Drove a 5th Gen 4R, very disappointed, so now I have questions

[Jhalko]

Just swap the shocks on the SR5, cheaper then getting the limited. But the bells and whistles are nice and if you are stupid like me you buy the limited and still rip out Xreas, haha.

 

[Maxotle]

Hi everyone. I have a 2004 4R 2WD which I love but needs paint, a new dash, and new tires. In lieu of pouring $6,000-$8,000 into it (and still having a 10-y-o vehicle), I thought I'd trade it in on a 5th Gen.
So, I drove a 2015 SR5 Premium 2WD. That thing was so soft and mushy, I couldn't feel the road. Felt like I was driving on wiggly marshmallows. I want to feel the road, feel the grip (or lack of), feel where the tires are, just like I can with my '04. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? How can you drive without feeling whether or not you have traction?
So, now I'm wondering if the 4WD feels any better? There isn't one around here to drive, or else I wouldn't have to ask.
Thanks in advance for any info.

Hi:
The best advice I can give you is that your test drive experience is the best answer to your questions. However, you have to decide if you can live with the concerns or you'll be able to accommodate to them down the road. My personal experience: I had similar feelings during my first test drive; I decided to pull the trigger anyway; now, I am very happy with my decision and all the small concerns that I had during the first test drive are going away and/or I actually starting to love them .... and my car is still "stock" (no modding) as of today!

Hope this may helps you ...

Regards,
Brian

 

[Hanau]

Drive a highlander you might like a unibody SUV

 

[philsey]

Hi everyone. I have a 2004 4R 2WD which I love but needs paint, a new dash, and new tires. In lieu of pouring $6,000-$8,000 into it (and still having a 10-y-o vehicle), I thought I'd trade it in on a 5th Gen.
So, I drove a 2015 SR5 Premium 2WD. That thing was so soft and mushy, I couldn't feel the road. Felt like I was driving on wiggly marshmallows. I want to feel the road, feel the grip (or lack of), feel where the tires are, just like I can with my '04. Does anyone else know what I'm talking about? How can you drive without feeling whether or not you have traction?
So, now I'm wondering if the 4WD feels any better? There isn't one around here to drive, or else I wouldn't have to ask.
Thanks in advance for any info.

2WD vs 4WD is not the issue. Those suspensions are the same. What you need to evaluate is SR5 vs TE/KDSS vs LE/XREAS which will have 'different' suspensions, ergo different road manners.

 

[MAXISTYLES]

I don't think a 4R would be a good choice for hauling a boat either. I think the point was that if you don't care about offroad driving (i.e. getting a 2WD 4Runner), then why are you getting a 4R in the first place? If you want to haul a boat, a pickup with a deisel is probably your best bet. If you want to haul a family, get a minivan or maybe more of a crossover. If you just want to sit high up for visibility, get a crossover. I don't understand why they even sell 2WD 4Runners. They must sell enough to make a profit, but it just doesn't make sense to me. The market for a used 2WD 4R must be weak.

I'd suggest to the OP that if a 4R is your choice, for whatever reason, seriously consider whether it makes sense to get the 2WD. Compare your expected depreciation in the 2WD model vs. the 4WD model, and I suspect the 4WD model will actually be cheaper, all things considered.

You don't understand because you live in Colorado. Not much need for 4wd in Florida, especially in South Florida. Some do like to drive vehicles without feeling like we just borrowed our sisters car so we get manly cars/trucks but not as manly as yours.

 

[4FL]

You don't understand because you live in Colorado. Not much need for 4wd in Florida, especially in South Florida. Some do like to drive vehicles without feeling like we just borrowed our sisters car so we get manly cars/trucks but not as manly as yours.

Off-roading is also polarizing, in which you have an easy trail/dirt road a car could basically go down, or you have a muddy swamp in which you need horsepower and 44 inch mud tires.

I can see 4x4 being handy for boat loading/unloading, but given the number of 2wd doing it just fine, I do not think it is a need.

 

[4RnR Grl]

Out of curiosity what is the payload that a Highlander couldn't handle? Edit: Cargo space is within 6 cubic feet, 89.7 for 4Runner and 83.7 for Highlander...

For some, the available space is not the issue but the measured space between wheel wells in the cargo area. I looked at the Highlander before I decided on the 4Runner... (I downsized from a Diesel Excursion) And Yes I take my tape measure to the car dealer. I had to have at LEAST 42 inches between the wheel wells for a dog crate to fit correctly. The Highlander didn't have enough room, too short. 4Runner was right on the button. I love my Runner.

Some women actually do the research before buying a car... I would say that most women just buy what is in their budget or what looks *pretty*. I want a functional 4WD vehicle that I can drive to a field trial and won't get stuck in the mud. 4Runner gets it done. And let's face it... 4Runner is a lot prettier.... if you like rugged. :biggrin2:

 

[Nolarola]

You don't understand because you live in Colorado. Not much need for 4wd in Florida, especially in South Florida. Some do like to drive vehicles without feeling like we just borrowed our sisters car so we get manly cars/trucks but not as manly as yours.

This is technically correct. That said, it's really hard (impossible) for anyone to feel like a man when you can't put on black rims and drive the left wheel on a rock to take a pic of your 4x4. How else could you prove on here that you have a Trail Edition PREMIUM? So when you say "not as manly as your," they read "you can't write Trail Edition Premium."

 

[Jayhawk5G]

For some, the available space is not the issue but the measured space between wheel wells in the cargo area. I looked at the Highlander before I decided on the 4Runner... (I downsized from a Diesel Excursion) And Yes I take my tape measure to the car dealer. I had to have at LEAST 42 inches between the wheel wells for a dog crate to fit correctly. The Highlander didn't have enough room, too short. 4Runner was right on the button. I love my Runner.

Some women actually do the research before buying a car... I would say that most women just buy what is in their budget or what looks *pretty*. I want a functional 4WD vehicle that I can drive to a field trial and won't get stuck in the mud. 4Runner gets it done. And let's face it... 4Runner is a lot prettier.... if you like rugged. :biggrin2:

You and I drive the same vehicle, so obviously you have good taste. That means you also know the driving dynamics...

I think the obvious answer is OP needs to test drive everything she is considering and then make a decision. However if 4x4 isn't important, and handling on road is I still feel a unibody crossover is a better choice. We offered the Highlander out of loyalty, however, several companies make vehicles in that category. The Explorer offers close cargo and in FWD with Ecoboost offers 28 mpg highway... The Traverse offers less at 24 mpg but beats 4Runner with 116 cubic feet of storage and 64 lbs more payload and 200 lbs more towing.

 

[4RnR Grl]

You and I drive the same vehicle, so obviously you have good taste. That means you also know the driving dynamics...

I think the obvious answer is OP needs to test drive everything she is considering and then make a decision. However if 4x4 isn't important, and handling on road is I still feel a unibody crossover is a better choice. We offered the Highlander out of loyalty, however, several companies make vehicles in that category. The Explorer offers close cargo and in FWD with Ecoboost offers 28 mpg highway... The Traverse offers less at 24 mpg but beats 4Runner with 116 cubic feet of storage and 64 lbs more payload and 200 lbs more towing.

I agree Jayhawk... the biggest gripe I have about vehicle shopping is those who don't do their homework and pay thousands of dollars for a vehicle that won't hold up. I am a Ford girl through and through... but... their quality control, repair records and overall quality has not held up in the past. I am really big on checking out past vehicles and how they hold up. I want to know that a vehicle is lasting. When shopping for a "dog-friendly" vehicle, I drove a lot of different vehicles but ultimately settled on Toyota because they just hold up better, and cost less in the long run. I hope the OP takes her time to research vehicles and check out repair records from last years models so she can make a good decision based on research instead of impulse.