And the story begins…

[Goyo]

And the story begins…

I always wished to have a “Jeep”, a “4x4 Jeep” that I remembered when I was a little boy. It all started with this:


<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=1_Toyota.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/1_Toyota.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

My Grandfather’s neighbor had this “nice Jeep” I always like since I was a small kid. Our neighbor used to be kind enough to let us kids play in and outside the “Jeep”, kind of simulating we were on an expedition!





Later in my life, I came across a family, a rich family that is, that used to sponsor our swimming club. They had many cars, including this:


<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=2_Toyota.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/2_Toyota.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


I loved to ride with them to all the trips, even to the supermarket! By this time I realized that this was a Toyota Landcruiser, and that the “old neighbor’s Jeep” was also a Toyota! My eyes were set into getting one day not “a 4x4”, but a Toyota 4x4 !!!






Then, one of my school best friends dad bought a nice Toyota that seems almost indestructible. By that time we had age enough to drive, and we took that “Jeep” into many difficult places…It never let us down !!!


<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=3_Toyota.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/3_Toyota.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>






By the time I started working and possibly had the money to buy such “Jeep”, I started liking this other nice 4x4 that was already around for awhile (LC100):


<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=4_Toyota.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/4_Toyota.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


However, at that time, Toyota already had released a newer version of this 4x4 (LC200) which I liked and still do like, but do not have the enough $$$ to afford it....






Time passed so fast, and it had been a while since the last time I saw or thought about the “old neighbor’s Jeep”. One day this year, we were hanging with our families at the beach. One of my friend’s friend had a nice “Jeep” parked on the side. Something that looks like this:


<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=5_Toyota_JA.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/5_Toyota_JA.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
(borrowed from 4th Gen forum member JA)





And after seeing this, and talking to my friend's friend…well, all these memories were brought up to me again !!!

I realized that getting any of the previous “Jeeps” was possible, some more impossible than others, but all possible to some extent. Thanks to this forum, and a lot of folks over here, and a lot of research, I decided to go for the 5th Generation of the “Jeep” of my friend’s friend ! As it is almost impossible to get an used 5th Gen TE here in south Texas, unless is new (and still, not that easy), I started the search across the whole US. Found some, talked to many…and after having to flying to Utah due to a dealership policy, and come back the same day (have to babies, cannot let the missus alone) so basically a 12 hour trip, at the end, this is how all unraveled:


At the dealership:

<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=P1010617.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/P1010617.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Getting into "her":

<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=P1010614.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/P1010614.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>


Being transported:

<a href="http://s1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/?action=view&current=IMG_3459.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1087.photobucket.com/albums/j473/goyoneuff/4Runner%20story/IMG_3459.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>



…and now, waiting for her…of course, anxiously !!!



Big thanks to characterzero, 1engineer, harper7, Ducmonsta, Antman, CmdrCody, UtahSooner, and Okki, for all your help, nice thoughts and input …!!!

Thank you for reading,

Cheers,

G.

 

[characterzero]

nice setup!

Glad to see a happy ending to your hunt! That was a long time coming.

 

[Stifler]

with TRD wheels from the dealer... very cool, congrats

 

[philsey]

Congratulations, and nice writeup.

Shoreline Blue TE with TRD wheels - fantastic combination.

 

[DannyLlama]

Hey nice story telling. but really, congratulations. 4Runner has always been a dream car of mine and I still sit in mine, pause and think "do I really have one".

Sometimes you have to remember to appreciate things over and over.

Congrats to you!! :cheers:

 

[phillyd2]

And the "Toyota" on the front grill was not a clue? :lol::jk::welcome:

Just bustin them. I love these types of threads - good luck with the new J%#P. :biggrin2:

 

[Awynt]

Glad to see your dreams come true!

This sort of confirms for me why my local dealerships keep trying to buy my 4Runner back. I know it's also a sales tactic, but they've both said there is a high demand for used 5th gens in good condition.

 

[Bay33saw]

That has got to be one of the nicest stock TE I've seen, TRD wheels, Shoreline Blue and rack to boot.
You should have given me a shout and you could have stayed at my place on the way back.

 

[Goyo]

Thank you All.

@characterzero: Thanks a lot for all the help and understanding with my dumb questions!!!

@Stifler: Yes, thanks ! She is used, not new...but in excellent shape !

@philsey: Yes. Shoreline blue was the color I like it the most after numerous searchs in here, in particular when I was reading the Great Seattle Mike story, I got more hooked up to this color. Almost got a deal on a Red and on a Mag Grey...I was a bit concerned about the Blue color because like I said, there are none around here. However, after seeing the Shoreline Blue in person when I get in Utah, I was impressed by how nice this color is !!!

@phillyd2: Is it ok with you Philly if I keep calling her "Jeep" until I learn how to properly read English? :wink2: :lol:

@Awynt: It is almost a "Mission Impossible" task to get an used TE here. New ones are more accessible, but still difficult. Did not want new, so had to go all the way to Utah to get it. !

@Bay33saw: I will take your word for next time I visit up there ! Cheers !



Cheers,

G.

 

[Reddogredi]

Great post....

You look to be about my age and I could have written the same exact story.....down to the jeep in quotations because growing up all SUVs were "jeeps" to me. Wranglers, broncos, land cruisers, cherokees and 4runners. Picked up the "jeep" I wanted for the past 15 years a few months ago. 11k miles later it's definitely worth every penny.

 

[Squelch]

Nice story, and a cool "jeep" you've picked up

 

[Ttn333]

Very noice! I like.

 

[jspagna1]

What a touching story. Brought tears to my eyes.

 

[TaskforceRudy]

I have a similar story and couldn't be happier with and more proud of my 4r.

 

[CmdrCody]

Glad to hear LHM worked out for you.

Now you just need to bring it back to explore southern Utah. Moab awaits!

 

[tacobill]

Beautiful color combo with the TRD wheels. I have wheel envy. Actually I wouldn't mind having that car directly under your TE on the truck!

 

[desertred]

Congratulations and great story. The TRD wheels are a nice compliment to the Shoreline Blue. I see that your TE may be traveling with some interesting company.

 

[phillyd2]

@phillyd2: Is it ok with you Philly if I keep calling her "Jeep" until I learn how to properly read English? :wink2: :lol:

Actually NO since we do have rules against using dirty words. :lmao:

 

[Keemonrunnin]

This seems to be the same guy "LOWRUNNER" posting pic from the Internet and trying to cause trouble by calling it a jeep. Wasting people's time. Full of crap.

 

[KCcarguy]

This seems to be the same guy "LOWRUNNER" posting pic from the Internet and trying to cause trouble by calling it a jeep. Wasting people's time. Full of crap.

I don't think so. He's just talking about when he was a kid and "Jeep" was synonymous with SUV.