I traded in my 2009 Taco Dbl Cab off-road Trd 4x4 etc....that I had built just the way I wanted it. The only vehicle that I would have traded or sold that truck for was my 4runner trail edition. I traded in August and am very pleased with my new 4runner. The Taco had a 6500 lb tow rating, I just pull a 19 foot boat (approx 3,500 lbs). I have pulled it with the 4runner once and no big difference from my Taco except for the shorter wheel base. I have hunted out of the 4runner and am impressed.
How Did You Decide to Buy a 4runner?
- Thread starter lezavw90
- Start date
PGRunner
New member
Because I wanted a Japanese SUV. Only choices were Pathfinder (too much plastics and the body style has been around way too long). Pilot ( too loud and noisy on the road and didn't like the interior). Highlander was a close choice but didn't like the way it looked. Never bought an American vehicle...ever!
gamerc
New member
I had a 2004 4runner after trading in my BMW. I have always wanted a 4runner Gen 2 and Gen 3 were always "cool" when I was growing up. Anyway, the BMW had a power steering pump failure and cost me more money than it should have under a bumper to bumper warranty. I got it back from repair and traded it in that night on a 2004 4runner.
I traded it in last year for a 2010 SR5. I liked the styling, the ruggedness, etc. However, I missed too many of the features I had in the 2004, so I traded it in this weekend and got a 2011 Limited. I am definitely keeping this one. It's just a great vehicle and the xreas is a HUGE difference from the SR5.
Fun? Absolutely.
Functional? Yup.
Stylish? Hell yes.
Do I worry about snow, mud, or baby seals? Not even a little. Well, maybe baby seals.
I traded it in last year for a 2010 SR5. I liked the styling, the ruggedness, etc. However, I missed too many of the features I had in the 2004, so I traded it in this weekend and got a 2011 Limited. I am definitely keeping this one. It's just a great vehicle and the xreas is a HUGE difference from the SR5.
Fun? Absolutely.
Functional? Yup.
Stylish? Hell yes.
Do I worry about snow, mud, or baby seals? Not even a little. Well, maybe baby seals.
StRanger7032
New member
I got my 4Runner after an epic bad decision I made to buy a 2 seater Tundra TRD Off Road 5.7l in 2010. It barely fit in my garage, got 10MPG, had no climate controlled area for my dogs, and could only fit one passenger. Plus the black color was awful in the TX heat. I wanted to stay with Toyota for the build quality, and I wanted a tough body-on-frame suv. I considered the Grand Cherokee (unibody) and Pathfinder, but I eventually went with the 4Runner, partially because the Toyota dealer could offer a much better trade-in for my Tundra. I'm very happy with my decision!
Buying 4Runner
If you plan on keeping it for awhile, the main reason to me would be the Reliability! If you need a larger more powerful vehicle the Sequioa would be nice, but it is really large compared to the 4 Runner, cost quite a bit more and the gas mileage is much less.
If you plan on keeping it for awhile, the main reason to me would be the Reliability! If you need a larger more powerful vehicle the Sequioa would be nice, but it is really large compared to the 4 Runner, cost quite a bit more and the gas mileage is much less.
skinnyVanilla
New member
I guess after buying one for each of my sons, I finally had to get one myself! Just got a 2011 Limited
1st impression: at a friend's ski house, something like 8" of snow on the long driveway and my friend's dad's 3rd gen 4Runner (5MT, sport) was driving all over the place when we were digging out all the other SUVs. I wasn't a fan of Toyota, at all, at the time. My opinions changed that day.
2nd impression: My wife and I were actually planning on buying the more family friendly Highlander. We test drove a 5th gen 4Runner on a whim in January of '10 after a pretty big snowfall. Even with the stock rubber, it was romping wherever I pointed it. Steep uphill driveway? No problem. I was sold.
I have 24k miles and 19 months under my belt with it. Love it. Off roading, road trips, drive-in theater, tailgating, mountain biking, camping, home depot runs... it never misses a beat.
2nd impression: My wife and I were actually planning on buying the more family friendly Highlander. We test drove a 5th gen 4Runner on a whim in January of '10 after a pretty big snowfall. Even with the stock rubber, it was romping wherever I pointed it. Steep uphill driveway? No problem. I was sold.
I have 24k miles and 19 months under my belt with it. Love it. Off roading, road trips, drive-in theater, tailgating, mountain biking, camping, home depot runs... it never misses a beat.
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Greekshooter
New member
We have a 2000 Silverado 1500 with 175K miles and it was time to look for something new (we still intend to keep the truck).
We looked at Tahoes, Jeep Cherokees, Honda Pilots, and 4 Runners.
The Tahoes were two big for only the two of us. I also was not happy when the Silverado needed a new head-gasket at around 100k miles and a new fuel sending unit at 75k miles. There were no midsized GM SUVs.
I did not consider any Ford Explorers either since I wanted a vehicle with very good off road capability and better reliability.
The Pilots were runner up but they are not built on a truck frame and only had AWD.
The Jeeps were very fancy with many features but their reliability was a major concern.
The 2011 4Runner Limited had the features my wife wanted...heated seats and independent temperature control...leather seats and we had them add a rear seat DVD for when we take the grand kids out. It had the truck frame and 4 WD. I would have liked a V8 but I will live with the V6 since I still plan to keep the Silverado.
The reliability of the Toyota and the our dealer has a lifetime warranty on the engine/transmission as long as the routine service is performed at their dealership.
We bought ours last August.
We looked at Tahoes, Jeep Cherokees, Honda Pilots, and 4 Runners.
The Tahoes were two big for only the two of us. I also was not happy when the Silverado needed a new head-gasket at around 100k miles and a new fuel sending unit at 75k miles. There were no midsized GM SUVs.
I did not consider any Ford Explorers either since I wanted a vehicle with very good off road capability and better reliability.
The Pilots were runner up but they are not built on a truck frame and only had AWD.
The Jeeps were very fancy with many features but their reliability was a major concern.
The 2011 4Runner Limited had the features my wife wanted...heated seats and independent temperature control...leather seats and we had them add a rear seat DVD for when we take the grand kids out. It had the truck frame and 4 WD. I would have liked a V8 but I will live with the V6 since I still plan to keep the Silverado.
The reliability of the Toyota and the our dealer has a lifetime warranty on the engine/transmission as long as the routine service is performed at their dealership.
We bought ours last August.
I have owned an Xterra Off Road and a Rubicon. XTerra: great vehicle with little space and minimal comforts. Rubicon: an outstanding off road vehicle that is otherwise unfit for human consumption. When I asked myself what I needed a vehicle to really do, versus what I wanted it to do in my off road dream world, the 4Runner won hands down. I haven't the slightest regret. It gets my family into the the off road wonder-world without beating them to death before we get there.
Qjake
New member
There isn't much i can say that isn't already covered but. I've driven Toyota's for the past 25 years, all pick-ups, til the 4Runner. IMO Toyota's quality is unsurpassed and the resale value is exceptional. I did look at the jeep GC and yes it is a beautiful vehicle with some really neat gadgets but Chrysler's quality, or lack thereof, speaks for itself. Don't know anything about the ford, would never buy a ford!! The 4Runner is the best of the 3 for sure, i highly recommend it! If your family is still growing then you'll def want the 3rd row.
Best of luck with your new ride :driving:, whichever you choose
Best of luck with your new ride :driving:, whichever you choose
Up here in Canada we don't get any choice on options. There's 4 models of 4runner and that's it. We don't get choices like adding 3rd row seats, you just get it. I understand why Toyota does it as they probably don't sell a ton of vehicles in the small Canadian market.
Up here you get
SR5
SR5 upgrade (leather, heated seats)
Trail
Limited with Nav
All Canadian 4runners come factory with running boards
they all have the tow package
SR5 upgrade and Limited come with 3rd row seats
KDSS is standard on the trail
X-Reas is Standard on the Limited
Talking with the dealer Canada will not be getting Entune on the 4runners
The Toyota website isn't so fun to shop on as the choices with options are limited, lol. I guess that's why I've been looking at the Jeep and Ford as they both have a ton of options and it's fun to play around and customize.
Up here you get
SR5
SR5 upgrade (leather, heated seats)
Trail
Limited with Nav
All Canadian 4runners come factory with running boards
they all have the tow package
SR5 upgrade and Limited come with 3rd row seats
KDSS is standard on the trail
X-Reas is Standard on the Limited
Talking with the dealer Canada will not be getting Entune on the 4runners
The Toyota website isn't so fun to shop on as the choices with options are limited, lol. I guess that's why I've been looking at the Jeep and Ford as they both have a ton of options and it's fun to play around and customize.
Qjake
New member
Interesting, so no nav unless you get the limited? What about other accessories that are installed at the port, IE: running boards, crossbars, CAI, etc. or are they bought from and installed by the dealer? just curious.
I guess now that I think about it, it's not that much different here just a couple more options then accessories.
I guess now that I think about it, it's not that much different here just a couple more options then accessories.
KCcarguy
New member
As some have said before, go test-drive some older Toyotas, Fords, and Jeeps of equivalent age/ milage so you'll know what you're gonna have years from now. Don't be distracted by bling and gizmos. Ask yourself what you want/ need, how long you pan to keep it, and what the best financial decision will be. Here were some of my thoughts when I made my decision:
-My job requires me work regardless of weather conditions. Which vehicle can I rely on to get me there safely and not leave me stranded?
-I don't like wasting money. Which vehicle is likely to give years of reliable service after it's paid-off? Which vehicle is most likely to retain value?
2011 you could get limited without Nav, for 2012 they give you no option. running boards are standard, cai you'd have to order from the parts department as it's not available in the options section, plain trd filter is.
I wish there was somthing in between the SR5 upgrade and the Limited that wasnt the trail. Our family will never use the trail for what it was built for but we want a few more luxuries than the SR5 upgrade has, and the price jump between them is large.
Standard Package 36,935
Upgrade Package 42,915 (Adds leather, heated seats, moonroof, usb)
Trail Edition 44,245
Limited 49,780
The jump of almost 7grand I think is a huge jump it would be nice to have something in between at like 45 that isn't the trail.
Is X-reas, climate control, jbl and the extras of the limited worth it? I could just go with the Upgrade.
I drove a SR5 last weekend when I was test fitting the car seat. My only recent vehicle that I can go by is our Tacoma and my 07 Chevy Express van that I use for work,lol.
The short wheelbase was nice in the parking lot, it felt like a go cart compared to the Tacoma (which when we bought turned tighter than our 02 Explorer Sport Trac). On the road though it did feel a little wallowy (if that makes sense, lol). But it wasn't something that was to concerning as it isn't a sports car and I'm not going to be doing highspeed twistys,lol.
The short wheelbase was nice in the parking lot, it felt like a go cart compared to the Tacoma (which when we bought turned tighter than our 02 Explorer Sport Trac). On the road though it did feel a little wallowy (if that makes sense, lol). But it wasn't something that was to concerning as it isn't a sports car and I'm not going to be doing highspeed twistys,lol.
Batang.Gapo
New member
I have SR5 Upgrade Package which I think is pretty "luxurious". I am not prepared to pay additional 7K for JBL stereo, climate control (never really use it in my Accord), NAV (got GARMIN for that job) and other extras on limited. It's just too expensive up here.
BTW, I got my SR5 U.P. for $39K. Check CAA's Car Cost Canada... Good luck.
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