Future Runner Owner...Again! =^D

[Cali4Runnea]

I will start by saying I am not new to 4Runners, I've loved them since I was 15 years old. I learned to drive in my Dad's beautiful sky blue '89. I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad and I with that truck, it really was more than a vehicle to me and it never left my heart. Fast forward to my mid twenties and I found myself with my own 2007 SR5, which I greatly enjoyed modifying and tinkering with, it was my favorite car as an adult. (Build thread in signature)

Well, the older I got, the more environmentally conscious I grew (and still am), and the Runner didn't suit my lifestyle anymore. So, with a heavy heart, I sold her and bought a Prius. Drove the Prius for a few years and traded it in for a Ford C-Max Energi (plug-in hybrid) last year. While I've really enjoyed these cars and have highly considered a Tesla Model 3 as my next, my heart just gets SO excited and envious every time I see a dang Runner! I've told my husband, I don't know what to do, the logical side of my brain says, go Tesla (or similar) but my heart wants the 4x4 beautiful rig it fell in love with all those years ago.

Enter this last weekend, I had to make an emergency trip to California to see my Dad. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer last month and then had a massive stroke last week, to say the least, it's been a very tough past couple of weeks. So, I get to the airport rental place and go to get my cheap ass rental car I paid for, but I'm told they're out of them from the holiday weekend and all that is left are SUV's. Can you believe this, the gosh darn clerk hands me over the keys to a freaking 2019 white SR5 4x4 Toyota 4Runner, I kid you not!!! I walk out to the lot and it is literally the only Runner.... I broke down in tears and sobbed, it was incredibly emotional due to how special this vehicle is and how it involves my Dad so much. I got in the Runner and just sat in it for 30 mins, shaking, crying, happy tears, sad tears, way too many memories flooding back all at once. I just sat there bewildered in literal awe of how the universe works, it knew I needed this.

The moment I turned the keys and heard the engine roar (something I'm no longer accustomed too �&#56837, my heart swelled and I instantly knew the answer to my on going internal dilemma, the Runner is the ONLY vehicle I want next!

Even though I spent the entire week driving 3-5 miles back and forth between the hospital and hotel to be with my Dad, it was the BEST 3-5 miles I have ever driven! Omg, I love this truck like a crazy person, haha! My cheeks were hurting the first day I drove it I was smiling SO much.

I told my husband and sent him way too many pics of my rental Runner and he promised me once we get his car paid for, we're going shopping!! Won't be till next year probably, but that's okay, it gives me plenty of time to nail down exactly what I want in my 4Ever 4Runner.

So, to those who know me from years ago being a pretty avid poster on this forum... I'll be back!!

See you soon,

-Cali4Runnea

P.S. I'll post pictures tomorrow once I'm home from the airport ;-)

 

[Cali4Runnea]

Finally got around to uploading these pics! My Dad's '89, my '07 and the rental Runner that has kept me obsessively thinking about my next Runner [emoji28]

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[thennen]

Thank you for sharing, and best wishes on your next 4Runner. I hope everything else is ok.

 

[Cali4Runnea]

[MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION] Here's a post I made on my future Runner plans earlier this year

 

[Cali4Runnea]

Thank you for sharing, and best wishes on your next 4Runner. I hope everything else is ok.

Thank you so much! And well, there's only one way my Dad's stage 4 pancreatic cancer is going, but he is a fighter and still pushing through, and will continue to. I get to see him again this coming week, and I'm really looking forward to it.

 

[Dmsea1]

Man, I hate when I get dust in my eyes...

Thanks for sharing that story, best wishes for you and your family as well. This has been my dream car since the late 80's - at least realistic dream car. My dad would take me and my friends to a Toyota dealership on Friday nights, after they were closed, and we would look for unlocked ones and just sit in them and pretend they were ours for a night. I will be purchasing my first Runner in about a month, so looking forward to it. Been researching like a mad man since around Feb of this year.

 

[thennen]

Thank you so much! And well, there's only one way my Dad's stage 4 pancreatic cancer is going, but he is a fighter and still pushing through, and will continue to. I get to see him again this coming week, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I’m glad he’s fighting, and for what it’s worth, I’m behind him. My first 4R was a gray/black 1988, which I bought new. So I love the pic of you with the blue one.

It’s funny how a car/truck can have more meaning and elicit more emotional response based on our history with it or its kin. Your re-connection is good, in my view. Please enjoy the truck and your memories with no environmental guilt.

 

[thennen]

Man, I hate when I get dust in my eyes...

Thanks for sharing that story, best wishes for you and your family as well. This has been my dream car since the late 80's - at least realistic dream car. My dad would take me and my friends to a Toyota dealership on Friday nights, after they were closed, and we would look for unlocked ones and just sit in them and pretend they were ours for a night. I will be purchasing my first Runner in about a month, so looking forward to it. Been researching like a mad man since around Feb of this year.

Funny you mention that. 35-ish years ago, my friends and I would go ‘car looking’ at night. Toyota was introducing new Supras and Celicas and MR2s and such, and we dreamed of owning them. I remember one night seeing a silver Toyota 2000GT on a lot! Insane! Apparently a barn find somewhere. Good memories.

 

[Dmsea1]

Funny you mention that. 35-ish years ago, my friends and I would go ‘car looking’ at night. Toyota was introducing new Supras and Celicas and MR2s and such, and we dreamed of owning them. I remember one night seeing a silver Toyota 2000GT on a lot! Insane! Apparently a barn find somewhere. Good memories.

Haha, same here. Finding an open MR2 was fun - they were new and were awesome at the time. Supra's were like a Japanese Ferrari to me, cool memories. But I would really dream about taking a 4Runner through Joshua Tree - that will finally happen - 32 years later, crazy.

 

[Bugser]

I will start by saying I am not new to 4Runners, I've loved them since I was 15 years old. I learned to drive in my Dad's beautiful sky blue '89. I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad and I with that truck, it really was more than a vehicle to me and it never left my heart.

I like others thank you for sharing your heartfelt story. Brought dust to my eyes as well.

Have a similar but different story. I was very close to my sister. We did lots of things together, both as singles and later as we each married. Then in 1998 Karen was diagnosed with stage 4/5 aggressive ovarian cancer. She was expected to live only weeks. Her husband John bought her a brand new 1998 4Runner limited which they couldn’t really afford. She loved that runner and she had 3 great years against all odds with it and we drove around everywhere in it. A few months after she past, on 9/12/11 when the nation was in shock I bought a 2002 Sport edition and I had the same experience you had when I went to her grave to show her the runner! What a 30 minute experience. I’m on my 3rd runner now and each time I go to the cemetery to show her how her loved runner has changed

What great memories

My thoughts and prayers are with you and for your dad, I know your pain, turmoil and anxiety. And I know exactly how you feel about the 4Runner.

Take care and dream about that new runner! Keep us posted on how your dad is doing.


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[Cali4Runnea]

Man, I hate when I get dust in my eyes...

Thanks for sharing that story, best wishes for you and your family as well. This has been my dream car since the late 80's - at least realistic dream car. My dad would take me and my friends to a Toyota dealership on Friday nights, after they were closed, and we would look for unlocked ones and just sit in them and pretend they were ours for a night. I will be purchasing my first Runner in about a month, so looking forward to it. Been researching like a mad man since around Feb of this year.

You sound like me, lol, searching like a mad man, the obsession is real :jump:! That is really great though, that sounds like some wonderful memories you made with your Dad, those are the kind of things that stay with you forever. Very excited for you and your expecting purchase, you will be over the moon!

 

[Cali4Runnea]

I’m glad he’s fighting, and for what it’s worth, I’m behind him. My first 4R was a gray/black 1988, which I bought new. So I love the pic of you with the blue one.

It’s funny how a car/truck can have more meaning and elicit more emotional response based on our history with it or its kin. Your re-connection is good, in my view. Please enjoy the truck and your memories with no environmental guilt.

It is pretty crazy, some things are more than just the shinny metal or packaging, it's the memory you hold so fondly with it that makes it so special. How great you had an '88, you knew the fun of those rigs too! Even though they were gutless, lol, but amazing all around. And thank you! Hoping everything else I do to help the environment will level out buying a 4Runner next year, at least in my own mind, haha.

 

[Cali4Runnea]

I like others thank you for sharing your heartfelt story. Brought dust to my eyes as well.

Have a similar but different story. I was very close to my sister. We did lots of things together, both as singles and later as we each married. Then in 1998 Karen was diagnosed with stage 4/5 aggressive ovarian cancer. She was expected to live only weeks. Her husband John bought her a brand new 1998 4Runner limited which they couldn’t really afford. She loved that runner and she had 3 great years against all odds with it and we drove around everywhere in it. A few months after she past, on 9/12/11 when the nation was in shock I bought a 2002 Sport edition and I had the same experience you had when I went to her grave to show her the runner! What a 30 minute experience. I’m on my 3rd runner now and each time I go to the cemetery to show her how her loved runner has changed

What great memories

My thoughts and prayers are with you and for your dad, I know your pain, turmoil and anxiety. And I know exactly how you feel about the 4Runner.

Take care and dream about that new runner! Keep us posted on how your dad is doing.


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Ah man, you're blowing that dust my way, gosh! That is SUCH a beautiful and heartfelt story about your Sister. Yes, I know exactly what you mean too, same feels, it is a really special vehicle for so many reasons, but our family memories bring out the most. I love that you visit her with your new Runner's, such a wonderful sentiment to do for her <3.

 

[WhiteRunner10]

With the 4runner being reworked from the ground up, if you wait for the 6th gen you should be able to pick up a hybrid version.

 

[Hydguy]

Sorry to hear about your father.

AS for a 4Runner, you might not want to wait, especially if you plan on modding it, as Toyota is bringing the TSS system to the 4Runner in the '20 model, and I might interfere with mods you might want to do due to the placement of the huge TSS box in the lower grill.

I know some people with Tacos have been able to move it up a little, but no one knows how it will be with the 4Runner until they are on the lot and people can look at them.
And dealers will be looking to clear out the inventory this month.

 

[momo.75]

[MENTION=165]momo.75[/MENTION] Here's a post I made on my future Runner plans earlier this year

Well, it sounds like you got a God Wink.....I think a white 5th gen is what you are supposed to be driving.

I am really sorry to hear about your dad. Seeing your parents in a diminished state is really hard, so I will be praying for you as well as your dad. We have had to deal with cancer two years ago and again this past summer. Oddly it was my 4Runner that gave me a little joy during those times.

 

[the_fornicator]

Reading this made me smile. I hope to build memories as you've described with my daughter. I rebuilt a 2nd gen 4runner a little too early in my life as I sold it since it didn't fit my lifestyle, but wish my daughter got to experience that with me. I couldn't stand my wife's dodge sx 2.0 car so I sold that to a friend and then bought a 2005 v8 4th gen 4runner for her. Now, I have a 5th gen 4runner that I hope my kid remembers. She already calls it, "daddy's monster truck" even though it has a very small lift (it just looks big to her lol).

Amazing story. I shared it with my wife and she loved it -she cried. I wish you and your family the best!

 

[87pony]

That's a nice story

 

[deadbeat son]

I will start by saying I am not new to 4Runners, I've loved them since I was 15 years old. I learned to drive in my Dad's beautiful sky blue '89. I have so many wonderful memories of my Dad and I with that truck, it really was more than a vehicle to me and it never left my heart. Fast forward to my mid twenties and I found myself with my own 2007 SR5, which I greatly enjoyed modifying and tinkering with, it was my favorite car as an adult. (Build thread in signature)

Well, the older I got, the more environmentally conscious I grew (and still am), and the Runner didn't suit my lifestyle anymore. So, with a heavy heart, I sold her and bought a Prius. Drove the Prius for a few years and traded it in for a Ford C-Max Energi (plug-in hybrid) last year. While I've really enjoyed these cars and have highly considered a Tesla Model 3 as my next, my heart just gets SO excited and envious every time I see a dang Runner! I've told my husband, I don't know what to do, the logical side of my brain says, go Tesla (or similar) but my heart wants the 4x4 beautiful rig it fell in love with all those years ago.

Enter this last weekend, I had to make an emergency trip to California to see my Dad. He was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer last month and then had a massive stroke last week, to say the least, it's been a very tough past couple of weeks. So, I get to the airport rental place and go to get my cheap ass rental car I paid for, but I'm told they're out of them from the holiday weekend and all that is left are SUV's. Can you believe this, the gosh darn clerk hands me over the keys to a freaking 2019 white SR5 4x4 Toyota 4Runner, I kid you not!!! I walk out to the lot and it is literally the only Runner.... I broke down in tears and sobbed, it was incredibly emotional due to how special this vehicle is and how it involves my Dad so much. I got in the Runner and just sat in it for 30 mins, shaking, crying, happy tears, sad tears, way too many memories flooding back all at once. I just sat there bewildered in literal awe of how the universe works, it knew I needed this.

The moment I turned the keys and heard the engine roar (something I'm no longer accustomed too ��), my heart swelled and I instantly knew the answer to my on going internal dilemma, the Runner is the ONLY vehicle I want next!

Even though I spent the entire week driving 3-5 miles back and forth between the hospital and hotel to be with my Dad, it was the BEST 3-5 miles I have ever driven! Omg, I love this truck like a crazy person, haha! My cheeks were hurting the first day I drove it I was smiling SO much.

I told my husband and sent him way too many pics of my rental Runner and he promised me once we get his car paid for, we're going shopping!! Won't be till next year probably, but that's okay, it gives me plenty of time to nail down exactly what I want in my 4Ever 4Runner.

So, to those who know me from years ago being a pretty avid poster on this forum... I'll be back!!

See you soon,

-Cali4Runnea

P.S. I'll post pictures tomorrow once I'm home from the airport ;-)

I'm sorry to hear what you're going through with your father. I hope he's able to bounce back, but his affliction is an ugly monster.

I have a 6 year old daughter, and a couple of weeks ago I traded in my '09 Tacoma for a '19 SR5 4R. She was really sad to see the Taco go, it's the only vehicle she's ever known me to have (I bought it new before she was born.)

Then I explained to her that I had that truck for 10 years, and I would probably drive the 4R for the next 10 years. I asked how old she would be in 10 years, and she immediately responded, "16!" I said, "You know what you can do when you're 16, right?" Her eyes lit up when she said, "I can drive!" I said, "Well then, when you're 16 the 4Runner will probably be your first car." And THAT made her excited for the new car.

Silly little story on my part, but I hope it gives you some solace to think that somewhere there is a little girl who is excited at the chance to relive your experience of growing up in her dad's 4Runner, and will someday probably own one as well.

 

[Mytoy4]

Welcome back, Cali! I think about you often, wondering what you’re up to. Glad you’re doing well and getting back into the Runner soon!
So sorry to hear about your father. My dad was just diagnosed with cancer as well. It’s so hard to see our parents that way.
So glad to see you back and really looking forward to seeing what you end up with!