mountaindog
New member
Hi - I purchased a 2010 4WD v6 SR5 about 2 weeks ago after a lot of lurking and research on this forum, thanks.
This is my first Toyota. My husband and I just got rid of both an old Ford 4x4 truck that served us well for many years, as well as a VW Passat wagon (repair magnet). We needed something that can handle deep snow (5 ft in 1 storm last month), a few rough dirt roads where we live in the Northern Catskills, and can haul around our two Bernese Mountain dogs, our sea kayaks, and our camping gear when we travel. We may also want to tow a small trailer in future.
When we first test-drove the 2010 4Runner, I was expecting it to handle more like our old pickup, but was amazed at how nicely it handles and how smooth the ride is on pavement, I just love it's combination of reliability, utility and nice handling, it's really fun to drive - this coming from a former sporty German car owner. Hondas have been good to us so I also looked at the Honda Pilot but I thought the 4Runner handled much nicer, plus it can tow more weight and has better off-road capability if needed, for roughly the same price and gas mileage.
I have friends who have had 4Runners so am aware of their reliability and legendary off-road capability. We don't go off-road much except out of necessity given where we live and travel, but now I'd like to learn about any good remote 4Runner-accessible camping locations in Maine, the Adirondacks, or Eastern Canada.
Love the 4Runner so far, and look forward to learning more here.
--Mountaindog
This is my first Toyota. My husband and I just got rid of both an old Ford 4x4 truck that served us well for many years, as well as a VW Passat wagon (repair magnet). We needed something that can handle deep snow (5 ft in 1 storm last month), a few rough dirt roads where we live in the Northern Catskills, and can haul around our two Bernese Mountain dogs, our sea kayaks, and our camping gear when we travel. We may also want to tow a small trailer in future.
When we first test-drove the 2010 4Runner, I was expecting it to handle more like our old pickup, but was amazed at how nicely it handles and how smooth the ride is on pavement, I just love it's combination of reliability, utility and nice handling, it's really fun to drive - this coming from a former sporty German car owner. Hondas have been good to us so I also looked at the Honda Pilot but I thought the 4Runner handled much nicer, plus it can tow more weight and has better off-road capability if needed, for roughly the same price and gas mileage.
I have friends who have had 4Runners so am aware of their reliability and legendary off-road capability. We don't go off-road much except out of necessity given where we live and travel, but now I'd like to learn about any good remote 4Runner-accessible camping locations in Maine, the Adirondacks, or Eastern Canada.
Love the 4Runner so far, and look forward to learning more here.
--Mountaindog
I grew up with a 200 lb St. Bernard so the BMD is easy to manage in comparison.
