First SUV ('07 V6 SE)

[Trout Fisher]

Hello Gang,

My first post and what a great place you have here.


Was looking for some opinions here:awais:

I'm thinking of getting my first SUV and I've been driving BMW 330I for the past 4 years.. before that I had 300ZX..

Drove SE V6 a few days ago at a dealer and liked it a lot. Now..I'm an avid fisherman but don't do off-roading much..

Are there anyone who was in the same shoes (drove sport sedans) and then converted to SUV, TR4 particulary? I'm just a little nervous making this change since I won't be using this truck for off-roading much..

Thanks in advance for your input!

TF

 

[gizmopt2002]

Well we went from all cars to a van to an SUV, we dont off-road, but since I go camping, we occasionally get ino dirt roads and such, which is nothing.

Welcome!

 

[sfla4runner]

First off, welcome to the board.

I personally went from a TransAm to the 4Runner. It was one of the best moves I made. While I miss the handling and performance of the TA, I love my Runner. I feel that the 4Runner handles very well for a body on frame SUV, very tight and stable and I have the SR5, the SE handles better IMO. The ride is hands down the best of any vehicle I have owned to date. It has also been the most reliable vehicle I have owned as well. I think you will be very happy with it if you get it.

 

[qballjr13]

I went from a Maxima to my 4-Runner. I originally bought it for my wife but she started commuting a lot and wanted a car. So I traded the Maxima for an Accord and I took the truck. I love it! I like driving a car, but with the X-REAS the thing handles great. Dont get me wrong, its still a truck and not a performance sedan, but I wont complain. The only off roading I really do is on my dirt road, or an occasional dirt trail to go mountain biking but I have zero complaints. I bought it because my wife really liked the look of the 4's (I tought her well) but when I went to buy it we somehow ended up with a Sport Edition V8 instead of the SR5 V6 we were actually looking at! :biggrin2: I will never regret that decision. I say go for it, you will be very happy!

 

[Koz]

Welcome to the site! You will find that the 4Runner is everything that you have ever heard. It has one of the most loyal followings of any mid-sizes SUV on the market and that is for good reason. It is truly a GREAT vehicle that does it all, very well! If you get one you feel the same way in very short time.

Koz

 

[Trout Fisher]

Thanks a lot for your input guys. To tell you the truth..I've been looking to get SUV for the whole month..test drove Pathfinder, X-Terra, Jeep Grand Cherokee, even Murano The only one I liked was a T4R. Not just the way it drives but also the way it looks.

The one I'm looking to purchase is brand new 2007 Sport Edition V6, in Meteorite Metallic, with heated seats (only extra) that I needed.

Hopefully I'm making the right decision

 

[MorrisK64]

Thanks a lot for your input guys. To tell you the truth..I've been looking to get SUV for the whole month..test drove Pathfinder, X-Terra, Jeep Grand Cherokee, even Murano The only one I liked was a T4R. Not just the way it drives but also the way it looks.

The one I'm looking to purchase is brand new 2007 Sport Edition V6, in Meteorite Metallic, with heated seats (only extra) that I needed.

Hopefully I'm making the right decision

Is this a new color?

 

[Trout Fisher]

MorrisK64, I don't think so. I forgot to mentioned that I'm in Toronto, Canada. Maybe colour name is different in the U.S.

 

[MJohnny86]

My first car was an Acura TSX, then i purchased a 97 M3 loved it so much when i moved from california back to Georgia i purchased a 95 M. Past couple have been thinking about getting a 4runner for similar reasons and i bit the bullet last night and am loving it thus far... good luck!

 

[FlipIam]

My first car was 88 Toyota Corolla 2-door coupe, then a 97 Acura Integra, then a 2000 Tacoma Pre-Runner TRD which I then sold to my brother. For years, me and my wife had our eyes on the 4Runner and a few months ago decided to get one as a weekend vehicle. We love it so much that we now drive the 4Runner on the weekdays, too. We got the side-curtain airbag option and with the size of the 4R we feel safer driving it next to other SUV's in the island. It is still a truck but the improvements over the years including X-REAS, the ride is way smoother compared my old Tacoma.

Give it a chance and you'll love it too.

 

[drake3]

Well, I am pretty close to you in car history. Probably more than anyone else here. I have gone from Toyota SR5 4x4 pickup -> '87 300ZX -> '93 4runner (still here) -> '94 300ZX -> 2000 328Ci BMW -> 2003 350Z Nissan -> 2006 V8 Sport 4runner.

So I now have the '93 4runner and '06 4runner in my garage.

What I miss about the cars is the manual tranny and the responsiveness. However, my thought was to just get down to one car with the '06 4runner. But, I found I am just too sentimental and the '93 4runner keeps running so well. So, silly me - I have 2 4runners and I am loving them.

I knew what I was giving up with the sport coupes, but my thought is to purchase a BMW motorcycle later to get my speed on in the back roads during summer.

The BMW was harder to give up than the 350Z. The Bimmer was IMHO the near perfect blend of performance and luxury. But, as I get older (35) I seem to want a smoother quieter ride. The 4runner (especially with V8) is extremely quiet and rides very nice even with the XREAS. Plus there is no compromise when it comes to bad weather conditions.

I just got back from a short vacation in the Smoky mountains and there were times where I wished for the cars in the switchbacks, but not enough to make me think twice about the choice to go with my '06. The 4runner is so comfortable to have the room to throw my hiking gear around and take me back to the cabin in near silence. The only off-roading my trucks see is a gravel road now and then (because I have access to a Honda Foreman Quad).

Hope this helps some. Feel free to PM if you have some questions.

 

[Trout Fisher]

I want to thanks everyone for their great responses. Honestly, it made me feel better about my purchase.


I hear you Drake..

The Bimmer was IMHO the near perfect blend of performance and luxury

I can't not agree more. I know for sure I will miss it's performance and luxury but looking forward to some power, height and ability to own a road with T4R

I've been driving manual for 14 years..just turned 30 in the summer I'm a little sad going to auto but slowing down might be a good thing for me:biggrin2: Also it was pretty painfully going out of town and taking some unpaved roads with the bimmer..actually felt bad for doing this.

I guess I'm looking forward on getting my Runner and hopefully report soon on the new toy.

Thanks again everyone for your help,

TF

 

[jsurf]

Welcome! I'd say go for it man! you won't rfegret it.I too was in the same boat from 94 t4r-95 integra-99 durango-93 fairladyz tt-94 fullsize blazer---now 03 t4r. still got the z(stage5+) my fullsize blazer(6 in. full suspension lift for offroading) and my t4r(cornfed and daily driver: ) you'll enjoy it!

 

[Mark86]

I like being higher off the ground, which a sedan doesn't offer! The 4Runner is powerful for a truck, but you won't have the agility as you had in the Bimmer. I must say that reliability will be a lot better! Overall, I think you will be happy with your purchase. You can't go wrong with a 4Runner.

 

[Trout Fisher]

Morning All,

Well..looks like I set my mind on 07' T4R Sport Edition.

Done my price shopping as well, I feel great about the price BUT here comes the major dilemma for me..what colour.

Titan Silver or Black.. I always had black vehicles but I've seen some of your Titan Silver rigs and they do look awesome.


Need to make my choice within 8 hours since I want my new toy for this weekend:biggrin2:

 

[jharris2]

Morning All,

Well..looks like I set my mind on 07' T4R Sport Edition.

Done my price shopping as well, I feel great about the price BUT here comes the major dilemma for me..what colour.

Titan Silver or Black.. I always had black vehicles but I've seen some of your Titan Silver rigs and they do look awesome.


Need to make my choice within 8 hours since I want my new toy for this weekend:biggrin2:

Decisions, decisions......

How about one of each??

 

[Trout Fisher]

Yeah right John

If I do that I need to sell my condo and leave in one during the weekdays and in another one on the weekends

 

[Uneek]

Morning All,

Well..looks like I set my mind on 07' T4R Sport Edition.

Done my price shopping as well, I feel great about the price BUT here comes the major dilemma for me..what colour.

Titan Silver or Black.. I always had black vehicles but I've seen some of your Titan Silver rigs and they do look awesome.


Need to make my choice within 8 hours since I want my new toy for this weekend:biggrin2:

I considered both colors as well. Originally, I wanted black as I always thought it was the best color for any vehicle. However after consideration of the maintenance needed, I got Titanium for my 4R.

Here's the good for each color. Black, looks great when clean, color offers more depth (mirror like finish), might be easier to touch up, and though subjective, but always a classy color. Silver appears to stay clean longer, hides dirt and swirls better, and easier to maintain.

The bad. Must be careful washing and cleaning a black vehicle to prevent swirling, scratches and dings show up easily. Silver is one of the toughest colors to repaint for a good match, when clean you don't get as much of a mirror effect as a dark color, and every other car out there is silver.

 

[Trout Fisher]

Thanks for your input Uneek.

I was talking to some service guys at the dealership last night and found out that on 4Runner the only color that does not have metallic paint is black. All others paints have up to 8 coats of clear coat in them.. True?
So as you said..lots of swirling, scratches and dings will show up easily.
I have 330I jet black bimmer without metallic paint and I know a few people with sapfire black (metallic paint) and when I compare our colors mine has WAY too much swirls, etc..

I delayed buying T4R SE till Saturday. Now might even get 07' Limited as I drove one yesterday as well and loved the seats and added luxury
:biggrin2:

 

[pickerdd]

Trout Fisher,

Congratulations on the new 4Runner and welcome to the forum! As other folks have mentioned you're going to love your new 4Runner.

I'm in a similar situation where I drove sport sedans for years (a couple of BMW's) them moved on to my trusty Honda Accord when family life took hold. I wanted a 4Runner for a long time and finally bought my truck this past March - a 2006 4Runner Limited. It's a great vehicle and I look forward to driving it for a long time. I love it!

You might want to check out AutoGeek.net for supplies to wash and wax your vehicle. I've been using the Pinnacle car wash, Pinnacle Liquid Souveran Carnauba wax (will try the Souveran paste wax soon) and the Wolfgang paint sealant. It's all great stuff and the 4Runner shines!

Enjoy your new 4Runner!