Most "reliable" 4runner Trim?

[jaychohomie]

Hi all. I want to buy a 4runner. The problem is, Im the type of person who will drive a car until it dies. I do not wish to have to spend a lot of money fixing complex electronics down the road. Which 4runner trim model tend to be the most problem free? Also, the car will be used and I will have to finance it

 

[1engineer]

All 4Runner models are reliable. With that said the simpler the better. SR5 is the model with the least amount of electronics and has a basic suspension with no option for XREAS or KDSS.

 

[Pkniland]

Hi all. I want to buy a 4runner. The problem is, Im the type of person who will drive a car until it dies. I do not wish to have to spend a lot of money fixing complex electronics down the road. Which 4runner trim model tend to be the most problem free? Also, the car will be used and I will have to finance it

The base SR5 has the least amount of extras (potential things to go wrong), they also offer it in a 4x2 if you don't need 4wd.

 

[alico268]

KISS principle would be best reflected in the SR5. But when you read how many complain of the feature set or lack thereof found with any of the trims versus other vehicles today, I guess you're ahead of the curve no matter which trim you choose.

Everything you read slams the 5th gen for using dated engine, trans, etc… I just count as "tried and true."

You're gonna have to get over the fear of electronics, that's just big part of any vehicle you purchase today. Good luck!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

All 4Runner models are reliable. With that said the simpler the better. SR5 is the model with the least amount of electronics and has a basic suspension with no option for XREAS or KDSS.

I agree with 1engineer.

Without getting in to a debate about the merits or lack thereof for a 2WD 4Runner, you appear to live in Oakland, CA. If you don't need 4x4, than a 2WD SR5 base 4Runner is probably as reliable as they get.

 

[jaychohomie]

Thank you for all the replies. I really want a 2012 Trail that is listed for $32k on Carmax with over 41k miles, but I am worried about it having 2 previous owners. I love the look of the previous 5th gen Trail most.

 

[bandaman]

I really like the manual 4x4 shift lever in the Trail. Not that the selector switch on the SR5 is unreliable... Maybe a couple hundred thousand miles on the clock and that one time you really need 4x4, I'd rather have the lever.

 

[mrt6644]

Thank you for all the replies. I really want a 2012 Trail that is listed for $32k on Carmax with over 41k miles, but I am worried about it having 2 previous owners. I love the look of the previous 5th gen Trail most.

32k is not far from a brand new 2015 Trail edition with moderate dealer discount.
Some people here have posted insane, too goo to be true deals on a new Trail.
I did not get one of those insane deals.
I paid about 34-35 for a Trail without KDSS.
You might want to spend the extra 2-3 to get a new one with a full warranty.

 

[rydr1]

Thank you for all the replies. I really want a 2012 Trail that is listed for $32k on Carmax with over 41k miles, but I am worried about it having 2 previous owners. I love the look of the previous 5th gen Trail most.

I used to believe that carmax was a good place to sell and pick up a car..I was wrong.

Like everyone else has stated, get a new one for a few thousand more.

 

[Jabberjaw]

Go for the 5th gen SR5 ...to me it always makes morse sense to buy something you can build onto vs rip crap off and replace. EX: my last Jeep was a Rubicon ...dumb decision, cause I ripped off and replaced everything that made it a Rubicon. ...and 4x4 is always a good idea no matter where you live.

 

[BobsTrail]

I agree with the posts that suggest spending a little extra and get a new one.
But, If cost is a prolem, then used may be OK.

I have a 2013 Trail with 29K on it. It's still like new and no signs of wear or problems.
Still tight and quiet, even after a number of rough off-road trips.

 

[blairracd]

Get a 3rd gen.
1996-1999 (goes to 2002 but those models aren't as liked)

 

[KJ303]

Get a new Trail. I got my '15 Trail Prem new with kdss for not much more (under 40) than what you are looking at used. Either way, you cant go wrong with any trim. Get the 4x4 for sure. Love the 4x4 manual shift lever on my Trail, pretty much the same as my '98 limited.

I was hesitant too for a long time to get a new car with all the electronic/computer stuff that they all have and the potential problems with it down the road. Although I never really seriously considered anything other than a Runner.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

Get a 3rd gen.
1996-1999 (goes to 2002 but those models aren't as liked)

Explain your proof of that comment please? I think you will find the majority of people who are familiar with 3rd gen's will say the last years (2001-2002) were by far the best.

Curious where you came to that opinion.

 

[vicpick58]

I have a 2012 Trail that I bought new, it just turned 109k miles, so far the only problems that I have had is that every once in a while, and I mean very occasionally, the touch screen radio will not respond or does something whacky.

And every so often the back up camera does not show on the screen.

I bought a 125k mile extended warranty when I bought the vehicle, so I am thinking about taking it in around 120k and having the dealer check out the nav/radio unit.

Other than those minor issues with the radio unit, this has been the most reliable vehicle I have ever had, absolutely no mechanical issues at all. (so far)

Of course I replaced the shocks around 60k miles because they were driving me nuts with the nose diving, but that is expected with OEM shocks.

 

[jicko]

My 3rd gen is 18yrs old and 270k miles. Still running strong!

 

[blairracd]

Explain your proof of that comment please? I think you will find the majority of people who are familiar with 3rd gen's will say the last years (2001-2002) were by far the best.

Curious where you came to that opinion.

those models had a-trac, traction control, cent lock.

not the real 4wd systems and rear differential lockers.

 

[MTwEeZi]

Explain your proof of that comment please? I think you will find the majority of people who are familiar with 3rd gen's will say the last years (2001-2002) were by far the best.

Curious where you came to that opinion.

No one says that... the most desirable 3rd gens are 99-00 Limiteds with Full Time 4WD + rear locker option, and the 96-00 SR5 5 speeds + locker. 99s had tallest springs but if you are lifting it doesn't matter.

01 & 02 have pretty tails and grilles, and SR5s got the full-time system, but they have overbearing traction control, the lowest factory ride height, no manual transmission, and no rear locker. They also switched from cable throttle to electronic.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

The 2wd SR5 will have the least amount of electronics to go wrong down the road - meaning there are still a metric crap load of electronics in it. However, if you like the Trail, just get it. Life is too short to get something less desirable, based solely on the fact that sometime in the future there will be a slightly less chance of something going wrong with it. How are you gonna feel about the vehicle if every time you get in all you can think is "damn, I wish I had gotten the Trail"? If you're the type of person that keeps his vehicles forever, then you already know that -no matter what- something is going to break. There really is no way around it, but the 4Runner is a good place to start....

 

[Blitzkrieg]

No one says that... the most desirable 3rd gens are 99-00 Limiteds with Full Time 4WD + rear locker option, and the 96-00 SR5 5 speeds + locker. 99s had tallest springs but if you are lifting it doesn't matter.

01 & 02 have pretty tails and grilles, and SR5s got the full-time system, but they have overbearing traction control, the lowest factory ride height, no manual transmission, and no rear locker. They also switched from cable throttle to electronic.

Yeah, we are not connecting here. My 2002 Sport (not SR5 - Sport) had (as all the Sport Editions did) the locking diff, part time 4WD and was arguably better equipped box stock than any 3rd gen for off-roading.

Maybe I am missing something or maybe you are.