2017 Wish List

[barc111]

Pretty simple request....and will get me back into a 4runner.

Extremely annoyed that I have to get a Limited and spend $43k+ just to get Auto on/off headlights. This should be standard equipment for all, down to base SR5. And if not that, at least offer it in the Trail Premium.

Other things that should be standard, at least on the Premium.

- Smart Key
- Xenon Lights

For those of us that don't go off road, just trips to the Mtn......hate to say it but the Highlander XLE is a much better deal.

 

[1engineer]

Pretty simple request....and will get me back into a 4runner.

Extremely annoyed that I have to get a Limited and spend $43k+ just to get Auto on/off headlights. This should be standard equipment for all, down to base SR5. And if not that, at least offer it in the Trail Premium.

Other things that should be standard, at least on the Premium.

- Smart Key
- Xenon Lights

For those of us that don't go off road, just trips to the Mtn......hate to say it but the Highlander XLE is a much better deal.

The Highlander is a perfect vehicle for those who do not go off road.

The problems and frustrations come when people who do not go off road want the off road vehicle for the look and then want all the gadgets of on road vehicles too. They make such a vehicle but nobody wants to spend the $80K to get it.

 

[M1911]

The Highlander is a perfect vehicle for those who do not go off road.

Absolutely.

I put up with the poor dynamic behavior of the 4Runner because I need its offroad capability. If you don't take it offroad, why put up with it? A crossover will ride, drive, and handle better.

 

[1engineer]

You know why. Some people want to project an image of themselves as rugged and outdoorsy. The have Filson gear, buy the latest tech and never use it. Another word is poser. Saw a guy on a trail right before Christmas. Mid 30's and fat riding what was easily a $10K bike. Terribly. Not wearing a helmet. Got back to the trail head as I was getting ready to make another loop I saw him loading his bike on a Kuat rack on a brand new lifted Jeep Rubicon. It was misting rain and in the high 30's. He was miserable but he looked good lol. Poser defined.

 

[Threev8s]

The Highlander is a perfect vehicle for those who do not go off road.

You know why. Some people want to project an image of themselves as rugged and outdoorsy.

There is a point that fails to get raised every time someone says that if you don’t go off-road and you like Toyotas, you should get a Highlander. And, if you buy a 4Runner and you don’t go off-road, you’re a poseur. Sorry, but I don’t see it that way. The Highlander, which is based on a Camry platform, cannot be compared to a 4Runner for several reasons that do not have anything to do with going off-road. Without getting into all of the specifics and pointing out all of the obvious differences, you cannot compare the two in terms of towing (regardless of tow rating), driving in the snow, dealing with pothole ridden roads, hauling heavy gear, equipment, etc., and driving dynamics. In addition, I put my wife and kids in a 4Runner because, barring a freak, major mechanical failure, it has the capability to bring them home in anything the Northeast can throw at it.

In my over 20 years of driving, I have never owned a front-wheel drive or front-wheel drive based AWD vehicle, and I will try to keep it that way for as long as I can. The ride and handling of the Highlander, which is a great vehicle for its intended purpose, makes me borderline nauseous. The only other non-Toyota, non-Xterra Japanese SUV left, which is really a CUV, that is both based on an RWD platform and relatively close in size, is the Infiniti FX. It’s a great vehicle, but it’s built for a very different purpose. Otherwise, you're going much bigger or you're buying a European vehicle for a lot more money with way less expected reliability. So, if you’re like me and you prefer RWD-based 4WD vehicles with solidity, value, safety, reliability, utility, and a pure driving experience, there’s a good chance you will buy a 4Runner and end up on this great forum with the rest of us.

 

[M1911]

So, if you’re like me and you prefer RWD-based 4WD vehicles with solidity, value, safety, reliability, utility, and a pure driving experience, there’s a good chance you will buy a 4Runner and end up on this great forum with the rest of us.

A lot of people seem to think truck = safer, when I don't think that is true.

2015 4Runner crash ratings:

Small overlap front M
Moderate overlap front G
Side G
Roof strength G
Head restraints & seats G

2015 Highlander crash ratings:

Small overlap front A
Moderate overlap front G
Side G
Roof strength G
Head restraints & seats G

Notice that the Highlander beat the 4Runner in the small overlap front test.

In addition, the 4Runner's center of gravity is higher, so it is more likely to rollover in a collision than the Highlander.

As for the driving dynamics of a front-wheel-drive vehicle, most any front-wheel-drive car or crossover will have better driving dynamics than a 4Runner. I just spent two weeks in a front-wheel-drive Camry and I can assure you that it handles better, brakes shorter, and is more pleasant to drive than a 4Runner.

 

[1engineer]

A lot of people seem to think truck = safer, when I don't think that is true.

2015 4Runner crash ratings:

Small overlap front M
Moderate overlap front G
Side G
Roof strength G
Head restraints & seats G

2015 Highlander crash ratings:

Small overlap front A
Moderate overlap front G
Side G
Roof strength G
Head restraints & seats G

Notice that the Highlander beat the 4Runner in the small overlap front test.

In addition, the 4Runner's center of gravity is higher, so it is more likely to rollover in a collision than the Highlander.

As for the driving dynamics of a front-wheel-drive vehicle, most any front-wheel-drive car or crossover will have better driving dynamics than a 4Runner. I just spent two weeks in a front-wheel-drive Camry and I can assure you that it handles better, brakes shorter, and is more pleasant to drive than a 4Runner.

Totally agree on driving and riding. Safety? Just a quick tip to remember on those safety crash tests. F=MA. The crash tests are fine and show quite a bit...against vehicles of a like Mass. If I crash a vehicle into a wall then the only energy I have to absorb and dissipate is that vehicles mass. If a heavy vehicle hits a light vehicle then the lighter vehicle has to dissipate the energy from the heavier vehicle. We all know how that works out.

 

[M1911]

Totally agree on driving and riding. Safety? Just a quick tip to remember on those safety crash tests. F=MA. The crash tests are fine and show quite a bit...against vehicles of a like Mass. If I crash a vehicle into a wall then the only energy I have to absorb and dissipate is that vehicles mass. If a heavy vehicle hits a light vehicle then the lighter vehicle has to dissipate the energy from the heavier vehicle. We all know how that works out.

Yes, there is that. Of course, what is the weight difference between a 4Runner and a Highlander?

2015 4Runner Limited 4x4: 4800 lbs
2015 Highlander Limited AWD: 4500 lbs.

That is less than a 7% difference. Personally, I think the lowered rollover risk and better offset crash performance more than make up for that difference in weight, but YMMV.

 

[Misterquad]

You know why. Some people want to project an image of themselves as rugged and outdoorsy. The have Filson gear, buy the latest tech and never use it. Another word is poser. Saw a guy on a trail right before Christmas. Mid 30's and fat riding what was easily a $10K bike. Terribly. Not wearing a helmet. Got back to the trail head as I was getting ready to make another loop I saw him loading his bike on a Kuat rack on a brand new lifted Jeep Rubicon. It was misting rain and in the high 30's. He was miserable but he looked good lol. Poser defined.

Why does it matter to you what he owns or why he buys it. He did not ask you to pay for it nor did it harm you or anyone else. They are just possessions that he decided that he wanted for his own personal reasons.

I see it as a bike shop sold an extra $10,000 bike they would have not normally sold. And someone on Ebay or CL is going to get an awesome deal some day.

We all try to portray a persona for ourselves and for others. That is what makes this country great. Liberty and choice.


eace:

 

[Tronner]

- Front suspension that doesn't brake dive
- Make S mode also increase throttle response instead of just holding gears longer (seems to be one of the biggest gripes I see with 5th gen)
- Could throw in a trail mode with very subdued throttle response while they're at it
- 6 speed auto trans
- Wider stock rim options

 

[1engineer]

Why does it matter to you what he owns or why he buys it. He did not ask you to pay for it nor did it harm you or anyone else. They are just possessions that he decided that he wanted for his own personal reasons.

I see it as a bike shop sold an extra $10,000 bike they would have not normally sold. And someone on Ebay or CL is going to get an awesome deal some day.

We all try to portray a persona for ourselves and for others. That is what makes this country great. Liberty and choice.


eace:

A question was asked. I gave my opinion.
That guy might be the best guy ever. Feeds the homeless, walks through fire, only gives and never takes, makes sure the liberals always have a voice, volunteers at church, values family, donates his possessions, only gives never receives.

...but I doubt it. That's why I just slapped myself and should keep my opinions to myself and should just state fact. I'm sorry Mr. Quad sir. It won't happen again. Duh.

 

[philsey]

... It won't happen again unless pigs fly.

fixed.

 

[Misterquad]

Greg,
I am glad you are here. You help me everyday. Not with 4Runner related items but by illustrating and helping me understand how others socially perceive an Engineer's behaviors and tone. I am much more aware of those items in myself now. And I see how I look to others. For that I say thank you - Brett

 

[dekeman]

Who the fuk would spend $10,000 on a bicycle? That'd buy a nice FJ60!

 

[philsey]

Who the fuk would spend $10,000 on a bicycle?

A Por-sha owner might. :hiding:

 

[M1911]

Who the fuk would spend $10,000 on a bicycle? That'd buy a nice FJ60!

From what little I've read, it has become a big thing in the bicycle world. What many view as a cheap entry-level bike is $6k.

 

[jcoleman]

Who the fuk would spend $10,000 on a bicycle? That'd buy a nice FJ60!

You have to look at it this way--in the bike world, you can be a PLAYER for 10k.imp:

Try that in the automotive realm.

 

[1engineer]

Greg,
I am glad you are here. You help me everyday. Not with 4Runner related items but by illustrating and helping me understand how others socially perceive an Engineer's behaviors and tone. I am much more aware of those items in myself now. And I see how I look to others. For that I say thank you - Brett

I understand exactly what you are saying. Somehow or other with all my faults I have stumbled blindly through life and managed to have a great family and a good life.

I learned a long time ago that you can't please everyone. In reality I really should not be here.

 

[1engineer]

Who the fuk would spend $10,000 on a bicycle? That'd buy a nice FJ60!

A pro...

 

[Misterquad]

I think I understand you a bit more. In the balance of life sometimes there is a balance between social skills and engineering skills.