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Toyota 4Runner

11428 messages,  Last post on Apr 29, 2013 at 12:02 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota 4Runner, SUV

Messages Page 1101 of 1143

#11000 of 11428 Some purchasing input, please... by tnagle

Sep 21, 2005 (7:29 pm)

Replying to: kheintz1 (Sep 19, 2005 3:01 pm)
My wife and I are looking at an 2005 SR5 V6 4Runner which we will keep (knock on wood) for a minimum of 10 years.
 
We plan to put our kid (kids?) in the 3rd row only when we have a carful of adults, none of whom are game enough to fold themselves up in the back. If we had to have them in the back all of the time, I don't think we would go this route and would opt for the minivan instead.
 
V8 vs. V6. We might tow a small sailboat from time-to-time, probably not enough to merit the V8. Besides, aren't the V8 engines a fairly new thing? Seems like I just started seeing them this year...are we to believe (as the Toyota rep was trying to convince me) that the V6 doesn't provide enough power for towing or "serious" offroading?
 
(Side note: The dealer did not have any V6 4Runners on his lot. He also didn't have any Highlanders other than the 4x2 and was kind enough to let us know that they weren't real offroad vehicles anyway and we would be better off without the 4WD. I loved all this...if he hadn't had any 4x2s, I am sure the 4x4s would have been the only thing worth living for. )
 
We are living in Hawaii right now and one motivation for purchasing the Toyota now rather than waiting until we get back to the mainland in a year or two is that all the Toyotas here are actually manufactured in Japan. I have heard scuttlebutt that the Japanese made Toyotas are even better than the already excellent American made Toyotas. Does anyone have any comments on this notion?
 
Once we select a vehicle, I am basing my offer on the Consumer Reports New Car Buying kit information. I suspect that the prices here in Hawaii are higher than on the mainland, but don't know for sure. Anyone have any input? Obviously I want the best possible deal, so I need as much info as possible.
 
Gas was just under $4 / gallon here on Maui last week, thankfully a little lower this week. The Prius and other hybrids are practically jumping off the lots while the SUVs are moving a little slow...thinking this will probably help us get a better deal.
 
Nice forum, thanks in advance!

#11001 of 11428 tnagle by nedzel

Sep 22, 2005 (6:10 am)

The third row is very small and hard to get into. Take your kid with you to the dealer and see if your kid can actually get into and out of the third row. See whether you can get your kid buckled in as well. How comfortable is it for them? Also look at the room behind the third row seat -- there's not much there.
 
As for the V8, the basic block has been around for quite a long time, much longer than the V6. They did just add variable valve timing to it, boosting the HP. Toyota has been doing variable valve timing for many years, so I would not worry the fact that it is new on the V8.
 
The V6 will get a bit better mileage than the V8.
 
As for towing, you MUST find out how heavy your sailboat and trailer are. What is "small" to you may be "large" to someone else. Find out the weight of sailboat and trailer and compare that with the rated towing capacity of the V6 and V8 4Runner. The V8's towing capacity is much higher, but if you don't need that much...
 
I thought I had read that the 2006 V6 4Runners don't come with a towing hitch, but I don't have direct knowledge. So check up on that. The V8 does come with a trailer hitch.
 
All 4Runners are made in Japan, including the ones sold in the mainland US.
 
As for "serious" offroading, first, are you likely to do any? Second, the V6 is fine for as serious offroading as you are likely to do with a stock 4Runner (ground clearance is not all that great). Sounds like the salesman was just trying to sell you what he had on the lot.
 
If you don't need to take it offroad and you won't be towing, then you might want to reconsider a minivan -- it will give you much more room and better mileage as well.

#11002 of 11428 Re: tnagle [nedzel] by tradscott

Sep 22, 2005 (10:10 am)

Replying to: nedzel (Sep 22, 2005 6:10 am)
If you're doing offroading, you'll be in low gear. The V6 will have way more power than you'd ever need in this situation. So that is part is definately not a benefit.
 
If you are going to keep it for ten years, then you may want the fuel savings you'll get with the V6, especially if gasoline keeps going up. It is only in the 10-15% range according to the EPA, but for me driving 15,000 miles a year, that is $300-450/year.
 
And it looks like Toyota is having trouble selling the V8s lately so they may not hold their resale value as well as the 6.

#11003 of 11428 Re: tnagle [nedzel] by tnagle

Sep 22, 2005 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: nedzel (Sep 22, 2005 6:10 am)
Excellent feedback, thank you. Interesting about the V8 and about all 4Runners being made in Japan, I had no idea.
 
My mention of serious offroading was basically just a jibe at the salesman: he did indeed have a reason why we would not need or want every feature that he did not have in a vehicle on his lot.
 
We do light offroading: easy trails in Colorado and dirt roads that are just past what would turn back a sedan; I have no desire to get myself hung up in a mess in the back country somewhere...if it's that bad, we hike it.
 
Don't have the boat yet and won't until we are back on the mainland. We're talking Hobie Cat or some sort of small "trailer sailer".
 
The towing package is standard on the V8, optional on the V6, fyi.
 
Even though we only plan to use that 3rd row every once in a while, we'll take another look at the minivan. If we really need 4WD that bad, we could always use my 98 Tacoma TRD and fold the child up in the XtraCab...I fit, so will she.
 
Heck, all that said, last night my wife took a look at a loaded 2006 Camry XLE and *really* likes it. The 4Runner may end up waiting until my TRD dies or gets too ugly to drive to town, which could be many years, the way it is going (I already have a nice farm retirement planned for it).

#11004 of 11428 Hobie cat? by nedzel

Sep 22, 2005 (3:46 pm)

According to the Hobie web site, the 20' Hobie Cat is 420 lbs. Even with a trailer you'd be under 2000 lbs. You could probably tow that with a minivan. 4WD or AWD would be better for a slippery boat ramp, but there are AWD minivans. A 4Runner V6 can tow 5000 lbs -- you wouldn't even notice the Hobie behind you when towing.

#11005 of 11428 4runner Limited, 4Runner sport by burner7

Sep 24, 2005 (4:02 pm)

hey guys. I'm on the eve of making my decision. It's between a 2006 Sport Edition and a 2006 Limited, both in Galactic Gray.
 
The only reason I would get the limited is for the leather and the premium sound system. I don't really care much about the leather, but the stereo is a big deal.
 
Anyone have a 4runner with the base stereo? Is it worth it to get limited for the comfort of leather and premium sound? Thing is, I just love that hood scoop and the tubular side rails!
 
Thanks!

#11006 of 11428 Re: 4runner Limited, 4Runner sport [burner7] by chuck1

Sep 24, 2005 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: burner7 (Sep 24, 2005 4:02 pm)
Anyone have a 4runner with the base stereo? Is it worth it to get limited for the comfort of leather and premium sound? Thing is, I just love that hood scoop and the tubular side rails!
 
The base stereo is a piece of junk! It's only 14 watts or so. What many have done is to buy a Scion radio and switch it out. A question.............If leather is not that important, why not buy a Sport and just upgrade the radio? It can be done for a lot less money. That being said, you can even get after market leather for around $1,500.00 OR SO. IT IS STILL CHEAPER THAN A LIMITED!

#11007 of 11428 Re: 4runner Limited, 4Runner sport [burner7] by md4runnerman

Sep 24, 2005 (8:47 pm)

Replying to: burner7 (Sep 24, 2005 4:02 pm)
Other things to consider about the Limited, which is what I have, V8 Limited. Heated seats and outside mirrors, which if you live in a cold climate like I do will be much appreciated. Only the vehicles with leather get the heated seats, cloth is never heated. I have the premium sound system too which I really like. I also have automatic climate controls which is great, I don't think you get that on the V6 Sport but I believe it is optional on that vehicle.

#11008 of 11428 Burner7 by hopeitsfriday

Sep 25, 2005 (8:14 am)

Why not just get a sport edition with the JBL 10 speaker sound system? It is a option on the sport edition. If you don't want all the added features of a limited, I would say thats the way to go. BTW, the JBL system sounds sweet.

#11009 of 11428 Re: Some purchasing input, please... [tnagle] by husker7

Sep 25, 2005 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: tnagle (Sep 21, 2005 7:29 pm)
All Toyota 4Runners are made in Japan. I ordered a 2006 4Runner and it will be made in Japan and delivered to me here in the Great Plains.

Messages Page 1101 of 1143

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