Help me decide which Toyota to buy...

[aMiR904]

we really miss our 03 4runner sport v8. crashed it a couple of months ago and were contemplating on what to buy, either a new 4runner or a slightly used land cruiser. our 03 was a sport v8 so we loved the power but didnt like the mpg that much (17mpg on highway). is it worth getting the 4runner with a v6? slightly better mpg and im pretty sure both can take 87 octane. our v8 was 230 hp and the new v8s are 260hp with vvti, must be nice.

also, what should i be expecting to pay for a new 4runner? close to invoice? i know there is a 1500 rebate out.

but then i was also thinking of a 03 land cruiser/lx470, i can probably pick one of those up for the same price as a new 4runner but may have to travel to get a nice clean 1-owner type. i specified 03 because pre-03 they had the 4spd trannys in all lc/lxs.

we also drove a fj cruiser, loved the ride and power but its just not so practical, for the same price we can get a new 4runner which has much more room and would probably sell easier if need be.

if you vote, please explain your choice, thanks for the help.

btw, congrats on the new forum, it looks nice. :thumbup:

[aMiR904]

no one wants to vote?

[Good Times]

I'd say get the LC series if you can pay the same price. Same powertrain but in a totally higher class compared to the 4runner series. Don't get me wrong the 4runner is an awesome vehicle for it's class but compared to the LC series, you can't compare the two. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go for the LC :)

good luck!

[MTL_4runner]

I've been looking at getting a used 2005 4runner, auto, 4x4 4.0L because they do get about the same gas mileage as I get now (21-22 MPG or so on the highway). What really caught my eye was the fact that they seriously bumped up the torque on the 4.0L motor (The aluminum 4.0-liter V6 engine, which is also equipped with the VVT-i and ETCS-i systems, produces 245 horsepower at 5,200 RPM and 282 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,400 RPM......by comparison the V8 makes 270HP and 330 ft-lbs of torque). The 2005 year also was the first year they gave the 4runner a 5 speed auto so that is a big benefit when you need more torque for hauling while still getting good gas mileage on the highway. The V6 is alot cheaper in most cases and unless your hauling big stuff, the V8 is an expensive ego booster. So my vote would be used 4runner (which wasn't a voting option).

[aMiR904]

there, Jamie, i just added the "used 4runner" option. i didnt have that just because i have a set budget of around 30k and for that much why would i buy a used 4runner when i can get a new one.

[MTL_4runner]

there, Jamie, i just added the "used 4runner" option. i didnt have that just because i have a set budget of around 30k and for that much why would i buy a used 4runner when i can get a new one.

So if you have 30k to spend, you want to make sure you spend it all?
I'd go for a 2005 4runner like I mentioned and see if you can get it for about 20K.
That was what I was going to shoot for anyway.

[mastacox]

There's a lot to be said for buying a car that's straight out of a 2-year lease (presently, an 05-06 model). They are usually in great shape, limited miles, still under warrantee (plus an extra extended warrantee in many cases too), and you don't have to take the huge amount of "drive it off the lot" depreciation...

So basically, what MTL said.

[aMiR904]

well every time i think about buying a used 4runner, i think about buying a used LC instead and id rather go for a 03 with the 5spd tranny. so then im back at around 30k. but a 2 year old 4runner can be bought for 20k? i cant find it anywhere online for that much.

[MTL_4runner]

If you have your heart set on an LC then by all means go for it, they are very nice vehicles. The 2005 4runners are going for anywhere from 18-27k depending on how loaded they are (V6/V8, 2WD/4WD, Sport/SR5/LTD, etc). Now obviously good deals are hard to come by and 20K for a 2005 SR5 V6 w/4WD is going to be a very good deal, but I have seen them out there.....on the flip side, getting one for 23-24k should be very easy.

[p nut]

All I have to say is if you didn't like the MPG you got with your V8 4Runner, you definately won't like the MPG on the LC. I also don't like the 100's too much. I'd vote for an 80 all the way.

[frydriceT4R]

the new Runners out here in Denver are marked down about $5K. I believe the V6 is the slower seller so it has more deals available. So a $32K Runner is only about $27K brand new.

I have seen used 4th gens as low as mid teens out here-of course those are high mile V6s.

[NakSuKow]

5speed 96-00 4runner is my vote. Best gas mileage and best reliability.

I also like the 98 TLC with rear locker.

If you must have a new vehicle, I would vote for the FJC. Buy the one with the least options on the lot. Low to mid 20's out the door.

[2ndGen]

there are so many factors needed to be considered, body style, vehicle cost, maintenance cost, fuel cost, intended useage(tow/light off-road/intense off-road/DD), any modification in the future? you gotta give us more info.

i'm a fan of FJ-80, i turned down a deal for a 96 with ARB bumper, wrench, locked, OME lift, 110k original miles, 33"BFG M/T. he was willing to let go for $5500. the reason, 11mpg.

i'd say put donw $10k on a 99-00 5spd 4WD 4Runner, put another $10k in the bank, and put the rest $10 mod your 4Runner to the hell.

my boss used to drive a fully loaded 2005 LX470 V8 which he leased brand new, i drove it quite few times to Vegas and Phoenix, talk you the truth, i felt like driving a minivan.

[4runnerchevy]

Pick up an EFI 1985 4-Runner for 2k and put 28k into making it a Rock God :P

[YotaGirl]

Pick up an EFI 1985 4-Runner for 2k and put 28k into making it a Rock God :P


X2! :D