fiercefoxie
New member
Yea the mpgs may be true but it's probably no different regarding my Sequoia, i.e. I can claim I am getting 16 mpgs but maybe it's only getting 13 or 14.
Also, I am not selling or buying through a dealer.
What's a single mom to do?
- Thread starter fiercefoxie
- Start date
Yea the mpgs may be true but it's probably no different regarding my Sequoia, i.e. I can claim I am getting 16 mpgs but maybe it's only getting 13 or 14.
Also, I am not selling or buying through a dealer.
Doesn't matter. You will have to pay CA state sales tax regardless of where you bought it when you go to register it at DMV.
so, assuming a $6k 4Runner purchase = $510 sales tax @ DMV (assuming 8.5% local tax rate)
And with the fuel tank size in the 3rd gen 4Runner... you'll be hard pressed to see much more than 300 miles out of a tank, so you'll be going to the gas station more often to fill up.
dirtbike250x
New member
From what I'm getting out of this, my advice would be sell the Sequoia at the best price you can, get a 99+ 4Runner. Hopefully getting the 4Runner for equal to or less than what you got for the Sequoia.
Even if the mpg is fairly equal between the two, you'll have some extra cash from selling the Sequoia (given that you bought the 4Runner for less than what you got from the Sequoia).
Then just drive the 4Runner as fuel efficiently as possible. Either way, just think, what's better than driving a 4Runner. :thumb:
Even if the mpg is fairly equal between the two, you'll have some extra cash from selling the Sequoia (given that you bought the 4Runner for less than what you got from the Sequoia).
Then just drive the 4Runner as fuel efficiently as possible. Either way, just think, what's better than driving a 4Runner. :thumb:
DeadMoney44
New member
First, I love my 4Runner and would not trade it. But mpg is not top of my priority list. If I were in your position I would get a Subaru Forester or Outback.
We have had at least one Subaru in our family since 1984. We currently have two. They are every bit as reliable as any Toyota, have a good amount of room, are unbeatable in the snow and respectable on forest service roads. You will get 22/26 mpg and are up off the ground more than any sedan.
Just my 2cents
We have had at least one Subaru in our family since 1984. We currently have two. They are every bit as reliable as any Toyota, have a good amount of room, are unbeatable in the snow and respectable on forest service roads. You will get 22/26 mpg and are up off the ground more than any sedan.
Just my 2cents
snivilous
Senior Member
More often to fill up yes, but that doesn't mean she will be paying more per month for gas.
Word^
If you want a 4Runner then get a 4Runner. You obviously can afford the Sequoia but want a 4Runner and hopefully get better mpgs, which you will and you will have the vehicle you want.
I would also get the V6, everyone is saying the 4 banger gets great mileage and 2WD will yield even better etc. You can pull at least 16mpg all day with just normal driving and not trying to be conservative with the V6. Personally, I would want the extra power of the V6 which most people already think is way underpowered so I would even guess how the 4 feels. And I doubt 2WD gets that much more, if any, mpgs than a 4WD.
Though I also wouldn't drive a 2WD and try to go fast
Good luck with your choice!
LittleCaesar
New member
Having a sister who was a single mom and went back to nursing school to become a neonatal nurse while first driving a Ford Expedition, she got smart and sold it, bought herself a used CRV, driving it for eight years before selling it when she got married again.
Now granted her round trip commute was only 50 miles each. We figured she saved about $3000 yearly based on MPGs, less insurance costs, and repairs were cheaper on the CRV.
If I were in your shoes and having to monitor your pennies, sell the Sequoia, and buy a small, but reliable 4cyl SUV, crossover, etc. Once you attain the degree, find a good job and then buy your 4runner.
Now granted her round trip commute was only 50 miles each. We figured she saved about $3000 yearly based on MPGs, less insurance costs, and repairs were cheaper on the CRV.
If I were in your shoes and having to monitor your pennies, sell the Sequoia, and buy a small, but reliable 4cyl SUV, crossover, etc. Once you attain the degree, find a good job and then buy your 4runner.
lilsid112
New member
I currently have a 99 4 cylinder 2wd and my milage isn't the greatest. I usually average 14/18 which is almost what I get in my 5th gen. In my opinion I'd just keep the sequoia. If you've had the car for nine years then you know how it was driven, and maintained. Getting into a 14 yr old 4runner with xxx,xxx miles will need some what of an over haul to give you the piece of mind for the milage you drive. For example the entire cooling system, lower ball joints, water pump, belts, etc.
BrianSD_42
New member
To the original question of .... Whats a single mom to do?
Buy a used 2010 Prius. I bet you can find one for around $12k.
They are pretty nice and the gas MPG is great. Reliability is awesome as well.
Buy a used 2010 Prius. I bet you can find one for around $12k.
They are pretty nice and the gas MPG is great. Reliability is awesome as well.
Singtoe
New member
I'll put in my two cents. The op Is use to driving the sequoia. It was more power then the 4runner.
She will driver the 4runner harder to maintain the current driving habits. Getting up to speed, on ramps, hills, stop lights and passing.
Because of this, the gas mileage for the 4runner will be worse then the sequoia.
She will driver the 4runner harder to maintain the current driving habits. Getting up to speed, on ramps, hills, stop lights and passing.
Because of this, the gas mileage for the 4runner will be worse then the sequoia.
Justin727
New member
Very possible!
I get close to 300 miles to a tank and that's a mix between city and hwy driving to work, home, gym, and where I go on the weekends.
How many miles on the Seq? When was the last time the plugs were changed?
Or the timing belt?
I look at it this way. You don't want a big SUV anymore and really like 3rd gen 4runner because it's smaller then the Seq and not as small as a Rav4. If it will fit you better no matter how little a difference it is in fuel savings just get it. Get a 99+ V6.
I told myself my next 3rd gen would be 4wd but @ the price I got my current 3rd gen for I'd been a fool to pass it up.
I've owned both 4cyl (5spd) and V6. I don't remember how good my gas mileage was before I lifted it and put on larger wheels and tires BUT it had to be close to what I'm getting now because I'm not noticing the difference at all.
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fiercefoxie
New member
The Sequoia has 148k miles. I have to replace the timing belt and will probably do so next month (it has been advised as of my last oil change). Honestly, I haven't changed the spark plugs...ever. My ex bf said he would do so but that was months ago and I just haven't done so since he offered. I had other important things like I recently replaced a cracked manifold and then my throttle bottle was dirty and only found out when I took it to the dealer because the engine would die on me whenever I stopped at a signal.
JWaldz
Moderator
A lot of people have thrown in some good comments and suggestions here. I wanted to show you this and maybe make you understand how much people chalk the mpg up in these rigs. From the factory, these things didn't see spectacular gas mileage. Here's the proof.
image is from a user on this forum.. This is from a 2002, the last year model made in the 3rd generation.
Here's from a 2000 Highlander edition
image is from a user on this forum.. This is from a 2002, the last year model made in the 3rd generation.
Here's from a 2000 Highlander edition
Tommy4Runner
New member
I agree with the comment above about the 4cylinder 4runner, I wouldn't even consider one, the 3.4L is already underpowered in these rides, cannot imagine going to something worse. And you would be really disappointed going from a 4.7L V8 to a 2.7L. But honestly these 4Runners are not too bad on gas, I have a 2000 4x4 3.4L and will get around 21 on the highway and about 18 average but most of my driving is more freeway. I work at a car dealership and have demo'd a couple Sequoias for the weekend before getting the 4Runner and they were gas pigs, they were averaging in the low teens like 13-14!!
Quatre Coureur
New member
My 2 cents FWIW... Get a used Prius or Corolla. You've got a LOT of commuting and these vehicles will save u a LOT of money. If u have to have an SUV then seriously consider a RAV4. They're very roomy, economical, reliable and u said its just u and ur 11yr old. Should be perfect for ur needs. Good luck!
Justin727
New member
You're well over the timing belt and spark plug service on your Seq. Once these are done with some BG44k fuel additive you should see an improvement in fuel mileage if you in fact decide to keep the Seq. Especially since the Throttle body has been clean. Do you also change the air filter regularly? When I had a 1st gen Tundra non VVTi on the hwy I was getting right below or over 400 miles to a 22 gallon tank if I remember correctly. Mid to high teen's in town. This was back in 04-05 era so I can't get anymore specific then that.
On top of that you've got a NON VVTI SEQ as I was with my Tundra that has regular plugs(non platinum) in it. 60,000 service intervals are on those I do believe so you're way over on that and I'm positive that's killing your fuel mileage.
EDIT: THEY ARE 30,000 INTERVALS. So since you haven't done this @ all and assuming you've had the truck new or with lower miles this should have been done a long time ago. This can be a huge contributor to you fuel mileage in this V8 truck of yours. Along with the fuel filter. I just don't ever remember getting that bad of fuel mileage in my Lifted Tundra with bigger wheels and tires.
People she has already said she doesn't want a sedan and of course anything smaller then a camry. She's not wanting to save tons of money in fuel cost and doesn't want something as small as a prius.
She wants a smaller SUV but not too small that still helps her save a few dollars in gas.
Like I've said and others have said. A 99+ V6 3rd gen will be what you want. I've got an 01 Limited and I couldn't be happier. Of course I could if it was 4wd but I'm not complaining (yet).
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tee-bone
New member
I think the consensus is that you won't save any money, and there are cheaper alternatives.
But the consensus doesn't have to make your drives!
I think everyone here agrees with you in your high opinion of the Gen3 4Runner. And it sounds like you'll be able to move from your current ride to the 4R and save about enough coin to pay for the transaction, and probably for some or all of the maintenance you'll need for the 4R. I would suggest that you will probably get between 275 and 325 miles out of a fill-up if you get a V6. The tank really doesn't have 18 usable gallons; it is much more common to see 15 to 16 gallons getting used due to how low the gauge reads, and because the gas pickup is located in a spot that can't fully empty the tank.
There are good threads here on the care and feeding of G34Rs; I would point out that the items I would particularly pay attention to are as follows:
Good luck and welcome to the club! We really do think 3G4Rs are a pretty perfect blend of on and off road capability, with some pretty stunning reliability (especially in the no-salt Central Valley). I would try to find a rig that has lived its whole life in Cali to make it less likely you'll have to deal with rust; and then I would still inspect the frame by poking it with a screwdriver, especially in the rear above the axle.
But the consensus doesn't have to make your drives!
I think everyone here agrees with you in your high opinion of the Gen3 4Runner. And it sounds like you'll be able to move from your current ride to the 4R and save about enough coin to pay for the transaction, and probably for some or all of the maintenance you'll need for the 4R. I would suggest that you will probably get between 275 and 325 miles out of a fill-up if you get a V6. The tank really doesn't have 18 usable gallons; it is much more common to see 15 to 16 gallons getting used due to how low the gauge reads, and because the gas pickup is located in a spot that can't fully empty the tank.
There are good threads here on the care and feeding of G34Rs; I would point out that the items I would particularly pay attention to are as follows:
- pink milkshake (radiator replacement or external trans cooler)
- LBJ replacement (critical safety issue)
- The "buyer's thread" including especially looking for frame rust
Good luck and welcome to the club! We really do think 3G4Rs are a pretty perfect blend of on and off road capability, with some pretty stunning reliability (especially in the no-salt Central Valley). I would try to find a rig that has lived its whole life in Cali to make it less likely you'll have to deal with rust; and then I would still inspect the frame by poking it with a screwdriver, especially in the rear above the axle.
Greg_Canada
New member
Honestly, buy a scangauge 2 and use that. Your MPG will go up 2-3 mpg once you know how much fuel your engine is using. You can "see" you real time MPG, and correlate it to TPS and back off the gas enough to maintain speed, yet get better MPG.
My SG2 has helped me go from 17 to 19mpg average in the 99'. I have even returned 24mpg on long road trips, where prior to the SG2 my best road trip mileage was 21.
My SG2 has helped me go from 17 to 19mpg average in the 99'. I have even returned 24mpg on long road trips, where prior to the SG2 my best road trip mileage was 21.
Limbwalker
New member
Buy a beater 4 cyl car AND the 4runner. win/win
fiercefoxie
New member
Yea, I'm thinking v6 too.
Finally someone understands my pain in the Sequoias mpgs. lol
I am sure I could have better maintenance on the sequoia that would have helped with my mpgs. Thanks for the input.
I regretted not getting my Sequoia with 4x4 but settled for a 2wd at the time because I was mainly going to be city driving and I honestly didn't care about off-roading with it and occasional snow trips didn't cross my mind back then because my ex husband and I just weren't the outdoorsy type. We bought it for the soul purpose of it being the "family" car because I refused to be a mini-van mom. But since I have been a single mom for many years with it now, I have thoroughly regretted not getting a 4x4. Well, and I should have sold it probably 7 years ago and just got a 4-runner back then. I kid you not, for the past few years when I see 4-runner pass me, I am soooo envious because I miss mine so much. The Sequoia has been an awesome ride and honestly even with my low maintenance attempts, she has been extremely reliable but its not the same.
