On paper I was leaning toward the Pilot and the CRV. But when I drove them the CRV ended up being to small for my family we have 4 1/2 and as mentioned we are heading to Germany. The Pilot was a hard choice but I'm a dihard four wheeler and IRS, and non selectable 4wd just wouldn't cut it for me, that's probably the only reason I chose the 4Runner, that and drivers height. I like the layout of the controls and whatnot more in the 4Runner too. The Escape and the Tribute were nice but felt cheap and had rattles on the test drives, didn't cut it. The Murano was really, really, really nice, didn't like the grill, didn't like the roominess, and didn't like the Tranny. The tranny was probably the deciding factor thought. Its CVT, and uses belts, kinda shy away from it especially since it has 245hp. Don't see the belts lasting much paste 80-100,000 miles. XTerra, good on looks, not on gas, that really pushed me away from it. The explorer is nice, but I've had many Fords in the past and the only ones that really lasted me were the Mustangs! I just had my mind made up I wanted an import, plus my wife wasn't real sure about them, didn't like the look. The Rav4 was just too small, nice but small for us.
The Highlander on the other hand was a close one. It came down to the truck frame/ruggedness of the 4Runner, didn't really want a crossover SUV, I wanted a SUV. That about sums it up, no real standouts that let me down other than the Chevrolet Blazer I had, and the Xterra for gas milage, it gets like 14 in the city.
Let me know what you think, hope it helps someone.
Good review, i test drove the Murano and just did not get it, small SUV just don't cut it for me cause I need the room to haul stuff.
The only Explorers my friends had and liked where the previous Generation that look similar to the 3rd Gen 4Runner, incase you don't know the 1 you bought is a 4th Gen, anyway the Explorers that came with the AWD and 5.0L V8, had several friends who had them but they all eventually traded them for Pathfinders, Xterra, 4Runner, QX4 etc... Im probably pretty much the reason my friends are driving imports
The Murano with the CVT just did not have that kick feeling that it was taking off, it suppost to get excellent gas mileage and be a 7 second vehicle to 60 but when I went out with a friend who had 1, every time we lined up I kept pulling away from him, he traded it for a Z
The 4Runner after the test drive only made me buy it several months earlier then later, it is just an excellent vehicle but I really can't wait to see the 2005 Pathfinder, probably 1 of the few mid size SUV on the market that is not being transformed into a lifted wagon just look at the current Explorer, I think it is the only vehicle that stands a chance to steal actual sales away from Toyota.
just bought a new blue 04 4runner SR5 V6 4x2. loving it. always liked 4runners. was considering a 02-03 Durango, THANK GOD, we didn't get that. we love the new 4.0L V6, it has just what we need.
Traded my 1990 SR5 6 cyl 4runner in on a new 2004 Limited V8 4X4 Model. Dark Blue. Was just going to do a test drive but couldn't leave it with the dealer after that, so I took it home. Wish I had some more options on it that I was not aware of at the time I purchased it though. But I am very pleased with what I did get.
Did you get your 4runner in Leesburg? I almost got mine from there, but they didn't have the color I wanted so I had to suffer with Koons. Leesburg seems to be one of the better dealerships around. I bought my wifes Honda from them, and it was by far the easiest car transactions I have ever had.
Did you get your 4runner in Leesburg? I almost got mine from there, but they didn't have the color I wanted so I had to suffer with Koons. Leesburg seems to be one of the better dealerships around. I bought my wifes Honda from them, and it was by far the easiest car transactions I have ever had.
Yes, I did get it at Leesburg Toyota. I had been to a few dealers in the area, including Leesburg but could not find the color I wanted. Then dropped by again one day to test drive another 4Runner and there it was, the color I wanted with some of the extras I wanted. They had a few Blue ones and a few Black ones. I took my last 4runner there for all the major services since 92 so I have seen about three turnovers of personnel there. They still are nice to deal with.
Varunner
Well finally bought a 04 for 3500 below MSRP with free tires for life, if I get all routine maitenance done at the dealer. I like doing my own work but for what I hear these dunlops suck and it might be worth while for the tires. What do you all think?
I love the 4runner, no sulfer smell hopefully mine is one of the fixed ones. Runs great, rear radio is a bit confusing, they give you the remote but make you buy the headphones.
Good place to hang out and look around, think you'll like it.
Welcome,Larry
__________________
2004 Tundra V8 Limited Access Cab 4X4, Michelin 265/65/R17 LTX-AT2's, Auto Dim Comp/Temp Mirror, Aero Turbine #2525 muffler, Access Roll Up Cover, Optima D31A battery, Multi-Vex adaptive outside mirrors, Eclipse AVN5510 Nav unit and Sirius SIR-ECL1 tuner, as of 10/07 pictures in my photo gallery
If a combo of all these whizz bangs met their claims you'd have to siphon gas out of your tank every second day and sell the excess horsepower on the third????
If your engine doesn't consume ANY oil it will seize???
Some people should not be allowed access to tools without books!!!
First off I want to say “Thank You!” to everybody on this board because it helped me in my research on which new vehicle I wanted to buy. I had narrowed it down to the Tundra Double Cab 4x4 or the 4Runner SR5 4x4 V-8. Finding this site was the best information I could get, very helpful. Again, thank you!
I finally purchased, 1-1/2 weeks ago, a 2004 SR5 4Runner 4x4 V-8 in Natural White. I’ll try to get some pictures of it soon. I simply love it. I just took it on its first road trip up to Northern California over Labor Day weekend for a total of 700 miles. I couldn’t ask for a nicer ride. I’m coming from a 1993 Toyota X-Tra Cab 4x4 pickup with the 22RE 4-cyl motor. Talk about a step up to some much needed power. I’ve just rolled 1000 miles on her. I now need to take it in to get the first oil change done.
I just picked up my 2004 V8 Sport in Galactic Grey on monday. I love it so far. Thanks to the info on this site i went from thinking about getting the v6 to getting the v8, and i am sure not disappointed. This thing really gets up and goes. Coming from a 99 isuzu rodeo this is a major upgrade in every department. Still need to sell the rodeo tho, wasnt worth trading in. Cant wait to drive my new car more, still only had time to drive it to and from work , under 5 miles each way.
FEEL FREE to take some time and browse through the various forums on TS.com If you are somewhat confused as to where to post a question, read the sub-caps within the forum or use the SEARCHfeature that will locate the topic that you are interested in. An informative posting is New Members Help with several links to questions you may have about TS.com If you haven't signed up already as a club member you might want to consider it. Check out the Sample Technical Database for a preview on what club membership gets you.
You can send a PM to any of The TS.com Team if you need any help or assistance.
Answers
Traded my 1990 SR5 6 cyl 4runner in on a new 2004 Limited V8 4X4 Model. Dark Blue. Was just going to do a test drive but couldn't leave it with the dealer after that, so I took it home. Wish I had some more options on it that I was not aware of at the time I purchased it though. But I am very pleased with what I did get. 
Welcome Welcome
Linear Mode
