Call me crazy but I want the 4 cylinder version

[4runner19]

ok, before I get tarred and feathered, hear me out.

I already have a 4th gen v8 SE in the garage. I want the 5th gen 4cyl for my wife to drive our newborn around. I live in Southern California and she drives in a lot of traffic, about 65 miles everyday. We are trading in both of our cars for suv's for the baby. I already have my 4runner, now we need one for her. I care more about saving gas than anything else.

Any other reasons to get a 4cyl besides the mpg advantage? Any input is greatly appreciated. btw, anyone know what the mpg is for the 4 banger?

thanx!!

 

[adkinsadam1]

Doesn't the 4cyl only get 1 more mpg than the 6cyl?

 

[4runner19]

Doesn't the 4cyl only get 1 more mpg than the 6cyl?

Does it really??

 

[Vanuatoo]

ok, before I get tarred and feathered, hear me out.

I already have a 4th gen v8 SE in the garage. I want the 5th gen 4cyl for my wife to drive our newborn around. I live in Southern California and she drives in a lot of traffic, about 65 miles everyday. We are trading in both of our cars for suv's for the baby. I already have my 4runner, now we need one for her. I care more about saving gas than anything else.

Any other reasons to get a 4cyl besides the mpg advantage? Any input is greatly appreciated. btw, anyone know what the mpg is for the 4 banger?

thanx!!

Why use 4runner for the task in the first place?

If you need to save money you can buy better alternatives for this task.
I would go for small-size SUV, like Rav4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, you name.

 

[4runner19]

Why use 4runner for the task in the first place?

If you need to save money you can buy better alternatives for this task.
I would go for small-size SUV, like Rav4, Honda CR-V, Subaru Forester, you name.

We've always had toyotas and have been very happy. I like the look of the new 5th gen 4runner, highlander's too small and the sequoia's too big. The 4runner's perfect to carry around the family and still have plenty of room in the back for the stroller and groceries.

 

[Vanuatoo]

We've always had toyotas and have been very happy. I like the look of the new 5th gen 4runner, highlander's too small and the sequoia's too big. The 4runner's perfect to carry around the family and still have plenty of room in the back for the stroller and groceries.

I understand. AFAIK 4 cylinder will be out early next year.

 

[4Funnr]

If you want a large, safe grocery getter with good mileage, checkout the 4-cyl Outback by Subaru.

I will probably get reamed for mentioning it.

 

[JohnsD90]

If you want a large, safe grocery getter with good mileage, checkout the 4-cyl Outback by Subaru.

I will probably get reamed for mentioning it.

read the sig

 

[M1911]

Any other reasons to get a 4cyl besides the mpg advantage? Any input is greatly appreciated. btw, anyone know what the mpg is for the 4 banger?

You don't want the 4-cylinder. The V6 2-WD is rated at 17/23 mpg. The 4-cylinder is rated at 17/24 mpg. The 4-cylinder is completely pointless, and in a 4600 lb truck is completely overwhelmed.

With one kid and a stroller, you don't need a 4Runner. Get a Rav4. It will perform better, handle better, ride better, be less likely to roll over, and get better mileage.

I like my 4Runner, but I need a truck. My 4Runner handles pretty well, for a truck. It brakes pretty well, for a truck. It rides pretty well, for a truck. But you will never mistake it for anything other than a body-on-frame truck. And the mileage completely sucks. If you don't need 4wd capability and/or towing, get yourself a crossover, wagon, or minivan.

 

[harper7]

We've always had toyotas and have been very happy. I like the look of the new 5th gen 4runner, highlander's too small and the sequoia's too big. The 4runner's perfect to carry around the family and still have plenty of room in the back for the stroller and groceries.

Better to just get a 6 cyl. 4Runner SR5 then as the mileage gain is minimal on the 4 cyl. and resale would not be good . Not sure why they even offer a 4 cyl. and doesn't even list it as an option on the website. Maybe it's for companies to buy fleet vehicles ,like for campus/mall security or something like that where they don't care if they are fast enough.

 

[SecretAgent]

We've always had toyotas and have been very happy. I like the look of the new 5th gen 4runner, highlander's too small and the sequoia's too big. The 4runner's perfect to carry around the family and still have plenty of room in the back for the stroller and groceries.

i'd take a look at highlanders again if i were you. i had one for a rental on a tahoe trip last winter and it was just as roomy, if not moreso than my 4runner. it also got a consistent 24-26mpg driving through the mountains from tahoe to san fran. toyotas dimensions for the highlander are almost identical externally to the 4runner, and they say it has more interior room as well. the unibody construction allows it to have a roomier cabin, with the same footprint. it is much more car-like than the 4runner though, doesn't feel near as tough. although i will say, it had no problem driving through snow/ice covered mountain roads. never once felt out of control or scared. it was very planted.

 

[Thai]

Any other reasons to get a 4cyl besides the mpg advantage? Any input is greatly appreciated. btw, anyone know what the mpg is for the 4 banger?

thanx!!

M-I-N-I-V-A-N. If you're planning on having any more kids in the future, then a minivan is the best thing out there. Besides the supposedly negative image of owning one, the minivan is the best and most practical vehicle out there.

 

[M1911]

M-I-N-I-V-A-N. If you're planning on having any more kids in the future, then a minivan is the best thing out there. Besides the supposedly negative image of owning one, the minivan is the best and most practical vehicle out there.

Minivans are very practical vehicles. But with just one kid, a minivan is overkill.

 

[Barefoot]

M-I-N-I-V-A-N. If you're planning on having any more kids in the future, then a minivan is the best thing out there. Besides the supposedly negative image of owning one, the minivan is the best and most practical vehicle out there.

Concur. Mrs B's Sienna is much more roomy, more comfortable, gets better mileage.

My 4R tows the boat better...

 

[Thai]

Minivans are very practical vehicles. But with just one kid, a minivan is overkill.

M1911, please, re-read my post again.

4runner19, avoid what my brother did. When he had one kid, they bought a minivan. Then his wife wanted to get rid of it because they had only one kid...and bought a FJ Cruiser. Now, she is pregnant with #2 kid (unexpectedly, but not accidentally if that makes any sense)...and the FJ is positively too small for 2 kids...so, he is planning yet again to sell his 2008 FJ for something bigger. (In other words, take a big loss on trade-in!) So, since you have a 4runner already, you may want to get something that is practical down the road...instead of buying a new 4runner now and later having to change. Now, if you're just 100% sure that you will only have one kid, then yeah, get anything. With gas prices slowly creeping upward, i would NOT have 2 heavy SUVs in my household.

My opinion.

 

[M1911]

M1911, please, re-read my post again.

Doh. Fair enough. Though I think it is still overkill for 2 kids.

 

[4runner19]

thanx for all the advice. Everyone made good points about not getting the 4cyl or even getting the car at all. I bought the 4th gen about 2 weeks ago but wanted to buy the 5th gen first cause I knew that purchase #2 might be axed since purchase #1 was made. I blame my toyota dealership for making false promises!! Anyways, I am 30 and my wife is 29 and to be honest, we do not see ourselves owning a minivan anytime soon. I still really want the 4runner and based on gas differences between the 4 and the 6, it really makes no sense to opt for the 4 and loose on the resale value.

 

[Martinjmpr]

IIRC the 4cyl is only on 2wd models anyway. If you're going to get a 2wd, why even consider a 4runner? If you're considering a 4 cyl 4runner, then you obviously aren't towing anything.

I'm still trying to figure out what market niche the 4 cyl 4runner is supposed to serve

(Of course, I could say the same thing about 2wd 4runners, too : )

Heck, I think the AWD RAV-4 and Highlander get better MPG than the 2wd 4runner. If you want to save money and have lower initial cost, go with a CUV type vehicle: RAV-4, Highlander, CR-V, Forester, Etc.

I think the 3rd generation RAV-4 is even available with a 3rd row seat, like a minivan.

 

[killthrash]

I'm not going to tell you what your wife should drive to haul your kid and toys. I WILL tell you, if you can afford it, drive what makes you happy Sounds like a new 5th Gen 6 cyl, maybe SR5 (like JT_4rnr's, see link), would be what you and your wife truly want to be driving.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=57283


This forum site seems like it wasn't created out of practicality, but rather enthusiasm for the 4runner. Don't give into the Sienna just yet. At 30, you still got a few more good 4runner years left in you.

Goodluck with your decision.

 

[Thai]

This forum site seems like it wasn't created out of practicality, but rather enthusiasm for the 4runner. Don't give into the Sienna just yet. At 30, you still got a few more good 4runner years left in you.

Goodluck with your decision.

Hey, i drive a Sienna to work everyday and i just turned 35...my kids love the Sienna!! :jump: