Potential buyer, what to look for

liftitup

New member
I hope this thread is in the right forum. My wife and I are one the market for her a new dd to replace her 04 Tahoe. She really likes the 5th gen 4runners. We have never owned a Toyota but have always been a fan. We just started looking yesterday, and brought home a 2010 sr5, that has been upgraded with just about every option as the limited except for nav. and it doesn't have 3rd row. We also test drove a 2011 that was identical to the 2010, but it did have the 3rd row. The 2011 is exactly what my wife wants, except for the fact that it doesn't have nav. Since I am 100% noob I was hoping to get some insight or reviews or just opinions from you guys. This will be my wife's daily driver and she drives quite a bit....around 25k miles a year for work, mostly mixed (city/hwy) driving. In our limited research we have found a big complaint in the lack of power from the 4.0, but I believe these negative reviews were mostly from owners who had previously had an earlier gen with the v8. Since we don't have experience in a 4runner, we have nothing to compare the power to, and so far that hasn't bothered us. We wanted 3rd row but have read that it's so small that it's kind of useless, not a huge deal. So what do you guys think? Should we hold off to find one with navigation? Should we stay away from 5th generation completely and go for v8 model? Sorry about the long winded post, just trying to learn and get as much feedback as possible before taking the plunge.
 
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I've had mine two months and traded in a 330hp/400tq Saab 9-3 and can say that for what it is, the power is decent. I have yet to be in a situation that I'm wanting more power. Obviously towing will show a bit of weakness but if it's your wife's main vehicle I don't think that will be an issue.

If you've found the right vehicle without nav you can always get a double din nav unit to replace the stock radio. There's a good looking adapter out there and wiring is pretty straight forward.
 
I hope this thread is in the right forum. My wife and I are one the market for her a new dd to replace her 04 Tahoe. She really likes the 5th gen 4runners. We have never owned a Toyota but have always been a fan. We just started looking yesterday, and brought home a 2010 sr5, that has been upgraded with just about every option as the limited except for nav. and it doesn't have 3rd row. We also test drove a 2011 that was identical to the 2010, but it did have the 3rd row. The 2011 is exactly what my wife wants, except for the fact that it doesn't have nav. Since I am 100% noob I was hoping to get some insight or reviews or just opinions from you guys. This will be my wife's daily driver and she drives quite a bit....around 25k miles a year for work, mostly mixed (city/hwy) driving. In our limited research we have found a big complaint in the lack of power from the 4.0, but I believe these negative reviews were mostly from owners who had previously had an earlier gen with the v8. Since we don't have experience in a 4runner, we have nothing to compare the power to, and so far that hasn't bothered us. We wanted 3rd row but have read that it's so small that it's kind of useless, not a huge deal. So what do you guys think? Should we hold off to find one with navigation? Should we stay away from 5th generation completely and go for v8 model? Sorry about the long winded post, just trying to learn and get as much feedback as possible before taking the plunge.

I have the nav in a 2010 TE. I've never used it but most people say it sucks operationally. Besides, updates are via CD from dealer. Kind of primitive. It's an expensive option and these days most people just run a nav app on their smart phone or you could put in an aftermarket stereo with a much better nav.

I think the V6 has more than adequate power for most purposes. I have never towed but that is where most of the complaints come from.

Most importantly. Understand that this baby is a truck. For me, that's what makes it special but it is also why it does so poorly in comparison tests with other SUVs. If comfort, quiet, smooth, luxurious ride is what your after, stay away from the 4runner.
 

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