I think I have made my decision...

[Skahn21]

I have been dreaming of a capable offroading vehicle that is comfortable and reliable. I am tired of having a car for 3 years, selling it, and buying another car and having it for 3 years and selling it. I am on car number 4 and I am ready to move over to a long term commitment of a Toyota product.

I envisioned owning a 4Runner, maybe a Trail Premium, maybe a Limited. The more I think about what I really want to do the more I realize that I will most likely spend about 90-95% of my time on the road. The lady and I plan on doing a lot of road trips. I also wanted to do some light to possibly moderate offroading, maybe 5-10% of the time. I was leaning toward the Limited but I had and idea that pushed me in another direction.

I'm thinking about purchasing a used GX 460, 2014-2015, maybe newer. Currently the 2014/2015 GX with about 50-60k miles on it is around 32ish thousand. Also, a T4R Limited, 2015-2016 with about 30-50k miles is around 32ish thousand (maybe a hint lower if you're lucky).

For the amount of cruising we will be doing, I like the options and 'stuff' that the Lexus has to offer. I like the leather, heated and cooled seats, led headlights, smushy seats, bigger (8 inch) nav, and driver aids. I will use these almost every day. The offroading components that the 4Runner has to offer over the GX will maybe be used once or twice a month, if I'm lucky.

With that being said, this is a 4RUNNER forum. I know I will anger a few, irritate most. My thought was that the Limited has the same center diff. The same low range gear box. This thing can go offroading. It also is more lux based and more road focused.

Am I an idiot?

-Spencer

 

[R3dR0cket]

That's not crazy, and i dont think anyone here will call you an idiot for thinking about it. If you want the on-road luxury, go GX. If you want the off-road ruggedness, go T4R. They're not the same, but both are BOF, both can go off-road, both get terrible MPGs, and both roll/dive a lot on turns and braking. Do your research and look at the pros/cons of both. There area a ton of articles out there. Either is a great choice. At the end of the day, TMC makes them and they're great vehicles.

(PS. You said you're married, just get one of each!)

 

[jrandom]

If you want the on-road luxury, go GX.

Not sure I totally agree with that. I have seen a few sweet built up GX460's in my neck of the woods, I must say I am a little envious. There are a lot of cross compatible performance parts. AND the GX has a V8 :

It has a swing door in the rear too, which if you happen to ever want a full wrap 280 style awning, is better than the lift gate.

 

[Michael-Dallas]

I like the looks of the 4R over the GX, but I like the V-8 in the GX.

There is probably more aftermarket support for the 4R over the GX, but the aftermarket support is growing for the GX.

 

[Skahn21]

I like the looks of the 4R over the GX, but I like the V-8 in the GX.

There is probably more aftermarket support for the 4R over the GX, but the aftermarket support is growing for the GX.

I don't know if I'll change much. Most of the aftermarket is audio, or protection, or suspension - things that the GX has improved upon or things that I don't think I will change. Might go to a chunkier tire (if needed).

-Spencer

 

[ZiaMan]

Was in the same boat as you when looking at 4gens/gx470s. Went with the gx bc of the mixer interior and knowing most 4Runner upgrades will bolt on. Also the more narrow gx of my gen is fantastic in city environments.

 

[Titanpat57]

Get whatever blows your skirt up....you dont need to justify anything here.

Your logic makes perfect sense, except are you still willing to take such a nicely appointed vehicle off road?

 

[Olddudesrule]

Rock on, brother. Get whatever fulfills your needs, and be damn the rest. There definitely is more aftermarket support for the 4Runner, but you can find what you want for the GX. Love my 4R, and don't care about the little (relative) issues like mileage and in some instances, a lack of power. Perfect world, I'd buy a V-8 4R......oh well.eace:

 

[fng184r]

Am I an idiot?

-Spencer

No

GX will do anything at 4runner will do once not limited by plastic mucking up the ground clearance. They are nicely dressed up landcruiser prados.

 

[Skahn21]

Get whatever blows your skirt up....you dont need to justify anything here.

Your logic makes perfect sense, except are you still willing to take such a nicely appointed vehicle off road?

Yeah, I want to do some light offroading - some state forest roads and some trails with articulation. Nothing crazy...yet.

-Spencer

 

[Skahn21]

I drove a GX

This weekend I drove a GX460 and quite honestly...I thought it was underwhelming. I guess I expected it to be so much more than a 4runner - so much more luxurious, so much more powerful, so much more comfortable. It just wasn't.
I'm starting to rethink this whole luxury thing. For less money, less miles, and less headache (expensive servicing, buttons everywhere, ect.) I'm leaning towards a 4runner Limited. All of the research I have done says that the Limited is not only a great choice for a road-tripper, but also extremely capable offroad. It has the ground clearance. It has the 4wd systems and offroad tech, it has the legendary build quality of a 4runner. I've been looking online at some of the Limiteds and they are 3-4k less than the GX and have under 50k miles. It seems like the better option for me. I still get the stuff that I will use everyday - upgraded stereo, cooled seats, leather, parking sensors, ect. with the option that if I want to do some offroading and switch out the shocks, of throw on some skids, the parts are there for me.

I guess it will really come down to how much these things cost when I'm ready to buy and how fair the dealer is when trading in my current car.

-Spencer

 

[JSparky]

We have a gx460 in the family, I love that vehicle. Much quieter on road than the 4Runner, better power, and more comfortable driving position (to me). One thing I don’t like about the gx though is the climate control and stereo interface, although I’m a fan of simplicity.

I’d drive a gx back to back with a 4Runner on the freeway and take notice of cabin noise, that’s probably the biggest thing I recognize.

Have you driven a used 200 series land cruiser? Still quite a bit more expensive but a tremendous amount of vehicle.

 

[Skahn21]

We have a gx460 in the family, I love that vehicle. Much quieter on road than the 4Runner, better power, and more comfortable driving position (to me). One thing I don’t like about the gx though is the climate control and stereo interface, although I’m a fan of simplicity.

I’d drive a gx back to back with a 4Runner on the freeway and take notice of cabin noise, that’s probably the biggest thing I recognize.

Have you driven a used 200 series land cruiser? Still quite a bit more expensive but a tremendous amount of vehicle.

After looking online they just aren't in my price range.

-Spencer

 

[JSparky]

After looking online they just aren't in my price range.

-Spencer

Yea, me neither haha.

 

[bradjenkins]

I'm of the same opinion.

I like the looks of the 4R over the GX, but I like the V-8 in the GX.

There is probably more aftermarket support for the 4R over the GX, but the aftermarket support is growing for the GX.

 

[Skahn21]

Decision Update!!

I have an update in regards to my new car situation-

I purchased a new car on Saturday (2/2/19) but I went in a completely different direction; I bought a Subaru.

For almost the same price as a 3 year old used 4Runner or 4 year old used GX I bought a brand new 2019 Forester Limited.

For me, this will be perfect. It has great mpg, it was a good price, and the tech is out of this world.

I still have a place in my heart for Toyota body on frame trucks but the Forester is perfect.

Thanks!

-Spencer

 

[mteolus]

Subaru has more ground clearance than a stock 4Runner with the exception of the TRD Pro. Good choice, although not having 4WLo will limit your off-road options quite a bit. Make sure you have a tire repair kit and compressor with you.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Subaru offers the best balance of adventure and on-road transportation. Well done.

 

[Dillusion]

Subaru has more ground clearance than a stock 4Runner with the exception of the TRD Pro.

8.7" to 9.0" (2x4) or 9.6" (4x4)

Am I missing something?

 

[Wrexeter]

Probably a good choice... The Foresters are a good all around car. They last longer than their keys if you take care of them.

Personally I would have gone for the outback if you wanted something for occasional offroad. The outback has the 3.6 liter H6... (Still mad that they don't make the Forester XT anymore - aka - Forester with a WRX engine)

While they make decent trail vehicles, the AWD system ultimately limits where they can go. X-mode helps, but ultimately no locker will limit you. Also, no armor.

That said, Subaru's driver assist and technology integration is top notch for their price point. Eyesight's adaptive cruise is freakin awesome in traffic... Cruise control from 80mph all the way down to 5mph then back to 80mph? Yes please.