Don't flame me for this ?

[Falls]

I've always been an American big truck SUV type of guy. This is my first foreign vehicle ever . I never thought I would even consider one because of "the good old boys club" .

I love this 4Runner , it is fantastic off road / on road , power up the WaZoo .

BUT , sometimes I run into this feeling that I should be driving an american truck/SUV ..... kinda more of a manly , off road type beefy look .

Do you think the 4R looks tough , manly , off roady ect... or does it look like the mall queens truck.

I see a lot of women driving them around here.

I know the Toyota is a good vehicle , the 4R is a exceptional beefy truck , but seems like most people just think of it as a regular SUV like a Honda Pilot.

 

[Camprunner]

You bring up many good points falls

I had a similar problem on my 4runner purchase my first problem was "Is this thing a show queen sort of up scale girley truck or what the heck do I call it" sort of thing? But now it's a work /sales tool for me and one that has bin my fav suv out of many. My sister allmost bought one the dealer even let her take one for a few days but she just could not get over the "Toyota/im cheating on the USA thing". I found this strange when you consider we both sell Canon copier systems made in Japan and or China.

To be honest I like the style of the truck except for the "Bird catcher" on my hood of my "06" sport ....... Yes the hood scoop you know the one that does nothing but collect dirt .... Yes that one!

It helps the look if you change the stock tires to something more manly. And don't wash it so much ......... threw some mud on her now and then.

My sister bought an H3 by the way........ I think the 4runner is a much better rig.

 

[Kenn]

I think the 4runner looks beefy. But if you want it to look more beefy put on some BFGs, cooper stts, or Revos with a lift. Also, an ARB bumper or Shrockworks bumper will do the trick.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Girly this!

Actualy the "girly thing" doesn't work for me. I have been four wheeling with lots of women that can drive rings around most men. :biggrin2:

I quit worrying about the foreign truck thing when lots of Toyotas are now built in the US. The quality is what is driving them to to the top over our local Fords and Chevys. If you can't compete with a quality product then get out of the way for someone who can.:bash:

 

[Even Steven]

Here is the problem:

The only domestic vehicle that fits your criteria (large, beefy, manly, off-road type look) that I can think of is the Hummer H3.

What else is there that you would buy? The new Chevy Tahoe is a great looking SUV, but it does not have an off-road look at all. The off-road SUVs seem to be disappearing every year.

 

[Gromulus]

Perception is Reality???

Some interesting observations. Throughout my adult life the exterior appearance of a vehicle always held secondary importance. Now while I would never buy a vehicle that I didn't find at least somewhat nice looking, the engineer in me always attached greater importance on all other aspects of the vehicle. Beauty is as beauty does.

Actually, I have found the 4Runner to be one of the more masculine looking SUVs on tne market. I always thought they looked sharp - especially the 3rd and 4th generations. Perhaps the 4Runner's sister vehicle, the GX470, has somewhat more of a "soccer mom" type look, it is still one of the most capable real SUVs on the road.

The beauty of the 4Runner is it's perfect balance of off-road ability, on-road ride quality/comfort and practicality - and of course it's extreme reliability. The FJ and H3 are "manly" vehicles in their own right but I don't want to sacrifice the practicality, visibility, and ride comfort of my 4Runner for a somehwat more aggressive appearance.

As far as women driving SUVs. I have seen men and women driving everything from CRVs and Ford Escapes to Wranglers and H2s. One of my nieghbors' have "his and hers" H2s. LOL! They never go off-road or even off pavement but appearance it's very important to them. (I don't say anything since they pay my daughter $10/hr to babysit their son when they go out!)

For years I trained heavily in gyms and was a competitive bodybuilder. My training partmers drove raised Blazers, sport cars, Corollas/Civics, beat up station wagons, and everything in-between. The didn't care what people thought of what they drove and if it was "manly". Once they got out of the car there was no question re. their masculinity.

 

[toto]

This is funny... for every vehicle I've ever had, someone has wondered if it's a "woman's ride". Never thought I'd hear that about the 4Runner, but I guess it was inevitable.

If it's purple, pink, and/or has flowers painted on it, then I'd wonder. Otherwise, all you're seeing is that some women know how to buy a good, practical vehcile just like men do. I like smart chicks.

So I think the whole "woman's ride" thing is BS.

 

[Falls]

Brad , Your 4R is an exception to all the rules ....lol.

You all made good points. I do like the 4R a lot or else I wouldn't have bought one. I off road this truck every chance I get to go play , it is great.

I do buy things with in reason on how they look , maybe worded wrong but at least have to be tough looking. I did buy the 4R because of it capabilities off road , full frame , reputation , ect....

If something happened to my truck today , YES I would buy another one in a heart beat.

Just wanted to get your thoughts. I'm ok with it all

 

[Traveler]

I love this 4Runner , it is fantastic off road / on road , power up the WaZoo .

So stop here, say no more.

BUT , sometimes I run into this feeling that I should be driving an american truck/SUV ..... kinda more of a manly , off road type beefy look .

Do you think the 4R looks tough , manly , off roady ect... or does it look like the mall queens truck.

Why does it matter? Buck up, man! Real men don't pause to think about these issues! Compose yourself!

I see a lot of women driving them around here.

Good women...

 

[AgeOfEmpires]

Personally, I don't worry about what other people think about what I drive.....

 

[dingo]

Personally, I don't worry about what other people think about what I drive.....

:iagree:

I bought my 4Runners because I like them. I am proud to drive one (or two). Not for Toyota, not for the foreign market, and heck not for anything against the big three. I don't give a rat's @ss about anyone's perception on what I drive. It's my money, it's what I want, and at the end of the day that's all that matters. It just happens to be a great performing and good looking piece of machine(s).

As far as being a woman's ride, I see women drive 4Runners everyday, no matter. Just smart ladies who know the value of having a great vehicle. Just something attractive about a girl in a truck. My wife included (but she still insists the silver 4Runner is a girl).

Falls, no matter. It's whatever makes YOU happy.

 

[Falls]

Oh I'm happy with it , just different than what I'm used to driving,but would not trade it.

I almost lost it to the wife who wanted to take it , but I fought hard and now we are going to get rid of her Escape and get her a Rav. Otherwise I would have got the Escape to trade in on something else which would have sucked since it has crap for resale value.

I normally dont care what people think , but lately was just a thought. I'm sure my buddys new F350 Super duty is the problem child that got me thinking, but since its already been in the shop 2x within the 1st month those thoughts are fading away.

I do love my 4R and look for every chance I can get to go out and drive it. No regrets !!

 

[V8Limited4wd]

no offense to women, but when i see a female driving a 4runner it looks out of place. im more used to women driving x5s, mls, escalades, etc.

and no offense to people with H3s, but it looks like a mini hummer catered to women who are afraid to drive an suv as big as the H2. Oh and a coworker just traded in his lexus is250awd for a bright red H2... i thought it was his wife's car. :beer:

 

[colorado]

quote:
[BUT , sometimes I run into this feeling that I should be driving an american truck/SUV ..... kinda more of a manly , off road type beefy look.]

It's all perspective -- I (a woman) occasionally wonder if I should be driving something a little LESS manly and beefy.

(The feeling passes quickly when I remember I can reliably go anywhere I want, anytime I want, even here in the mountains.)

My first runner was a "hand-me-down" of sorts; the second my choice alone. So, on behalf of all of us women with 4Runners -- thanks toto, dingo, and traveler for the kind words.

______________________________
2007 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4
1998 4Runner SR5 V6 4x4 (expired)

 

[Mark86]

The 4Runner looks like a beefy SUV. I think that the 4Runner is one of the best looking SUV's on the road. When I see a women driving a 4Runner, I think she has good taste!

 

[AgeOfEmpires]

I'm sure my buddys new F350 Super duty is the problem child that got me thinking, but since its already been in the shop 2x within the 1st month those thoughts are fading away.

Put the thoughts of that truck out of your mind. I traded in a F250 SD diesel Lariat Crewcab 4x4 (FX4) on my 4Runner a little over 3 weeks ago. I had wanted that F250 for many, many years and kept it for 1.5 years. I loved that truck. Against my will I traded it in. When looking at all of my options, the 4Runner was the only other thing I wanted.

I knew I was going to miss my truck. However, in 3 short weeks, the 4Runner has won me completely over and I don't miss the truck at all. In the long run, you'll be much happier in the 4Runner and spend a whole lot less money on repairs.

Now, there is coming a day when I'll need a truck I am sure. But that is what they make friends for.

 

[Buckfever]

I actually can completely relate to what you're saying. I just saw the Ford truck the other day and in red, which is how I'd get it. No doubt there is something about the look of that truck that is boss. But at the end of the day the 4Runner is "the truck" of the SUVs and I have total confidence in it. I do like how the Ford truck looks, but the 4Runner is the truck I want to drive.
If that makes sense.

I do wish the 4Runner came in red. And I don't mean salsa red, I mean a fire engine, slut red. Probably the only color I'd take over my black.

 

[Falls]

"SLUT RED"................LOL

 

[Thai]

The 4Runner looks like a beefy SUV. I think that the 4Runner is one of the best looking SUV's on the road. When I see a women driving a 4Runner, I think she has good taste!

I agree...i really like what Toyota did to the 2006 facelift. On the other hand, the new Honda CRV is girly as is Mercedes ML.

Although the new Ford SuperDuty looks nice, i would rather get the new Chevy & GMC 1-tons. Duramax + 6-speed Allison will kill any Ford powertrain in a heartbeat.

 

[drake3]

I live in midwest suburbia. There are many women around my place who drive 4runners. Those are less than the majority who I see in Siennas and RX330s. I have asked a couple who have purchased a 4runner and they stated the main selling points as quiet, comfortable and smaller than a Tahoe or Sequoia.

I have never had to rethink my purchase because I thought I should be driving something more "manly". Thinking more about it I probably could be almost as happy driving in an RX-330 like all the local soccer Moms. I think I have enough self-esteem to be seen in that vehicle even though I consider it in the class of "mall queen" cars. My primary thoughts would probably be the same as now with my 4runner, just being thankful that I was fortunate enough to be born in a country where I was given the opportunity and freedom to make a living where I could drive such nice car where I want to when I want -no lecture, I do think this. Granted, if the car was painted light pink and had "Mary Kay" stickers all over I may need an adjustment or two to the vehicle to better align it with my true sexual identity, but I would not need to go out and get a 3/4 ton 4x4 diesel truck just to make me feel like a man. (And I am not saying you don't have self-esteem - don't get me wrong here - but the whole idea of not seeing your 4runner "manly" enough is a problem with insecurity when you get to the root)

I am not sure what vehicle would exactly fit the bill for you, but the 4runner was built more for the urban jungle than the natural one. No illusion here. It is just where the market is located. If it was designed more for unpaved terrain then there would probably be no market for the FJ.