Ok, I think there are enough of us out here, to get a good poll going. If you could do it over, and money was no concern, which would you choose? (Open to all would be 4th Gen owners)

1. V6 or V8?
2. 2wd or 4wd?
3. SR5, Sport, or Limited?
4. Color?

Why?

Personally, I have a 2003 V6, 2wd, SR5, Galactic Grey, and I love it! The thing is, I leased it, and now after having it for 6 months and reading this website, I would rather go back and buy a 2004 V6, 4wd, Sport, Galactic Grey, due to all the things I've learned. What to do????

 

If the money is not a issue then I would pick ;

1. V8 - Solid engine, more towing power, with SC u can have more power and so on.

2. 4Wd - It alway nice to have. Off-roading or not. more traction control.

3. Limited - I like everything roaded But its up to you.

4. Titanium - My favorite color.

 

i know i dont currently own a 4th gen, but if i could afford it...

1. V6 - i really prefer get-up-and-go to towing capacity
2. 4wd - again, i dont get 2wd runners...
3. Limited - i think its exterior styling cues are the nicest and the interior is great
4. black - im just drawn to this color.. its what my 2001 is too!

 

The only thing I want different is the dark blue color... But, it wasn't available here (and still pretty much isn't.)
I am very pleased with my '03 Limited V8 4WD... It's almost a year old.

 

Don't sell the V8 short, it has the ability to whomp on the V6 in terms of get-up-and-go!

 

Exactly. Remember the V8 has tons more torque than the V6 which is the main factor in "get-up-and-go".

 

Another vote for the 2UZ V-8. You also get the 5A/T and can get the optional adjustable rear air suspension for towing, neither available on the V-6 yet. The '04 Sport had the lowest price increase throughout '03-'04, and has the very desirable X-REAS standard.

 

I would go:

1. v6
2. 4wd (for sure)
3. sport
4. Black

 

I prefer the 3rd gen body style, so I don't think I would get a 4th gen.

1. V6 - On the 4th gen the V6 has more hp than the V8, though less low-end torque. The V6 also gets better gas mileage.
2. 4wd for sure
3. SR5
4. Black

The only thing I would do different is I would get an e-locker on my 3rd gen.

 

you know what bothersme most about the gen 4 runners? the rims. those 'diamond cut' or whatever limited ones i think are pretty ugly. the sr5's are glorified hubcaps! i dont mind the sport's spoke style rims, though.. those are the ones id probably insist on getting.

 

I agree. Besides keeping my color, I would also insist on them trading out the stock rims for my 18" Enkei wheels.

 

V8 - Proven engine that has more aftermarket options and comes with full time AWD.

4WD - Snow, dirt, rain, whatever... plus resale value

Sport or Limited - either one, I like the leather, but mainly because the XREAS.

Galatic Grey w/ Charcoal interior - love the dark colors.

 

I'd get the same 4runner that I got

Would be nice if it did come w/ a stock rear locker though.... damn toyota.... damn them!!!!! I wouldn't mind leather seats I suppose...

 

I got exactly what I wanted, price independent.
-I needed Wet Okoles so leather/cloth was not a concern.

I really love the 4th gen. They made big strides in improving everything and it's once again the class-leader. I appreciate it more all the time.

I think the rear hatch styling is overwrought but Toyota always does something overkill (Tacoma front end for example). People get used to it and start to like it, like everything else.

*one note(not applicable to the knowledgable here at YT)- I have found that some people are under the assumption the V6's 4WD is not a "full-time" system. You can use the 4WD all the time, everywhere just like the V8. Which is the reason I liked the system so much.

Gator
I'm sure you got 4x4 fever but if you don't use it or need it, be happy with your 2WD. You can always get something else after your lease is up. I'm sure there will be improvements by that time.
It will give you time to checkout the Dunehawk(05 Pathfinder), 05 Xterra and 06 FJ

edit:
Oh I forgot I wanted the unpainted cladding but they could not locate one anywhere. I was a bit disappointed but everyone else I know says they like the painted one much better. I like the painted alot now too.

 

"4x4 fever" That's funny, that's exactly what my fiancee said! That's probably the main reason. We are strongly considering moving from Florida, up to the Asheville, NC area in the next couple of years. So, I think I will definitely wait until I know for sure whether or not we'll be up there before jumping ship on my current runner. Then maybe she'll "let me" justify switching out for a 4x4!

Oh, and the reason I didn't get a sport, is b/c I didn't know it came in the all painted/one color body! There wasn't one on the lot and the guy said that it was the way ALL sports were!

Thanks fellas for the responses!

 

If I had to do it all over again, I'd be driving a Loaded Limited with of course the AWD/V8, and the rear camera on the Nav

But I'd like it in Black, but the silver is hot and looks clean when dirty

Since the 4Runner was the only vehicle that suited my needs and style that was on the market that would not have me thinking about selling a kidney on ebay, it was a no brainer cause nothing really competes head to head with what the 4Runner offers, things come somewhat close but not close enough.

I do look forward to the 2005 Dunehawk Pathfinder, and what the Xterra and Frontier will be like since their sharing platforms with the Titan, and I can't wait to see the next FJ and what Toyota does to equal the playing field with a 300+hp V8 engine with the next Tundra, maybe the 4Runner will see it but I doubt it.

 

I've raced a friend who has an '04 2wd V6 and I beat him... We switched trucks and he beat me. The V8 is faster, the 2wd V8 being the fastest of the lot.

And I still hate my rims.. They look like the rims that were on all the matchbox cars when I was a kid.

 

I would go with the Sport b/c of the hood scoop and I like the Sport's wheels better overall. Of course the V-8 and 4WD in BLACK. The SC on the V-8 is just to much to pass on. 350+ HP!!!!!!!!

 

JGage
you have a 2wd V8 or 4wd and how much did you beat the V6 by

I like the Limited Rims, Diamond cut or whatever their called, when I got my truck it looked unique, standing out then suddenly Toyota decided to put the 17inch limited rims on all the SR5's, so pretty much mostly all the 4th Gen 4Runners around me in SR5 have the limited rims with painted cladding and without but it seems almost like all the unpainted cladding trucks have vanished.

My Limited still stands out just seems Toyota slowly changes the 4Runners into Limiteds without the badge and to show proof just look at the 3rd gens, the 96 sr5's looked like limiteds in 2000 with the flares and cladding