Hello, everyone ! Trying to decide which year of the 4th gen to buy and I am leaning towards 06 on up. Tried some searches to compare the options on the different packages SR5, SR5 Sport(?) and Limited trim packages. I would use the vehicle very little in the summer and as my main vehicle in the winter with some light towing (two snowmobiles). So, I would like a tow package and for some reason the searches do not show heated seats as equipment ? Please give me your thoughts Thanks Chuck S.
Which year to buy ?
- Thread starter Vmax540
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WXman
New member
My opinion would be a late '03 or any '04 model.
Pros:
MUCH less expensive to purchase
Same vehicle as a '09 without the cost
Fewer electronic nannies and things to fail
No VVT on the V8 which means a simpler engine design
Cheaper to insure
Arguably better looking
No air injection on the engine to fail at a cost of hundreds
Pros:
MUCH less expensive to purchase
Same vehicle as a '09 without the cost
Fewer electronic nannies and things to fail
No VVT on the V8 which means a simpler engine design
Cheaper to insure
Arguably better looking
No air injection on the engine to fail at a cost of hundreds
wnelax04sr5
New member
any vehicle with leather should have heated seats as an option, so look for leather if you want heated seats. if looks are of the most importance to you, 06-09 is the way to go. the projector headlights, restyled grill and fog lights, different fenders, and led taillights are all things i wish my 04 had. if you're just using it to tow 2 snowmobiles and as a winter vehicle, and looks aren't that important, an 03-05 are good choices. everyone that has a v8 loves it, but the v6 owners don't look at their 4runners with regret because they didn't get the v8. the v6 is a potent engine with lots of torque, and is perfectly capable of pulling two sleds. shop around, take some test drives, and you'll find that you want a 4runner regardless of year.
oljedi11950
New member
My 2 09 se v8 I mean if you're asking !
MikeFrazier
New member
I agree with WXman! There is no argue they look much better, more aggressive, and they are cheaper! An 03 or 04 v8 would still run like a dream to this day! Take the 05 into consideration too.
:shrug: Not sure what you mean ?
wnelax04sr5
New member
im gonna guess if he had the chance to buy any 4th gen, it would be an 09 sport edition
Robs08Runner
New member
No wrong choice for ya. Just pick one that you and your wallet both like. Just find one that runs nice and has been maintained.
Mike07SE
New member
Depends on what you want.
03-05 - Will be cheaper. Do you like this design?
06-09 - Do you like the refreshed design better? I personally liked this better with the projector headlamps and LED tails (which can always be added to the older models).
If I were in the market for another 4th Gen I'd be looking for an '08+. Not much changed in the 06-09 timeframe, but that year they started to at least add the VSC off switch. Not having it can be a PITA at times in inclement weather and offroad.
Check this link out. This should give you the hard facts on the MY changes during the 4th Gen's lifecycle.
4Runner
03-05 - Will be cheaper. Do you like this design?
06-09 - Do you like the refreshed design better? I personally liked this better with the projector headlamps and LED tails (which can always be added to the older models).
If I were in the market for another 4th Gen I'd be looking for an '08+. Not much changed in the 06-09 timeframe, but that year they started to at least add the VSC off switch. Not having it can be a PITA at times in inclement weather and offroad.
Check this link out. This should give you the hard facts on the MY changes during the 4th Gen's lifecycle.
4Runner
Last edited:
-Awesome link Thank you !
-"the VSC off switch" = tell me more and can this be added to older models ?
Mike07SE
New member
VSC = Vehicle Stability Control.
In a sense it's traction control. In limited traction scenarios the computer will manipulate the brakes & throttle to control an out of control scenario (spinning wheels, out of control manuevers ie. fishtailing, etc). On the 03-07's they didn't have a defeat switch which was added in '08. So it's always there as a nanny and only turns off when the truck is locked in 4HL or 4LL. It is good to have like I mentioned before.
There is a work around that a member Kliv has come up with. It works fairly well for what it is from other member's feedback. Here's a link to the thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...8882-new-fine-grained-vsc-off-mod-v6-1gr.html
In a sense it's traction control. In limited traction scenarios the computer will manipulate the brakes & throttle to control an out of control scenario (spinning wheels, out of control manuevers ie. fishtailing, etc). On the 03-07's they didn't have a defeat switch which was added in '08. So it's always there as a nanny and only turns off when the truck is locked in 4HL or 4LL. It is good to have like I mentioned before.
There is a work around that a member Kliv has come up with. It works fairly well for what it is from other member's feedback. Here's a link to the thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/engin...8882-new-fine-grained-vsc-off-mod-v6-1gr.html
Martinjmpr
New member
05-up...
If you are getting a V-6 you would probably want at least an '05. The 03-04 V6's had the older, 4 speed auto, while the 05+ got the 5 speed. The 5 speed is a great transmission and will probably yield better MPG than the 4 speed in the earlier V6 models.
As for the looks, I really like the '06+ refresh. LED taillights, removing the useless lower taillights, moving the front turn signals up to the parking lights, and the more rounded off wheel wells look better IMO. I think the flat-colored cladding on the 03 models is hideous. The only good thing about the earlier models is that you can get an '03 in Imperial Jade Mica (Dark green) which is my favorite color. Unfortunately, '03 is the only year it was offered.
If you are getting a V-6 you would probably want at least an '05. The 03-04 V6's had the older, 4 speed auto, while the 05+ got the 5 speed. The 5 speed is a great transmission and will probably yield better MPG than the 4 speed in the earlier V6 models.
As for the looks, I really like the '06+ refresh. LED taillights, removing the useless lower taillights, moving the front turn signals up to the parking lights, and the more rounded off wheel wells look better IMO. I think the flat-colored cladding on the 03 models is hideous. The only good thing about the earlier models is that you can get an '03 in Imperial Jade Mica (Dark green) which is my favorite color. Unfortunately, '03 is the only year it was offered.
Those are pretty hard to find.
I believe the '06 and up V8 has more power than the previous years.
oljedi11950
New member
Sorry my 2 cents , all the things everyone said but we have to modify ours on the 05 & back .
