Anyone not like the new 4runners?

[05SportV8]

Elemint,

What you need is a Fortuner. It is the closest thing to a well built 4runner but more focused on utility and rough use/abuse. Tooooo bad you can not get it in the USA, so I guess you are out of luck!

I know some members will not like other people saying bad things about our #1 choice (me either). I think however that you can say all those comments; because opinions are what make a forum interesting. So keep posting. I think you are at least doing the smart thing of asking opinions here.

Now, I am going to get bitten for saying this but I did not like the 4R when came out in 2003. Something about the way it looked was not right. I was a fan of Toyotas all my life, but the 4R, had something not right in my view. Later by luck I had the chance to use one for a decent period of time and the car just grew in me. I bought one as soon as I could. Nowadays, I still find some lines a bit awkward but I second what other members said. The overall package can not be beaten by anything in the market. I think, a tough SUV has to be UGLY MEAN LOOKING or it turns into a Soccer mom hauler.

Heck even if you don

 

[Uneek]

Elemint,

What you need is a Fortuner. It is the closest thing to a well built 4runner but more focused on utility and rough use/abuse. Tooooo bad you can not get it in the USA, so I guess you are out of luck!

I know some members will not like other people saying bad things about our #1 choice (me either). I think however that you can say all those comments; because opinions are what make a forum interesting. So keep posting. I think you are at least doing the smart thing of asking opinions here.

Now, I am going to get bitten for saying this but I did not like the 4R when came out in 2003. Something about the way it looked was not right. I was a fan of Toyotas all my life, but the 4R, had something not right in my view. Later by luck I had the chance to use one for a decent period of time and the car just grew in me. I bought one as soon as I could. Nowadays, I still find some lines a bit awkward but I second what other members said. The overall package can not be beaten by anything in the market. I think, a tough SUV has to be UGLY MEAN LOOKING or it turns into a Soccer mom hauler.

Heck even if you don

 

[BenSD]

To be honest, I'm not really fond of the updates made in 06 unless you get the limited. I really don't like the chrome grille, and the new headlights. I liked them at first, but it does take away the rugged look. I know I'm biased because I own an 04, but I still think that 04 was the best looking model year due to a few things:

1) Normal Looking Spoiler (Though you can add an aftermarket spoiler that looks like the 03/04 spoiler)
2) I prefer the 03/04/05 headlights on a white truck. The 03/04/05 headlights sometimes look a little weird on darker colored trucks though --- they stand out too much.
3) No chrome grille, or other accents (they went overboard with this in 05/06.

That said, I do really like some of the exterior changes in 06 including:

1) Rounded wheel wells.
2) LED Tails
3) tube steps and rack

If I had to have an 06, I'd either want to get a limited to have the color keyed grille, or get the sport and have it painted to match the truck.

I do hope that the next generation will indeed go more in the direction of the FJ/Tacoma/07 Tundra.

 

[Northof49]

I do hope that the next generation will indeed go more in the direction of the FJ/Tacoma/07 Tundra.

Well, if you think about it, the 2003 4Runner really started that whole trend for those vehicles. The Taco wasn't changed until 05 and borrowed most of its styling from the 4R....The Tundra is still the same basic truck from 2000 until the 07 hits lots.

So hopefully that means that the next generation 4R will be ahead of the game again and give us a peak at the next round of Toyota 4x4's.....that'd be cool.

 

[Gromulus]

Personal Tastes

As in everything, we all have our personal likes and dislikes. I like the Limited models, but not the 18" wheels on the 06s. While I think the Runner is still nice looking, I much prefer the square wheel openings of the 03-05 models.

On the other hand, I do like the round side step bars and roof rack of the 06 Sport Edition.

I personally like the 4Runner's exterior styling much better than that of the GX470. Even my in-laws (who are really anti-Japanese vehichle LOL) complmented me on the 4Runner's styling.

I think all generations of 4Runners look great. I really like the 4th generation (especially the ride quality) but everytime I see a third gen going by or parked I still turn my head. I really lke the dark green color that was offered for a few years. In a perfect world I would like both, especially an "older" 1999-2000 3rd gen that I could take off-road or camping and not feel as bad when it gets scratched and dinged. I guess my 04 might fit that bill in a few years!

All things being said, I would still buy a 4Runner in any configuration if I was in the market for a new one.

 

[Falls]

When I was looking over the past few years (04 & 05 ) one of the thing's that detered me was the straight edge wheel wells. I just thought it looked terrible , kind of same wheel well type as the Chev,Avalanche. The running board's or lack there of a tube step which look's alot more sporty/rugged to me.

I liked some new things about the look of the 06 , but could do with a different spoiler or no spoiler for that matter,liked the new fog lights,headlight's are ok but would have liked a different design,Biggest thing was the rounded wheel wells and flares that sold me , tube steps , roof rack tube's on the Sport looked cool IMO.

One other thing I did'nt like was the V8 came with full time 4x4 and I did'nt like it at all (i'm from the old school) Even though I test drove the V6 & V8 and think they are both excellent I wanted a V8 ! Now after buying it and getting good milage with it it's so nice to have the full time FWD in winter and in rain. Really give a sense of security when driving. I just book along no matter what the road condition's and only a select few time's this winter did I lock the center diff in when roads were really bad.

There are alway's pro's & con's to everything/model ect...but I'm happy as hell with my full time 4x4 V8....best choice I could have made !!I did'nt know alot about all the little feature's toyota has , XREAS,VSC, Atrac , ect...and was leary about them but now after driving with these I would'nt trade it for anything.

One last thing I would have liked is that it sat up like the Tacoma as far as stance goes,since it's the same frame and all they could have probably easily done this and probably cheaper than they current way it's set up.

 

[Atomic 4Runner]

... I wanted a V8 ! Now after buying it and getting good milage with it

What kind of gas mileage are you getting, and what grade of gasoline are you using? The dealer told me that I could run regular, mid-grade or premium safely, but the mid-grade and premium would give me a bit more performance.

 

[RedWhite]

Eliment, you're not gettin' much love here.

For a better response, ask whoever heads the Honda Pilot or Ford Explorer programs.

Pretty sure they hate the 4Runner. ;-)

 

[Falls]

What kind of gas mileage are you getting, and what grade of gasoline are you using? The dealer told me that I could run regular, mid-grade or premium safely, but the mid-grade and premium would give me a bit more performance.

Not trying to turn this into a milage thread ,but I consistantly get 16-17 with strictly mixed city driving. I drive alot and coming off a vehicle that got 12-13 in the same situations I'm very pleased and have not takin it on a long hiway cruise but hope to get 18-20 and I'll be happy. I run regular 87 oct. I've alway's had full size's truck's and SUV's and this is the best mpg I ever got with any of them , even my 99 Explorer 4.0L V6 4X4 4dr, got 16 no matter what driving type.

I've alway's looked at the est.MPG rating's and asked a few question's here before buying , but the v8 is the bomb for me....I never really give a rip about mpg as long as it's decent.

Driving an H2 for instance would be to bad of MPG for me to even consider.

 

[tkr128]

I gotta admit, I didn't like the 4th-gen when it first came out. I have a couple of friends who work at Toyota dealerships with the same thoughts. But after a while, it's grown on me. Sure, it doesn't look as rugged as the older ones do, but it does get the job done and at the same time looks like a more upscale vehicle.

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't really like the fender flares on the '06. The squared look of the '03-'05's doesn't bother me, but I prefer the round look of the '06's, but they're just too wide, I don't like how they're bulging out of the side.

 

[desibhar]

I like the latest gen styling a lot better than the old ones. Only reason why I even looked at the 4runners. Once I took a test drive, I was hooked!

 

[Fourty-four]

I guess I'm one of the few who doesn't really like the fender flares on the '06. The squared look of the '03-'05's doesn't bother me, but I prefer the round look of the '06's, but they're just too wide, I don't like how they're bulging out of the side.

I agree 100%. I like the fact they they rounded the wheel well openings, but the fender flares are way too wide now. When you look at an '06 4Runner from directly behind, the tires look like they are set too far because of the new fender flares.

If I had an '06, I would have to buy wider wheels or possibly put spacers on my stock wheels so they didn't look like they were set so far in from the fender flares. They seem to be about 2 inches too far in as they are now!!!

 

[Scramble]

I just cannot see how a new 4R is worth more than $25k given the looks and minivan like interior. I hate to be negitive on this thing but It is an aweful design. I just hope the take some cues from the new FJ and return the 4R to a rugged vehicle and not just another one of the MANY fluff Toyota SUVs.

$25,000??? My '99 was $32,000 when I bought it new! LOL! I didn't like them when they first came out. I thought the outside looked flat & squished. I went to the dealer & sat in it, it didn't feel or look right. It was more like a luxury SUV than a 4Runner. Plus they don't come in a stick anymore so it makes them more of a pussy mobile.

I like them now though, I think the Silver looks hot. My X GF bought an '04 in Black & it rides great! I'd buy one but they really need to make a standard.

 

[Scramble]

Well, to tell you the truth, IF you are really what you claim to be, then i would rush to your local Jeep dealership and get yourself the last 2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon. It is reliable, fairly durable, extremely capable, and has only the raw basics. No luxury. No power windows. No power moonroof. Raw.

Otherwise, the 4runner is in the upper class of midsize SUV because it does so many things better than competition, including all-road performance, ride comfort, off-road ability, luxury, and reliability/durability...all in one package. This is what the market (thus, average consumers) is looking for...and this is why the 4runner has been so successful throughout the years. It is hard (impossible?) to find another SUV in it's class that has just some of these attributes, nevermind all of them!

Be honest with yourself...you know that you want a 4th gen...come on...jump on the bandwagon!

I had to pull my friends Jeep out of a lake once!

 

[Scramble]

$35K? They start at $21k so I think that deal was scaming you....

$21k is probably for 2 wheel drive.