3rd gen T4R vs Jeep JKU 4 door ?

[snivilous]

The biggest plus for the jeep is that it's newer, do whatever you want but good luck finding a 3rd gen that will be as clean as the jeep when the jeep is potentially 10 years newer. It'll probably seem fancier, have more power, better mpg, and all the stuff that naturally happens with time.

I would never buy a JK, I've ridden in them quite a bit and stock the ride was simply horrendous I thought. I really couldn't understand why it was so bad since I've ridden in XJs and 80s that are solid front axle and rode way better. Taking the top off is nice, but unless he will actually remove the full roof which not very many people do, then big deal.

 

[white_n_slow]

Aside from the fact that the prices of both vehicles will be vastly different with the 4runner being cheaper, here is my contribution.

I've gone wheeling and camping with two folks with JKU's. Both were modified rubicons. They are pretty darn good offroad--hard to beat with anything other than a homemade buggy or another solid-axle rig with a lot of money invested.

But since your brother's stated purpose is DDing with family onboard, I will also point out that one of the above mentioned trucks lost all electrical power completely randomy, stranding the vehicle in the desert. When it was eventually re-started, half the instruments on the dash no longer worked. Stuff like this simply does not happen in a Toyota, regardless of age or mileage. Toyota QC is in a totally different league.

I have also heard a lot of folks with parts breakage when wheeling JK's, but if it's going to be used mainly as an in-town runabout, probably nothing to worry about there. Expect the jeep to start getting expensive to own a little over 100k. Expect the Toyota to never be particularly expensive to own

 

[cbr900boy]

Was this a 2dr or 4dr Jeep ? Because I'd think the longer wheelbase 4 door would be better on the highway ?

2 door.

 

[jman11788]

If your brother is real thirsty tell him to get the jeep. It'll quench his thirst for sure :naughty:

 

[Mr.Rick]

Having owned both a 1999 4runner and a 2010 JK Unlimited I can tell you this:

The Jeep is seriously under powered for how heavy it is and way over priced
It was like driving a cinder block with brick wheels in the wind... I was seeing 8mpg pretty regularly and that was with calculating fuel cost and mileage between tanks not using that goofy readout on the dash.

The Jeeps are expensive to do anything to if you use quality parts... between bumpers, lifts, tires and wheels you can expect to spend $10k+ on parts alone

Tons of plastic is a huge downside. plastic everywhere.. grill, interior etc. The inside has almost no creature comforts. You listed the best parts of the jeep... removable doors and top... that's about it. Every time I wheeled that thing I came home with a list of things to fix and it was never cheap.

The Toyota seriously feels so much more solidly put together than even the new jeeps.

 

[SnowLizard]

after he drives both... then lest us know. we already know what his take will be... IF he drives both.

I know it's not relevant to jeep... but I too wanted to know which was better between a f150 and a tundra... I was REALLY hoping the f150 was gonna be awesome... but... I drove the trundra, it was $48k MSRP, it was the 1792 edition... it was great, I LOVED it... strong too.. I then went to ford, to test drive the same MSRP... $48k with as close to the same req's... it was AWFUL... plasitc, cheap, not comfy... since then I've been a quality seeker, I can't FIND anything better than toyota in my price range. no I still don't have a tundra.

 

[RichInCanada]

So, he drove the Jeep tonight...guy will take 17k, it's an 08. Funny, first thing he said was that it was 'gutless/slow'...he said it drove OK, kinda rough but livable. I guess the guy took the front part of the top off and he liked that part (I live in Canada, near Toronto and its frickin cold and snowy out right now, that's funny). On sat, he's going to see the 4runner, its a 2001, 2nd owner 200,000km (120k miles) and hes asking $7200 cdn. Big price difference too but my bro could swing either or....

 

[Raintrees]

I would love a old Tj to play around in but people want way to much for them.
the jks i have driven i didnt care for but they looked cool!
i would buy a 3rd gen over a jk for the price you can get a supercharged one!

 

[RichInCanada]

So he drove the 4runner today, said it was very nice, solid, well built etc. More Importantly, his wife loved it, he said he's gonna work out a deal with the guy.
He also test drove a Nissan Pathfinder (I'm not sure which year) but said the Toyota felt better and cost less too (must have been a few years newer Pathfinder ?)