Did you know they made a 2WD 4Runner?

[LandCruiser]

I have been out of the Southeast where these are the bane of car dealer lots, so I had completely forgotten about them, but car shopping in Norcal with my daughter we have come across a few again.

I didn't realize these were a thing in states that see snowfall, and there are lots of places within a half day's driving range of the Bay Area that require 4WD, but they still sell them.

The dealers don't use the same pointless argument of "when was the last time you used 4WD" as an excuse for stocking them like in Alabama, but will say "they get better gas mileage." Really?

I can't come up with a reason why 2WD 4Runners exist.

 

[Mutant138]

I have been out of the Southeast where these are the bane of car dealer lots, so I had completely forgotten about them, but car shopping in Norcal with my daughter we have come across a few again.

I didn't realize these were a thing in states that see snowfall, and there are lots of places within a half day's driving range of the Bay Area that require 4WD, but they still sell them.

The dealers don't use the same pointless argument of "when was the last time you used 4WD" as an excuse for stocking them like in Alabama, but will say "they get better gas mileage." Really?

I can't come up with a reason why 2WD 4Runners exist.

I mean if I was stupid rich I would turn one into a true long travel prerunner. Coilovers perchs popping above the hood and into the cargo area.

 

[rumfoord]

Imagine less to maintain or to go wrong with. Although I don't hear there is much to maintain or things that go wrong with it, unless you never use it and decide to after years of never engaging. But I don't understand it either really. Perhaps cost savings as well on the purchase price?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

There's 2wd Jeeps too.

 

[thennen]

I have been out of the Southeast where these are the bane of car dealer lots, so I had completely forgotten about them, but car shopping in Norcal with my daughter we have come across a few again.

I didn't realize these were a thing in states that see snowfall, and there are lots of places within a half day's driving range of the Bay Area that require 4WD, but they still sell them.

The dealers don't use the same pointless argument of "when was the last time you used 4WD" as an excuse for stocking them like in Alabama, but will say "they get better gas mileage." Really?

I can't come up with a reason why 2WD 4Runners exist.

You’re referring to new ones?

 

[ElectroBoy]

I have been out of the Southeast where these are the bane of car dealer lots, so I had completely forgotten about them, but car shopping in Norcal with my daughter we have come across a few again.

I didn't realize these were a thing in states that see snowfall, and there are lots of places within a half day's driving range of the Bay Area that require 4WD, but they still sell them.

The dealers don't use the same pointless argument of "when was the last time you used 4WD" as an excuse for stocking them like in Alabama, but will say "they get better gas mileage." Really?

I can't come up with a reason why 2WD 4Runners exist.

Yeah, I’ve got no idea why 2WD exists. The gas mileage argument isn’t really true. I looked on fuel economy.gov and the 2018 and 19 lists the highway economy as 1 MPG more for 2WD. But for MY 2020 they are the same.

 

[kenwilliams0803]

Yeah, I’ve got no idea why 2WD exists. The gas mileage argument isn’t really true. I looked on fuel economy.gov and the 2018 and 19 lists the highway economy as 1 MPG more for 2WD. But for MY 2020 they are the same.

Cheaper initial cost and less wear parts. I'd never buy one but then again I live in the NE where we value our 4wd. I imagine it would work just fine in a place like TX or FL for a person who doesn't off road. Which, coincidentally, is about where there seems to be the highest concentration of them.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

This will really throw you off...

Did you know they made a 4 banger 5th gen for one year?

 

[RichinRidgewood]

This will really throw you off...

Did you know they made a 4 banger 5th gen for one year?

Pics or it didnt happen.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I have been out of the Southeast where these are the bane of car dealer lots, so I had completely forgotten about them, but car shopping in Norcal with my daughter we have come across a few again.

I didn't realize these were a thing in states that see snowfall, and there are lots of places within a half day's driving range of the Bay Area that require 4WD, but they still sell them.

The dealers don't use the same pointless argument of "when was the last time you used 4WD" as an excuse for stocking them like in Alabama, but will say "they get better gas mileage." Really?

I can't come up with a reason why 2WD 4Runners exist.

There is a guy in Glen Rock here in New Jersey who I bumped into in the parking lot of a fruit market who had one. He went around and around defending his decision. I wouldn’t buy a two wheel 4Runner ever to save 1500 bucks

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Pics or it didnt happen.

One year and it didn't sell.

 

[LandCruiser]

This will really throw you off...

Did you know they made a 4 banger 5th gen for one year?

I have heard of them.

Did any actually make it out into the wild?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I have heard of them.

Did any actually make it out into the wild?

When I was in the market in late 2009, I saw one on the lot where I bought my Tacoma. I'm sure they're still out there slowing up traffic.

 

[LandCruiser]

When I was in the market in late 2009, I saw one on the lot where I bought my Tacoma. I'm sure they're still out there slowing up traffic.

Gatorland Toyota ran an ad in the newspaper in Gainesville when the 5th gen first came out and it said "starting at 24,999!" which I assume was the 4 banger, but when I went over to investigate the cheapest one they had was almost 40k and an SR5.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

One year and it didn't sell.

Over a 100 less horsepower for what 1 mile per gallon? This is almost as stupid as that five speed versus six speed argument that goes on and on here for no reason and no benefit.

 

[Jetboy]

I looked for a 4cyl 4x4. I thought that they might have made a few. A turbo 2.7 would IMO be a better engine than the NA 4.0L. I actually still do. But they never existed in 4wd. So it wasn't an option. I did find a few 4cyl 2x4 models around. They came with the 4.56 rear diff ratio which is why the ratio sort of existed as the go-to. Early on you could get a 4.56 8.2 ratio diff (still can) from Toyota.

I don't know WHY anyone would ever buy one though. If you don't need a real 4x4, the 4Runner is a horrible choice of vehicle. The awd highlander is better at basically everything - including towing and hauling. And it's nicer inside and more fuel efficient.

 

[Jeremy556]

Over a 100 less horsepower for what 1 mile per gallon? This is almost as stupid as that five speed versus six speed argument that goes on and on here for no reason and no benefit.

Think of all the money you'll save on spark plugs

 

[thennen]

Think of it simply as a station wagon with higher-than-normal ground clearance. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[jrandom]

Dammit! I thought this was another poll.

(X) - yes
(_) - no

I want to say that I remember someone here bought one thinking they got a stupid good deal only to find out it didn't have a front dif. Maybe I am dreaming... that but it sure seems like it happened here.

 

[Grape Ape]

A quick search shows ~20 of them for sale within 50 miles of me. Not that uncommon