In general, what is it like to own a 4runner?

It has been an amazing, almost mystical experience since I got my TRD PRO. A lot of it depends on if you get the TRD PRO or not.
 
prsguitar said:
I'll be moving from a luxury sedan to a 2012-13 4runner in the next 2 weeks or so. The only things I am looking for in this car are a backup camera and navigation (for convenience and the fact that I'm moving from a sedan to a giant suv).

I live in colorado now, and there is a good chance I'll never be doing any offroading, so when I look at the 3 main models (sr5 limited and trail) I don't see any negligible differences other than leather interior or wheel size and some offroad features.

Is it imperative that I get a model above the sr5? And what are some general characteristics in the daily functioning of a 4runner that I should look out for except for bad gas mileage?
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What's your history with trucks/SUV's and 4x4's? Asking because if this is your first, I think a Limited would be your best bet. It'll have some of the nice things you're accustomed to from the luxury sedan, and full time 4x4 so you don't have to worry about shifting in/out of 4wd on the commute when it gets slippery out.

But for me, what it's like? A mini vacation every time I drive it. I can't explain it, but I am much more calm and less irritable in traffic when driving the 4Runner. I'm not in such a hurry to get anywhere in it. It's almost like the 4Runner brings out that small amount of peace in my soul.
 
prsguitar said:
I'll be moving from a luxury sedan to a 2012-13 4runner in the next 2 weeks or so. The only things I am looking for in this car are a backup camera and navigation (for convenience and the fact that I'm moving from a sedan to a giant suv).

I live in colorado now, and there is a good chance I'll never be doing any offroading, so when I look at the 3 main models (sr5 limited and trail) I don't see any negligible differences other than leather interior or wheel size and some offroad features.

Is it imperative that I get a model above the sr5? And what are some general characteristics in the daily functioning of a 4runner that I should look out for except for bad gas mileage?
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You've pretty much answered your own question...if you're not going to offroad, then the SR5 will give you everything you need in a SUV.

Gas mileage isn't bad, especially for a non-turbo body-on-frame SUV. I get about 19 mpg combined (with careful driving). I believe the non-trail versions can get slightly better.

The only things to really be aware of is that this drives like, well, a SUV. Even with the KDSS, you will feel the 4runner kind of float around the corners...this is not a precise, sharp car like a porsche or BMW crossover. This flipside to that is that this SUV, in stock form, can overcome terrain that most other crossover 'SUV's' wouldn't even dare touch.
 
Newest update: a Land rover lr4 is looking extremely tempting. They've depreciated into the right price in the last few months.

Sure, and LR isn't even close when it comes to reliability. But it's an LR! Everything about them is just comfortable and spectacular.
 
prsguitar said:
Newest update: a Land rover lr4 is looking extremely tempting. They've depreciated into the right price in the last few months.

Sure, and LR isn't even close when it comes to reliability. But it's an LR! Everything about them is just comfortable and spectacular.
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Land Rover: There and back reliability... assuming "there" and "back" are two arbitray points predetermined by the LR and not its operator.

-Sir St. John St. John, eaten by amazonian tribesmen when his LR crapped out for no good reason (probably ran out of Lucas genuine wiring harness smoke).

Quality is a job, that is done sometimes, by some people. But I'll be damned if any of those wankers will ever work here.

-Lucas, the prince of eternal darkness
 
It's actually more like:

"Land Rover, There and back reliability; assuming "There" is the repair shop and "back" is at the repair shop again...

Also they leak... a lot... like most British vehicles (why is it that almost all British vehicles can't seem to hold their oil?)
 
prsguitar said:
Newest update: a Land rover lr4 is looking extremely tempting. They've depreciated into the right price in the last few months.

Sure, and LR isn't even close when it comes to reliability. But it's an LR! Everything about them is just comfortable and spectacular.
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Just hope the Land Rover dealer has a comfortable waiting room, while your LR is inevitably in for repair.

You might even see my Sister there, as one or both of their Range Rovers might be in for repair, again..
 
The disadvantage of owning a land rover is that it spends more time in the shop than on the trail.

The advantage of owning a land rover is that you'll never get lost; because you can always follow the oil trail home.
 
1997 T4R SR5 5 speed with diff lock, bought with less than 1 km. The less than 1 km was a stipulation........will drive it till it's dead. I am attached and it still drives to my liking. Stay away from the forums or you will spend unnecessary $$$........I know from experience [emoji12]
 
I think he bought an Infinity. Sounds like a guy who enjoys driving luxury SUV's while knitting sweaters at home.
 
Meyercord said:
q5 is an Audi suv and really a fairly nice one.
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To be honest that was probably a better choice for him. Someone who isn't going off road doesn't really need a truck-based BoF SUV. A unibody crossover is probably more in line with the way he will use it.

From what I've heard (rumor alert - I have no direct experience) Audis' are like BMWs. They're great as long as they're under warranty. Once the warranty's up, it's like King Arthur and the Killer Rabbits: "Run Away! Run Away!" :D
 
Martinjmpr said:
To be honest that was probably a better choice for him. Someone who isn't going off road doesn't really need a truck-based BoF SUV. A unibody crossover is probably more in line with the way he will use it.

From what I've heard (rumor alert - I have no direct experience) Audis' are like BMWs. They're great as long as they're under warranty. Once the warranty's up, it's like King Arthur and the Killer Rabbits: "Run Away! Run Away!" :D
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Greatly depends on the model, but in general, yes. lol
 
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