2nd Gen MDX vs 5th Gen 4Runner Limited?

B

BL78

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To all the faithful 4Runner owners:

After being on this forum for a couple of months, Im tempted to trade my 2007 Acura MDX base for the 2011 4Runner Limited. I like my MDX but I like the design of the Limited. Even though going off-road sounds fun for the 4Runner, the only use for the vehicle would be family road trips, going to work, pick up kids, food shopping, etc.

If you were in my shoes, have a family (wife, 2 kids), would you trade it? Theres no problem with my MDX but would it be better to get the Limited? I dont want to trade it just because the Limited looks nicer but would like to know if there any other factors that justifies why its better to get it.

Let me know your honest and professional opinion if I should trade it or keep it.
 
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BL78 said:
To all the faithful 4Runner owners:

After being on this forum for a couple of months, Im tempted to trade my 2007 Acura MDX base for the 2011 4Runner Limited. I like my MDX but I like the design of the Limited. Even though going off-road sounds fun for the 4Runner, the only use for the vehicle would be family road trips, going to work, pick up kids, food shopping, etc.

If you were in my shoes, have a family (wife, 2 kids), would you trade it? Theres no problem with my MDX but would it be better to get the Limited? I dont want to trade it just because the Limited looks nicer but would like to know if there any other factors that justifies why its better to get it.

Let me know your honest and professional opinion if I should trade it or keep it.
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Of course on here,the majority of us love our 4Runners and will say go trade your MDX in tomorrow. I personally would'nt own/drive anything else....at the moment.

My advice is go get as much seat time as you can behind the wheel of a Limited with your family and see what you think before you buy.There's no big hurry as they will be around.

They are great trucks but I'll be the first to admit that they are not for everybody.It's a truck on a full frame with a SUV body with not many left being made like it. It's a rare and dying breed !Some on here coming from cars and unibody SUV's like your MDX have regretted the decision to buy based on the looks of the new 5ths. They didn't research and do enough test drives before the decision to buy.

Good Luck and I hope you get one!
 
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I own two, which some folks might consider a crazy investment. I on the other hand couldn't be happier about the decision :D.

My wife drove a 10 for a year, that I purchased in Dec 09. I wanted to take it over full time, which was my plan from the get go and decided to sell my Honda Accord V6 EX Leather and gave her the option to pick out something new, which an MDX was an option along w/ pretty much anything she would be comfortable driving in approx said price range. With all the options out there she still chose a runner... so I bought her a 2011 in December.

I like the limitted a lot, and have always had the full leather packgage/navi/rims/etc... on previous cars, but still opted to get the sr5 given that I don't do any 'serious' off roading and live in arizona where for the most part we don't worry about daily conditions being hazard enough to warrant full time 4wd and other options the limitted comes with. I can be rough on vehicles so I didn't want the plush interior of the limitted either. I do sometimes regret that though to be honest. My wife decided she felt the same way and decided on the sr5 for hers as well, baby stuff isn't clean and she didn't want to worry about premium leather apolstery.

The runner, over the MDX, in my opinion is not as "luxury" of a ride and will be a little rougher, but the runner is still very comfortable and fun to drive. You will pay a bit more for gas on in the runner over the Acura, but to some, which I'm one of, is worth it.

This is simply my experience and I'm very happy w/ them both. Spend a lot of time driving it to ensure it's a good fit, as all would obviously agree it's a different ride than what you're used to.

Should you get off in the woods for a camping trip, hit rough road conditions, or anything just know that the runner will get you out safely (when driven right) and get you into some amazing spots that I wouldn't feel comfortable taking the Acura. The little extra roughness is worth it imo.

Good luck on your decision. Both are awesome cars and you're fortunate to have the option to chose!

-b
 
I considered the MDX and it's a sweet ride. But it's just too much like a mini-van- IMO.

But it's obviously your personal preference and I'd recommend taking the 4Runner for an extended test drive if possible.

I look forward to driving mine every day.
 
I'd definitely stay with the MDX. We have an '09 MDX and it's such a comfortable and great-driving vehicle. For your intended uses, I think you'd be much happier driving the MDX than any 4Runner. Your MDX is more like a car (but with the space of an SUV) and the 4Runner is more like a truck.
 
As much as it pains me to say it, in your situation, I think you will be happier in the MDX. The 4Runner is a very unique vehicle, it's definitely not for everyone. This is my 5th 4runner, I've always loved the truck feel with the SUV utility. It is, however, a truck and rides as such. I love it, but again, I'm a ittle biased.
 
I agree with many above, keep the MDX. If you had three kids or planned to go offroad I would say 4runner, but for what you will be using the vehicle for, keep the MDX. The MDX is a well built vehicle, it will be comfortable for the whole family and is great around town.

Have you thought about the Highlander. I might get flamed for saying that, but to be honest the new body style looks great IMO for an around town family SUV. Just a thought. One of those in Hybrid Limited would be very nice.
 
With the info at hand, I'd agree with "keep it". I nearly bought the Pilot, and it's nice, so the MDX surely is too.

Me, I just wanted bigger, truckier, hunkier, and it was time to replace my PF.

However, if you're seriously tempted, agree with the advice to drive a 4R extensively. You may decide "want" will outweigh common sense, as it has with some of us.

Keep us posted...

EDIT: BTW, you haven't said whose vehicle this will be, and how the wifey feels about all this. Y'all gotta listen to momma.
 
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I have both (the wife has the MDX) and in your situation I'd stay with the MDX. For what you are planning on doing with it the MDX is a perfect fit, it really is a great vehicle. Ours is a 2005 (bought new) and the ONLY thing we have done with it is the regular maintenance and we just put on new tires last month at 50,000 miles.
 
Thank you for your honest response and reasons. It give me a lot to think about / evaluate. I have also taken the time to test drive the Limited today to see how it feels. I will probably finalize my decision by next week hopefully, meaning, I may stick with my MDX or purchase the Limited.
 
BL78 said:
Thank you for your honest response and reasons. It give me a lot to think about / evaluate. I have also taken the time to test drive the Limited today to see how it feels. I will probably finalize my decision by next week hopefully, meaning, I may stick with my MDX or purchase the Limited.
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What did you think of the Limited?
 
BL78 said:
Thank you for your honest response and reasons. It give me a lot to think about / evaluate. I have also taken the time to test drive the Limited today to see how it feels. I will probably finalize my decision by next week hopefully, meaning, I may stick with my MDX or purchase the Limited.
Click to expand...

Another thing to consider is that it will be cheaper to keep your existing vehicle than to buy a new 4Runner.
 
kmiller8821 said:
What did you think of the Limited?
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Without comparing the Limited to the MDX, I think the Limited is comfortable and quiet. I driven it on local roads and on the highway. I havent tested the vehicles to the point of making sharp turns or driving on boulders ;). I like the interior and exterior design especially with the OEM rims that comes on the Limited. I dont have much to say on the other details because I didnt examine all aspects such as sound quality of the speakers, rear view camera, etc.

How is the 4Runner on long road trips from your experience?
 
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BL78 said:
How is the 4Runner on long road trips from your experience?
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We did three national park in the first 5 months I owned it, highway miles were as easy as a preacher's daughter. The trip through Yellowstone was some of the best wheel time I've ever had.
 
SeattleMike said:
We did three national park in the first 5 months I owned it, highway miles were as easy as a preacher's daughter. The trip through Yellowstone was some of the best wheel time I've ever had.
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I traded in my 2006 MDX on the SR5 and have had no regrets. You will lose some options as the MDX is a luxury SUV. For me, I needed the towing capabilities and the cabin space is larger. I was surprised to find I get better mileage in the SR5 than in the MDX.
 
I wish I can own both the MDX and 4runner Limited but Im going to have to stick with my current 07 MDX. I also need to stop looking at the 4Runner pics on this site because its been tempting me to trade my vehicle for the 4Runner and cause me to drive off somewhere like the mountains of Colorado or Canada.

:lookout:
 
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mocosguey said:
I traded in my 2006 MDX on the SR5 and have had no regrets. You will lose some options as the MDX is a luxury SUV. For me, I needed the towing capabilities and the cabin space is larger. I was surprised to find I get better mileage in the SR5 than in the MDX.
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What are you getting on your SR5 vs 06 MDX?
 
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