Need help with purchase - Gen 5 Trail vs Gen 4 Limited V8

[Jeeves]

Hi all,

So, I have a tough choice to make tomorrow - I'm driving up to look at two 4Runners, and I'd like to come home with one of them. Here are my choices:

2011 Trail, Silver, 13K on the clock, individual seller asking $36,500. KDSS and NAV options. (Still under warranty!)

2008 Limited, Nautical Blue V8, 35K on the clock, DEALER asking $29,856 (fees/tax incl). Probably just a drivetrain warranty left.

I figure I can negotiate down a little bit on both of these vehicles.

Naturally, I love that gen 5, because I'm asking in this forum. Still, I'm torn about which car to get. This is going to be a rainy day driver and a weekend fun car for camping, etc. - I ride a bike or a vespa to work on most nice days.

Since my driving is limited, gas mileage is not a huge factor.

I have a teardrop camper that either car could handle, although I like the idea of not even coming close to the tow capacity of the V8. (I'm not sure, but I believe that the V8 is the only one that comes with a real tranny cooler, right?)

Both cars will make me happy (after the baby, I had to sell my Z3 coupe and am driving my first love, my '94 Toyota truck (22RE). The Gen 5 is flat out sexy, and well, I gotta love a V8 - so I'm torn.

I'm glad to hear about your thoughts on the functional differences, but would also like to know if there is there one car you'd recommend in general mechanical / build terms over the other? I'm looking to drive this one into the ground - or perhaps pass it on to my kid in 14 years...ha ha.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
Best,
-Raj

 

[1engineer]

You will get 5th gen fans here and if you pose the same question on the 4th gen side you will get the same for 4th gen. Both are good choices. Drive them and get what you like. You can't go wrong with either.

 

[phillyd2]

Had / Have both. Like both but after a year very happy I switched to the Gen 5. Although I did miss the V8 the first few months I almost never give it a second thought these days. Both a great so its like picking between two super models - you will be glad no matter which you pick.

 

[philsey]

IMO, too much is made of the 5Gs "lack" of performance. The 4.0 is tuned/programmed/designed for mpg. Look at the engine's hp/tq - it's there - it's just, um, down deeper in the throttle ... plus driven reasonably this truck returns pretty darned good mpg for most owners.

I've learned how to drive it, and when you want performance (eg stomp it) it goes like stink. But ... you do have to demand the power, not just ask.

Would I buy a 4G for the V8 over a newer, roomier, prettier, still-in-warranty 5G? No way.

Would I buy a 5G with a V8 if I could? Way.

But ..... test drive, test drive, test drive. The 5G is a dang nice truck. Foibles? A couple, but what doesn't? Everything in life is trade-offs.

 

[jspagna1]

You are going to have to drive them both and ultimately it's your decision. Also going to depend on what's important to you. The 4G is smaller and has less cargo room than the 5G. The 4G has more power for towing if that's your priority. You can't go wrong with either one.
I have a 3G and purposely waited for the 5G because cargo space was my number one priority when buying a new 4Runner. So that was my deciding factor. You need to figure out what's important to you..

 

[bofa]

One of the things I love most about this forum is the un-biased (mostly ) opinions... very hard to find in an online community.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Also remember the V8 limited has a lot more features than the Trail like memory seats, full time 4x4, auto headlights, auto climate control and on and on. If you like a lot of features the limited is your choice. As stated both are good choices.

 

[T4R2014]

You're going to get more votes for the 5th Gen since you posted it in the 5th Gen forum and same for the 4th Gen forum.

I'd get the 4th Gen V8. The big plus for the 5th Gen is the rear diff lock, but you could always install a locker later on in the 4th Gen. It also has the Torsen diff and obviously the V8 and you get projector headlights and LED tails, which the 5th gen doesn't have. The 5th Gen has the edge off road in stock form, but a minor lift and rear locker and the 4th Gen will easily keep up.

 

[Ttn333]

If you want to join the local soccer mom association get the 4th. You'll fit right in. :biggrin2:

All kid aside. Those prices seem mighty high. I would look into buying a new 5gen.

 

[2UZ]

The V8 is the best gasoline engine Toyota has ever made. The power band of the V6 is not suited for the A750f or the weight of the 4Runner.

The two power plants offer considerably different driving experiences.

 

[T4R2014]

The V8 is the best gasoline engine Toyota has ever made. The power band of the V6 is not suited for the A750f or the weight of the 4Runner.

The two power plants offer considerably different driving experiences.

What about the 2JZ-GTE? I wouldn't say the 1GR-FE is that bad.

 

[Jeeves]

Great responses from everyone - thanks! Keep 'em coming if you got 'em, please. I'm also interested in people's takes on good "out the door" prices on the cars. (since I'll be negotiating tomorrow)

I will have some KBB / Edmunds information on hand. I also have access to consumer reports, but to be honest, I don't think they do so well for used cars.

thanks for all of the input - this is great.

-Raj

 

[jca21]

SCREW the 4th and 5th gens...















what you really want is a 3rd

 

[gray street]

get the trail

 

[sandcrawler]

get either one but only for a much better price than they're asking. $36,500 for a year-old TE with 13K miles? private sale? sheesh, that's practically what i paid for mine new...

in my experience, the V8 was pretty much the only thing i really missed when i got my 2010. and fwiw i don't miss it anymore...

 

[T4R2014]

Agreed, their price sounds a bit steep for the TE, idk for the 4th Gen. Which ever 4Runner you end up with, they're both capable vehicles and should last a long time, not something that could be said IMO for it's competitors.

 

[scanny]

I'd say buy a new Trail over a used one, the price difference is not that big, but you'll get a brand new vehicle.

If you had to decide between 4G and 5G - take a piece of paper and write down all must haves and nice to haves and see how it match 4G Limited and 5G Trail. Think about it hard then test drive each. After test dive forget that piece of paper and get what you like the most : )

 

[JohnnyT]

You'll know what to do when decision time comes. It will hit you.

Me.

I had an 08 v6 that wasn't making me totally happy. Drove a new 5th gen Trail about 4 or 5 times. Wanted to buy. Until...

On a whim, I found and drove my 07 Sport v8. Game over. Loved it. Bought it. HANDS DOWN BEST THING I EVER DID. Love the v8. Never thought of a 5th gen again - good truck though. But not as solid and well made overall as the 4th gen IMO.

Price on both seems a bit high though. Work 'em and have fun and patience doing it. Remember...... You work hard for your money...... Don't give it away without a fight.

 

[Reata]

For the money a 5th gen trail is possible brand new. They are tough to find. I wouldn't pay much more than $34 on the used TE though.

Guys, what do you think should be he number on the 5th?

 

[Ttn333]

I got mine for around 37k otd in ca. So from what i've been seeing, theres about a 3k drop in a low mile used 5gen. 33-34k should be the going price. In which case, I'd still buy new. There's just not enough saving, for me, to buy use. Never know if the previous owner was and idiot or not. :fro: