Looking to buy an 05 4runner

[M6HTZ]

I am in the process of purchasing a new vehicle to replace my wife's Maxima. We are interested in a SUV and really like the Toyota truck nameplate. I just have a few questions.

So far I am looking at an 05 SR5 V6 4x4. I have seen them for 27500 in Maryland. This seems like a good deal.

1. Any options that I should look for? Is there any real advantages to the sport model, the limited is too much?

2. Can I anticipate about 20 mpg mixed driving?

3. Decent vehicle to commute in 40 miles per day? Good visability, enough power with the V6 for changing lanes?

4. How difficult is it to work on, Oil changes, brakes etc?

Thanks for you help. This website has been a great resource in helping me make a decision. Hopefully will be on here soon with pics of a new T4R.

 

[sharp4runr]

1. The SE gets a unique set of 17" wheels, heated side mirrors, telescoping steering wheel, radio controls on steering wheel, X-REAS (nice suspension), hood scoop, silver bumper trim, charcoal interior over the SR5. The Limited gets you leather, 17" and access to some other options that the SE cannot have.

2. 20MPG is attainable, but I think mostly highway miles. I doubt mixed city/highway can get that high. I commute on I95 and I get average of 17mpg

3. My commute is about the same distance. Great visibilty (though Car and Driver would argue the hood scoop gets in the way
: ), plenty of power for passing. Also if you get the V6 4X4, you can switch from 2WD and 4WD. 2WD for regular commuting and 4X4 for bad weather conditions.

4. Oil filter is right on top on the V6 engine. Truck has discs all around so it is very easy to work on.

You won't go wrong with a 4Runner!

 

[olliebear]

I am in the process of purchasing a new vehicle to replace my wife's Maxima. We are interested in a SUV and really like the Toyota truck nameplate. I just have a few questions.

So far I am looking at an 05 SR5 V6 4x4. I have seen them for 27500 in Maryland. This seems like a good deal.

1. Any options that I should look for? Is there any real advantages to the sport model, the limited is too much?

2. Can I anticipate about 20 mpg mixed driving?

3. Decent vehicle to commute in 40 miles per day? Good visability, enough power with the V6 for changing lanes?

4. How difficult is it to work on, Oil changes, brakes etc?

Thanks for you help. This website has been a great resource in helping me make a decision. Hopefully will be on here soon with pics of a new T4R.

AS you can see from my tagline, I have the 2004 SR5 V8. You'll love the 4Runner SR5.

I did not have any gripes about the lack of the XREAS in the Sport model. The SR5 handles just fine. Cornering is controlled and smooth, very little body lean unless I am really hurling which I should not do anyway.

I am not an options fan. The SR5 comes with all the safety features you can ask for. I can read a map so I was not about to pay for the GPS system. I figure I can always buy a GPS if I wanted to later for less than what Toy charges. NO leather for me. Hot in summer, cold in winter. Just good old cloth is fine.

I do see lots of Runners in Southern Cal without the spoiler but plenty of Runners in Northern Cal with the spoiler. It just looks funny without it. Howev,er it really works in keeping the rear window clear of dust and pushes the rain down. So make sure you get the spoiler.

The roof rack is an extra. I like that.

The 17" wheels are extra. You will find cheaper tires for the 16" wheels, but the 17" wheels give better handling.

I am nobody's bus driver. I will never, ever, ever, order the third row seat. Not only does it only fit short squirrels, you lose 70% of your rear cargo area.

I don't care about the double decker syustem. Everything works just fine.

The rear back up camera is nice, but I think that is for the Limited only. If you get the multi speaker upgraded Infinity sound system, you lose the back upo mirrors. Lose the sound sysmten and get the back up mirros. They allow you to see other cross traffic when backing out of an angled mall parking as well as what's behind you. Very handy to have and could prevent an accident.

You should have no problems keeping up on the freeway or merging into traffic with the V6. I don't tow, but I still bought the V8. The V8 generates 270 for '05, but it makes better and more consistnet power over a broader curve band. WHen you pass, the engine kicks in faster and works less to get you going quicker. The 04 still had 235 hp, but there is so much smooth buttery power in that V8........I'd highly recommend it.

Let's not forget the V8 has teh AWD with Torsen diffs that is driver transparent...and still have 4L and locking diffs...all pretty nice for those Maryland winters....

The V8 is also set up for towing with tranny and oil coolers. I dunno if the V6 is set up that way, but I prefer to have it overbuilt. I had my Tahoe with tranny coolers, oil coolers, extra large air cleaners, towing package, etc, not becuase I tow, but when I am traveling across the hot Mojave desert in the summer, or going acorss the Tejon Pass in August at 114 degree heat, my car is better equipped not to overheat when it is set up to do so much more. (I went sightseeing up and down the Sierra Nevadas last weekend where it was 108 the whole day, climbing up nad down long winding hills and passes, and slow traffic through sleepy old mining towns. Saw quite a few cars pulled over with steam coming out, but the Runner did not even move the temp gauge needle more than a micro-millimeter and the a/c was on only on 2nd or 3rd level--how cool is that, if you can excuse the pun.

You should expect 20 mpg crusiing on a V6, I get 19-20 on a steady cruising, 18 around town freewyas, and 17 around town city.

You will be pleased with the overall quality and fit and finish compared to Nissan. Nissan is knwon for good engines and drivelines but ticky-tacky tinny fit and finish. Slam the door on a Nissan and you cna hear it rattle and echo. Slam the door on these new 4Runners and it thunks like the famous Mercedes sound. Dashboard is tight, knobs are tight. Nothing loose or rattlely.

 

[HutchRunner]

We purchased ours in April of 2005, and have been very happy. Price sounds good, they did have a larger rebate on the 4 Runner earlier this year.

Options I like: Homelink, Spoiler, Cargo Net (cargo space is so large everything gets tossed around without) Double Decker not necessary (have it, cant say I need it). Crome exhaust tip, and roof rack does add some nice looks/class.

I am currently averaging 20 miles to the gallon mixed highway/city.

Vehicle has excellent visibilty, and very nice power for a V6, it will give you all you need. Vehicle sits higher than most midsize sport utes, and gives you a better view of the road.

Truck runs very solid, with excellent ride. Cant go wrong with a Toyota.

 

[Jeff Kleb]

Ditto to the posts above! I leased my '05 SR5 (V6) back in January, and I am totally satisfied with it. It is my 'weekend' car, so I don't use it as a daily commuter (have a little Sentra for that)...but it consistently gets about 17 to 19 mpg in most driving. It'll hang just above 20 mpg on the highway, but you have to keep it under 70 mph to do that!
:bash:

The SR5 has more than enough options on it, so I did not feel it necessary for the "Sport Edition" or its fancy hood scoop, etc, etc. My SR5 has the 17-inch wheels - like the Limited - which were a $100 option. They're much easier to clean than the fancy ones on the SE model, and I honestly think they look better (IMHO).

Save your money and get the V-6. You won't need the V-8 unless you tow a yacht across the desert or want to race your 4Runner at stoplights. The V-6 is more than enough power!

My favorite color is the Salsa Red, but they only offered it on the Limited around here. I got a Titanium Silver and love it. It looks great when clean, and still doesn't show dirt as much as a darker color.

I guess, if I had to make a complaint, it would be the stereo system in the SR5. It is adequate, but is not quite as good as the "up-level" one that I have in my little Sentra. I know they have an optional stereo system that is better, however. I leased mine, so it matters not.....but I would get a really nice aftermarket one installed if I were going to have this truck more than three years.

Good luck with your purchase!!!!

 

[noodlesfusion]

i say wait for the 06 to come out.. just another couple of months...

 

[M6HTZ]

Thanks for all your info and time. It has been very informative. I think I will wait until the 06's come out to give me a little leverage with the dealer if I get the 05. We are in no big hurry. The Maxima is still running well, I'm just interested in something a little safer with increased reliability.

I need to let my wife test drive the T4R and the Highlander to see what she likes best. I just can't get excited about the Highlander. I know its a nice vehicle, but its too plain for me. Hopefully she feels the same way.

 

[DaveS]

I had a Highlander before - T4R is a whole different story. If you really want to impress the difference on your wife, test drive the V8 as well - the silky smooth engine is such a step up from the V6 in the Highlander - that alone will persuade her.

 

[slowginjoe]

I need to let my wife test drive the T4R and the Highlander to see what she likes best. I just can't get excited about the Highlander. I know its a nice vehicle, but its too plain for me. Hopefully she feels the same way.

we have both, and even though the highlander is nice, the interior noise seems very noisy when compared to the almost silent 4runner interior! use that as a selling point on the wife!

 

[M6HTZ]

Thanks for the advice. That sounds like a good strategy for the T4R. I think the Highlander is a nice vehicle, but its a flat line. I think we would enjoy the added versitility and ruggedness of the T4R. It sounds like it would be real easy to live with.

I lost some credibility with the wife when I purchased a Z28. She dosen't care for the 6 speed and the many performance parts. The power is nice, but it looses it's charm in a hurry in traffic. Its just an expensive toy that gets driven weekend and good weather only. I need to assure her the T4R will be far from that. The Z is a one trick pony.