Single mom trying to pull trigger on 1st 4runner

[teampwr2]

Dont mean to jump in off topic But ...!!!
C`mon Now ...This is How Old wives tales are made ....The Comment About a Vehicle off Road And Head gaskets .. Gimme A Break ...!!eace:
The Friggin Motor Doesnt Know If It On Or off road !!1
Thats just Plain Crap eace:
Reg Maint . Is all That is Needed .Some engines fail .... Its a Volume thing really They Made How Many Motors ??? 1,000,000 ? Yeah You will Have Some failures due to Mfg tolerances .

I have Owned And Wheeled Toyota Since 1980 And trust me I Use them On off road .. Nothing , Nada , Zip , Zero Issues ...Ever ...
Maintain Your stuff and all is good ... Sorry to Go off topic But seriously .The V6 is a fookin solid motor.

 

[aha2988]

like I said I wasn't speaking from experience and I was trying to insite that it was a rare issue i have no doubts in the V6 ability I dawg the mess out I my truck from time to time I just have to do the wrench time to keep it up to spec it doesn't matter what engine you have things are gonna wear out on road or off for sure man

 

[Javelin]

IMO The guys that want the V8 want the best of both worlds. They want a fast vehicle that has utility.

Its a good option for having your cake and eating it to.
Its a good option for People who cant afford a fast 2nd car.

The V6 Is VERY quick stock So I cant imagine how fast the V8 is....

BUT If you dont care about having the Extra HP and going fast theres no point to get the V8.

The Full Time AWD is dumb IMO UNLESS you live somewhere where it snows alot then I can see where it could be useful. BUT 4 High in the V6 will work the same.

Off-Roading will make NO difference in the type of motor you have. 4 LO is 4 LO whether its a V6 or V8.

The V6 is more than enough for this size SUV. IMO Its perfect.
The V8 is OVERKILL in this SUV....Unless you have a going Fast addiction

 

[RickC]

IMO The guys that want the V8 want the best of both worlds. They want a fast vehicle that has utility.

Its a good option for having your cake and eating it to.
Its a good option for People who cant afford a fast 2nd car.

The V6 Is VERY quick stock So I cant imagine how fast the V8 is....

BUT If you dont care about having the Extra HP and going fast theres no point to get the V8.

The Full Time AWD is dumb IMO UNLESS you live somewhere where it snows alot then I can see where it could be useful. BUT 4 High in the V6 will work the same.

Off-Roading will make NO difference in the type of motor you have. 4 LO is 4 LO whether its a V6 or V8.

The V6 is more than enough for this size SUV. IMO Its perfect.
The V8 is OVERKILL in this SUV....Unless you have a going Fast addiction

Or pulling heavy stuff. The V6 4runner is rated at 5000 lbs towing, and the V8 is rated at 7000 lbs towing.

 

[aha2988]

I drive the V8 and i can say its not the fastest V8 i've ever drivin lol. its got some juice but not much above the V6. Plus the V6 has more performance upgrade options. The full time all wheel drive is dumb but if you do a little wiring mod you can turn the trac control off and with the open center diff transfer case it's no to hard to get the rear slidding a little here an there haha. but these debates have been going on for quit sometime this probably isnt the best thread to discuss this anyway. IMO i want a diesel engin in mine if i could have my Cake and Eat it to that would be having a Deisle option. Great MPG's great HP, great torque, and a ton of towing power! lol.

 

[MikeInNH]

If I want to drive fast I'll drive my wifes Lexus (3.7L V6). It'll blow the doors off of the 4runner with the V8. Power to weight ratio is the key.

My V6 has MORE then enough power for me. And it's NOT how fast you go. The V6 and V8 both have the same top-end speed (which I think is extremely stupid thing to do unless you're driving the Nevada Salt flats). The difference is how much quicker the V8 will reach it's higher speeds over the V6. I'm sure it will....and if that's what you want...GREAT.

 

[Javelin]

If I want to go fast Ill drive my 69 GTO :driving:

 

[Javelin]

Or pulling heavy stuff. The V6 4runner is rated at 5000 lbs towing, and the V8 is rated at 7000 lbs towing.

Oh Yes I forgot about that

 

[NCSCOTT]

Since you're set on the V6, you don't have to worry about a timing belt. Just a water pump at 100,000 should be the main concern.

The timing belt part is true. No Timing belt to change on a V6. Don't confuse the timing belt with the Accessory drive belt which does need to be changed every 3-5 years (Just FYI for someday). There is NO reason to just up and change the water pump at 100,000 on a V6 either. 128,000 on my 04 and no leaks, no pink streaks, no sweet coolant smell under the hood, never. A leak near the waterpump pulley would be the best indication. Just the Coolant smell could be a hose ect....

05-09 V6s got the 5 speed tranny. 03-04 have a 4 speed. Anything with a 5 speed V8 or V6 has 3.73 gears, any 03-04 V6 has 3.909 (3.91) gears.

I own a 04 V6 2wd with 128,000 miles and owned a 08 V6 4x4 Sport Edition (SE) to 55,000 miles. I loved my SE. If looking for a SE look for an 06 or newer IMHO. They have the nicer looking tube steps and roof rack. But I would take a nice 04-05 SE because I really like the look of the Hood Scoop!! My 04 2WD gets 2-3 MPG better mileage than my 08 4x4 ever did even in stock form. A 2WD will get you a few more MPG than a 4x4. BUT I would not let that be the deciding factor 2 vs 4WD. If I found a 05 4x4 SE in my perfered color with similiar miles/price verse a 06 SR5 2WD, I would go for the SE. Just my 2 cents.

I regularly get over 400 miles on a tank in my 04 2WD running the tank until the gas light comes on. 350 if I didn't let it go that far. I could never do that in my 08 4x4. Good luck

 

[superman3043]

Congratulations on your purchase! I followed this thread for a while, but never really had any insight to chime in with since the rest of these guys pretty much had you covered.

Which dealership did you buy from North Charleston or Savannah Hwy? I just moved back home (Charlotte area) after living in Charleston for about 2 years. I did all my business with the North Chuck guys (Hendrick I think it is now) and they are a fantastic dealership. Always felt like they did me right. They were closer to me, so I can't say that the down town dealership wasn't good... Just didn't deal with them. On the other hand, the clowns up here in Rock Hill... After two visits, I wouldn't trust these dudes to work on a tricycle.

Congrats again!!! You're gonna love the it and you've got great taste in colors

 

[someday139]

Congratulations on your purchase! I followed this thread for a while, but never really had any insight to chime in with since the rest of these guys pretty much had you covered.

Which dealership did you buy from North Charleston or Savannah Hwy? I just moved back home (Charlotte area) after living in Charleston for about 2 years. I did all my business with the North Chuck guys (Hendrick I think it is now) and they are a fantastic dealership. Always felt like they did me right. They were closer to me, so I can't say that the down town dealership wasn't good... Just didn't deal with them. On the other hand, the clowns up here in Rock Hill... After two visits, I wouldn't trust these dudes to work on a tricycle.

Congrats again!!! You're gonna love the it and you've got great taste in colors

It was originally bought at the North Charleston dealer in 2005. The service was done at the Savannah highway location. But they traded it in up in Columbia at the Audi dealer cause they had the specific car they needed. According to the manager at Audi they needed a third row and wanted a new Audi. The lady who drove it was a bank manager here in Charleston and drove it daily! Though u can't tell it ever had kids in it. Lol. I'm gonna see how it goes with mine for a Lil while and probably add leather later.
I will be using the North Charleston dealership myself. Closer to me and I like them so far. Ordered new sun visors yesterday and they came in this morning! Mine have the issue with hanging down about 2 inches and it drives me nuts. Also ordered front and rear Weathertech mats which will be in in 7-10 days.

 

[superman3043]

It was originally bought at the North Charleston dealer in 2005. The service was done at the Savannah highway location. But they traded it in up in Columbia at the Audi dealer cause they had the specific car they needed. According to the manager at Audi they needed a third row and wanted a new Audi. The lady who drove it was a bank manager here in Charleston and drove it daily! Though u can't tell it ever had kids in it. Lol. I'm gonna see how it goes with mine for a Lil while and probably add leather later.
I will be using the North Charleston dealership myself. Closer to me and I like them so far. Ordered new sun visors yesterday and they came in this morning! Mine have the issue with hanging down about 2 inches and it drives me nuts. Also ordered front and rear Weathertech mats which will be in in 7-10 days.

I don't care for leather interior that much, but found myself order Clazzio leather seat covers for mine. Check them out, you can search this forum and the internet for them. Mine should be in early July at the latest. It's cheaper altenative to actual leather apholstry, will protect your original upholstry and is extremely customizable.

That drooping sunvisor is a new issue to me... Kind of weird. Oh and custom audio will definitely not help with THAT issue, haha. I've had my weathertechs for a couple of months now. Absolutely love them! That back seat one can be a PITA to take out and clean though.

Dang girl, you don't waste any time on mods do you?