Test drove another 5th gen...just couldn't buy it

[Cam009]

Test drove another 5th gen... just couldn't buy it

I keep hearing about how the 5th gen has this terrible interior materials. Yes it isn't plush like my wife's buick or a 460 but I'm not sure I want my truck to be plush. I look at the materials and think, durable. I think it is the same case as always when reviewing cars. We penalize cars for being what they are not without judging them for what they are. Would a poss leather dash with woodgrain be nice sure but not for how I will use the vehicle. Toyota made an effort to get the 4runner back to being a truck with truck buyers driving it.

 

[scott78945]

What's wrong with the 2005? If you don't like the 5th, don't buy one and risk regret later. Are you just really hard-up for a new truck?

I love the 4th gens. I would have bought one, but they hold their value so well, I bought a new 5th for only $2k-3k more than a low mile used 4th would have cost. Now that I have my 5th, I'm glad I did it. However, they are very different vehicles than the 4ths. The fifth is less refined than the 4th gen in about every way, except the 5th is much quieter on the highway. The 5th's second row seat is also more spacious/ comfortable. To be honest, the 5th gen reminds me more of my 2005 Tacoma than my dad's 2004 4runner. As a matter of fact, the first thing my wife said when I brought home the new 4runner is "this is just like your pickup....it even sounds the same". Since I loved my Tacoma, but had to upgrade for a new baby :reddance:, it was a perfect fit for me.

The 4runner is not a refined pseudo-luxury SUV anymore (Thats the GX 460's job). I think of it as a Tacoma-SUV with a quieter ride and more luxury features (leather, heated power seats, bluetooth, ipod connectivity, sunroof). If I can have all this in a package as tough/ reliable as my Taco was, I'll forgive the minor quirks.

I think you'll find most guys (and gals) on the forum bought their 4runner primarily because of its combination of rugged capability and reputation for reliability. We all knew there were more refined vehicles out there, but chose reliability and longevity instead. On that note: Toyota obviously did some cost-cutting on the 5th gen. and that's OK. Let's hope for their sake they didn't cut back on quality of construction or they might lose all of their loyal customers. I, like many on t4r.org, bought my truck expecting to keep it for the long-haul and use it as intended. I hope the new 4runners keep the legend alive. Only time will tell.

:cheers:

Its not that I don't like the 5th gen I was just a little surprised by it as the 4th was my first Toyo. I am getting rid of my 2005 as I have already had to replace half of my X-reas suspension at the tune of $2,500 and another portion isn't doing so good either. I would have to dump money into that and its beginning to rust. I want to trade it in and get as much as I can for it now before it starts having real problems. I am also getting the itch to drive something new as well as I have been driving this gen for 8 years, I had a 2003 V6 prior to the 2005 V8. Time for something new. I was surprised about the X-reas as I only have 61K on it. I was told that the Central NY winters are killing it with all the salt that is used here. Unsure if this is the truth but this is what they say.

 

[jsun_2k]

Scott,
This is my fifth, 4 runner. I've previously had 2 3rd gen's (my 97 limited and my 2001 sport), 2 4th gens (2005, and 2006. The 2005 was totaled when an idiot decided a stop sign was optional), and now my 1st 5th. I can tell you, initially going from the 3rd to the 4th was wierd to me, but within months, it had become as comfortable, and as familiar as my 3rd. When I got the 5th, initially, again, I felt like I was driving "someone else's truck" for the first month or so, but after things settled, again, it felt like home. 4Runner's, regardless of generation, are an excellent vehicle. I continue to trade up as the technology changes. My 3rd was great, my 4th added more space, my 5th is even bigger. Do I miss certain things from each one? You bet I do. Where did my automatic locking hatch go? Where did my ability to roll down my rear window go (with the fob)? BUT, I have new toys like "key? who needs a key? push the button and go". The point being, each generation will always delete or change something we've grown accustom to, but I think in the end, you will feel just as at home in the 5th, as you do in your 4th. I know I do.

I've now got 18,521 miles on my 5th, and I love it more every day!

can not agree more!

 

[odyrunner]

I was surprised about the X-reas as I only have 61K on it. I was told that the Central NY winters are killing it with all the salt that is used here. Unsure if this is the truth but this is what they say.

It makes somes sense. From what I see of the X-reas system, it is an interconnected hydraulic network between all 4 shock systems. This means it is not a fully "sealed" unit like a typical monotube strut\shock. It has connectors, fittings, and tube runs. I can see that really bad corrosive environments could inflitrate and cause that system problems. I would certainly be one to water hose down my undercarriage and those shocks if I lived and drove through that kind of mess daily.

 

[Jtraskell]

It makes somes sense. From what I see of the X-reas system, it is an interconnected hydraulic network between all 4 shock systems. This means it is not a fully "sealed" unit like a typical monotube strut\shock. It has connectors, fittings, and tube runs. I can see that really bad corrosive environments could inflitrate and cause that system problems. I would certainly be one to water hose down my undercarriage and those shocks if I lived and drove through that kind of mess daily.

Hence the problem Ody, not sure where you live, but I can guarantee you that rinsing off the salt in those winter time temps is not a option. Unless of course you want your vehicle (and anything around it) to become an ice sculpture!

 

[Koz]

When XREAS fails you get aftermarket shocks, you do not replace with OEM.

Koz

 

[DocMT]

When XREAS fails you get aftermarket shocks, you do not replace with OEM.

Koz

I'm probably going to replace my entire XREAS system with new components if/when my XREAS system fails. I know it's expensive, but I love the way my '04 Sport drives/handles with XREAS. Aftermarket shocks will not give me the same combination of ride/handling as my XREAS system. I can get wholesale pricing on factory Toyota parts, so that will help.

In the meantime, my 4Runner's XREAS system has been perfect since the day I took it home from the dealership seven years ago. No leaks, no issues at all.

 

[Dlak]

I'm probably going to replace my entire XREAS system with new components if/when my XREAS system fails. I know it's expensive, but I love the way my '04 Sport drives/handles with XREAS. Aftermarket shocks will not give me the same combination of ride/handling as my XREAS system. I can get wholesale pricing on factory Toyota parts, so that will help.

In the meantime, my 4Runner's XREAS system has been perfect since the day I took it home from the dealership seven years ago. No leaks, no issues at all.

It all depends on the aftermarket suspension components you put on your truck. I dumped my xreas system a while ago and although it handled great, my truck handles even better with the aftermarket products. Even cornering is just as good but I will go out on a limb and say it is better. The mix of custom valved coilovers and all the polyurethane bushings really makes a difference!