V6 vs. V8 vs. Sequoia

[sorexcuse]

Hi folks, new to this forum but not to 4 Runners. Have owned 6 of them so far (gen 1's and gen 2's) and considering lucky number 7 possibly.

I have a family of 5 (me, my wife, 3 daughters - 10, 8, 4). She has a minivan for in town but it's not much off road. My current ride, a 99 diesel Suburban is not working out for us any more. So I'm back!

I need a rig for taking the family (including Ol' Useless, our 70 lb Lab) most weekends to our fishing camp about an hour away, camping trips, trips to my Dad's hunting camp (2 miles of dirt road at best), towing a 19' fiberglass boat occasionally, and filling in my family truckster duties when needed. It will mainly serve as my daily driver, doing 15 miles or so one way to work. We live near Syracuse, NY so winter driving requires 4x4.

I'm cheap so 2004 is about as new as I am looking. Would prefer a third row seat, just in case they don't all fit in two. Have a roof carrier for essentials that will not fit inside.

Looking for the rig that will best fit the uses outlined and want to keep fuel consumption down if possible (read - I'm cheap).

Am looking at V6 4Runners, V8 4Runners and Sequoias. Any pros/cons/recommendations from those who have them would be appreciated. In real world driving, what is the MPG difference between the two 4Runners?

Thanks in advance.

Ken

 

[Bobcat Sig]

Have you considered a Landcruiser of the same vintage?

More features, bells & whistles, a better aftermarket and it is/was Toyota's flagship vehicle designed for 100s of thousands of miles of extreme duty. And you get a third row seat standard. It is also full-time 4 wheel drive.

 

[M1911]

Five people, a dog, and a bunch of stuff are going to be a mighty tight fit in a 4Runner, even with a cargo carrier on top. I'd go with the Sequoia.

Land Cruisers are great trucks, but stupidly expensive, even used.

 

[sorexcuse]

Thanks for the suggestions so far. Love the LandCruiser, but actually prefer the old body style. Just can't justify full time 4x4, the Sequoia actually gets better mileage. Also, did I mention I'm cheap, no way to pay for an LC.

 

[Bobcat Sig]

Five people, a dog, and a bunch of stuff are going to be a mighty tight fit in a 4Runner, even with a cargo carrier on top. I'd go with the Sequoia.

Land Cruisers are great trucks, but stupidly expensive, even used.

Actually, that's not quite true. I can speak to that correctly as I'm currently in the market for both a 4Runner and Landcruiser. Sure, Landcruisers when new are very expensive. But you can get 5 - 8 year old LC for less than you can get a 4th gen 4Runner. You'll also be getting way more cargo space and features.

That said, I would again recommend the LC and the Sequoia. While on the outside, they look similar, they are really two different vehicles. If you can, drive them both back to back to see which fits your needs and so you can make an informed decision.

If it were my money? I'd take the LC in a heartbeat.

 

[12guns]

If you're ok w/ a smaller vehicle go with the V6 4Runner and you'll see better MPG. If you want the larger size I personally would go with the Sequoia. You also will see about the same MPG as in the V8 4Runner. Maybe slightly less, but seems that I remeber a friend w/ a Sequioa getting about 17 on the highway. Land Cruisers are AWESOME, however you'll have to get on w/ 150k plus miles to make it affordable...I looked at them also before buying my 05' V8 4runner. If you have been ok w/ 4runners in the past you can get by with one again, however seems like it would be VERY cramped w/ all those bodies and a dog! I love my 4runner, but part of me wishes I went with the larger Sequoia as MPG wouldn't be much differenct and I would have considerably more room. Just my opinion.

 

[12guns]

Actually, that's not quite true. I can speak to that correctly as I'm currently in the market for both a 4Runner and Landcruiser. Sure, Landcruisers when new are very expensive. But you can get 5 - 8 year old LC for less than you can get a 4th gen 4Runner. You'll also be getting way more cargo space and features.

That said, I would again recommend the LC and the Sequoia. While on the outside, they look similar, they are really two different vehicles. If you can, drive them both back to back to see which fits your needs and so you can make an informed decision.

If it were my money? I'd take the LC in a heartbeat.

Sorry, I'll have to disagree. I also was just in the market and shopped all over for a LC. I ended up w/ a 05' Sport V8 4runner for 14500, 108k miles. Any LC that were less than $15k was with 180-200k miles on a 99'-2003. Sure you can find a LC for the same prices as a used 4runner, but it will be much older and or with more miles. LC's are AWESOME, and built to an entirely different standard. They are built like tanks and will last forever...BUT...they get very poor gas mileage and unless you get a V8 they are underpowered. Just what I've found. JMHO.

 

[Bobcat Sig]

Sorry, I'll have to disagree. I also was just in the market and shopped all over for a LC. I ended up w/ a 05' Sport V8 4runner for 14500, 108k miles. Any LC that were less than $15k was with 180-200k miles on a 99'-2003. Sure you can find a LC for the same prices as a used 4runner, but it will be much older and or with more miles. LC's are AWESOME, and built to an entirely different standard. They are built like tanks and will last forever...BUT...they get very poor gas mileage and unless you get a V8 they are underpowered. Just what I've found. JMHO.

I'm speaking of the previous generation Cruisers, often referred to as the 100 series. It only comes with the 4.7L V8 ... which incidentally gets the same mpg as the Sequoia.

I'm not sure where you were looking, but checking the major forums and craigslists around the west, I have found many private party sellers with sub-150k mileage for between $10k and $15k. For that matter, even those in the south were reasonably priced. In fact, there's one here locally with less than $100k for a steal.

But I guess perception is reality.

 

[tonybaloney]

it really depends on how often you have to pack this car to the max. it sounds like you can just take the minivan whenever you're doing in town trips. i think the runner has plenty of space for 2 adults and 3 kids + all the traveling goods. it also sounds like you don't like week long road trip.

i did my pack-to-the-max trip a couple of weekends ago for a tahoe ski trips. we managed to pack 5 adults, all our ski equipment (roof rack) and ski clothes in the trunk. it was tight but the car drove okay going 80+ mph. however, i didn't tow anything so it depends on how heavy your boat is.

it sounds like it'll be your daily driver 90% of time so you should really consider the mileage. i would vote for the runner so for the same price, you can get a newer runner instead of an older LC/SEQ. don't get me wrong, i love the LC/SEQ especially the new one. i think that'll be our next car when we're starting having kids and it's time to replace the runner.

 

[12guns]

I'm speaking of the previous generation Cruisers, often referred to as the 100 series. It only comes with the 4.7L V8 ... which incidentally gets the same mpg as the Sequoia.

I'm not sure where you were looking, but checking the major forums and craigslists around the west, I have found many private party sellers with sub-150k mileage for between $10k and $15k. For that matter, even those in the south were reasonably priced. In fact, there's one here locally with less than $100k for a steal.

But I guess perception is reality.

I was always under the impression that the Land Cruiser's were MUCH heavier? I'm pretty sure even the V8 gets 14 or 15 mpg on the highway, will a Sequoia get that bad? Either way, the LC will be several years older than the same-priced 4runner. Having said that one of the days I will be the proud owner of a Land Cruiser, just not right now.

 

[M1911]

I'm speaking of the previous generation Cruisers, often referred to as the 100 series. It only comes with the 4.7L V8 ... which incidentally gets the same mpg as the Sequoia.

I'm not sure where you were looking, but checking the major forums and craigslists around the west, I have found many private party sellers with sub-150k mileage for between $10k and $15k. For that matter, even those in the south were reasonably priced. In fact, there's one here locally with less than $100k for a steal.

From what I can find on autotrader, in my area Land Cruisers cost 50-100% more than similar vintage 4Runners and Sequoias.

 

[sorexcuse]

Just FYI, directly from the EPA - 2003 Model year:

Landcruiser - 12 city, 15 hwy, 13 avg.
Sequoia - 13 city, 16 hwy, 14 avg.
4Runner V8 - 14 city, 17 hwy, 15 avg
4Runner V6 - 15 city, 19 hwy, 17 avg

I know these are not what you would normally see, but it is a fair comparison. If prices were equal, LC wins for me, but in my area LC's bring a substantial premium over the others.

Leaning toward a 4Runner with the third seat if I can find one. Figure one third row seat down, the other out for trips, dog lays where the seat would go. Of course, open to other suggestions and will wait for a test drive!

Please keep opinions coming.

 

[M1911]

Leaning toward a 4Runner with the third seat if I can find one. Figure one third row seat down, the other out for trips, dog lays where the seat would go. Of course, open to other suggestions and will wait for a test drive!

Take your family with you for the test drive. I think you will find it quite cramped with 3 kids and a dog. Fine for a short trip to the mall, but not something you'd want to do for several hours. And with one kid in the 3rd row and the dog on the other side, you will have 0 room for luggage -- none, nadda, zippo.

 

[Tempsho]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but now that we are talking about Sequioa's, I have a couple comments/questions.

If you have 3 kids and a dog, I wouldn't even consider the 4Runner, not even for a second. Not that the 4Runners aren't nice, but I would definitely step into a Sequioa or a LC for the extra space. Drive both and look for a good deal. You'll find one eventually.

I know this is a 4Runner forum, but do you think it would be worth it to get the newer generation Sequioa? The 5.7L V8 is nice, makes more power, and it gets around the same MPG as the previous generation. Plus, it doesnt have a timing belt that has to be replaced every 90,000 miles. Obviously the newer generation is more money right now, but in the long run it might be worth it to spend the extra cash.

What's everybody elses opinion of the 1st gen vs 2nd gen Sequioa?

 

[Bobcat Sig]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but now that we are talking about Sequioa's, I have a couple comments/questions.

If you have 3 kids and a dog, I wouldn't even consider the 4Runner, not even for a second. Not that the 4Runners aren't nice, but I would definitely step into a Sequioa or a LC for the extra space. Drive both and look for a good deal. You'll find one eventually.

I know this is a 4Runner forum, but do you think it would be worth it to get the newer generation Sequioa? The 5.7L V8 is nice, makes more power, and it gets around the same MPG as the previous generation. Plus, it doesnt have a timing belt that has to be replaced every 90,000 miles. Obviously the newer generation is more money right now, but in the long run it might be worth it to spend the extra cash.

What's everybody elses opinion of the 1st gen vs 2nd gen Sequioa?

The 2nd gen is going to be markedly bigger - in every way. The engine, the interior, the towing, the size. It is a lot of vehicle. A lot. Hell, it just looks huge. If you need to haul insane amounts of stuff, the current gen Sequoia is your rig.

 

[Tempsho]

The 2nd gen is going to be markedly bigger - in every way. The engine, the interior, the towing, the size. It is a lot of vehicle. A lot. Hell, it just looks huge. If you need to haul insane amounts of stuff, the current gen Sequoia is your rig.

The 2nd Gen Sequioa is definitely a lot of SUV. Odly enough though, the 1st gen has more cargo room behind the 3rd row seats. The reason for that is that the 2nd gen has more leg room for the 2nd and 3rd row occupants. Hence less cargo room in the back.

 

[scottm]

Hard to make this choice for you. 4R is gonna be tight. In my '03 LC with six adults and a child in child seat, three hour drives work well. We added a 100-lb golden retriever last time, not so great. I wouldn't approach that in a 4R. The LC is an expensive tank, one of my family's few luxuries, but needs little attention. I use to have two LCs, but downsized to a 4R this time.

My older 80-series LCs were outstanding rigs, but they're getting older, hard to find one that doesn't need a fair bit of attention. If you can find one in good shape and have the time and skill to maintain it, it's an excellent choice.

Mileage is close from 4R to Sequoia to LC. Cars.com shows the '03 4x4 LC and Sequoia at 17mpg highway, and the 4R at 19mpg. Not enough to sway me.

My solution to your dilema is an '03 LC (5-speed transmission) for the wife, and the cheapest 4th-gen 4R I could find for me. Wife loves her LC, really loves it, and my family is well protected from bad drivers, meteors, werewolves, etc.

 

[tonybaloney]

Take your family with you for the test drive. I think you will find it quite cramped with 3 kids and a dog. Fine for a short trip to the mall, but not something you'd want to do for several hours. And with one kid in the 3rd row and the dog on the other side, you will have 0 room for luggage -- none, nadda, zippo.

luggage can go on the top of the car or in the back of the trailer

 

[IOP25]

I'm speaking of the previous generation Cruisers, often referred to as the 100 series. It only comes with the 4.7L V8 ... which incidentally gets the same mpg as the Sequoia.

I'm not sure where you were looking, but checking the major forums and craigslists around the west, I have found many private party sellers with sub-150k mileage for between $10k and $15k. For that matter, even those in the south were reasonably priced. In fact, there's one here locally with less than $100k for a steal.

But I guess perception is reality.

A 2005 LC is $10K or more than a 05 Sequoia/4Runner. With all the stuff you need to carry, I would go with a 05 Sequoia. The 05 had the improved V8 with 282 HP vs 240 in the 04.

Find Your Car: Toyota Sequoia Listings Near Syracuse, NY 13201 - AutoTrader.com

 

[IOP25]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but now that we are talking about Sequioa's, I have a couple comments/questions.

If you have 3 kids and a dog, I wouldn't even consider the 4Runner, not even for a second. Not that the 4Runners aren't nice, but I would definitely step into a Sequioa or a LC for the extra space. Drive both and look for a good deal. You'll find one eventually.

I know this is a 4Runner forum, but do you think it would be worth it to get the newer generation Sequioa? The 5.7L V8 is nice, makes more power, and it gets around the same MPG as the previous generation. Plus, it doesnt have a timing belt that has to be replaced every 90,000 miles. Obviously the newer generation is more money right now, but in the long run it might be worth it to spend the extra cash.

What's everybody elses opinion of the 1st gen vs 2nd gen Sequioa?

He said money is an issue so I doubt he wants to drop 50 G's on a new Sequoia.