Toyota FourRunners--experiences good or bad?

[Oh Haha]

We are looking to replace the van with an SUV type vehicle. We found a 4Runner that we both like but I know nothing about them.

I know some of you have owned one. What can you share with us about the experience?


Thanks,

[Looking_for_911]

My dad owned one.... wouldn't say it was a gas hog but it sure stayed thirsty.
And the worst part was on uneven surfaces like most of our interstate highways here the thing pitched front to back like the SS Minnow just before Gilligan landed her on the beach!
Other than rough ride and less than stellar fuel mileage it was a good truck. Ran forever.
My GF's sister in law just picked up one with some minor fender damage for about 2-grand below book value. Rides about the same as dad's but for the money and that engine she's not hurt. And she loves it.

[pete3799]

I've owned 2 a 1995 (still have) and a 2000 (sold)
Great vehicles 0 problems with either one.

[cstreit]

Put 100k miles on a used one, loved it! Would have bought another but needed more towing capacity. Nothing bad to say about it.

[Paul T]

I have an '06 v8 that I drive everyday. I love it, zero problems and suprisingly quick for an suv.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

We are looking to replace the van with an SUV type vehicle. We found a 4Runner that we both like but I know nothing about them.

I know some of you have owned one. What can you share with us about the experience?


Thanks,

I've had 3 toyota engines blow up on me. I stay away from them now.

[Leland Pate]

I drive mine 300 miles a week and love it.



Rides great. Comfortable as hell. I average 21.5 MPG with the V6.

[Scott R]

Early 90's V6, run away. VZ series up to 95 was a pile of junk, massive head gasket issues, weak lower mains. Just a mistake of an engine. SR5's are all fine.

[Oh Haha]

Thanks guys. We are looking at MY 2006 and 2007.

Leland--your 4Runner sure looks like a bada$$ truck.

[kaisen]

I have no personal experiences to share. I have only owned the Tacoma which shares mechanicals. But I will offer a point of view.

Late model 4Runners are very nice (maybe the best) for what they are: mid-size body-on-frame SUVs. But do you NEED a mid-size body-on-frame SUV!?

If you think you need one, and a crossover or full-size won't do, you'll soon find that 4Runners demand a hefty premium. Compared to other choices like Explorer/Mountaineer, Grand Cherokee, Trailblazer/Envoy/et al, you will pay several thousand more for the Toyota. Even IF the Toyota is more reliable over many, many years of ownership you may not 'save' the higher entrance cost in avoided repairs.

If you hate American brands, consider the Nissan Pathfinder or Xterra, although the savings aren't as great.

You could buy a comparable 2008 or 2009 Explorer XLT 4x4 V6 with 35K miles for $4,000 LESS than a 2006 or 2007 4Runner SR5 4x4 V6 with the same miles. Sell me on the idea that the 4Runner is a smarter purchase

[Oh Haha]

I've noticed the price is typically a few thousandover a comparable domestic SUV.

We don't NEED an SUV. My wife WANTS one. Big difference.

I don't want one but I want my wife to be happy so I'm giving in. I love our BMW Touring but she didn't so those types are out.

We are waiting until spring/summer to make a purchase so we have lots of time to test drive all makes.


She really wants a mid-size SUV like the Saturn Outlook/GMC Acadian.I tend to like the more unique vehicles like the Ford Flex or Edge and even the Dodge Nitro.

My goal is to NOT give up much in fuel economy and other related costs just to have a newer vehicle.

[wcc]

Hey Wayne! Haven't talked to you in a while. But as you know I have one. Although it's a '98. It has been the best vehicle I've ever owned! I bought it used from the original owner with less then 40k on it. I now have 125k on it and all it's needed is tires. I've USED it too. I mean it's pulled the P-car to VIR, it's been the camping/off road car, loaded to the max I'm sure at least a few times with broken concrete, bricks, and wood, pulled numerous cars from ditches, etc. No complaints here!

I don't know about the newer ones but I would think they are just as good. I didn't like them when they first came out but the look has grown on me. Just like the Cayenne. Actually, I was thinking about a Land Cruiser when I'm done with this one. But it may be a long time at this rate....

[Oh Haha]

Hey Bill,

I was hoping you would chime in. We've done so much on your 930 but never really mentioned the 4Runner.

We found a 2007 at a dealer in town and Amanda really liked it. As you know, we have many family ties to the UAW but I am willing to look at anything to get the best value.

We thought about buying Chad Plavan's Cayenne but the cost of getting it back to MI would have cost more than we wanted to put out.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

We found a 2007 at a dealer in town and Amanda really liked it. As you know, we have many family ties to the UAW but I am willing to look at anything to get the best value.

Tell us about the '07 Wayne.
SR5 V6? 4x4? 45K miles? Options?

[89911]

I've owned a 4 runner, Landcruiser, and a Sequoia. Nothing wrong with any of them. That said, I say they are more like Pickup trucks then cars and ride as such. After I switched to an X5 and a MDX, its hard to go back to that style of SUV. If you like pick ups, it should'nt be a problem.

[speeder]

We've owned every generation of 4-runner from first to present in my family and I have a '98. I don't dispute what anyone has said so far but I'll offer my .02. What 4-runners, (and Toyota trucks in general), have going for them over the others is a toughness that goes beyond simply avoiding repairs, IMO. You get the daily satisfaction of owning something that is just better. Again, IMO.

You will pay more for this privilege. You will get some or most of it back in resale or just plain use out of it if you keep it 'till it croaks. (Generally forever). It's like a Stihl chainsaw or a John Deere tractor, (both of which we own), you get what you pay for and life is too short to own crap. That said, it may or may not be the most enjoyable DD for you and the toughness may not ever be used or appreciated. My major complaint w/ new 4-runners is that they have gotten so far away from their original, lightweight/swiss army knife beginnings. The new ones are nice, just a different animal. My '98 is a 4-cylinder/5-speed base model which is my favorite configuration. We've also owned a few "Limited" ones w/ 3 cows worth of leather in them.

[Oh Haha]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Tell us about the '07 Wayne.
SR5 V6? 4x4? 45K miles? Options?

Yep, SR5 V6 with 41, 500 miles listed at $23895.00.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Yep, SR5 V6 with 41, 500 miles listed at $23895.00.

There's a nicely equipped 2008 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 in Detroit with 24K miles that would be about $17,500.

Is a 4Runner worth it?

[onewhippedpuppy]

Originally Posted by speeder

We've owned every generation of 4-runner from first to present in my family and I have a '98. I don't dispute what anyone has said so far but I'll offer my .02. What 4-runners, (and Toyota trucks in general), have going for them over the others is a toughness that goes beyond simply avoiding repairs, IMO. You get the daily satisfaction of owning something that is just better. Again, IMO.

You will pay more for this privilege. You will get some or most of it back in resale or just plain use out of it if you keep it 'till it croaks. (Generally forever). It's like a Stihl chainsaw or a John Deere tractor, (both of which we own), you get what you pay for and life is too short to own crap. That said, it may or may not be the most enjoyable DD for you and the toughness may not ever be used or appreciated. My major complaint w/ new 4-runners is that they have gotten so far away from their original, lightweight/swiss army knife beginnings. The new ones are nice, just a different animal. My '98 is a 4-cylinder/5-speed base model which is my favorite configuration. We've also owned a few "Limited" ones w/ 3 cows worth of leather in them.

Very well said. We bought a 2003 V6 4wd Sport new. Drove it for 65k with absolutely zero issues and sold it because we needed a 3rd row seat. Sold it to Paul (Seahawk) who is over 100k without any problems. When we sold it there was no noticeable wear, everything worked perfectly, and it drove like new. Awesome SUV.

Originally Posted by kaisen

There's a nicely equipped 2008 Ford Explorer XLT 4x4 in Detroit with 24K miles that would be about $17,500.

Is a 4Runner worth it?

Without a doubt. That Explorer will be worth nothing in 5 years. Our 4Runner sold for a damn good price after 4 years and 65k. We test drove an Escape and Explorer prior to the 4Runner, the Fords weren't even in the picture after looking at the Toyota. Materials, build quality, and the driving experience were all obviously superior, even to my non-car savvy wife. She thought the Fords looked "cheap" in comparison.

[Leland Pate]

FWIW,
I paid $23K for my '06 limited with 40K on the odo.