is 4Runner fun to drive?
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Clemsonfan15
New member
Which generation?
If it's the 3rd I'd have to say no. There just isn't enough power there.
The 4th Gen's with the V8's probably aren't bad.
If it's the 3rd I'd have to say no. There just isn't enough power there.
The 4th Gen's with the V8's probably aren't bad.
danny4runner
New member
Stick Figure
New member
If you are looking for sporty, maybe you should look at a sports car? Not trying to sound rude here, but its an SUV, in general they aren't really designed to be sporty regardless of what the S in SUV implies. My 00 isn't much fun to drive in day to day traffic or stuck on the freeways, however when i need to haul something, or tow something its great to have and most importatly when i want to go play in the moutains it is actually a lot of fun. But i've never taken a corner in it and thought wow this is fun! ... and that would include the 4th gens i test drove before buying a 3rd gen. Thats why i have sports cars.
Mark86
Super Moderator
Fun to drive all depends on what you are looking for. If you want power, the 4Runner V8 is definitely going to be fun. My rating on fun to drive is based on cornering, steering feedback, and power. The 4th gen mainly has lots of power . It is definitely more fun to drive than my parents GX470, but not nearly as fun as my brothers 07 MDX. Overall, Toyotas are not the most fun vehicles on the road nor are they built for that purpose. If you have a new RAV4 V6, you may not be as impressed with the 4Runner's power.
Now if you are talking about fun to drive offroad, that is a completely different story!
Now if you are talking about fun to drive offroad, that is a completely different story!
lawwailok
New member
not to be rude but like other fellows said, you definitely get some power in the V8, but cornering? i'll say no, don't even try to do so.
my route from home to work, i can take that on-ramp in my 06 TL @ about 90 with confident. in my 4R, i don't even want to take it to 75.
sure the 4R is a fun SUV if you are bringing it out to the dirt and trails... even though mine is all stock with AT tires only, i have so much fun everytime when i go wheeling with my buddies. it is so capable when you get it into off-roading.
on normal pavement driving, i don't say it is fun to drive ( fun street car to me has to be handling and cornering and no comfort is included ), but it is a very comfortable SUV with the power you need. if i am planning on a long trip driving with wife, i'll take the 4R instead of the TL any day.
my route from home to work, i can take that on-ramp in my 06 TL @ about 90 with confident. in my 4R, i don't even want to take it to 75.
sure the 4R is a fun SUV if you are bringing it out to the dirt and trails... even though mine is all stock with AT tires only, i have so much fun everytime when i go wheeling with my buddies. it is so capable when you get it into off-roading.
on normal pavement driving, i don't say it is fun to drive ( fun street car to me has to be handling and cornering and no comfort is included ), but it is a very comfortable SUV with the power you need. if i am planning on a long trip driving with wife, i'll take the 4R instead of the TL any day.
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HB 4X4
New member
IMO for me i think the 4runner handles pretty good for an SUV, suspension is more on the stiffer side rather than soft compared to other SUV's.. i might not be able to push it to some twisties like my G35 but for a daily it has an awesome ride.. i love driving it.:
It's on the stiff side? The stock suspension feels like it's on marshmallows.
blindside
New member
IMHO it's stiff.. my mom drives a pilot and boy was that suspension soft.. now thats marshmallows LOL
peter78
Super Moderator
Well, I have a different opinion here. I find my 3rd gen. model is more fun to drive. My 4th gen. is a better ride, but as far as more fun to drive, I go for the 2001. It wins hands down.
eskimochaos
Banned
What are you talking about? Why don't you go and test drive one??? They are free to look at and even touch.
Fun?
You bet it's fun. I own a '96 SR5 with 230k miles and an '07 SR5. The '96 has been incredible on road and off. The only thing I miss on the '96 was locking diffs, which I have on the 07. The 07 is an amazing improvement even on that. I have the 6 cyl, and it has the power of an 8. It also handles very smoothly. It has less clearance standard than my '96, but I gather that some models have variable height adjustment built in at the factory (not mine, of course) if you need that for off-road.
Fitz.
You bet it's fun. I own a '96 SR5 with 230k miles and an '07 SR5. The '96 has been incredible on road and off. The only thing I miss on the '96 was locking diffs, which I have on the 07. The 07 is an amazing improvement even on that. I have the 6 cyl, and it has the power of an 8. It also handles very smoothly. It has less clearance standard than my '96, but I gather that some models have variable height adjustment built in at the factory (not mine, of course) if you need that for off-road.
Fitz.
Given your preferences I'd recommend you go test drive a 2WD V6 model with the X-REAS sports suspension - I would think that would be the best "handling" 4th gen model due to its relatively light weight (both the V8 and 4x4 options will add roughly a couple hundred pounds each). If you want to add strong acceleration to the mix then add the V8 and if you want to have fun off-road then add the 4x4.
You might also consider looking for a '00 and earlier 3rd gen with the 5spd stick and V6 combo - my old 5spd '00 was pretty fun to drive but I wouldn't say it handled well
That said, if handling and cornering are your cup of tea in an SUV choice you might need to expand your horizons to other automakers - I'm thinking Acura MDX, BMW X5, Infiniti FX, Audi Q5, etc would be better choices for you. But it's tough to beat the overall package and versatility of the T4R.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
I still have the stock 65 profile tires on mine and mine is quite good for a heavy 4wd SUV in terms of handling. It may even rival a Pilot. I drive my Dad's Ridgeline and then my T4R and swear mine rides and handles better. The steering feedback feels more sporty on his.
Mine has a couple of cheap mods that together dramatically improved the on-pavement handling. 1st is FJCruiser spings. They are stiffer. 2nd is upgraded swaybar bushings. Either or both of those will work to improve the sportiness of the T4R on the pavement and they're pretty cheap. (Links in sig.) There was one member with a 2wd V8, IIRC, that did both springs and bushings seeking a sportier drive. He just raved about how good it was for him. His other car was some type of BMW so his standard was "up there". You'll find his tale as link off of the links in my sig.
:cheers:
Mine has a couple of cheap mods that together dramatically improved the on-pavement handling. 1st is FJCruiser spings. They are stiffer. 2nd is upgraded swaybar bushings. Either or both of those will work to improve the sportiness of the T4R on the pavement and they're pretty cheap. (Links in sig.) There was one member with a 2wd V8, IIRC, that did both springs and bushings seeking a sportier drive. He just raved about how good it was for him. His other car was some type of BMW so his standard was "up there". You'll find his tale as link off of the links in my sig.
:cheers:
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thanks for tips, interesting - what is that swaybar anyway? can you do these 2 mods on your own? I just don't want to be pushed out of my seat when turning with higher speed.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
The swaybars are on the front a rear of the vehicle and connect the right side of the suspension to left. They are torsion bars that twist when the body rolls. The springiness of the bars tries to roll the body back to level. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swaybar
As for DIY: The swaybar bushings are a DIY for even a very novice, shadetree mechanic. If you would tackle an air filter/oil and filter change/change a tire then you'll be fine. The spring change isn't that hard but if it's your first go at it you should be "supervised" by someone who has done that type of job. Using the spring compressor can be tricky even dangerous if you haven't seen it done.
:cheers:
