I know based on past threads we have some very knowledgeable members on this subject.

I am in the market for a Toyota Suv. I prefer the Sequoia over the 4runner but both are excellent rigs. I do not care for the newer generations of the Sequoia vs the original body style though.

Some of my criteria.

On a 4runer I would like to be in the 120-140k range for miles.

Sequoia maybe under 160k.

On the Runner I am not up to speed on the generations and models. So you guys can help out.
I am thinking 2004 on up to where my budget will take me.
Needs to be 4wd. I know there are different engines including the V6 3.4 and 4.0 I believe. Then there is the V8 model.
I will tow with it. Max would be 3000-4500lbs.
Leather would be nice but not a deal breaker.

Budget for either model is $12k.There is a bit of flexibility but do not want to get to the 50% of new for a rig that has 100k or more miles. How doable and what do I need to look for.

Thanks guys.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Advise a trip over to ih8mud.com. They have (IMO) the most knowledge on Toyotas and often several for sale. They generally are realistic on what they value used Toyos for, and if you'll pay the toll (usually a good ribbing here and there), I think you'll be glad you went there.

There are also local clubs on that website who almost certainly have members near you, and they can be influenced to come look at potential purchases you might be eyeing. My .02.

2003 was the first year of the 4th Gen. The 4.0 and the 4.7 were the engine options, both are bullet proof. 4.7 was only available for a few years, MPG isn’t much worse than the 4.0. The damn things hold their value, I haven’t priced them in a while, but be prepared to spend all that $12k to get the options and low miles you’re after I suspect. Like most vehicles, avoid those out of the north.

Trim levels are SR5, Sport Edition and then Limited. If you want leather, you’ll be looking at the Limited models. They had a self leveling type shock/strut system. Most leaked out eventually and would be replaced with a normal set up for much less money that the factory set up.

Only towing I did with mine was my parents 27’ pontoon boat from time to time. Not the heaviest of things, but it never gave me any problems with the factory tow package.

My ‘03 with the 4.0 only had two issues - sunroof was intermittent and my cd changer stopped working. Other than that it was just normal maintenance. I sold it probably 5 years ago, part of me wishes I hadn’t.

My parents had 2 4Runners.
2003 SR5 V6 4wd
2005 Limited V8 4wd

The V6 was selectable 4wd, but IIRC could be driven full-time in 4hi without damaging the 4x4 system.
The V8 was full-time 4wd, with a selector for 4hi & 4lo.

The V6 was trouble free & my dad towed a pretty heavy cargo trailer for his business with it.
He got rid of it for a Silverado that could manage the weight a bit better & got a killer deal on the truck.

The V8 was having trans issues (slippage IIRC) and had the beginning of a coolant leak at a flange on the engine side.
Traded in on a Duramax before the above issues turned into real trouble.

The V8 definitely had the feeling of a lot more low end torque, but neither had any trouble getting out of their own way.

Thanks guys. I do not want an Awd model. Are all the v8 models that way?

I don't have a lot of knowledge on the subject except for owning a 2003 SR5 4runner. I have the 4.7l and I'm about 90 miles away from 275k.

The only issue I have is a manifold leak on the driver's side. I did just have the a/c condenser replaced last summer. I could also use new front axles and a couple of control arms. With those issues, I still wouldn't hesitate to drive it to my brother's place down in Austin, TX. About 14 hours from me. My family and I have taken it to Florida on several trips. But, I paid $5k over six years ago for it. It is the AWD but I can lock the differential and then select 4lo.

Honestly, its been the best vehicle I've owned. I could really use a truck but it wouldn't fit in my garage. Plus, unless I go with a Tundra, I'd have to settle with a V6. I hope to get a four door Tacoma long bed in the future.

My mechanic is a really good friend of mine. I just took it in and used his shop and tools to change my fan clutch. Apparently, it hasn't worked since I've had the car. He always reminds me to trash it and that we can't ever make it a new car, LOL.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:
Thanks guys. I do not want an Awd model. Are all the v8 models that way?

I don't believe any of them are AWD, but the 4wd V8s are full-time 4wd, so you cannot put the truck into 2wd mode.

The V6 can be driven in 2wd.

The 4.7 was offered in the SR5 and Sport Edition as well which would give you 2wd and selectable 4wd.

quote:

Originally posted by MattW:
The 4.7 was offered in the SR5 and Sport Edition as well which would give you 2wd and selectable 4wd.

Thanks for the clarification, I was only familiar with the V8 Limited.

Thanks guys. The 4.7 is a great engine. It is what I have in my Tundra. It is also the engine in the Sequoia. At least the used one's I would consider price wise.

I do not want full time 4wd either. Thanks.

I have great respect for the 4Runner. I know most have seen the Top Gear episode where they trashed the British version of a Tacoma. I've seen something similar involving a 2003 4Runner with my own eyes.

Kid drove the thing off the end of a dead-end road, through a woods, over several mid-sized trees, down an embankment where it ended up on its side, nose-first in a creek. When they pulled it out, there was some minor body damage to the front end, some scrapes to the paint, and water was running out of the engine compartment all over the place.

The kid's family got there, dad paid the wrecker driver, and the older brother drove it home. The thing ran like a sewing machine...no clunks whines or anything...and it had over 300k on the clock at the time. I told the guy if he wanted to get rid of it, I'd buy it, but I never did hear from him. Presumably they're still driving it.

All I can tell you is my sister had a 4Runner that she put over 350K on, she had nothing bad to say about it. Sold it, but I don't know how much. I don't know what year it was either.

Thanks guys, I might put a wtb add in our classifieds in case a member has one that they are thinking of trading in on a new one

quote:

On the Runner I am not up to speed on the generations and models. So you guys can help out.
I am thinking 2004 on up to where my budget will take me.
Needs to be 4wd. I know there are different engines including the V6 3.4 and 4.0 I believe. Then there is the V8 model.
I will tow with it. Max would be 3000-4500lbs.
Leather would be nice but not a deal breaker.
Budget for either model is $12k.There is a bit of flexibility but do not want to get to the 50% of new for a rig that has 100k or more miles. How doable and what do I need to look for.

I have now had 3 2008 4Runners. I love the 4th gen 4Runners. All of mine have had the 4.0 so I'm not real familiar with the 4.7 but I think if I did much towing I'd probably want the 4.7.
As for finding what you are looking for, the dealer market is going to be around $12-14k for a clean 2006-2009 vehicle with fairly low mileage.
However, if you keep your eyes open, including Craigslist and Autotrader, you should be able to find a good one under $10k.
If you don't mind doing some work, great deals can also be found on Copart.

The wife has a 2008 4 Runner with the 4.0 and really likes it. There have been a couple of issues with it that I was able to repair myself. It had a transmission schudder that I fixed by renewing the trans fluid, filter and adding shudder guard. I recently renewed a rear axle seal and have renewed a leaky front brake caliper. Doesn’t seem like much for a vehicle with @ 170,000 miles on it. I have a 2005 Landcruiser with the 4.7 and it is almost bullet proof. Keep in mind the 4.0 has a steel timing chain and probably will never need replacement. The 4.7 has a timing belt that will need renewed per the manufacturer every 90,000 miles. The ih8mud is a good sight for info on the 4.7, but Toyota-4Runner.org is probably better for 4 Runner info in general. Hope this helps and good luck in your search for a new vehicle.

I just got a 2020 4Runner TRD Off Road and absolutely love driving it! In the spring I will start to take it off the beaten path. The reliability is what I was after and then the tech features of the 2020 sold me over the 2019.

I got 234K miles out of my 2006 4-Runner Sport. Best vehicle I ever had in over 60 years of driving. The front brakes went 150K miles. Tires routinely went 70K and battery was doing fine at 7 years, when I replaced it out of caution. I did have a blown head gasket at around 190K and apparently, that's not unknown with a high mileage 6 cylinder engine. I would be driving one now but for the fact that Toyota in their wisdom, decided to make the current 4-Runner, larger in every dimension. I don't need that large a vehicle. Current vehicle is a 2017 Outback but I sure get homesick every time I see a 4-Runner like the one I had.

My father in law traded in an 06 4Runner sport with 275k for a Jeep Grand Cherokee and is still kicking himself. They are super solid vehicles. I had an 06 sport 2wd, sold it with 160 k for $2500 over blue book. Only issue I had was a catalytic converters that went out. Easy but expensive fix.

My 05 Tacoma 4x4 has 165k and hasn’t had an issue with it. I’m planning on giving it to my son when he turns 16 in 8 years.

The 4.0 is bulletproof. It has a timing chain that does not need to be changed instead of a belt like the 4.7.

quote:

Originally posted by 4ftty4:
My father in law traded in an 06 4Runner sport with 275k for a Jeep Grand Cherokee and is still kicking himself. They are super solid vehicles. I had an 06 sport 2wd, sold it with 160 k for $2500 over blue book. Only issue I had was a catalytic converters that went out. Easy but expensive fix.

My 05 Tacoma 4x4 has 165k and hasn’t had an issue with it. I’m planning on giving it to my son when he turns 16 in 8 years.

The 4.0 is bulletproof. It has a timing chain that does not need to be changed instead of a belt like the 4.7.

If you read my post above, I disagree the 4.0 is bulletproof. Great engine but I have read of others, that like mine, blew head gaskets approaching 200K mIles.

quote:

There have been a couple of issues with it that I was able to repair myself. It had a transmission schudder that I fixed by renewing the trans fluid, filter and adding shudder guard. I recently renewed a rear axle seal and have renewed a leaky front brake caliper. Doesn’t seem like much for a vehicle with @ 170,000 miles on it.

Yes, I agree with that. Every engine needs regular maintenance; no engine is bulletproof.
Even though there is no dipstick and it's a pain in the ass, I recommend changing the transmission fluid. The power steering fluid too.