Yup another Newbie has a couple ?

[jdunn5]

All,

Sold my VW Touareg and I'm thinking of buying a Sport 4 Runner 2008 2wd (florida car). I have been doing some research about the car, I thought I would ask the folks in this forum a couple questions.

1: What are the most common problems? elec mech interior etc.

2: Does it cost a lot of $ for maintenace?

Vwee has a interior problems and electrical problems:

Vwee cost stats:

VWee cost 250 to 60 $ a oil change visit.
Every 23 K it needs new Brakes in the front at 800$ a pop
all around brake 1600$.
All tires need R/R at 26K at 800$ a pop.

Thanks.

JD

 

[Butter_Runner]

i would have sold the toureg had it cost that much to maintian as well, i'll let someone else chime in on maintanence costs b/c my t4r has 6k on it and hasn't been in the shop yet...

what i can tell you, comin from a current VW owner is that the interior controls are much different than toyota, for the better IMO, but will take some getting used to...stupid things like pushing the wipers down to go on seem to mess me up everytime, i'm always pushing the damn thing up like in the VW...i commute with the jetta so i'm more used to the VW controls but like the toyota feel better if that makes sense.

and $250 for an oil change visit is just absurd, did you get a massage with that or something, lol j/k :bigok:

 

[00void]

i haven't had to take my 4Runner in yet for anything other than routine maintenance (oil changes, etc). Oil changes are about $30+/- depending where you go.

first set of tires lasted about 20+k miles or so, but i drive the truck like i stole it 70% of the time. the tires i got were $600 for all four, but if i went with Revo's, (thankfully i didn't given we haven't had a bad winter in almost 2 years) they would have been $800 for all four.

 

[2maxxx]

I drove my 3rd gen 128,000 miles and did not ever do the brakes. In fairness, it was a 5 gear, and my old man brought me up to use proper down-shifting to slow down. When I sold the 3rd gen, it burned not a drop of oil and was perfect in my opinion. The only thing I replaced in it was a battery and a starter.
My 4th gen now has 68,000 mi on it, and I may have to put brake pads on it, and I may change the rotors, it has the slightest shimmy when braking. I'm not surprised by this because it's automatic, (but i still slow down manually by down-shifting the auto tranny). Oil changes and grease, I do myself, although in the winter I found a shop that charges me $10 to do the work and I supply the synthetic and filter. Other than that, nothing other than the little door latch on the console cubby by the shifter doesn't latch any longer and is permanently open.

 

[rook]

you will find similar expenses if you follow the dealers "recommended services" which are a bunch of fluff added in to a routine service interval to pad the bill. For the most part, it is oil change, tire rotation, prop shaft lube and the occasional air and cabin filter (which are cheap)

http://smg.toyotapartsandservice.com/ws/

this will take you to the recommended services and intervals for all toyotas, you just plug in the vehicle

 

[sbbamafan]

My 06 SR5 V6 is getting close to 50,000 miles

I have never had a car that came close to being this trouble free, granted I really never looked at predicted maintenance costs. Otherwise I would not have bought about 1/2 of my previous cars.

As of 47,000miles - I am on the orignal tires which I may replace this weekend. I have changed oil every 5k. I have done it myself, although if you pay more than $30 you are getting screwed. I changed front brake pads at about 42,000. Rears look they will likely last 100,000. I replaced the CHMSL at about 30,000 - less than $5 and 5 minutes. I now have burned out light bulb above my license plate - another $3 and 5 minutes. NOTHING else has happened.

I have to admit that when I got the 4Runner I wasnt really thrilled; it just kind of seemed to fit my needs the best. The more I drive it and the longer I own it the more I love it. It is the first car I have imagined wanting to own forever just to see how many miles it can go...I usually get the 'itch' every 3-4 years to change. My son turns 14 next month and is just hoping I change my mind in 2 more years. It is his first car dream car. I doubt he will have a chance at that time.

Hey 2maxxx - why not turn your rotors. I am assuming at your miles you have not done so yet. It is a waste to just replace them. Rotors are made to be turned at least once or twice - it really depends on the 'runout' measurement at the time.

 

[charlier180]

1: What are the most common problems? elec mech interior etc.

2: Does it cost a lot of $ for maintenace?

Vwee has a interior problems and electrical problems:

Vwee cost stats:

VWee cost 250 to 60 $ a oil change visit.
Every 23 K it needs new Brakes in the front at 800$ a pop
all around brake 1600$.
All tires need R/R at 26K at 800$ a pop.

JD, sounds ike you had a 2004 or 2005 Touareg?

I looked at the 2004 Touaregs and the 4Runner.
My research indicated that the Touareg cost roughly TWICE as much to maintain as the 4Runner.
Back in 2004 I visited a few Touareg and 4Runner forums and found more interesting information.
For every 1 owner complaint about the 4Runner there were 20-25 complaints about the Touareg.
VERY interesting when you consider 4Runners outsold Touaregs by a 3 to 1 margin that year.

Problems: In the last 4 years my 4Runner has not had any problems so I cannot help you there.

Maintenance Costs: Most of my maintenance visits (5K, 10K, 20K & 25K) were basically oil changes
and some lubrication which usually cost $30-40 a visit. The 15K visit was a little more involved and cost about $105.
Be advised that your maintenance costs might vary based on your dealer and how you drive.

Brakes & Tires: Still on the originals but my 4Runner has low mileage for it's age.

Parts Prices: Both front wipers for the 4Runner cost $20 at the Toyota Dealer and less from other sources.

BTW, one thing you will notice when reading other threads on this site is that the 4Runner appears to get better real world
mileage than the Touareg does. Then again the 4Runner is around 700-800 pounds lighter than the Touareg and some
4Runner models are not full time 4WD both of which can make a difference in MPG.

 

[jdunn5]

First

Thanks for all for the info!

Charlie your are right, I had a 2004 T VW and at the time of purchase there were no forums available, heck you could not even buy wipers for the pig off the internet or a local dealer (should have saw the light then). In any case I believe that toyota has a good reputation and the 4 runner will tow my 1980 Boston Whaler like a charm.

Thanks to all again!

By the way th 4 runner holds two mountain bikes upright too without the front wheels. (the dealer thought I was nuts when brought a bike to test if it would fit)

I asked my local dealer to locate a sport editon 2w drive red and with black/grey interior.

Friday is the day I pick it up.


Cheers to all.

JD