A Silly Dilemma, to Trade or not to trade...

[Paragon1]

To begin i love the 4Runner as this is my second one, and modding it while interacting on this forum has been a blast since i began playing with these in 2010. Life is taking me away from off road ventures, and i find myself wanting V8 power.

And here's where I risk losing all respect in this forum...i'm considering a '19 GJC SRT.... I know I know I know... but there's something to be said for enjoying the drive on the surface I'm predominantly on, and the ability to tow an additional 2200lbs more than the 4R speaks volumes.

The other option is to spend less overall and go the Supercharger route as well as overhauling the suspension, and probably upgrade the stereo components & add airbags. But do i really want to do that to a 4yr old vehicle with 80K miles on it? Especially since that doesn't affect towing ratings (there's a larger boat in my future).

The dealer I've been talking to has the exact model i want, has dropped about 4k off their price, and offered me 25K for mine with free delivery (they're three hours away).

Will happily entertain comments/concerns/browbeating from you all as far as options.

Damn these first world problems....

 

[Antman]

To begin i love the 4Runner as this is my second one, and modding it while interacting on this forum has been a blast since i began playing with these in 2010. Life is taking me away from off road ventures, and i find myself wanting V8 power.

And here's where I risk losing all respect in this forum...i'm considering a '19 GJC SRT.... I know I know I know... but there's something to be said for enjoying the drive on the surface I'm predominantly on, and the ability to tow an additional 2200lbs more than the 4R speaks volumes.

The other option is to spend less overall and go the Supercharger route as well as overhauling the suspension, and probably upgrade the stereo components & add airbags. But do i really want to do that to a 4yr old vehicle with 80K miles on it? Especially since that doesn't affect towing ratings (there's a larger boat in my future).

The dealer I've been talking to has the exact model i want, has dropped about 4k off their price, and offered me 25K for mine with free delivery (they're three hours away).

Will happily entertain comments/concerns/browbeating from you all as far as options.

Damn these first world problems....

Well... I just switched to a 2019 Silverado. I love the truck- it’s a much nicer vehicle in many ways, BUT I’m not delusional as to what I had with the 4Runner...
It was an awesome, super capable, totally reliable vehicle. I mean, never back to the dealer in over 150,000 miles reliable. If the Chevy does that it’ll be a complete miracle I think! If a JGC even comes close to that the world may just end. Just sayin’, lol.
Get what you want/need and enjoy it. You can always come back to a 4Runner- most do eventually.

 

[Paragon1]

Well... I just switched to a 2019 Silverado. I love the truck- it’s a much nicer vehicle in many ways, BUT I’m not delusional as to what I had with the 4Runner...
It was an awesome, super capable, totally reliable vehicle. I mean, never back to the dealer in over 150,000 miles reliable. If the Chevy does that it’ll be a complete miracle I think! If a JGC even comes close to that the world may just end. Just sayin’, lol.
Get what you want/need and enjoy it. You can always come back to a 4Runner- most do eventually.

I traded my 2010 TE for a 15 F150... that thing only lasted me 2 months! But admittedly im not a truck guy.

 

[KingTaco]

[MENTION=60898]Paragon1[/MENTION] it's just a car, and it's only money. Do what makes you happy, and enjoy it without regret.

I can't picture a $70,000 Jeep that somehow gets worse gas mileage than my 4Runner making me happy, but that's just me.

 

[Satweh]

To begin i love the 4Runner as this is my second one, and modding it while interacting on this forum has been a blast since i began playing with these in 2010. Life is taking me away from off road ventures, and i find myself wanting V8 power.

And here's where I risk losing all respect in this forum...i'm considering a '19 GJC SRT.... I know I know I know... but there's something to be said for enjoying the drive on the surface I'm predominantly on, and the ability to tow an additional 2200lbs more than the 4R speaks volumes.

The other option is to spend less overall and go the Supercharger route as well as overhauling the suspension, and probably upgrade the stereo components & add airbags. But do i really want to do that to a 4yr old vehicle with 80K miles on it? Especially since that doesn't affect towing ratings (there's a larger boat in my future).

The dealer I've been talking to has the exact model i want, has dropped about 4k off their price, and offered me 25K for mine with free delivery (they're three hours away).

Will happily entertain comments/concerns/browbeating from you all as far as options.

Damn these first world problems....

I had a 2016 Jeep gc srt, great truck fast very sporty, but that 6.4 liter v8 was horrible, gassing up every 3 days. But other then that, it’s pretty much a sports car

 

[Paragon1]

I had a 2016 Jeep gc srt, great truck fast very sporty, but that 6.4 liter v8 was horrible, gassing up every 3 days. But other then that, it’s pretty much a sports car

What was your real world MPG? i have a hard time believing its combined 15, granted thats what my 4R gets at the moment.

 

[Roody]

This may sound obvious but it really comes down to what makes you happy. The good thing about cars is that nothing you do in terms of swapping vehicles can't be undone with time and money.

The SRTGC is a monster. It's the antithesis of the 4Runner in the SUV world: fast, loud, and somewhat limited to pavement life due to wheels/tires and clearance.

For a very brief moment I cross-shopped with the Grand Cherokee before buying my 4Runner. Then I thought back on my parents' WK2 which in 150k miles has had 2 rear diffs, 3 different UConnect screens, and a few other issues (all covered under warranty), and the fact that you can't select 2WD/4WD and it ruled it out for me entirely. Obviously the SRT is a different animal from a 5.7L Limited GC, but much of the same FCA quality-related worries are still there. My parents' Jeep is only one example of this, but more people I know have had similar issues.

If you need more towing capacity, I wouldn't upgrade the 4Runner. It's not just the 4R's power that limits towing but also the chassis and braking. If you know you'll have to pull more, you're better suited to something that really can do so.

The SRTGC seems like a good option...I've always drooled over them...so long as you can stomach the gas costs (premium + ~13 MPG on a good day = pricey fill ups) and are willing to deal with the headaches it may cause. If you can get over those, I'd say go for it. Few vehicles are as laugh-inducing as truly fast SUVs.

 

[Satweh]

What was your real world MPG? i have a hard time believing its combined 15, granted thats what my 4R gets at the moment.

I live in NYC, stop and go traffic, I averaged 8 or 9

 

[Paragon1]

This may sound obvious but it really comes down to what makes you happy. The good thing about cars is that nothing you do in terms of swapping vehicles can't be undone with time and money.

The SRTGC is a monster. It's the antithesis of the 4Runner in the SUV world: fast, loud, and somewhat limited to pavement life due to wheels/tires and clearance.

For a very brief moment I cross-shopped with the Grand Cherokee before buying my 4Runner. Then I thought back on my parents' WK2 which in 150k miles has had 2 rear diffs, 3 different UConnect screens, and a few other issues (all covered under warranty), and the fact that you can't select 2WD/4WD and it ruled it out for me entirely. Obviously the SRT is a different animal from a 5.7L Limited GC, but much of the same FCA quality-related worries are still there. My parents' Jeep is only one example of this, but more people I know have had similar issues.

If you need more towing capacity, I wouldn't upgrade the 4Runner. It's not just the 4R's power that limits towing but also the chassis and braking. If you know you'll have to pull more, you're better suited to something that really can do so.

The SRTGC seems like a good option...I've always drooled over them...so long as you can stomach the gas costs (premium + ~13 MPG on a good day = pricey fill ups) and are willing to deal with the headaches it may cause. If you can get over those, I'd say go for it. Few vehicles are as laugh-inducing as truly fast SUVs.

Much appreciated, i've had two cases of buyers remorse, one with the F150, and another with a 2017 M3 i bought back in January which turned out to have about $15K in unreported damage, fortunately the dealer took it back and fully refunded me. So the mileage + the fact that nothing compares to Toyota reliability is what has me on the fence still. Oh, and i don't wanna finance 48K.... hahaha.

 

[FZRunner]

Like the others said, get what you want and makes you happy. Just go into with eyes open. I've loved Jeeps since the CJ-5's and 7's in my high school days. However, every one of my friends that's owned one has had problems. Just pointing that out, nothing more. Good luck with your choice. Cheers, G.

 

[arehman11]

You could always look into a fullsize truck or something like the Tahoe RST with the 6.2L , could be more reliable than the JGC and be similarly fun. Nissan Armada is a great value and well made and tows 8500lbs and I thought it was pretty quick.

 

[Roody]

Much appreciated, i've had two cases of buyers remorse, one with the F150, and another with a 2017 M3 i bought back in January which turned out to have about $15K in unreported damage, fortunately the dealer took it back and fully refunded me. So the mileage + the fact that nothing compares to Toyota reliability is what has me on the fence still. Oh, and i don't wanna finance 48K.... hahaha.

I get that. Been through my fair share of cars/trucks in the last ~5 years and the only one that has given me full-blown confidence in its reliability is the 4Runner.

Buyer's remorse is a crappy thing to go through but that's why it's worth it to hash out every big financial decision to the furthest detail. Or at least that's how it's been in my opinion, after making a terrible car-related decision last year. Never again will I buy something without being 100000% certain I am going to be happy with it.

Have you driven the SRTGC? You'll know pretty quickly whether you like it or not. Whether you can stomach the FCA-riddled quality concerns is up to you. For me, that was a "no."

Unfortunately there's nothing in the Toyota lineup that I'd recommend you drive to fit the middleground between 4R/SRTGC. Maybe a Sequoia + supercharger? At least you're starting with a higher tow rating there and have Toyota reliability...

 

[JustRami]

Oh man talk about No-lose options. I LOVE the JGC SRT and think it's a near perfect DD. Gas mileage is a downside but if your commute is manageable then the cost should be ok. The glass roof on that vehicle is huge and makes it feel big inside. I have no idea what the maintenance cost would be for it but considering it shares a decent amount of parts with a popular vehicle it's probably not Land Rover Sport expensive. I have a family member with a LR Sport SVT and he just paid $1900 for a 50K service and $1700 to get his brake pads replaced. That shocked me.

May I ask about the T4R you may be selling? I'm in the market.

 

[Paragon1]

Oh man talk about No-lose options. I LOVE the JGC SRT and think it's a near perfect DD. Gas mileage is a downside but if your commute is manageable then the cost should be ok. The glass roof on that vehicle is huge and makes it feel big inside. I have no idea what the maintenance cost would be for it but considering it shares a decent amount of parts with a popular vehicle it's probably not Land Rover Sport expensive. I have a family member with a LR Sport SVT and he just paid $1900 for a 50K service and $1700 to get his brake pads replaced. That shocked me.

May I ask about the T4R you may be selling? I'm in the market.

Its the one in my sig block & pic.

 

[ayeyothisiskyle]

My boss's JGC had some electrical problems, my sister's JGC back hatch kept opening while driving and one morning the back hatch glass just spontaneously shattered out of nowhere in the driveway of her house. She said they will never drive a jeep again and with their second on the way, they just dont have time for the hassle.

That said, the JGC always impressed me. I just never would want to own one. But your money, your happiness. Lease it.

 

[Bumbo]

Threads like this is why I own more than 1 vehicle.

No way I would ditch my 4Runner, but I would consider buying something else sporty to bang gears in just to get it out of my system when needed.

 

[JustRami]

Its the one in my sig block & pic.

What mileage do you have on it? Nice looking 4Runner.

 

[JustRami]

Threads like this is why I own more than 1 vehicle.

No way I would ditch my 4Runner, but I would consider buying something else sporty to bang gears in just to get it out of my system when needed.

My GTI is the perfect car to pair with a 4Runner. One is big and bulky and raised and tank-like. The other is small and fast and zippy and has 6 gears. I love them both and they compliment each other. I sadly lost my 4Runner to a flood and now only have the GTI. But they will be together again, soon.

 

[Mutant138]

Get a Land Cruiser, LX470, or a GX. Get all the v8 + retain the 4runner like qualities. If i get totalled out at some point I'm deeply considering getting an 80 series or LX with a 4 inch lift and 35's.

Those Jeeps are nasty with it but I doubt it will hold up well over time.

IMO after a few on ramp pulls, some speeding tickets, and my wallet bleeding out at the pumps I would get bored. Eventually I would regret it and be wishing I still had something to hit some trails and go camping in.

 

[Tejas]

I have had nearly as many Toyota's now as I have had Jeeps in the past. I can say with a straight face that I have never owned a Jeep that didn't have some sort of major issue. I have had seven Jeep's over the past 16 years. Three had cooling issues, radiators, freeze plugs, thermostats, fans, etc. Two had transfer case failures, another with transmission issues, one had the motor replaced at two months old and was ultimately bought back under a lemon-law claim. Every single one (including the two Ram products I have owned) that had a screen had issues that required replacements. A few of my issues were covered under warranty, some were out of warranty and therefor out of pocket, but a few were within warranty and were denied.

I have always had issues with Chrysler/FCA/Jeep/Ram when it comes to reliability, warranties, and dealers. I don't know why I have allowed myself to get fooled so many times over the years with these products, maybe it's because the Jeep is just so great off-road, but I have finally quit that non-sense. Toyota's are boringly reliable and while they tend to lack the personality that sparks passion, there's something to be said about the darn things simply working and requiring little to no effort or money to keep them that way for well beyond the average life span of most other vehicles.

I get bored easily with most things so I am always looking and plotting my next move, but I have come to a realization that I am simply throwing too much money away every other year messing with certain vehicles that I know will almost certainly leave me stranded at some point or if nothing else irritated and unable to fully trust in them.

At the end of the day it's just a vehicle and it's just money. Buy what makes you happy and if nothing else, buy what meets your needs. The 4Runner is not a tow rig and it's not a hot rod, if those are things that you need or want then chase that down in another vehicle. Personally I plan to keep the 4Runner this time around, build it out into the adventure vehicle I want it to be and then park it and use it when needed. I will likely find my way back into a full-size truck for my daily at some point and the 4Runner will stay parked in the garage patiently waiting for those camping trips and off-road excursions it was built for.