Posted on 12/16/2022 1:12:13 PM PST by Chickensoup
Thinking of buying a used Toyota 4Runner . Any thoughts?
Going into a big vehicle?
The model and brand?
Had two Jeep Saharas
Same different?
I drove a 2021 model for a few hundred miles this time last year (a rental). It has 4WD and possibly the TRD trim level also. It felt good on the road, dealt with snow, ice and rain just fine. -but I couldn’t get used to the drivers side interior. The layout felt awkward, including the dash. Visibility wasn’t that great either. Oh, and it had running boards that were close to the door sills, if you stand on them it’s another awkward move into the truck. Maybe they were not meant to be running boards, but off road rails?
Your experience could be different, but I cannot recommend this one.
thanks
I lived in Massachusetts and never had a rust problem in mine over 12 yrs. I did in my Nisssan Pathfinder though.
thank you
my off road is only regularly managed dirt road. No big deal. although I do go fast.
Should be much more dependable. Not the best mileage but good visibility and safety. On the used buy, a better buy than a comparable Tacoma.
We’ve had 4Runners since 2004. We sold our 2004 for a 2018 4Runner. Last I checked that 2004 Runner is still going with over 200,000on the clock. There was no rust on it when we sold it. 2018 4Runner still going, of course, again no rust.
The 4Runner is still one of the very few models built in Japan. They hold their value exceedingly well, but on the flip side, used ones are expensive. I was recently offered about $4k more for our 2018 over what we paid new, but that’s a crazy market, I suppose.
The only thing I have against the 4Runner is that Toyota has pretty much neglected this vehicle. The 6-cylinder engine and six-speed transmission, while near bullet-proof, is quite dated. And while Toyota has incrementally updated some electronics, almost everything from styling to technology is now pretty dated on the 4Runner.
Toyota was supposed to come out with a redesigned 4Runner in fall of 2023, and I was going to upgrade, but they have continually pushed that back and now looks like it may be sometime in 2025. Rumor now has it they will only offer a new 4Runner in a turbo 4 cylinder. If that’s the case, I’m probably out.
Even Toyota admits they were caught off guard by 4Runner sales, which at one point dropped so low they were going to drop the model, but then sales really took off and Toyota is still a little bit flummoxed by that.
Jeep, Ford Bronco, the Lexus GX460 are all close competitors.
But yeah, in summary, you cannot go wrong with a 4Runner.
Hubby has 1999 4 Runner. Still runs great. AC is nice and cold. My two oldest boys love it. That car will outlive me.
Just bought one. Great truck.
No reason. I just watched Smokey and the Bandit the other day and your post about “thinking about” reminded me of the scene where Sheriff Justice tells the boys they can think about playing with themselves but don’t do it.
** I currently drive a 2006 Toyota Highlander with over 209,000 miles on it.**
We have an 07 highlander, awd, 286,000 on it. Synthetic oil every 5k. Will make it to each oil change without reaching the add mark. Bought it late 2015, with 137k on it, for $8,900. Been good to us.
Paid $4,650 for a fully loaded 01 Chevy blazer, 4dr, 2wd, with 95k in 09. It now has 304k, with nothing but routine stuff done to it. Also been good to us. Nowadays it uses about a quart and a half every 5k.
Our low mileage rig is a 90 chevy extended long bed 4x4, with 176k, still in good shape.
Never had a new car, and probably never will.
Im a big Toyota fan. I have a Tundra and a 4-Runner. I switched last round from being a lifelong GM owner.
Buy a Sequoia instead. You’ll just have to trust me on this.
older ones rust in Idaho. so do the newer ford F150. it seems 1 out of maybe 5 have the bed wheel wells rusted completely through in just a few years.
You cannot go wrong with a 4 runner.
Best ground clearance & off road 4WD performance for its class. The TRD’s have amazing 4WD technology, and the SR5 “Premium edition” gives you the same tech, but doesn’t allow for manual control of the off road “crawler” handling.
If you aren’t doing much off raiding, it’s an amazing daily driver. Put some Michelin ‘s on it, and you can cruise the interstate easily at 85 mph.
I own a 2019 w/approx. 80k miles, and have only done tires, brakes, and oil changes. My initial set of brakes lasted 65k.
That being said, I had a 2005 4 runner that got a blown head gasket at about 150k. YMMV
2019 Rav4 owner. 170,000 miles...I have not had to change the brakes yet. Never had a check engine light.
Awesome cars.
Still have a 2005 in the family. Base model SR5 with fabric seats and no silly hole in the roof (sunroof). Oil changes and brake pads is all we’ve done for maintenance.
If only they made 57 Chevys.
4-Runners are good vehicles.
I had a brand new 1988 4-Runner and it was one of the first 100 that entered the USA with the V-6 engine. Before that they only had the inline four cylinder.
I was the original style 4-Runner built on the pickup chassis and had two doors. I did a lot of driving into many North Dakota farmer’s fields (with their permission) to go deer hunting and never got stuck.
The only problem I had was an issue with the power steering pump. That model year (1988) the pickups and 4-Runners pumps would explode when the temperature hit -30 degrees. The fluid was just like a slushie and the pumps couldn’t handle it. Toyota fixed that problem and I loved my 4-Runner. Should never have traded it in.
Only 287000 on my 2003 highlander. One repair beyond routine servicing.
No rust.
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