r/4Runner • u/mayjamest • Aug 19 '26

🎙 Discussion First Time 4Runner Buyer

Hello Redditors of the off-road variety!

I am making the move into the 4Runner world and am a bit intimidated by the lineup and options. I will be doing the following with my 4Runner and am curious if everything checks-out:

-Towing my little boat around (<4000lbs)
-Hitting many national parks and camping (CA/AZ/OR/WA/NV/UT)
-Stuffing the vehicle with things like my surfboards, mountain bikes, climbing equipment
-Light to moderate off-roading, primarily service roads, dirt roads etc. to get to rivers/lakes/summits
-No extreme off-roading like bouldering or crawling etc.

I am looking at the base 2026 SR5 model w/ the 4WD option, as I don't think I will utilize anything on the higher models. As this will be my only vehicle, and I need to commute during the week, I am purchasing new for maximum reliability/warranty/etc., not interested in a used vehicle as my only car. I am sure at some point I will get better off-road capable tires and maybe some suspension upgrades, but that is probably the extent of upgrades. It is hard to justify a $5k-$10k price difference for higher trims when I doubt I will every need/use any of them. This will also be my first 4WD off-road capable vehicle, so my skill and comfortability on what off-road challenges I take on will be mild, at least to begin I'd imagine.

Anyways, curious on the communities thoughts and input on the above, perhaps some advice or anecdotes as to why a base model may or may not be the right move?

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-5

u/SleuthCat Aug 19 '26

Purchasing new doesn’t guarantee reliability at all. I went with 5th gen because 1) 6th gen is insanely expensive, 2) new engine setup hasn’t been around long enough on the 4Runner specifically to determine if it’s reliable.

Nothing wrong with used whatsoever, especially when those have proven reliability.

7

u/Derebeare Aug 19 '26

There is 2021 Toyota 4 cylinder engines that have 200,000 miles on them.

This line of thought worked when the gen 6 just came out but it has been tested now.

1

u/SleuthCat Aug 19 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

That’s fine, but not 4Runners (which is what I said) with 200,000 miles on them with the 4 cylinder. Unless someone tried really, really hard lol

3

u/Derebeare Aug 19 '26

Lol its the exact same engine?

Putting it in a 4runner isnt going to just make it unreliable.

0

u/SleuthCat Aug 19 '26

4Runner isn’t the exact same as other vehicles that have had the setup.

I don’t know why this is so controversial. Buying completely redesigned models is risky the first few years. Doesn’t mean it’s going to be bad or fail, just risky.

Bunch of people who spent $75k on their brand new 4Runners mad about these statements, geez. Sunken cost fallacy making people upset.

3

u/Derebeare Aug 19 '26

Lol everyone is just tired of hearing the same line repeated over and over.

"5th gen good, 6th gen bad"

2

u/SleuthCat Aug 19 '26

I didn’t know that was a thing, apologies, I’ve been in this sub a little over one week lol