I own a 2011 T4R but if I didn't own a dog and could do it again I'd buy a 2011 GJC. While Toyota may have a history of longevity (which they do), the GJC for the money has way more toys and luxury features that I'm use to...
Couple things to note:
- The fuel economy isn't that good on the T4R. I haven't had better than 17.8 mpg since I've owned it (15,000 miles). Simply put, the 4.0 V6 in the T4R is lacking in mpg'sand hp for my taste:
- GJC 3.6L V6: 16/23 mpg
- GJC 5.7L V8: 14/20 mpg
- T4R 4.0L V6: 17/23 mpg
- GJC V6: 290hp, 260trq
- GJC V8: 360hp, 390trq
- T4R V6: 270hp, 278trd
- T4R interior feels bigger than the GJC. I was dead set on a GJC until I sat in one. The back seat and cargo area isn't as big (I own a 110 lb dog and couldn't see him fitting comfortably in the back without the rear seats folded down). The flipside to that is the GJC's interior puts the T4R's to shame. Mercedes designed the vehicle before they sold off the company to FIAT so being a previous Mercedes owner, you can see clearly the level of attention put towards the interior. In short, if you've ever owned a luxury vehicle, going to a T4R interior is like taking a step back 10 yrs.
- GJC has a lot of electronic gizmo's that the T4R doesn't so it's inevitable that you will incur more cost in the long run should something go wrong with some of the fancy gadgets the GJC has over the more rustic T4R gizmos. T4R has always been better off-road than a GJC as well.
- T4R's are tried and true throughout the years...........I owned a 1st generation and loved it, wanted a 3rd generation and bought a Tacoma instead but they too were tried and true. Simply put, Toyota's are dependable. The 2011 GJC's haven't been tested for more than a year so it's hard to say. Jeep/Chrysler/Dodge as a whole don't have a great track record over the years but you need to ask yourself this "How long do you plan to keep the vehicle". If 4-6 yrs is the max, I'd say go for the GJC, if 10+ is your goal, I'd say go T4R.
Final note. I've owned 4 Toyota's and 3 Jeep Wranglers/CJ's over the last 20 yrs so I'm partial to both. While it may appear that I'm bashing the vehicle I own I also appreciate the vehicle I own because it serves my needs EXACTLY. If I went the GJC as I originally wanted I would have been a lot more nervous about it because it has all those luxury features that the dog would drool on, scratch and rip. In the end, only you know what you want but if luxury is more important to you then longevity then go GJC, if not, go vice versa.
HTH
Let the flames begin
:flamewar: