Need Help deciding on a 4runner

I

iButler

New member
I have two 4runners that I am looking at. One is a 2004 sr5 v8 with 138,118 miles with 2 owners and only being serviced at toyota dealers, and the other one is a locally owned 2003 limited v6 with 105,851 miles with 1 owner. The dealer is wanting 10,981 for the 2004 and the other dealer is asking 11,910 for the 2003. I afraid to get the v6 due to the head gasket issue; is that a common issue. Which one would you choose?

Links:

2004
Cars for Sale: 2004 Toyota 4Runner SR5 in Mobile, AL 36606: Sport Utility Details - 326155102 - AutoTrader.com

2003
Cars for Sale: 2003 Toyota 4Runner Limited in Dothan, AL 36303: Sport Utility Details - 325435224 - AutoTrader.com
 
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hard to tell which one is in truely better condition by the pictures but i would lean towards the v8. the limited is nicer but the carpet and that back seat look pretty crappy IMO, are you specifically looking for a 2wd?

btw are you from mobile? i have a 2004 v8 4x4 i just recently purchased and love it so far.
 
Well, I was originally looking for a 3rd gen 4runner, but then I test drove the limited one and loved the smoothness of the ride and the power. So now I've been looking for a 4th gen, and I don't care if its 2wd or 4wd just want something better than my 1998 ford explorer sport. But no Im from the Dothan area
 
iButler said:
Well, I was originally looking for a 3rd gen 4runner, but then I test drove the limited one and loved the smoothness of the ride and the power. So now I've been looking for a 4th gen, and I don't care if its 2wd or 4wd just want something better than my 1998 ford explorer sport. But no Im from the Dothan area
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Dothan is pretty far, thats like 3-4 hours from Mobile. i personally wouldnt drive that far to pick up a used vehicle with 130,000 miles. so IMO that rules out the v8 4Runner in your first post. they arent that rare of a vehicle, just stay persistent in your search and the right one will pop up under your nose.

if you didnt already know about autotemptest.com then you do now. it is probably the single most useful tool when used car shopping IMO. i use it and promote it every chance i get, you can search multiple cities and sites at once. its like kayak.com but for car shopping instead of hotels.
 
Yeah I've heard of autotempest.com and I just starting using it. I'm just tired waiting and looking cause I can't find one, but hopefully one will pop up soon.
 
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P.S. If anyone is selling their 4th gen from 2003-04 (v8) or a 2001-02 4runner in the South Alabama area or near it feel free to pm.
 
iButler said:
Well, I was originally looking for a 3rd gen 4runner, but then I test drove the limited one and loved the smoothness of the ride and the power. So now I've been looking for a 4th gen, and I don't care if its 2wd or 4wd just want something better than my 1998 ford explorer sport. But no Im from the Dothan area
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Nice to see somebody else from D-town. I lived there for like 10 years and went to Northview High school.
 
I already have a ford, which has been good to me, but it is on its last leg. So I need to find something soon before I start school.
 
LowRunner said:
Ok maybe that was a but harsh lol. Toys last forever... I'm just a ford fan tried and true... I like having torque on tap :)
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the 4.7 has more torque on tap than either of the anemic spark plug eating v8's Ford puts in its light trucks and SUV's. The seat of the pants feel is more like my 6.0 in terms of torque deliver.
 
Also I'm not sure what the 4.7 puts out... But the old 2v 5.4 that came out in 1997 put out 350ft lbs... 365 for the 3v

The new 5.0 puts out 380 in the truck... 390 in the gt stang.

Then again there's my 02 f150 that put out 420 stock and roughly 600rwtq (that's like a gazillion at the crank) on the stock motor.

Biased, yes. True, but of course :)
 
Perhaps the 4.6 that they started putting in the trucks in 1997? Those only out out 294 ft lbs... A lot less with the old heads in the 94-98 CV/t-bird/mustang
 
I don't consider 1997 brand new. I would even venture to guess that 2004 and 2003 is newer than 1997.

Either way, OP, get the one with the most power, lowest miles and best condition. Easy enough, right?
 
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