Tacoma or 4runner?

trdsport253

New member
I've always wanted a 4th gen 4runner. I currently have a 2005 Tacoma double cab short bed TRD sport prerunner. Its been paid off for a year now. I really dont want payments. I found a 2006 4runner limited 4wd V8 for $18,999. The 4runner has just about 98k miles and my truck has 58k miles.
 
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I've always wanted a 4th gen 4runner. I currently have a 2005 Tacoma double cab short bed TRD sport prerunner. Its been paid off for a year now. I really dont want payments. I found a 2006 4runner limited 4wd V8 for $18,999. The 4runner has just about 98k miles and my truck has 58k miles.

I say keep the Taco.

No payments, you know the history, lower miles, dare I say more aftermarket. If you're getting bored with your truck then maybe throw some mods at it and make if feel like a different vehicle.

Just b/c I'm curious....has the 4R had the timing belt/water pump/etc done yet?

I love my '06 Limited V8....but I've driven your exact truck (only an '08) and since you already have a double cab, the 4Runner just doesn't make sense to me, due to what you would be coming from.

Maybe do a V8 swap into the taco...
 
I'm not exactly sure what you're asking? I am going to assume the issue is with the mileage difference, otherwise I'm a little lost.

The mileage difference shouldn't be that bad, my '04 was 86k when I bought it and it was in good condition. Just make sure the Timing Belt, major service, and other maintenece items have been taken care of properly, some 4Runners have issues with caliper freezing. There are a good number of threads on "what to look for" in regards to used 4Runners.
 
Another big thing to look at is how much do you use your bed? I had a truck before, and three bed was almost useless to me. I like the big trunk space I get with the runner.
 
Another big thing to look at is how much do you use your bed? I had a truck before, and three bed was almost useless to me. I like the big trunk space I get with the runner.

I agree with Seevik's statement. I just traded my 08 Taco for a 09 4R and I couldn't be happier. I thought I was going to be hauling dirt bikes and quads, but it never happend. I used the bed pretty much only twice since I bought it. The Taco is a great truck if you ever decide to go that route and the tacoma community/forum is huge. But I'm very happy with my 4R :)
 
I was just wondering whether it is worth doing the trade even though I may end up having payments? I came here cause ya'll know about these 4runners more than I do.
 
The things I see you GAINING in the trade would be full time 4WD and a fantastic V8, as well as the added refinement/comfort that a T4R has over a Taco. I also believe that the T4R has a shorter wheelbase making it arguably a better off-roader, pending of course a lift of some sort :bravo:. You LOSE the no car payment lifestyle (not to be underestimated) as well as a lower mile vehicle with still very high resale value. With gas prices headed inevitably upward, the V6 Taco is a highly desirable used vehicle, you would be giving up a bit of that in trading in to a V8. As others have said check to make sure the timing belt has been done, otherwise figure on adding $800-1200 to the cost of acquiring the 4runner. Functionally though, unless you have a bon-a-fide need for bed, the cargo space in a 4runner is adequate and you will more than likely find more every-day usability in a SUV rather than a truck, i.e. harder to steal things you keep in the back.
 
When I was deciding to get a new 4WD vehicle I thought about getting a Tacoma, great looking truck. Awesome reputation and down right great off-road. I used my old '93 S10 to transport transmissions and engines for projects and could use the bed. But I also wanted enough space to fit my friends also. By then I was like, "eh... I could still fit the engine and trans in the back of the 4Runner (Much bigger than my S10 in terms of rear cargo) and it has the added benefit of being covered up!

I also saw less and less need for a dedicated truck (I eventually decided if I needed a truck I'll go all out and get a full sized diesel and do it right), all or most of my transporting needs could be met by the 4Runner in "cargo mode." So the Tacoma dropped off my list, the FJ cruiser ended up being my toughest decision, but ever since owning that S10 I swore I would never buy an SUV without anything less than 8 cylinders (that anemic 4.3L Vortec V6 was a pile!) and so while the FJ tugged at my heart string; its smaller capacity, awkward visibility, and V6 knocked it out of the running.

The 4Runner has met all the needs I required out of my new 4WD vehicle and I have no regrets. I don't even haul around engines and transmissions anymore so I rarely need the cargo space. But my trip last year to Tahoe was great! Fit my ex, my mom, and all our gear and some extra (had more people in another vehicle) in the 4Runner no problem. The V8 has been a wonderful powerplant for off-road and the extra weight in mods and towing needs (I end up using it more as a mini tow truck for some broken down used cars more than anything right now.)

I'm not sure if that helps you at all in deciding what you wanna do, but maybe it will help a little?
 
Thanks for all the feedback. I really appreciate it. I've decided to keep my Taco and will be buying a Leer 100XL hard shell. Wanted the for 4R for the enclosed trunk space and might be expecting. Thanks again.
 
I've always wanted a 4th gen 4runner. I currently have a 2005 Tacoma double cab short bed TRD sport prerunner. Its been paid off for a year now. I really dont want payments. I found a 2006 4runner limited 4wd V8 for $18,999. The 4runner has just about 98k miles and my truck has 58k miles.

If you've got a pretty penny lying around, why not supercharge the taco? You could put some lift and suspension on it, and go offroading if you want.
 
If you've got a pretty penny lying around, why not supercharge the taco? You could put some lift and suspension on it, and go offroading if you want.

Really, so all I need is some more power and torque and extra ground clearance I can take it out off-roading even though its a RWD with the mechanical LSD? I wished I had a pretty penny lying around.
 
I'm not exactly sure what you're asking? I am going to assume the issue is with the mileage difference, otherwise I'm a little lost.
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Sorry for the confusion I was asking if the trade would be worth it because the miles is high. I'm pretty sure the timing belt hasn't been replaced yet. And it's from an Auto Broker. Also what's the mpg on the V8's?
 
With the high price that they're asking for the 4Runner (yes, it's a pretty ridiculous price), I say keep the Taco unless you want to go off roading, then get the 4Runner (or search for a better deal). The V8 is awesome and you will absolutely notice the jump in power. I paid $13,500 out the door from a dealer for my '06 V8 with 109,500 miles a few months ago (about $11,800 before taxes and fees). The first thing you say is "I've always wanted a 4th gen 4Runner." If it's within your parameters, then why not? The 4Runner is probably more practical than the Tacoma for a family anyway; more comfortable too. Good luck with whatever choice you go with.
 
With the high price that they're asking for the 4Runner (yes, it's a pretty ridiculous price), I say keep the Taco unless you want to go off roading, then get the 4Runner (or search for a better deal). The V8 is awesome and you will absolutely notice the jump in power. I paid $13,500 out the door from a dealer for my '06 V8 with 109,500 miles a few months ago (about $11,800 before taxes and fees). The first thing you say is "I've always wanted a 4th gen 4Runner." If it's within your parameters, then why not? The 4Runner is probably more practical than the Tacoma for a family anyway; more comfortable too. Good luck with whatever choice you go with.

As much as I would like to go Off-roading I wouldn't be buying it for that reason. More for the comfort and versatility and the possibility of having a kid. Oh and the 4WD also not because I need but because I want it. The biggest thing for me is having payments. I could always buy a Canopy for the Taco to make it some what like an SUV. Maybe I will swing by the dealer and see if I could negotiate the price. What should I offer them? Considering it may need the 90k maintenance.
 
Also could anyone tell me what the 09 Limited have that the 06 Limited don't have? Like the differences and options between the 09 and 06?
 
I had an 09 Taco that I traded for an 08 T4R and couldn't be happier. I got great use out of the Taco for moving bikes and other things, so it wasn't a poser pickup.

BUT, my taco was a 6 speed, which is universally acknowledged to be a ****ty tranny. The ratios were totally screwed up and I would rev 3000 doing 65 on the highway. The T4R 5 speed auto revs 1900 at the same speed.

With the same rims/tires on both vehicles, the T4R gets me 2 extra mpg's. Yes, its more annoying to have to hitch a trailer now for my bikes, but when I am not moving bikes, I find the T4R to be 2x better vehicle for my needs.
 
Cars for Sale: 2007 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 Limited in Port Orchard, WA 98367: Sport Utility Details - 352085711 - AutoTrader.com

Is it worth it to trade my 2005 Toyota Tacoma TRD sport prerunner with 65k miles for the 4runner above?

here is something for you to chew on.

info taken from dealer auto auction site, so current up to date pricing on cars.

so take your truck's closest comparison and the new trucks closest comparison and see if its worth it for you. i highlighted in bold what i think is comparable. so your truck on the used car market is worth more than the 4 runner is. probably due to several reason, fuel and america's love for pick ups. that truck didnt go thru manheim auto auction so they traded the car in and is trying to sell it retail, double win win for them if they can sell it. even bigger win if they can get your truck cheap and make you buy the new truck at higher price. :P

2007 4 runner limited v8 awd

08/06/13 PHILLY Lease $19,200 56,203 Above WHITE 8G A Yes
06/12/13 NJ Regular $19,900 69,553 Above RED 8G A Yes
07/19/13 PA Regular $17,750 75,423 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes
06/26/13 PITTSBGH Regular $13,500 104,871 Avg SILVER 8G A Yes
06/28/13 PA Regular $12,750 112,333 Avg GREY 8G A Yes
07/09/13 NYMETSKY Regular $10,600 127,758 Below BLUE 8G A Yes


2005 toyota tacoma double cab v6 4x4

08/02/13 PA Regular $18,500 42,221 Above BLUE 6G A Yes
08/05/13 SF BAY Lease $19,600 51,543 Above BLUE 6G 6 Yes
07/25/13 NEVADA Regular $15,200 73,000 Avg NONE NON N Yes
07/26/13 PA Regular $14,800 86,742 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
07/23/13 OHIO Lease $13,900 89,747 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
08/07/13 HAWAII Regular $17,750 90,179 Above SILVER 6G A Yes
07/31/13 NJ Regular $14,600 95,775 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
07/31/13 NY Regular $13,200 113,026 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
07/18/13 SO CAL Regular $16,250 115,714 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
08/07/13 PITTSBGH Regular $13,500 115,738 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
 
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