Buying a 4 runner

Hi all

I don’t actually own a 4 runner yet however I am in the market and I thought no better place to look for suggestions but here.

I’m torn between buying new or getting something a few years old I.e 2019.

Also it looks like there are a lot of trim options. I’ll be honest I’m some what overwhelmed..

All suggestions are much appreciated.

 

Welcome to the forum!

in my opinion I would go new. A 4Runner a few years old is not a lot cheaper than a new one. 4Runners have some the highest resell values on the market. As for trim levels what do you plan on using your 4Runner for. Do you need rock crawling and off roader, or do you need full time 4x4 for snow. But a basic break down of trim levels

SR5: base
Sr5 premium: base with leather
TRD offroad: a pro minus looks/luxuries of a pro
Trd offroad premium: offroad with leather
Sport: sr5 with limited face
Limited: most features and full time 4x4
Pro: luxuries of limited but offroad model, with special wheels,colors, and accessories

 

What he said ^^^

The market for a used 4Runner is crazy right now.

My dealer is offering to buy my ORP for 8,000 more than I paid for it two and a half years ago.

 

choose what your budget will allow...used prices for 4runner, are at a all time high...gen 4 or 5 is a great place to start considering

 

Hey guys!
Thank you so much for the quick responses. I live in the city but being in the northeast we get some good snow here.
I’m looking for something with leather and the looks I guess for off roading but the closest thing to off roading I’ll do is probably just more like un paved back roads.
I was looking at the pro for looks but seems like I’d be paying a lot extra for the off-roading features that I won’t necessarily be using.
Looks wise I’d love to get a ladder with a cargo carrier. Front skid plate and rock sliders are also a good look.
Does it make sense to try and get a model that has some of these things or find someone to install after market?

 

I’d Go SR5 Premium, it has heated leather and you can add the Predator Steps, Pro Grille, and TRD Pro Rims for $1600 or you can pay the extra 5k and go TRD Off-road but unless you want crawler and those features it’s really a waste of money.

 

My advice is go to Toyota.com and use compare models featuring to find the differences between the trims.

 

I had an order for a new ORP, but found a 2019 with options I wanted. It had 36k miles, but was really clean. It was $5k cheaper. For some that $5k is worth the factory warranty and knowing its a new truck. For me, it wasn't since I don't intend on selling it again till its over 200k+ miles. I used some of the money saved to get additional mods that I wanted. I don't regret buying a used truck yet... but it's only been about a month. These days you have to put an order and wait, so you should go put an order in (make sure deposit is fully refundable). And while you wait, look around the used market to see if there's a truck you like at the price you like.

 

Limited or sr5 premium.

 

Welcome from Wisconsin!

 

Welcome. Sounds like the SR5 premium is what your looking for. All 4wd drive 4Runners are extremely capable off road vehicles. As mentioned already buying used generally won’t save you much if any money, so if you can find one it makes sense to me to buy new.

 

In the current market, definitely get new, used cars in general are selling for more than new ones because there's limited inventory. Find yourself a dealer that doesn't charge a market adjustment (above MSRP) and you'll be set. Even before all of this, 4runners didn't depreciate much after the first year especially on lower trims so getting used didn't save much.

I went with a Pro on my Tacoma (and currently have a 4Runner TRD Pro reserved) mainly because I could have made due with an Off-Road Premium but I would have wanted to upgrade the looks with nicer wheels, blacking stuff out, ect. By the time I do all of that I'll almost be spending as much as a Pro and any money on mods, you never get back when you sell. At least for me, I like the Pro as is and don't plan to change anything and since it comes from the factory that way it will hold it's value. If you plan to go off-roading and want to lift it, put bigger tires on it, add new bumpers... well then buying a Pro doesn't make as much sense, and getting a lower trim would be better in that case. At least that's the way I look at it.

 

I agree - go new with a dealer that is not applying any market adjustments. I purchased my new TRD ORP at MSRP from my local dealer.

 

All the cars available in my area and even out aren’t the “full package” for me. I’m leaning toward ordering a new car however I’ve been reading about the 2023 model and how it maybe more fuel efficient. That for me is definitely appealing but I’m curious to see what you guys think.

 

Tough call - I am not sure that I would buy a first year vehicle, even a Toyota 4Runner. If rumors come true we will probably get a turbo 4 cylinder base engine with a possible hybrid option. I am guessing this would be a completely new power train.... again a tough call compared to a proven power train that can easily go 300k miles with basic maintenance.

 

I had a 2022 TRD ORP on order to replace my 2006 with 240,000 miles. The 2006 was bought 11 years ago with 80,000 miles on it. My feeling is miles on a 4Runner don't matter to much. It will last a very long time with regular care. Because of other issues I bought a 2021 with a five year warranty and 10,000 miles and saved $6000.00. Take you time you will find one that is calling to you.

Good Luck!

 

you look at a venture at all? Pretty close to a pro, no suspension and roof rack is different. I was looking at a pro, but the venture clicked all the boxes and was cheaper. I plan to mod, so the fox suspension wasn’t important to me

 

I could not agree with this more! For the first point, I will never buy a first year car again.

Power train on the current 4 runner sold me. I drive 3000 (minimum) miles a months and there are a lot of high mileage 5 gens around.

 

Welcome from Arizona!

 

The reason I got a 4Runner was not because of fuel economy. I’m retired now and don’t drive that much. I purchased the T4R because of the engine and drivetrain. With regular maintenance it will give you many years and thousands of miles of trouble free service. As has been mentioned already the 6 generation 4Runner will likely have a small turbo, better fuel economy and more electronics. I would definitely wait for a year or more before buying one. I’m not a fan of turbocharged engines myself and some of the new technology being put in vehicles. I like the simplistic and old school design of the 5 generation 4Runner.

 

Go for new. 5k cheaper not guaranty previous owner had not damaged engine or drivetrain. Do not wait. New ones next year with turbo not gonna live 200k. Thats why current one so desirable.

 

If you go four-wheel drive, I personally would go all-time four-wheel drive. If you go switchable, make sure that you regularly engage the four-wheel drive so that your fluids and seals will all remain vibrant.

Change your transmission fluid and differentials religiously.

Oh, I am 6'3" and I regret not getting running boards or nerf bars for the first step...

 

Just my $0.02 but I'd opt for a TRD off road if you don't care about the semi-luxury upgrade (heated side mirrors, auto-dimming rear view mirror, heated seats, softex seats and embossed TRD headrest) that the TRD ORP has to offer. Reason being is because this will most likely be the last year of the 5th gen models. Plus you'll have all the bells and whistle of an off road vehicle if you ever find yourself needing it. You rather have it and not need it, then need it and not have it. They'll also be very highly sought after in 10-15 years from now. Good example, look at the 3rd and 4th gens. Only so many were built with rear lockers and you have yet to see them pop up. Plus the OR and ORP has manual transfer case vs electrical transfer cases. Less problematic if electrical was ever an issue in the future.

And welcome from Ca.