Which would you buy?

J

jimithing

Member
Let's say you had these two cars to pick from, which would you choose?

Option #1 is a 2006 V8 SE with 73k miles. Sold by a Toyota dealership but it's not certified. 1 owner. Carfax looks clean. Located about 45 minutes from my house.

Option #2 is a 2007 V6 SE with 50k miles. Certified used. 1 owner. Carfax looks clean. Located about 1100 miles from my house so I'd have to fly out and drive it back or pay to have it shipped to me.

Option #2 is about $3500 more. I don't tow much so I don't know that I need the V8. On the other hand I'm not keen on finding a way to get option #2 to my house. What do you guys think?
 
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If you can swing the 07, I would go that route. Newer and less miles with Toyota Cert is better I think. I have an 07SE that I got in Feb with 63,000 miles and TC and love it. V6 has plenty of power - I am averaging about 20mpg in normal driving back and forth to work and better on hyway. I tow a 4x8 util trailer sometimes no problem.
good luck
 
Oh no, here we go again with the V8 vs. V6 talk again! Personally, I'd go with option #1. I like certified cars (I bought a certified Passat for my wife a few years ago and it was worth getting the CPO warranty as we used it a lot!) but we're talking about a Toyota here. I owned a 3rd Gen 4runner that had 188k miles on it and all I ever did to the truck was regular maintanence and put new brakes and tires on it. The 4th Gen is just as solid and buying a non-CPO runner wouldn't brake the deal for me. I'd make a list of the pro's and con's of each and weigh what works best for you.

One last thing, you will not regret getting the V8. Even if you don't tow (like me) the added "umph" is always nice to have and I like having an engine that doesn't struggle at all when my runner is loaded with gear and we're going to the mountain. I know the V6 is a great engine and would also work but I prefer the V8. Also, coming from a V8 Audi S4 I just couldn't resist the V8 in my runner. Good luck with your purchase!
 
Personally, I would go with #1.

  • Too much trouble getting the 2nd vehicle
  • 20k difference on the Odo's is really not much, but $3,500 is a pretty big portion of the total price
  • V8's gas mileage is not much worse than V6's, but sure is a lot more enjoyable to drive or tow with
  • Does being Toyota Certified mean you get additional warranty at no extra cost compared to a not Toyota Certified used vehicle? Keep in mind that without buying additional warranty, the basic manufacturer's warranties are the same. The only thing is that the 1st vehicle did just pass the 70k mark.
 
Option 2, but find one closer to the house. Less maintenance on the V6 and you get a 2WD mode that you don't get with the V8. Hopefully the timing belt has been changed on option 1, if not you will have to do that shortly. Just my dos centavos.
 
Option #1..

1. V8 - You can't go wrong. 4.7 is a proven performer over the years. Better resale value. If you ever want to tow its there.

2. Location - 45 minutes away. You can actually do a visual before you buy

3. One owner, carfax is clean

4. Toyota certified.. Yes its a nice item but you wouldn't buy a Toyota if you didn't trust it anyway. You're going to get a 30, 60, or 90 day warranty from the dealer you buy it from anyway.
 
Option 1:

PLUS full independent mechanical inspection (not done by the dealership for obvious reasons) Need to make sure the cv boots are in good shape, none of the brake pistons are seized, and there isn't any hidden damage.

It is so cool having the V8, I consider it a "collector's item" now.
 
my .02, I have the V8, and love the power, but its FULLTIME 4wd, that being said, do you want/need fulltime 4wd ?? the gas mile is better (so I hear) with the V6.
If I had to do it over again, Id get a 2005+ V6, but thats me lol
 
i vote v8. gas mileage is only different by like 1 or 2 mpg's. full time 4wd is nice, if you have a v6 you can put it into full time 4wd as well.

but the v8 is closer and cheaper
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still torn between the two of them. I'm replacing a 2007 SE that was totaled. I'm used to the V6 and I guess it's just comfortable to me.

I'm e-mailing the two dealers back and forth trying to get more details about the condition of both cars. I guess it's kind of hard to trust what a salesperson is telling you when they're just trying to make a sale. Do the V8's have any typical problems? Do I really need to worry about CV boots, the transmission or anything like that?
 
jimithing said:
Thanks for all the input guys. I'm still torn between the two of them. I'm replacing a 2007 SE that was totaled. I'm used to the V6 and I guess it's just comfortable to me.

I'm e-mailing the two dealers back and forth trying to get more details about the condition of both cars. I guess it's kind of hard to trust what a salesperson is telling you when they're just trying to make a sale. Do the V8's have any typical problems? Do I really need to worry about CV boots, the transmission or anything like that?
Click to expand...

The V8 is a tried and true engine. Only thing you have to do is change the timing belt and water pump at 90k miles. I think spark plugs are at 100k miles. I know in 2005 they updated the V8 with VVT so it has more hp and more torque. Also in 2005 they went to a 5-speed tranny which is smoother. I think either one is a good truck (depending on maintenance records). You won't be disappointed with the V8.
 
oops, mine bad. When I was researching my runner I thought I saw that. Maybe it was for the V6?

.....Ah, shananagins. Found it on Edmunds. It is the V6 that got the 5-speed in '05:

What's New for 2005

The base V6 now comes with a five-speed automatic, while the optional V8 has been upgraded to deliver 270-hp and 330 pound-feet of torque. A rollover sensor now comes with the optional head curtain airbag system. A limited-slip differential has been added to the stability control system. SR5 models now feature a chrome grille, color-keyed bumpers and black running boards, while the Sport model get a color-keyed grille. All Limiteds receive color-keyed bumpers, illuminated black running boards and a black roof rack.
 
Can you guys tell me if these spoilers are OEM or aftermarket? My last 4Runner didn't have one so I'm not familiar with them. This is from the 2006. It looks like the light is almost pointing down instead of towards the back.

9ljz88.jpg


This is from the 2007 and it looks like the light points more to the back.

106lehj.jpg



Is either one these functionally better than the other?
 
My 2 cents...

1) Buy the local V8 truck
2) Don't rely on Car Fax. It isn't worth the paper its printed on... A better record would be the service history from the dealer... If it was serviced there, they have it, and most will share it. It has WAY more information than Car Fax and is more likely to be right.
3) The V8 truck looks like it has better paint too from your pictures.
 
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