Going from my 4Runner daily to a small hatchback, what to know?

[atalarico]

Hey all,

Long story, but most important thing first, I'm not getting rid of my 97 Limited. OK, now that you all are done panicking, I'm just curious about anyone's experiences going from daily driving a big ol' 4Runner to a tiny (by comparison) hatchback like a Golf, and what driving habits I have to adjust.

I'm realizing there are things I just haven't had to be mindful of since I drive this beast that I might need to look out for. For example:

1.) Curb rash is a thing when you don't have anything close to a low-profile 19" wheel/rim. I have near 32" tires right now, and while I try not to hit curbs while parking, it sometimes happens and I just shrug and keep adjusting. I hear that this isn't a practice I should carry over?

2.) Being able to see in front of many other cars on the road means I can tell what's happening a half a mile away and adjust accordingly.

3.) Dropping into my seat instead of climbing up to my seat?

4.) Being fearless when it comes to the "You had every opportunity to merge behind me for the last half mile and now you're trying to merge next to me because you think I'm scared of you hurting my almost 20 year old SUV?" game.

5.) Rocketing up and down my driveway curb because bottoming out hasn't been in my vocabulary on pavement since 2009.

What else? I am kind of serious about this too since I don't want to screw up my new car, but I appreciate there's a ton of room for humor here too.

 

[meltdown]

1. Your 4Runners is not that big.

2. Drive the new car for a few weeks and I bet you'll figure out what adjustments you should make.

 

[wadle5]

1. Your 4Runners is not that big.

2. Drive the new car for a few weeks and I bet you'll figure out what adjustments you should make.

This is true and funny especially given your screen name, as that is exactly what I feel like the OP is having. . .

 

[Midnight Anvil]

Having just recently gone the opposite direction, it seems to me like you kind of figured out all the important points. Being seen was always a concern for me in the small car so the easy solution was to drive with the headlights on whenever it was less than sunny out. Granted, I didn't have DRL's.

 

[T5RUNNER]

I currently daily drive one of each. It really isn't a big deal. What the hatchback lacks in speed-bump jumping ground clearance, it makes up for in fun go-cart handling. Also, stay away from anything European if you care at all about reliability or resale.

 

[atalarico]

Hah! Everyone's so serious! I'm mainly just excited about it and I thought I'd start a thread as a place to share the "Oh, whoops, I'm not driving the big ol' truck right now" moments. I guess there aren't too many of them then...

Yes, I know it's not actually that big of a vehicle, but compared to a little hatchback it is.

 

[00Sebby]

My last series of vehicles was MINI Cooper to Suburban to Miata to Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to another Miata to the 4Runner. Other than some handling, stopping and visibility differences, driving is the same after a few days. Know how to drive, learn your cars limits, know where your sheet metal and wheels are, be smooth, stay away from clusters of traffic and aggressive drivers, drive defensively (even if you're going faster than others) and have fun. :lookout:

I found in the Miatas that I would often forget to consider cargo space if I went into Lowes or Walmart. I would have to strategically pack groceries or unbox a large item to be able to haul it home. But it is amazing what you can haul in a small hatchback. I once brought home a huge antique cherry dining room table and 6 chairs in our old VW Golf.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Biggest adjustment you'll have to make is not driving a 4Runner...

 

[CAMELPRO]

#2 on your list is THE reason I love driving a lifted vehicle, 4x4 or not.

Switching to my wife's car is difficult mostly because I can't stand staring at someone else's license plate.

 

[cashmoney]

I drive both and honestly prefer the car over the 4Runner because it's easier to dodge the idiots on the road. Emergency lane changes at 70mph in the 4Runner is a little unnerving compared to the Z plus trying to accelerate around a person in 4Runner is just a plain pain in the ass. I really need a supercharger.

 

[mgreen6616]

I just traded in a VW GTI for a 4Runner and one of the reasons for me was I drive a lot of interstate miles every month and got tired of doing 75mph next to streams of big rigs and looking out and being eye level with their fuel tanks. Also consider that at those speeds the little turbo 4 was turing at 3000+ rpm and droning for 8 hours at a time vs. barely over 2000rpm on the 4Runner, making for a much more peaceful experience.

You do have to plan your merging and accelerations much more than with a small car due to the relative lack of power for the mass.

 

[wadle5]

Realistically there really are no changes. As long as you dont drive crazy, always drive defensive, and use your turn indicators you should be fine. I went from daily driving my 4runner, now that sits in the garage as I daily drive an old subaru 5 speed wagon. The mileage is great the handling is great.
Sure the 4runner sits up higher and I "felt" safer, but I wouldn't worry about any life altering change in driving.

 

[Cake1979]

Having swapped between small sedans (Mazda 6, 2-Honda Accords) and larger trucks/SUVs (Honda Pilot, GMC Sierra, 4Runner), the only difference in my daily experience was that I drove the smaller cars a LOT faster.

It is a change at first, but eventually you get accustomed to all of the positives that come with a smaller car (gas mileage, handling, parking) and start to enjoy it.......until you see another 4Runner and realize you can't go off road.

 

[atalarico]

My last series of vehicles was MINI Cooper to Suburban to Miata to Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to another Miata to the 4Runner. Other than some handling, stopping and visibility differences, driving is the same after a few days. Know how to drive, learn your cars limits, know where your sheet metal and wheels are, be smooth, stay away from clusters of traffic and aggressive drivers, drive defensively (even if you're going faster than others) and have fun. :lookout:

I found in the Miatas that I would often forget to consider cargo space if I went into Lowes or Walmart. I would have to strategically pack groceries or unbox a large item to be able to haul it home. But it is amazing what you can haul in a small hatchback. I once brought home a huge antique cherry dining room table and 6 chairs in our old VW Golf.

Great advice, for sure. I'm definitely what most people consider an "engaged" or "active" driver. It's unfortunate that knowing how to drive, not looking at your phone, trying to predict traffic flows (or just simply remembering traffic patterns), etc., earns you that distinction now, but yeah.

I had a 2000 Golf for a few years in the late 00's, and I remember fitting a ton of stuff in it! They're surprisingly spacious, but I know the R has slightly less room in the truck because of the AWD system below the trunk.

I just traded in a VW GTI for a 4Runner and one of the reasons for me was I drive a lot of interstate miles every month and got tired of doing 75mph next to streams of big rigs and looking out and being eye level with their fuel tanks. Also consider that at those speeds the little turbo 4 was turing at 3000+ rpm and droning for 8 hours at a time vs. barely over 2000rpm on the 4Runner, making for a much more peaceful experience.

You do have to plan your merging and accelerations much more than with a small car due to the relative lack of power for the mass.

So, that's interesting. My RPMS tend to be around 3000 usually at those speeds and I think it's for a few reasons. One, simple elevation performance drop up in the Mile High here. Two, hills+elevation+wind. Three, gearing on the 97 limited is 4.10 and I read somewhere that this can effect RPMs at highway speeds. Four, bigger than stock tires.

As for planning my merging and accelerations, the Golf R is a bit different than a stock Golf. She puts out 296HP and I think will require me to do a lot less prep for accelerations and merging than the ol' 97 4Runner.

As long as you dont drive crazy, always drive defensive, and use your turn indicators you should be fine.

I'm definitely a turn signal fascist, and it ****ing blows my mind how many people don't use these neat devices that have been standard on cars for decades.

Having swapped between small sedans (Mazda 6, 2-Honda Accords) and larger trucks/SUVs (Honda Pilot, GMC Sierra, 4Runner), the only difference in my daily experience was that I drove the smaller cars a LOT faster.

It is a change at first, but eventually you get accustomed to all of the positives that come with a smaller car (gas mileage, handling, parking) and start to enjoy it.......until you see another 4Runner and realize you can't go off road.

This! Oh, and that last part about realizing I can't go off-road...I'm keeping the 4Runner still. Yes, I won't be able to flex her in parking lots on snowbanks quite so frequently, but she'll be there for all of the off-road adventures still (and hopefully for a lot longer since she won't be the daily).

Question for all of you: is there anything I need to do maintenance wise when putting the 4Runner out to pasture (or, at least just not driving it as frequently)? I've read that I should still drive it at least once a month, and I'm sure I will, but just curious if there are best practices for things like fluid changes, etc.

 

[jfon]

I have a GTI that I much prefer to the 4R as a daily driver. The GTI is pure fun and surprisingly comfortable on trips, but the 4R shines when the snow flies, hunting/fishing dirt roads beckon, or you need serious utility. Would miss them both, for different reasons.

 

[atalarico]

I have a GTI that I much prefer to the 4R as a daily driver. The GTI is pure fun and surprisingly comfortable on trips, but the 4R shines when the snow flies, hunting/fishing dirt roads beckon, or you need serious utility. Would miss them both, for different reasons.

Great input! Just reinforcing my decision anyway. I was kind of thinking the R would have better handling in the snow with some adequate snow tires than my 4Runner. I am thinking this because of all of the technological advantages the R has simply because it's not an almost 20 year old car (traction control, an active AWD system, stance lower to the ground, etc.). I'd figure the GTI with some decent snow tires would even be better than our 4runners, but I guess not?

I was hoping to use the R for everything in the winter aside from deep deep snow days. Hmmmmm...

 

[jfon]

Great input! Just reinforcing my decision anyway. I was kind of thinking the R would have better handling in the snow with some adequate snow tires than my 4Runner. I am thinking this because of all of the technological advantages the R has simply because it's not an almost 20 year old car (traction control, an active AWD system, stance lower to the ground, etc.). I'd figure the GTI with some decent snow tires would even be better than our 4runners, but I guess not?

I was hoping to use the R for everything in the winter aside from deep deep snow days. Hmmmmm...

Hadn't noticed your Denver location. IMO, if you head to the mountains often the R with snows is the way to go; GTI and snows would be fine otherwise. We're mostly here in the winter, so generally don't bring the GTI up here to Summit County. We use snows on both the 4R and a crossover wagon, and neither has ever let us down. Unless you're faced with deep snow the R should be great.

 

[atalarico]

Hadn't noticed your Denver location. IMO, if you head to the mountains often the R with snows is the way to go; GTI and snows would be fine otherwise. We're mostly here in the winter, so generally don't bring the GTI up here to Summit County. We use snows on both the 4R and a crossover wagon, and neither has ever let us down. Unless you're faced with deep snow the R should be great.

See, now we're speakin' the same language. You know the drive(s) that I'm going to be making, but I totally see why you'd want the T4R to live seasonally in Summit.

It's probably been a great season for you! I was up for a 3-day weekend last weekend and it was non-stop dumpage!

 

[MSRP.]

Golfs are nice.
Get some nice summer only tires (Continental DW are super cheapo with terrific performance) and be prepared to outstop 99% of the cars in a panic stop situation.

And not throwing out your back when rotating tires.
Slightly more difficult in finding jack points to lift the car.

 

[jfon]

See, now we're speakin' the same language. You know the drive(s) that I'm going to be making, but I totally see why you'd want the T4R to live seasonally in Summit.

It's probably been a great season for you! I was up for a 3-day weekend last weekend and it was non-stop dumpage!

Bear in mind that there are a few oddball things about the Golf R that don't appear in the GTI. The R has no spare tire, a console box with a lid that won't open, and no sunroof option. There are ways to fit it with a spare and fix the console lid, but it is annoying to have DIY projects in a much more expensive car than the GTI on which it is based.

On the other topic, skiing has been great but more snow is always appreciated!