Hello, long time lurker. A quick history of why I'm here. My wife and I currently have a 09 Tacoma Doublecab TRD. We fell in love with Toyota from the moment we test drove the truck.
We have 2 kids (20months and 3 months) The rear seat in the Tacoma is just a little small. We have the seats right now middle postion is rear facing, and the forward facing one is behind the passenger seat (we had to move the passenger seat forward alot).
When the time comes to move the rear facing seat to forward facing, the driver seat will have to be moved forward 3-4 inches (which is undrivable).
So anyway we've decided to get a new vehicle in the spring. We have a travel trailer (small little one) So we based a few must haves when I was looking. I tend to over research everything (go internet , lol).
Ok must haves, pretty short list actually. Must tow at least 5000lbs, (the reason I put 5000lbs is lot's of vehicles that tow 5000lbs or less have disclaimers, such as, 4500lbs* will tow 4500lbs with no one but the driver, lol.) Also rear seats must be bigger than the Tacoma, a no brainer as that's why we are looking. The dimension I'm looking at is the distance from the front of the back seat to the rear of the driver seat when the driver seat is in a comfortable driving position.
To continue, we've kind of narrowed it down to the 4runner, Grand Cherokee, and Explorer. I've measured the back seats of all these vehicles and the Explorer and Cherokee are about an inch bigger than the Tacoma while the 4runner is about 3 inches.
I was at the dealer on the weekend and was bale to test fit the seat in the back of an 2011 Sr5, with the rear seat being able to recline slightly I could move the car seat back a few more inches. The 20months old foot was about 4 inches from hitting the front seat, 1 point 4runner.
Sorry that this is so long winded, just trying to get all my thoughts out.
When we bought the Tacoma resale value was a high priority as we knew we'd eventually be selling it. With this next vehicle we are probably going to be keeping it for a while.
So my dilemma, I'm torn when looking at these 3 vehicles. Up here in Canada they are all similar price, when you compare the 4runner Limited. The 4runner has the best engine when comparing the v6's (Cherokee has 5.7l v8 option that adds a 6spd auto). I was about to elimante the Explorer from the list due to the mixed reviews online, then I sat in one, wow, it's really nice (mind you they are all really nice).
My main concern I geuss would be options or what I like to call gadgets. The 4runner is surpassed by a long shot by the other 2 with gadgets. Being that they are all similar price. Is that something I should care about? I'm torn between brand loyalty, and the amont of extras you get with other brands. This is mostly between the Cherokee and 4runner (in my mind the Explorer is half ruled out). Anyway between those 2. 4runner you get X-reas, Cherokee Quadra lift (auto levelling air suspension, awesome for towing).
Ahh nevermind, you all don't want to hear the ramblings of the differences.
So it comes down to the thread title, what factors helped you decide to buy the 4runner? And am I crazy to be looking anywhere but Toyota?
Thanks in advance.
We have 2 kids (20months and 3 months) The rear seat in the Tacoma is just a little small. We have the seats right now middle postion is rear facing, and the forward facing one is behind the passenger seat (we had to move the passenger seat forward alot).
When the time comes to move the rear facing seat to forward facing, the driver seat will have to be moved forward 3-4 inches (which is undrivable).
So anyway we've decided to get a new vehicle in the spring. We have a travel trailer (small little one) So we based a few must haves when I was looking. I tend to over research everything (go internet , lol).
Ok must haves, pretty short list actually. Must tow at least 5000lbs, (the reason I put 5000lbs is lot's of vehicles that tow 5000lbs or less have disclaimers, such as, 4500lbs* will tow 4500lbs with no one but the driver, lol.) Also rear seats must be bigger than the Tacoma, a no brainer as that's why we are looking. The dimension I'm looking at is the distance from the front of the back seat to the rear of the driver seat when the driver seat is in a comfortable driving position.
To continue, we've kind of narrowed it down to the 4runner, Grand Cherokee, and Explorer. I've measured the back seats of all these vehicles and the Explorer and Cherokee are about an inch bigger than the Tacoma while the 4runner is about 3 inches.
I was at the dealer on the weekend and was bale to test fit the seat in the back of an 2011 Sr5, with the rear seat being able to recline slightly I could move the car seat back a few more inches. The 20months old foot was about 4 inches from hitting the front seat, 1 point 4runner.
Sorry that this is so long winded, just trying to get all my thoughts out.
When we bought the Tacoma resale value was a high priority as we knew we'd eventually be selling it. With this next vehicle we are probably going to be keeping it for a while.
So my dilemma, I'm torn when looking at these 3 vehicles. Up here in Canada they are all similar price, when you compare the 4runner Limited. The 4runner has the best engine when comparing the v6's (Cherokee has 5.7l v8 option that adds a 6spd auto). I was about to elimante the Explorer from the list due to the mixed reviews online, then I sat in one, wow, it's really nice (mind you they are all really nice).
My main concern I geuss would be options or what I like to call gadgets. The 4runner is surpassed by a long shot by the other 2 with gadgets. Being that they are all similar price. Is that something I should care about? I'm torn between brand loyalty, and the amont of extras you get with other brands. This is mostly between the Cherokee and 4runner (in my mind the Explorer is half ruled out). Anyway between those 2. 4runner you get X-reas, Cherokee Quadra lift (auto levelling air suspension, awesome for towing).
Ahh nevermind, you all don't want to hear the ramblings of the differences.
So it comes down to the thread title, what factors helped you decide to buy the 4runner? And am I crazy to be looking anywhere but Toyota?
Thanks in advance.
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