Is 4runner right for me?

[legrandice]

WOW...my brain is spinning after weeks of research. I am in the market for a new suv and test drove the new 4runner on a whim the other day. WOW!!! I am really torn as to what vehicle fits my needs to best and am hoping the 4runner will work. I currently own a Chevy Trailblazer.

I have a long list of needs for a vehicle due to my jobs and hobbies. I own a recording studio and haul a lot of equipment to jobs. I am also a landlord, which requires hauling tools, tools and more tools when we rehab an apartment. I have a 4000lb boat (fully loaded including trailer) that I tow a lot during the summer along with a utility trailer (3000lb loaded) that I haul around several days a week. I don't really off road that much, but my drive way is quite a slippery hill that requires 4x4 in the winter. We also have some steep launch ramps that I use 4 low to pull the boat out.

Concerns:

When I drove the 4 runner, the transmission seemed to always shift to maximize fuel. This meant that engine was never in the power band and always needs to shift once or twice before delivering power. It seemed to be very pronounced in the SR5 I drove. The vehicle seemed to be low powered due to this. How will this work when towing??

How does the rear suspension handle trailer tongue weight? My trailblazer sags quite a bit and I'd like some improvement in this area.

I am wondering if I need a limited to have the torsen? I currently drive in awd mode a lot in the winter. I realize that the sr5 should not be driven in 4x4 on the road unless it is snow covered. I am picturing myself having to engage/disengage 4x4 all of the time in the winter.

My wife owns a Camry with 40K trouble free miles. I hope to join the toyota family and have some trouble free miles myself!!

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[peter78]

I have a Trailblazer at work, a 2006 model. It seems pretty nice, but in the last 2 years it has had a bit of trouble. My 2 4Runners are in much better shape.

One thing that concerns me is your 4,900 pound boat and trailer. Since the new 4Runner has 5,000 pound limit, I would tend to say no. Maybe go with a 4th gen. with a V8 , Sequioa or maybe a Tahoe. With a 4,900 pound load, it will probably be over that, that is if you carry a gas tank, paddles or what ever. I think it is best to carry less than your tow limit, say maybe 4/5th of your limit.

I haven't driven a 5th gen., so take this with a grain of salt.

 

[MikesToy]

Welcome aboard! Just buy it. You won't regret it.

 

[westwind77]

I currently own a Chevy Trailblazer.

What was the trailblazer max tow capacity? I was also thinking if you are borderline the 5k towing mark you might want to think the 'next size up', Tahoe or like SUV. If you are just running short trips to the boat ramp, 5 or 10 miles they you should be fine with the 4Runner, but if you are planning on longer hauls, like I said, jump 'up'. Regarding the 4wd systems, my wife does not drive mine so I was happy to save a few $$$ and do the SR5, if my wife drove it a lot in the winter it would have been the limited no question. I do not mind shifting in and out of 4wd now and then, but I dont trust my wife to remember!

 

[Dungeroo]

Until the 5th gen has a V8....

My vote....an '08 or '09 Limited V8 with the "trac-off" feature. You save a ton on the "front end" as far as "drive-off" vehicle value, if you can find one with say...30,000 or less mileage. Pluses include the quality (even of the pre-owned T4R), towing capacity (just run all of the fuel out of your boat each time) and the fact that you are not purchasing a "first model year" vehicle. I know there is less to this than most believe, but I will say that I bought a 2001 TRD double cab Taco as a "first model year" and there were some annoying glitches that by the 2003 model had been redesigned. So, by 2012...the 3rd production year of the 5th gen T4R, the bugs should be out and Toyota will likely have realized their error in not offering a V8 option. This will be available, and you and I (2007 SR5 4x4) will be ready to dive right in! arty:

 

[progress4m]

...One thing that concerns me is your 4,900 pound boat and trailer. Since the new 4Runner has 5,000 pound limit, I would tend to say no. Maybe go with a 4th gen. with a V8 , Sequioa or maybe a Tahoe. With a 4,900 pound load, it will probably be over that, that is if you carry a gas tank, paddles or what ever. I think it is best to carry less than your tow limit, say maybe 4/5th of your limit.

I haven't driven a 5th gen., so take this with a grain of salt.

X2! With everything you have mentioned, I would say you need to look for 4-th generation with V8 and 4x4.

Maybe you can get lucky and find 2009 that is still new.

 

[PlanetAlaska-]

If you're towing 4900 pounds and you're trying to pass a truck I would be concerned about sluggishness with the V6.

 

[legrandice]

BOAT IS 4000lbs. Sorry I typed it wrong last night. That 4000 is total loaded weight including fuel, gear, etc.

The trailblazer tow rating is 5600 and it does fine towing the boat everywhere I need to go. We do haul it up some pretty long hills every weekend, but I have never had a problem with the 275hp of the trailblazer.

I also do realize owning the first model year. My trailblazer is a 2002, first model year, that has so many issues that were resolved a few years later.

The drove the new 4runner and really enjoyed it!! That's the problem. It has more interior space than the 4th gen and I really liked the ride. I also really like the fuel economy.

I'll take a second look at the 4th gen.

 

[fxoffroad]

If I were you...

If I were you... I'd go test drive a Tundra, F150 or F250. I suppose you want the SUV to be able to store inside the truck and if you're like me, you probably think a topper on a truck is lame. So they probably aren't a realistic option for you.

I wouldn't go backwards and get a 4th Gen. 4Runner, but that's me. I wouldn't be on this forum if the 5th Gen. hadn't come along.

 

[peter78]

BOAT IS 4000lbs. Sorry I typed it wrong last night. That 4000 is total loaded weight including fuel, gear, etc.

That is a little different. I would say, if you drive the boat short distances, not across the state, then it might be OK.

I know that my 3rd and 4th gen 4Runner both have 5,000 pound limit on towing. Yet, my 2004 is much better at towing my camper. So, if the car seems nice, I would say 4,000 pounds would be OK. Plus, you get the economy of the V6.

 

[chmura]

Concerns:
When I drove the 4 runner, the transmission seemed to always shift to maximize fuel. This meant that engine was never in the power band and always needs to shift once or twice before delivering power. It seemed to be very pronounced in the SR5 I drove. The vehicle seemed to be low powered due to this. How will this work when towing??

The drove the new 4runner and really enjoyed it!! That's the problem. It has more interior space than the 4th gen and I really liked the ride. I also really like the fuel economy.

I'll take a second look at the 4th gen.

You seem to contradict yourself right here. You cant have the best of both worlds. Just get it!

 

[bigbwb]

I have had a 2000(3rd gen), and 2003 & 2006(4th gen), and now a 2010 and have towed some pretty heavy trailers/boats with all three models. You have to remember Toyota and probably many other makers set the tow limits to be very conservative, so if your boat is under the advertised "limit" you should be more than fine. I towed some fairly heavy campers and boats with the 2000 with only the little 3.4 V6 and it did just fine, I have to imagine the 4.0V6 will do the same if not better. The truck has also gained quite a bit of weight(not good for acceleration) but helps towing in terms of sway and stability.

Obviosuly my 2003 & 2006 had the V8 but other than acceleration, the 2010 will brake and handle the load with ease.

Brandon

 

[mikeync]

if shifting is a problem then you can always manually shift - autoshift or whatever they call it - that is one way for you to control the gears......

 

[legrandice]

I have had a 2000(3rd gen), and 2003 & 2006(4th gen), and now a 2010 and have towed some pretty heavy trailers/boats with all three models. You have to remember Toyota and probably many other makers set the tow limits to be very conservative, so if your boat is under the advertised "limit" you should be more than fine. I towed some fairly heavy campers and boats with the 2000 with only the little 3.4 V6 and it did just fine, I have to imagine the 4.0V6 will do the same if not better. The truck has also gained quite a bit of weight(not good for acceleration) but helps towing in terms of sway and stability.

Obviosuly my 2003 & 2006 had the V8 but other than acceleration, the 2010 will brake and handle the load with ease.

Brandon

Brandon, you pretty much summed up towing here...I am not really worried about power for accelerating, but breaking and handling are very important. I spent some time at the dealer today, I really like the 2010 and think I will sign the paperwork tomorrow.

I don't know why I am having such a hard time deciding on this vehicle. I have negotiated 600K real estate purchase for one of my businesses with less stress!!

So after the visit to the dealer I am looking at a SR5 for around 32K or a limited for around $37(no nav).


James

 

[legrandice]

If I were you... I'd go test drive a Tundra, F150 or F250. I suppose you want the SUV to be able to store inside the truck and if you're like me, you probably think a topper on a truck is lame. So they probably aren't a realistic option for you.

I wouldn't go backwards and get a 4th Gen. 4Runner, but that's me. I wouldn't be on this forum if the 5th Gen. hadn't come along.

I need to have my recording equipment in a warm environment while traveling. So a truck is out of the picture.

 

[MikesToy]

post pics of your new 4runner in here tomarrow.

 

[legrandice]

post pics of your new 4runner in here tomarrow.

HAHA!!! I really do think you have it right...i'll probably pull the trigger tomorrow!

 

[bigbwb]

Brandon, you pretty much summed up towing here...I am not really worried about power for accelerating, but breaking and handling are very important. I spent some time at the dealer today, I really like the 2010 and think I will sign the paperwork tomorrow.

I don't know why I am having such a hard time deciding on this vehicle. I have negotiated 600K real estate purchase for one of my businesses with less stress!!

So after the visit to the dealer I am looking at a SR5 for around 32K or a limited for around $37(no nav).


James

James,

No problem. Good luck with the purchase, you will love it!

 

[adoihcj]

Brandon, you pretty much summed up towing here...I am not really worried about power for accelerating, but breaking and handling are very important. I spent some time at the dealer today, I really like the 2010 and think I will sign the paperwork tomorrow.

I don't know why I am having such a hard time deciding on this vehicle. I have negotiated 600K real estate purchase for one of my businesses with less stress!!

So after the visit to the dealer I am looking at a SR5 for around 32K or a limited for around $37(no nav).


James

Go sign the paperwork already

Seriously though, I test drove mine the day before Thanksgiving. Loved how it felt, but wanted to make sure I was making the right choice. The salesman told me he owns a 4Runner with almost 200,000 miles on it and it keeps going and going. Since I never believe what any salesperson tells me, I went home and started doing my research. That's when I found out about the great history of the 4Runner. After my research, I knew I was getting one.

However, I still visited several dealers on Black Friday. Drove a GMC Terrain - way too small. Couldn't find an Acadia with a sunroof AND a price tag of around $33k. Stopped at another GMC dealer and ran into the same situation. Looked at the Yukon's and said the body style has been around too long and the prices were too high. Stopped at the Honda dealer, and did not like the Pilot. And since I've had bad luck with Ford transmissions, there was no way I was getting back into a Ford. Also stopped at a Saturn dealer to see if they had any Outlook's left (even if they had one, I had my doubts about buying a vehicle which was not going to be produced again). So I ended up back at the Toyota dealer late in the afternoon and it was still on the lot. My wife took it for a spin and before she even pulled out of the lot, she said she loved it. It's the best choice of vehicle I have ever made. I still get excited when I know I have to take it out. Also, the sunroof is very big - I highly recommend getting the sunroof!

 

[legrandice]

Well I did it!!! Test drove a black limited and fell in love. I can't wait to get it home and start learning all of the gadgets. This is my first new car and it will be really nice to have reliable transportation. I just hope my chevy holds together another week until I can pick up the 4runner.

Thanks for the advice. I will post pictures once I pick it up.