We all know that all vehicles are inanimate objects. Losing a loved one is obviously more heartbreaking than losing a vehicle.
So why would losing a 4Runner affect us so much?
1. We all know money is in the mix. Losing a vehicle due to age, accident, etc... will cost us money in the future as we attempt to replace the lost 4Runner.
2. Memories. Family vacations, laughter, fun, games, going off roading, etc....
3. Practicality. Awesome TRUE 4WD system got me through a lot of snow storms that other FWD and yes, AWD vehicles were spinning out in, couldn't climb even a 1% grade. My neighbor has a Rogue that I helped him dig out of, he couldn't drive out of the snow to shovel the rest of his driveway. I already had mine set in 4WD and locked the differential and just backed right out. He didn't say anything (thanked me of course for helping) but you could see he was cursing. He said he bought the AWD because of the snow storms we get.
Spacious interior with seats folded down. Saved a lot of money moving boxes from place to place rather than rent a moving truck. Cost of gas was way less than cost of renting moving truck and being charged per mile.
High ground clearance. I've rolled over some road debris with no issue while my wife's car would have bottomed out on it. At one point she did hit something and caused damaged underneath her car.
Towing. Trailer, or pulling out another vehicle from getting stuck in mud (or snow) to the point where the front of the car is on the ground. To this day I still don't want to know how or why she got into that situation because I don't want my head to hurt.
After hooking up the tow strap, pulled her out in seconds.
4. Spacious engine to work on myself. I love doing the work on my own, providing its not beyond my abilities, i.e. pulling the engine out.
5. Realization. Realizing that you may not be able to afford a new 4Runner (these prices are insane today. For what they cost, I expect my own personal masseuse 24/7) and thus have to downgrade.
The downside to the 4Runner? My prior vehicles were all cars, so for me it was obviously gas mileage. However, all the above outweighed that. I've done family vacations on cars but can't carry as much with you and you're cramped in the car with a family of 4. Hauling big stuff, i.e. mattress, furniture, big stuff bought can't do in a car.
To me, going from a car to a 4Runner was like going from rags to riches. Don't get me wrong, the cars I had were good. But there is no comparison.
So yeah, the actual vehicle itself (object wise) doesn't affect me in losing it, but its what i'm losing above as I may have to downgrade.
So why would losing a 4Runner affect us so much?
1. We all know money is in the mix. Losing a vehicle due to age, accident, etc... will cost us money in the future as we attempt to replace the lost 4Runner.
2. Memories. Family vacations, laughter, fun, games, going off roading, etc....
3. Practicality. Awesome TRUE 4WD system got me through a lot of snow storms that other FWD and yes, AWD vehicles were spinning out in, couldn't climb even a 1% grade. My neighbor has a Rogue that I helped him dig out of, he couldn't drive out of the snow to shovel the rest of his driveway. I already had mine set in 4WD and locked the differential and just backed right out. He didn't say anything (thanked me of course for helping) but you could see he was cursing. He said he bought the AWD because of the snow storms we get.
Spacious interior with seats folded down. Saved a lot of money moving boxes from place to place rather than rent a moving truck. Cost of gas was way less than cost of renting moving truck and being charged per mile.
High ground clearance. I've rolled over some road debris with no issue while my wife's car would have bottomed out on it. At one point she did hit something and caused damaged underneath her car.
Towing. Trailer, or pulling out another vehicle from getting stuck in mud (or snow) to the point where the front of the car is on the ground. To this day I still don't want to know how or why she got into that situation because I don't want my head to hurt.
After hooking up the tow strap, pulled her out in seconds.4. Spacious engine to work on myself. I love doing the work on my own, providing its not beyond my abilities, i.e. pulling the engine out.
5. Realization. Realizing that you may not be able to afford a new 4Runner (these prices are insane today. For what they cost, I expect my own personal masseuse 24/7) and thus have to downgrade.
The downside to the 4Runner? My prior vehicles were all cars, so for me it was obviously gas mileage. However, all the above outweighed that. I've done family vacations on cars but can't carry as much with you and you're cramped in the car with a family of 4. Hauling big stuff, i.e. mattress, furniture, big stuff bought can't do in a car.
To me, going from a car to a 4Runner was like going from rags to riches. Don't get me wrong, the cars I had were good. But there is no comparison.
So yeah, the actual vehicle itself (object wise) doesn't affect me in losing it, but its what i'm losing above as I may have to downgrade.
