Can't decide between 05 and 06

[beaudot]

I'm been test driving a 05 for the last day, and am having a tough time deciding whether I should go for it, or look for an '06. It seems a bit underpowered on the highway, but if there wasn't a model with higher horsepower out, I doubt I'd think too much about it.

But knowing that the '06 has quite a bit more power, is making it a tough decision. I haven't been able to drive an '06 yet, is the difference in power quite noticeable?

The '05 I am looking at is loaded with DVD/NAV/etc., he is asking 51k for it. (10,000 miles). I am also looking at a 2006 a couple hours away with (3800 miles on it). I am guessing the 05 can be had for about 49k, while the 06 for 55-56k. What are everyone's thoughts? Is the extra power with an extra 6 or 7 thousand?

Sorry if this question has been asked before, I browsed a few pages of the forum, but couldn't find a similar discussion.

BTW, what are people paying for brand new ones loaded with DVD/NAV/etc?

 

[Tinkerer]

I'm been test driving a 05 for the last day, and am having a tough time deciding whether I should go for it, or look for an '06. It seems a bit underpowered on the highway, but if there wasn't a model with higher horsepower out, I doubt I'd think too much about it.

But knowing that the '06 has quite a bit more power, is making it a tough decision. I haven't been able to drive an '06 yet, is the difference in power quite noticeable?

The '05 I am looking at is loaded with DVD/NAV/etc., he is asking 51k for it. (10,000 miles). I am also looking at a 2006 a couple hours away with (3800 miles on it). I am guessing the 05 can be had for about 49k, while the 06 for 55-56k. What are everyone's thoughts? Is the extra power with an extra 6 or 7 thousand?

Sorry if this question has been asked before, I browsed a few pages of the forum, but couldn't find a similar discussion.

You'll have to drive and compare to decide.

I'd like to see a side-by-side comparison of HP vs. RPM and Torque vs. RPM, in chart form, of the higher output '06 vs. earlier years without the variable valve timing gizmos. (Anybody know where to get those charts? Linkies, linkies?)

That would help also, because oftentimes the quoted HP figures look good in the sales brochure but don't mention that the quoted peak HP is only available at some very narrow range of high rpms, not really relevant to everyday driving. (Unless you like to constantly flog the engine - I don't.)

And variable valve timing mechanisms are not all alike. Some may have smooth transitions across the rpm range, but others have quasi-discrete transitions, limited to only one or two transition points, so that the end result is a single, or a few, step(s) in the HP/torque curves as the rpms increase.

I'm more interested in the HP & torque available across the full range of rpm, and the throttle response characteristics etc. Even the charts do not tell the whole story vis a vis throttle response etc., but they give much better info than just a single peak HP figure.

Just have to drive one to see. If you do, post your opinions, eh?

 

[macneill]

Drive a 60, then the 100 and then you'll appreciate the HP.

 

[Kneel]

The difference is night and day. I went through a similar conundrum. Only difference to me, since in the Northeast, you can not purchase an 06 without AHC. I could still find a new 05 without AHC, but it had the 235hp v8. Test drove it. It was fine to me considering I'm used to anemic acceleration at best. It was actually quite peppy compared to my Disco. Was gonna purchase the truck, but decided to be fair to myself and test drove the 06. Was I glad I did. The thing has power everywhere. At a stop, merging into traffic, passing, you give it gas and it accelerates. The 05 seemed to be working a bit too hard on acceleration. The 5 speed auto is noticably smoother with the VVTi in the 06. I'm extremely pleased with the 06.

 

[beaudot]

The difference is night and day. I went through a similar conundrum. Only difference to me, since in the Northeast, you can not purchase an 06 without AHC. I could still find a new 05 without AHC, but it had the 235hp v8. Test drove it. It was fine to me considering I'm used to anemic acceleration at best. It was actually quite peppy compared to my Disco. Was gonna purchase the truck, but decided to be fair to myself and test drove the 06. Was I glad I did. The thing has power everywhere. At a stop, merging into traffic, passing, you give it gas and it accelerates. The 05 seemed to be working a bit too hard on acceleration. The 5 speed auto is noticably smoother with the VVTi in the 06. I'm extremely pleased with the 06.

Oh man, that post is probably going to cost me some money!

I am test driving an '06 today, I'll see after. I'm trading in a Honda S-2000 that I've had for 5 years, so obviously whatever I get is going to be slower. I was trying to not really care about the speed of this vehicle, but I have a feeling I am going to want the 2006 after driving it.

 

[cpcc]

Less miles is always a better thing, espicially if you plan to keep it for a long time.
I believe there is a build issue though. I'm not sure, but I believe that the 06 may not be ARCO (sp?) construction. If this is the case, then I would get the 05, regardless of hp.

 

[gijoebruin]

I would call Longo Toyota in CA and get an internet price on an 06. I think I was quoted around 52ish. That might help make up your mind.

and the power on my 06 LX470 is amazing for this 5000lbs+ truck!

 

[Tinkerer]

Less miles is always a better thing, espicially if you plan to keep it for a long time.
I believe there is a build issue though. I'm not sure, but I believe that the 06 may not be ARCO (sp?) construction. If this is the case, then I would get the 05, regardless of hp.

What is "ARCO" ?

 

[Tinkerer]

The difference is night and day. I went through a similar conundrum. Only difference to me, since in the Northeast, you can not purchase an 06 without AHC. I could still find a new 05 without AHC, but it had the 235hp v8. Test drove it. It was fine to me considering I'm used to anemic acceleration at best. It was actually quite peppy compared to my Disco. Was gonna purchase the truck, but decided to be fair to myself and test drove the 06. Was I glad I did. The thing has power everywhere. At a stop, merging into traffic, passing, you give it gas and it accelerates. The 05 seemed to be working a bit too hard on acceleration. The 5 speed auto is noticably smoother with the VVTi in the 06. I'm extremely pleased with the 06.

Shucks, y'all are making me drool.

 

[flyfish4life]

What is "ARCO" ?

It used to be called Araco I believe. They used to assemble the 100s, 70s and other specialty Toyota products (RVs, etc.) I believe Toyota bought them out and they simply changed their name to some Toyota denomination. I seem to recall that they may have moved their plant location, but supposedly a non-issue.

 

[beaudot]

I bit the bullet and bought a new silver 06 last night. I ended up getting it for $57 loaded with DVD/NAV/everything, plus they gave me a more than fair trade-in for my car. The difference in power was enough to sell me. As soon as I merged onto the interstate, I knew I was getting an 06. Thanks for the comments.

 

[uzj100]

Pictures please.....

 

[JJ_SC]

I bit the bullet and bought a new silver 06 last night. I ended up getting it for $57 loaded with DVD/NAV/everything, plus they gave me a more than fair trade-in for my car. The difference in power was enough to sell me. As soon as I merged onto the interstate, I knew I was getting an 06. Thanks for the comments.

Congrats on the purchase! You'll love it. We got the '06 too. I like the power it has, it does what ever I want, when ever I want. I fall deeper in love with it every day. You probably will too! FYI, we paid about the same for ours.



JJ