Jeep to TE
We have just traded in a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon for a 2015 Toyota Runner Trail Edition.
In early 2012 we were looking for a vehicle which would allow us to explore the trails of southern Utah including overnight stops while still being capable of freeway/highway driving. Candidates were the Jeep, 4Runner and Nissan Xterra Pro-4X.
After much deliberation we chose the Jeep in 2012 because, among other things:
So after more than three years we are trading in the Jeep for the 4Runner because, among other things:
We have had good experience with Toyota in past (1991 Camry, 1999 Lexus RX300) and still have our 2005 Prius, coincidentally, all built in Japan. We’re looking forward to getting out there in our new 4Runner.
We have just traded in a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon for a 2015 Toyota Runner Trail Edition.
In early 2012 we were looking for a vehicle which would allow us to explore the trails of southern Utah including overnight stops while still being capable of freeway/highway driving. Candidates were the Jeep, 4Runner and Nissan Xterra Pro-4X.
After much deliberation we chose the Jeep in 2012 because, among other things:
- Stock Jeep is robust and renowned for being able to handle conditions that the others might not
- There is over 6ft of length available in the back of the Jeep for sleeping. It’s a little awkward with the center console and the subwoofer but with the front seats pushed all the way forward, two people can sleep relatively comfortably in the back.
- Lots of support locally and online for help, parts etc.
- With the TreadLightly discount, less expensive than the Toyota (though more than the Nissan)
- Jeeps are supposed to hold their value
So after more than three years we are trading in the Jeep for the 4Runner because, among other things:
- The 4Runner is more “sophisticated” and comfortable on the freeway
- We realize we are not going to do any serious rock crawling and don’t need the uber-rugged build of the Jeep
- Moving gear out of the Jeep to sleep has got a little old. We have re-thought our camping setup and will probably get a RTT or a trailer. We could have done this with the Jeep but it was something else that caused us to consider changing vehicles. I assume we won’t be able to sleep in the back of the 4Runner.
- Although the Jeep did not let us down (or even threaten to) there was always the perceived reliability issue
- We got a great deal on our low-mileage Jeep - trade-in value was 96.5% of our original out-the-door cost in 2012!
We have had good experience with Toyota in past (1991 Camry, 1999 Lexus RX300) and still have our 2005 Prius, coincidentally, all built in Japan. We’re looking forward to getting out there in our new 4Runner.