Not sure about 4th Gen prices, I guess autotrader.ca is a good source for used cars. Or maybe Kijiji - buying used cars is always a lottery - it hard to say how well vehicle was maintained and how hard it was driven. Rust might be another issue here in Ontario. especially if you looking at 10+ years vehicle.

About not seeing 4Runners - they are not very common truck in general, you can drive for weeks not seeing a single 4Runner - new or old. Most of the people prefer crossovers or small SUVs - especially in cities.

Can't also recommend any garage in Toronto, I use my local mechanic, but aside of maintenance I had just one issue so far with rusted park/neutral sensor. I found what needs to be done and took it to mechanic since winter was cold and I didn't want to deal with rusted bolts : )

4Runners are commonly seen in Toronto, but not as often as RAV4s.
It's a good reliable vehicle, so no much service needed except maintenance.
Where are you in the city. I may recommend a mechanic

Thanks, scanny.

Yes, I suppose rust, and not ruining the diffs. are the only two things I am worried about.

I have had a couple of recommendations so far, for mechanics, but only one of them in Toronto, proper.

Still, nothing is dissuading me - I am sure that the 4Runner is the way to go for me.

Thanks for this, AlexJet,
Interesting, I see RAV4's all the time, and a few old Honda Pilots, but not any older 4Runners (see new ones, though).

Onto the more serious issue, I am glad to hear you say what I have read and heard so many people (here and elsewhere) say, which is that the 4Runner is reliable, and does not need much service other than maintenance.

You know that these vehicles are good when virtually everybody has a very positive impression of them, and for the same reasons as each other.

I am in the Bathurst and St. Clair area, and have heard about a good garage in the Runnymede and Dundas West area, which is within comfortable reach.

Apparently they have experience with 4Runners.

Once I have the car, I certainly do not mind going a ways - also heard about a good mechanic at Marlee and Eglinton, but do not know if he has any experience with 4Runners.

I also used to take my ex-girlfriend's Corolla to a mechanic near her in the Main and Danforth area, and he was very good, but I would prefer to not have to go that far.

In the 4th gen, the V6 come with 2WD and 4WD mode whereas the v8 only comes 4WD i.e. you can't switch it to 2WD.

I have had both v6 and v8 option and my suggestion would be to stick with the v8 even if you are going to drive in the city all the time. 2005+ v8 would be by choice as well. The added torque in the v8 and especially in the VVT model is far more fun and enjoyable than the sluggish v6. I remember driving a v6 after driving the v8 and it felt like a 4cyl.

That said, I drove my v8 past 340K and never had an issue with the 4WD. In fact, it is more reliable in 4WD as the power goes to all 4 corners which definitely helps with traction. What you might be thinking of is driving it in LOW mode which is not meant for pavement driving at more than 40km/h speeds.

When the 4runner is loaded, you will wish you had a v8 when passing traffic as it doesn't hesitate at all. The v6 is 5th gen feels much more responsive than v6 in 4th gen.

I would tend not to agree with you.
I had v8 and then v6 and I prefer the v6. Actually in 16 years of owing the v6 I may be had 1 or 2 occasions of missing the torque of the v8, especially when was doing heavy towing (6500 lbs) in PA mountains. Even my vehicle has ARB front, CBI rear and full armor, it around 700 lbs heavier then stock. So if you do not planning on heavy towing, v6 is adequate in my opinion. In addition to that v6 with 2WD/4WD selection would save 10-15% on fuel.
As of 4th and 5th Gen, I feel that my 5th Gen is not that responsive as my 4th Gen even the last one has significantly more km on the odometer, and with Full Time 4WD stock 5th Gen takes roughly the same gas consumption as modified 4th Gen in 2WD mode.
My personal experience and my thoughts.

Hi sidhusaab and AlexJet,
Thanks for your replies.

Excited to join, just purchased a new 4Runner, located East GTA

And also if anyone is looking for a Cargo Liner for a 7 passenger, LMK

Attached Images

 

I’m sad to say. But since I moved to Toronto I’m finding myself having to sell my beloved runner.
1999
333000
Lifted
Sr5
No rust! Body and frame are solid. Currently registered in bc. But can cert
This is the first winter in Toronto
If interested: [email protected]
Open to offers

I seem to have opposite experience in this example as well. My 5th gen limited seems more refined and quicker than the v6 in 4th gen. I should also add that my experience on the v6 is limited to a test drive and my memory from a few years ago. Switching seats between the two same day - the v8 felt a lot quicker and hoon ready not that hooning is the right purpose. Its possible the v6 i test drove was not maintained like it should have been but i still miss the acceleration of the v8 today.

On another note, does anyone know if the newer (2019) 5gens have different immobilizer/enhanced security over earlier models? More specifically around the keys and revolving codes between the key chip and the immobilizer.

Hi all,

New to this forum.
Just wanted to say hi and ask if anyone knows of good 4Runner off road clubs in the Toronto area and good trails to hit?

Appreciate the feedback and hope everyone is doing well! 🙂

I’m from the GTA!

What Gen do you have?
What kind of mods and how well are prepared to take the wilderness?

check this website (just navigate to the trail info section), it gives a nice breakdown of the classification of trail ratings and locations. I plan to check out some of those trails this summer

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