4runner vs. Venza?

[redskinboy]

Had a weak moment a month ago and aggressively sought to buy a Venza. I am 51 now and just thought this would be a good opportunity to get something a little more refined for me and the Mrs. Got great pricing but, lo and behold, every local dealer tried to hose me on my 4runner. Got one place to offer 22,000 but they were the highest on the Venza. One offered 19,000. They were "offended" that I asked KBB which was 24,500. At the end of the month I told each of the internet managers that I could tell they were having a good month because they were trying to screw people on their trades to make up for the incentives they were offering. A strange silence came over the phone each time. So I had my 4runner detailed and remembered why I bought it in the first place. It looks just plain freakin' awesome!!! This doesn't mean I won't look again but I WILL NOT GIVE MY 4RUNNER AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Feeling good about decision to keep the 4runner and urge anyone that feel this way to detail first, trade later!!

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Yep, nothing like a fresh detail, a new set of tires, a minor upgrade of some sort or some event* to remind me of how freakin sweet my 4Runner is

*By event I mean one time when I want to pull a trailer or go some place that lets the 4Runner do it's stuff and I'm so glad I have. It works so well as a car and when called upon for SUV duty it never disappoints. They are tough to beat.
:cheers:

 

[SkylineGTRracer]

Good for you man. I'm glad you didn't fall for those tricks the dealers pull.

 

[flnycus]

Yes i agree with the others, a nice wax and a proper detail reminds me why i feel in love with my 4r too!

 

[djj1973]

I know what you mean. On the flip side, I've been trying to get my wife to get rid of her Sedona and buy a Toyota for quite awhile. The Sedona was an '06 and had 54k miles on it. For the longest time we've had A/C problems and engine gaskets leaking (i.e. oil pan gasket, valve cover gaskets, timing cover seal, etc.). Not to mention all the squeaks and rattles it had and interior trim pieces that needed replacing as well. About 4 weeks ago we traded it for a 2010 Camry and we absouletly love the car. That 2.5 liter has alot of pep for a 4 cylinder. We got 2k off sticker and 0% financing. Couldn't be happier !

I have no intention of getting rid of my 4 Runner though.

DJJ

 

[colombo]

have 03 runner. I thought I would buy newer one and trade mine for new sienna... Bought 07 limited. My wife said she is fine with runner. Now I have two hypos in my garage)))))))))). No will to drive a car.......
With Venza you need to buy Limited to be able to compete at least at trafic light))))))))
4 runner's status you can compensate with bmw 750 or audi a8 or something like that. Not with Venza.

 

[CookieRoe]

With Venza you need to buy Limited to be able to compete at least at trafic light))))))))
4 runner's status you can compensate with bmw 750 or audi a8 or something like that. Not with Venza.

You need a limited to compete? What does that mean?

4Runner status? MAYBE if you have a GX470/LX470 you can make that statement.

I dunno, I sat in a Venza, pretty neat car. It has everything!! Anyway, not for me, I'm a truck person.

I wouldn't say the op had a "weak moment", but reassesing his needs. He just realized he is a "truck SUV" person......

 

[dwulffusa]

I just went through the same thing over the last week. Got an option on a coworker's '07 GX470 at a great price and alot less miles. Got my 4Runner all ready to sell, cleaned out, detailed, stone chips touched up, windshield chip fixed, got all the documentation neat. This was also just after putting on new tires, replacing the battery, service, alignment etc. Then.... I kept looking at it, shining out there in the parking lot, neat as pin, driving like a dream realising its being the best allrounder vehicle I have ever owned and I still have a sort of pride driving it.

I went as far as getting a trade in at Carmax this weekend, and it was very fair, right in the middle of the KBB trade in estimate.

But it didnt feel right, I fealt like I was giving away my best friend... I also kept thinking, unless I replaced it with another 4Runner, it would be weird lurking on the T4R.org forum.. I took the ads down today. Its here to stay for a bit longer.


:lookout:

I did quell the spring fever spending bug though by buying a used dual sport bike from a friend and spent 6hrs in Uhwarrie National Park (NC) on Saturday tooling around and watching the serious offroaders play on the rocks and mud - Jeeps, Taco's, old 4R's, a few LC80s... my kind of fun.

 

[toto]

I don't understand the target audience for the Venza. It looks like a hatchback version of a Camry. Nonetheless, that style is all the rage with other car makers as well, such as the Honda Accord Crosstour. Somebody in the auto industry woke up one day and decided we all need hatchbacks again.

 

[M1911]

I don't understand the target audience for the Venza. It looks like a hatchback version of a Camry.

It's a Camry wagon for people who don't want to buy a wagon. The target audience is the same as that for the Nissan Murano -- DINCs and empty nesters.

 

[Sporin]

I actually quite like the Venza, it's good looking (imo) tall Camry wagon that would make a great family people mover.

That said, it is NOT a 4Runner competitor. They are 2 completely different vehicles. The 4R is a body on frame SUV, not a tall car.

 

[TRADICLES]

Family wagon

I actually quite like the Venza, it's good looking (imo) tall Camry wagon that would make a great family people mover.

That said, it is NOT a 4Runner competitor. They are 2 completely different vehicles. The 4R is a body on frame SUV, not a tall car.

vENZA looks to much like a station wagon(KIDS UGH!)Stay with the Runner!!!!

 

[Uneek]

To me, the Venza is a Camry station wagon. But Toyota would probably want us to think it's a little more than a station wagon and not quite crossover SUV. Motor Trend does not consider the Venza to be a car, but a SUV because of its ground clearance. Toyota said it would lower FWD models.

I guess the Venza should be in the same league as the Audi All-Road and Subaru Outback.

 

[VNT]

A friend of mine has a VEnza, nice car, but not for me. I think you made the right decision, you just can't go wrong with the T4R

 

[M1911]

vENZA looks to much like a station wagon(KIDS UGH!)Stay with the Runner!!!!

I just don't understand why folks in the US don't like wagons. I love wagons. I need to go offroad and can only afford two cars, so we have a 4Runner and a sedan for Mrs. M1911. But if we had money and room for a third car, I'd love a sporty hatchback or wagon (E63 wagon FTW!).

And no, we don't have kids.

 

[redskinboy]

Thanks for your feedback - I am an empty nester thus the appeal of the Venza but I have no problem getiing in and out of my 4runner. Still in driveway, standing tall, looking good. It is definitely a good vehicle and I'm glad I chose it. Methinks I will have it for a while!!