I really want a TE but wife wants a Honda CRV! :(

[chmura]

My wife and I are expecting our first child in middle of May. She drives an old 2001 Corolla so I want to get a bigger and safer vehicle for her when she gives birth. I will be keeping the Corolla as a beater car to drive around in.

I love to off road, go camping, hit up the local trails. Last year I went on a 3 day trip on the Mojave Road, etc. I suggested to my wife what about a 4runner TE, but she thinks its too big and she will be more comfortable driving the smaller CRV. She is used to the size of her Corolla. The kick is I will be selling my mint low mileage 4x4, TRD Tacoma to get her a car. So I do not want to give up on my adventure camping trips, etc. I also suggested her a used 2009 4runner since its a little smaller then the current one. She drives my moms 2002 Toyota Highlander fine, so the 4th gen is about the same size as the Highlander.

In the perfect world I would want her to get a 4runner TE so then I can use it on weekends if I ever go on a camping trip.

In the next few weeks we will go test drive a 4runner TE (if I can find one locally) and a used 4th gen 4runner..

Wish me luck!

Here is a picture of my Tacoma, its mint condition and 70k miles. Its stock. I wanted to mod it but I knew I could not keep it for a long time so I kept it stock. I will be selling it after I get my wife a next vehicle.

 

[Sells]

Might have to put your foot down :redbrick:

 

[DizzyV6P]

Show her the Subaru video of the crv sliding and unable to climb a slippery course will end her obsession with the crv.

 

[chmura]

Show her the Subaru video of the crv sliding and unable to climb a slippery course will end her obsession with the crv.

I've seen that video.

We live in sunny Southern California where it hardly rains and never snows so that argument wont go too well. Even if I do get a CRV for her it will be 2wd model since the 4wd is no where near capable like you mentioned.

 

[KCcarguy]

Sorry man, but it's her car. She should choose it. If you've agreed to drive the Carolla, living vicariously through her isn't going to help.

:whipping2

 

[tlflow]

reasonable

The 4Runner much safer than CRV due to more rugged construction and advanced traction control systems.

 

[thebwlife]

get a SR5 4x4 thats a pretty fair compromise.

PS: I have twins coming in the next 3 weeks - don't give up your entire life for your kids or else you have nothing to teach/show them.

 

[tlflow]

Te

The trail edition even comes with a built in diaper changing table:

 

[Okki]

I've seen that video.

We live in sunny Southern California where it hardly rains and never snows so that argument wont go too well. Even if I do get a CRV for her it will be 2wd model since the 4wd is no where near capable like you mentioned.

I've not seen the mentioned video, but I have owned TWO Honda CRV's. a 1999 EX and a 2002 EX. In both cases they were All Wheel Drive (no Honda is 4wd) and they've plowed through some gnarly Indiana and Ohio weather and snow.

I will say that the turning radius on the CRV is much more city traffic friendly than the 2010 Limited I now drive. The CRV also has a surprisingly roomy and useful interior.

Both are great vehicles, but you are comparing apples to oranges in terms of size. My suggestion... buy her a fully loaded CRV and use the difference in price with the 4Runner TE to buy yourself an older model Jeep to go play in the dirt with. everyone is happy and you get the best "offroad" ability that you don't have to feel bad about when you put dents/scratches etc on it.

Just my 2 cents

Okki :frisky:

 

[chmura]

I've not seen the mentioned video, but I have owned TWO Honda CRV's. a 1999 EX and a 2002 EX. In both cases they were All Wheel Drive (no Honda is 4wd) and they've plowed through some gnarly Indiana and Ohio weather and snow.

I will say that the turning radius on the CRV is much more city traffic friendly than the 2010 Limited I now drive. The CRV also has a surprisingly roomy and useful interior.

Both are great vehicles, but you are comparing apples to oranges in terms of size. My suggestion... buy her a fully loaded CRV and use the difference in price with the 4Runner TE to buy yourself an older model Jeep to go play in the dirt with. everyone is happy and you get the best "offroad" ability that you don't have to feel bad about when you put dents/scratches etc on it.

Just my 2 cents

Okki :frisky:

Good point but I love Tacomas and 4runners!

My wife doesnt care what she drives she just thinks the 4runner is huge, well it is compared to her Corolla. I guess she wants her own car. I will test drive CRV, TE, and 4th gen 4runner very soon and see what she has to say.

 

[chmura]

get a SR5 4x4 thats a pretty fair compromise.

PS: I have twins coming in the next 3 weeks - don't give up your entire life for your kids or else you have nothing to teach/show them.

I am certainly not giving up my life at all once the baby arrives. I love camping, travel, and adventure. In June I am going on backpacking trip to a remote location at the Havasupie indian reservation grounds. Beautiful place.

I have my responsibilites but I will for sure stay active and try to live my life like I have been living. (I hope).

The trail edition even comes with a built in diaper changing table:

View attachment 57111

Good point, I will mention this to her.

 

[Jtraskell]

For the next couple of years, or so, I'm thinking your 4 wheeling is going be very limited. Let her get what she want's. Save the money for a couple of years (above and beyond the college fund) get what you want/need/have to have/etc.....

Congrats on the first baby!

 

[tlflow]

keep your truck and just get her a car, everybody will be happier.

I really thought the diaper table was the deal closer!

 

[1engineer]

Show her the Subaru video of the crv sliding and unable to climb a slippery course will end her obsession with the crv.

I currently own a 2011 4Runner, a 2005 CRV, a 2009 CRV and a 2007 Subaru Impreza. In real world on the road applications the CRVs do just fine and so does Subaru. I live in the mountains and we get a lot of snow. For offroad though the 4Runner wins. Around town the wife loves her CRV. Much easier to park and get around.

 

[heygenius]

they didn't stop making women.....just sayin (maybe I should be a marriage counselor)

 

[bigslimdog]

My wife drove a Prius until our daughter was born, then I bought a T4R to transport my baby. She loves driving a bigger, safer vehicle. It's also more comfortable ride than the Prius. I sold my F-250 to buy the T4R, she loved driving that too.

 

[phillyd2]

Did you try hitting her? :

Seriously, I'm with the guys suggesting let her get what she wants. The next 3 years will be no picnic and best you compromise as much as possible.

When mine was born I sold a BMW to buy a 06 Limited but that's just me and I am now single so.........:jump:

 

[Intruder]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/103506-4runner-saved-my-life.html

Case closed.

 

[DKuhen]

Did you try hitting her?

If that doesn't work, you'll probably need to do this:

 

[chmura]

I currently own a 2011 4Runner, a 2005 CRV, a 2009 CRV and a 2007 Subaru Impreza. In real world on the road applications the CRVs do just fine and so does Subaru. I live in the mountains and we get a lot of snow. For offroad though the 4Runner wins. Around town the wife loves her CRV. Much easier to park and get around.

How does the CRV fit one child and with necessary luggage, stroller, bags, etc.

My main concern getting the CRV is that we might outgrow it quickly. I rather just get a bigger vehicle outright rather then selling the CRV after 2 years to get a bigger vehicle like the 4runner. I'm the type that tends to keep cars 8+ years so I do not want to make the mistake buying a smaller CRV.

Like I said this is our first child so I am not really sure how much room we will need at the end.