4th Gen Questions
 

I currently drive a 99 4Runner. I will be buying a 2007 4Runner in the next few days and I have some simple questions that can hopefully be answered here by our members. What does the avg. oil change cost if you were to take it to a Toyota dealer? For the V8, is it best to change every 3k or 5k? Is there a timing belt issue to deal with on the V8 at 90k? What concerns would you have with a higher mileage 2007 V8? I've heard that the rear lift gate latch can be troublesome. What is the issue with this? Are there easy/common fixes? Thanks in advance for the advice!

I do not know about a dealer oil change but at a quick lube for synthetic it is about $80. You could easily do 5k with a synthetic oil, and should do it with a high mileage synthetic. I go 5k between my oil changes (have an 06 V8) and use a Mobil 1 oil filter with Mobil 1 synthetic. There is supposedly a timing belt issue at 90k but no big deal, just replace it ($600 or so) and this V8 is a great motor; lasts a long time. No concerns really with a high mileage 07, especially considering that it had to be majority highway miles. I have the rear latch "soft close" thing and have not had any issues with it so far. I have 75k on an '06.

I've got 98,000 on my '04 v-8 Sport and maintenance with the exception of brakes has been very reasonable. The dealer here in Tampa offers an Express oil change, synthetic blend oil for $25 which I do every 5k. The timing belt was $380 with a service coupon and I'm on my second set of front rotors due to warpage. OK, I may have been a little inconsiderate with the first set but babied the brakes the second time around and they still warped and needed to be turned. Overall, maintenance hasn't been a cost issue and I'm quite happy with the V-8.

At the Toyota dealer I work at, its 30 bucks for an express lube service.

I ALWAYS change mine at 3K, no matter what the manual states.

Do the Tbelt at 90k, and you will most likely need a water pump and drive belts. Check the pulleys for noise. Cam/crank seals are usually ok.

I just swapped my '99 4Runner for an '07 GX. It'll be an interesting change.