v8) and a great truck! I had a 2002 xterra with the non s/c engine with less hp than my snowmobile! I found the 4runner to be much more spacious and comfortable for my 6'2" frame.

As for towing many stand by the V8, like me :thumb3:, but V6 owners have impressed me with the loads they are hauling. During the summer i tow numerous boats for our company, ranging from 2 PWC's(~2000lbs) to a Malibu 247(5500-6000lbs) with my V8 and have no complaints! Its not my boss' lifted dodge diesel but everytime he looks in the mirrors, im right there!

My recommendation for you is too look at a 2003-2009 V8 4x4 in any trim. i love my sport edition but the limiteds come with all the bells a whistles like leather heated seats and navigation. High miles shouldn't be a huge factor seeing how these engines, if routinely serviced, should last 300k+! Good luck in your search! :keyboard:

 

[progress4m]

What about mileage? Mileage on 4th gen's we've looked at seem to be around 80-100k miles. Is that something to be conserned about? Any info would be greatly appreciated

If properly maintained 100K is not a concerned. If it is on V8 make sure that timing belt was done, as it is required and very important item on 90K service or better yet use it as negotiation point to take $1K of the price.
Like with any older cars with 100k you look for: body damage\incidents (repaired), paint, oil leaks, rust (if the car is from the salt belt) engine\trany noises, brakes, steering, a\c \heat functionality as well as transfer case (for 4x4 models).

 

[Nuke]

As far as towing, I've towed boats and campers with all 3 of my V6 T4R's. The 4.0L V6 is quite capable and certainly no slouch but I'd go for the V8 if I had to do it again. That extra torque is worth having.

 

[3rawfedweims]

Update on our search

So in our search, we have found 2 in our price range. One is a 2004 Sport 4WD V8 with 100k miles and timing belt done at 90k miles for around $15,000. The other one is a 2007 2WD V8 Sport with 90k miles one owner and timing belt needs to still be done however the dealer said they could replace that and work it into the cost. They want $16,888 for it. What do you all think? Good prices? Should we keep looking? At this point we are on the fence about 2WD vs 4WD. We do like the V8 for the towing power however. Also, what can the 2004 V8 tow? Is it still the 7300 for 2wd and 7000 for the 4wd? Any help would be great! Thank you for all of your help!

Snow and Anton

 

[cali_axela]

Those prices both sound a little high, but it depends a lot on where you're located. It's often worth expanding your search, and making a long drive to get "the one" -- for reference, I got my 04 V8 4WD sport with only 55k miles on it for $17k about a month ago (they were asking $19k originally). Good luck!

 

[Colemanfu]

They make a great camp rig. I even removed the back seat and run it as a flat bed. I have yet to sit in a 5th gen. I have been in the X and you are about to take a massive step up in the lux dept.