Questions about 2011 4Runner

[LittleGreenAvocado]

Hi all, Im currently looking at a 2011 4runner sr5 4wd. This is going to be my first SUV and I have a bunch of noob questions :redface:
-How is the 4wd in the winter? Is it capable on the snow? (I know the sr5 is part time 4wd but I cant afford a limited :sobbing
-In general, how reliable are those trucks?
Last but not least the 1 that im looking at doesn't have running boards, so are running boards necessary?

Thanks :biggrin2:

 

[Barry694]

2011 4runner

I have exactly what you are looking to buy. I bought it new and it is solid as a rock. This is probably one of the top 4WD off road vehicles built. I previously had an earlier model (Gen 3) and it was awesome. I lived in Northern California at the time and traveled all over the Sierra Nevada Mountains off road, and a lot of time in Idaho. Neither vehicle had any mechanical problems and scheduled maintenance was the only maintenance provided. Gas mileage is decent for the type of vehicle that it is and should never let you down as long as you keep up the scheduled maintenance. If you are 6' tall or taller I see no need for running boards. It is easy to access if you are on the taller side. My previous one had Chrome Plated stainless steel nerf bars. They looked good but as to their worth they were not a must have for me. You may see a few bad reports online about them, but remember only the people with a problem usually talk about them online. If they are good most people do not usually spend their time talking about it. Just human nature! I may be a bit prejudice as my wife and I have had 25 Toyota and Lexus products going back to 1978. We usually bought two at a time. Put a lot of road miles on them. Again, no mechanical breakdowns on any of them. I am a stickler though for the scheduled maintenance.

 

[4FL]

1. The 4r is great in the winter and in the snow, however, this is heavily dependent on the driver, the 4r or any 4x4 is not a magical machine that lets someone with no skill drive great in the winter. Oh yes, proper tires help also.

2. The 4r is probably one of the most reliable autos on the market, they in my opinion are rather legendary in regards to this, it is a main factor on what I bought mine.

3. Running boards are not needed. Some people like the look, others do not. I am not a huge fan of them, but my wife likes them, and I find I use them anyway in one way or another (mainly for washing sand off my feet after the beach), so I left them on as they came with it.

 

[LittleGreenAvocado]

Thx for the replies, wish I can afford a Limited, but even the high mileage 1s start out at 32k

 

[T4R_Finally]

Thx for the replies, wish I can afford a Limited, but even the high mileage 1s start out at 32k

Time will tell how long the 5G will last but I have had 0 issues with mine at 53k miles so far. My daughter is still driving my 2000 3rd gen at 142k miles and its still rolling strong. They perform great in the snow but, as pointed out, that always greatly depends on the driver, but the vehicle is perfectly capable. I prefer the "real" 4wd over the all wheel drive anyway.

Running boards are personal preference for function and looks. I don't like them for either, so I took mine off when I inherited the vehicle from my wife. She is 5' tall, I'm 6'4". She needed them, I did not and I like the look better without. Even though I have leveled it and removed the boards, she can still get in it okay but I'm she would prefer the boards over not having them.

 

[Bilbo]

Time will tell how long the 5G will last but I have had 0 issues with mine at 53k miles so far. ... I prefer the "real" 4wd over the all wheel drive anyway.

You mean you prefer Part-time 4WD over Full-time 4WD? There are no AWD 5th Gens.

Four-Wheel Drive vs All-Wheel-Drive: Everything You Need to Know

And back on topic, yes, I agree with others that well-cared-for T4R's have earned their reputation for reliability.

 

[Shawk00]

Thx for the replies, wish I can afford a Limited, but even the high mileage 1s start out at 32k

Depending what you consider high miles, you should be able to find a clean high mileage LE in the 20's. Take a at peak cars.com to get an idea of pricing in your area and then expand your search just a bit further to see if pricing gets any better if you're willing to make a drive...

 

[T4R_Finally]

You mean you prefer Part-time 4WD over Full-time 4WD? There are no AWD 5th Gens.

Whatever. Semantics as far as I'm concerned, at least to the point I was making. Yes, I prefer 4WD when I want it and not all the time. My 3rd gen has the push button on the shifter and I prefer that for my daughter because it's easier in a pinch. She is in college in the mountains and I have peace of mind in her having a 4Runner with that functionality in the snow. It's one of a very few 14, almost 15 year old vehicles that I have confidence in her having so far away from home.