Is the 4Runner becoming the new fan boy vehicle?

[TRDSchin]

Some of these folks are easy to spot. When I drive my 3rd gen, people who are true enthusiasts rubber neck like crazy as do I. The ones who don't even bat an eye proabably don't wheel even though they have a lift and tires. I am seeing a lot of females driving TRD Pros around and they never look.

I always rubber neck at any modded 4Runner. But I do agree that I’ve been seeing a lot of female Pro drivers. Nothing wrong with that, but sometimes you would like to converse with someone who actually uses it besides picking up the kids or groceries

 

[cloud]

My 2 cents: it's a full frame suv and Americans don't want to lose that option.

It doesn't matter what you do to it, within reason, out can be fixed and drive just fine.

RAV4 just can't cut it as far as durability and the Sequoia is a bit lost I think.

Yes it doubles as a minivan, but your sienna doesn't come with a locker or low gear transfer case. Awd can only barely cut it outside of cities in the winter. If you need a vehicle that will reliably do work, all the work... Build your 4runner to suit your needs.

They only other option that is worth considering is a way old school bronco.

Have you seen the movie "Fanboys" those guys were cool, man.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

 

[Rhinle]

Sales being larger than in the past, which in my opinion is more a sign of people wanting old outdated simple but dead reliable technology over today’s complicated and expensive to repair high tech, high efficiency stuff. There’s only 1 or 2 other brand new vehicles sold today that are still 10 year old designs and powertrains. 10 years in the automotive world is a ton but it makes for a easy vehicle for a hobbiest to tinker with. The other aspect is like every other vehicle, you never how common they really are until you own one and pay attention each time you see one. I never realized how many current generation Highlanders are out there until we started looking at trading my wife’s car for one.

This is funny. I was just saying this today. When I bought my 4R, I put those cool blag flag decals on the rear windows. I had never seen them around in my area and when I found it on amazon, I thought, "That will be unique!"

I've now had my 4R for about a month and a half an literally saw 3 4R's in the last 2 days (within in a 3 mile radius) with the same flag decal. As far as being unique goes, I've also blacked out my emblems, plasti-dipped the bumpers and added the TRD pro grill and wheels. So I may need to look up the definition of "unique" again...

However, I will say I have a stong interest in off roading, but I am not quite sure where to start.

 

[LinuxHack3r]

I certainly think so. Do I consider myself one of these "fan boys"? Probably so.

 

[LinuxHack3r]

Let me add, I ALWAYS wanted a Jeep, probably a Cherokee model. But FCA/Fiat (in my opinion) have ruined what made the Jeep brand what it was. Sad. So I don't even want one anymore.

As such, I'm looking for a 4Runner.

 

[dot_tom]

It's great to see the support for our 4Runners. I'm ok with going to my local MTB trails and seeing it full of 4Runners (usually 5th gens) and Tacomas. I swing by Starbucks every morning and see about 5-6 other 5th gens. Grocery store run? Yup, couple dozen there also. Mostly women driving them. And that's cool with me. Hope they keep buying them and supporting this BOF SUV. The more they sell, the better the 6th gen will be, hopefully.

I do my best to build mine and use mine the way I want and don't worry about anyone else.

In my neighborhood and surrounding area, it seems like all the women drive 4runners or Jeeps. The under 50 men drive Raptors and the 50 and over men drive Corvettes. I keep telling my wife I need a Raptor and she can daily the 4Runner, haha.

Basically, more 4Runners sold the better it is for all of us. Plus, don't you feel good when you park next to a dealer built SR5 and compare it to your personal built 5th Gen? I do.

 

[medusa3000]

It's great to see the support for our 4Runners. I'm ok with going to my local MTB trails and seeing it full of 4Runners (usually 5th gens) and Tacomas. I swing by Starbucks every morning and see about 5-6 other 5th gens. Grocery store run? Yup, couple dozen there also. Mostly women driving them. And that's cool with me. Hope they keep buying them and supporting this BOF SUV. The more they sell, the better the 6th gen will be, hopefully.

I do my best to build mine and use mine the way I want and don't worry about anyone else.

In my neighborhood and surrounding area, it seems like all the women drive 4runners or Jeeps. The under 50 men drive Raptors and the 50 and over men drive Corvettes. I keep telling my wife I need a Raptor and she can daily the 4Runner, haha.

Basically, more 4Runners sold the better it is for all of us. Plus, don't you feel good when you park next to a dealer built SR5 and compare it to your personal built 5th Gen? I do.

I see what you're saying, and to an extent, I agree. Same as with a lot of people have been saying, 5th gens have become widely popular in my city. The suburban areas are saturated with them, and I can see why: they look sleek (looks like a combo of a 4th gen body and an FJ body to me), they're passenger/cargo friendly, they have massive mod and off-road potential, and they're super reliable.

Gen 5s fulfill every purpose that the modern SUV does, and they do it with style. It has a widespread appeal that caters to everyone from the most normal suburban sports mom to most obsessed gearhead. For those reasons, it's almost silly to complain about the number seen on the road daily.

So for me personally, I'm tired of seeing them not because I resent that so many people own them but because I'm not a fan of the exterior design, and I have an aversion to new cars in general.

I think the difference is the genuine appreciation, fascination and (for a lot of people here) the obsession that drives enthusiasts towards driving, repairing, and modding 4Rs in the first place. I'm not much of an off-road guy (though I've done light off-road camping in mine countless times), and I'm not interested in modding my '97 because its a 2WD and I don't have enough knowledge OR desire to jump into that world at this point in time. Regardless, I am attached to my 3rd Gen because I always wanted one ever since I rode in my friend's dad's on a road trip, I love the way it looks, and I love how reliable and comfortable it is. It's essentially my gateway into DIY car repair, even though my reasons for buying a 3rd gen are similar to young suburban family buying their 5th gen. I just happened to take my fascination to the next level, and get my hands dirty, not easy when you own a newer and more complex machine.

My only real gripe is when I see people driving around in TRDs with sports packages, off-road tires, and all the custom stuff the dealership offers them, when it looks like they are never going to take it anywhere close to dirt. Seems impractical and waste of resources.

 

[LandCruiser]

Everyone has Glocks. Does that make me not want a Glock? No, they are the most popular for a reason.

Does it bother me that everyone and their MILF has a 4Runner in CO and CA?

No, it means there's a reason they're popular.

The only drawback is when a BOF SUV becomes a big seller, they start to make focus groups of people who aren't the intended market to help design the next generation and that is how we wind up with the Pathfinder turning into a bloated Crossover.

We don't want that.

 

[Ryan1975]

Everyone has Glocks. Does that make me not want a Glock? No, they are the most popular for a reason.

Does it bother me that everyone and their MILF has a 4Runner in CO and CA?

No, it means there's a reason they're popular.

The only drawback is when a BOF SUV becomes a big seller, they start to make focus groups of people who aren't the intended market to help design the next generation and that is how we wind up with the Pathfinder turning into a bloated Crossover.

We don't want that.

Howdy Neighbor,

Toyota has the Highlander / Rav4 to play with. I think the 4Runner is safe especially with a Bronco, Mini-Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler line of dedicated off-road / adventure life style vehicles.

Sales numbers show a supportable sales model.

 

[LandCruiser]

Howdy Neighbor,

Toyota has the Highlander / Rav4 to play with. I think the 4Runner is safe especially with a Bronco, Mini-Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler line of dedicated off-road / adventure life style vehicles.

Sales numbers show a supportable sales model.

Car manufacturers are always happy to fix something that isn't broken.

And Nissan has the Kicks, Rogue, Rogue Sport, and Murano--that didn't stop them from Crossovering the Pathfinder and killing the Xterra.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Car manufacturers are always happy to fix something that isn't broken.

And Nissan has the Kicks, Rogue, Rogue Sport, and Murano--that didn't stop them from Crossovering the Pathfinder and killing the Xterra.

Fair point. None of those vehicles though have/had as loyal as a following as the 4Runner (probably the Xterra was close). One would expect Toyota to draw out the 4Runner as BOF entity as long as possible.

 

[Jungoes]

well not really i have seen idiots up here trying to sell a used 5th gen with a set of new rims for MORE than what a brand new one of a dealer lot + tax costs

so yes it can get worse

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...ed/1401444795?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

 

[YellowSnow]

I'm starting to see a lot of lifted 4runners with trd pro rims in my area, and thats usually the extent of the mods on most 4runners (lift and trd rims) I see locally.

I think its pretty cool that people are starting to mod their 4runners, and I don't mind seeing a lot of them around. Gives me something to see when Im stuck at a redlight.

That’s because dealers are throwing Pro wheels, black fender flares and spacer kits on SR5’s and selling them for $47k....the dealers are selling Pro models $5-10k over sticker as well. I counted three different 4 runners with method wheels alone in my neighborhood....makes me happy I went with SCS Ray 10’s boi!!!!

 

[YellowSnow]

well not really i have seen idiots up here trying to sell a used 5th gen with a set of new rims for MORE than what a brand new one of a dealer lot + tax costs

so yes it can get worse

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...ed/1401444795?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

That’s Canada ay...

 

[TacoRunn0517]

well not really i have seen idiots up here trying to sell a used 5th gen with a set of new rims for MORE than what a brand new one of a dealer lot + tax costs

so yes it can get worse

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks...ed/1401444795?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

Man. That's a violation haha.

 

[Crusifix]

I think I understand what you’re saying. theres a group of kids at work that have new 5th gens. They’re all lifted, Icon stage 15, and they all do this thing call “waxing”. When I pop the hood on mine, there is a lot of explanation as to what is going on in there. There’s been a few times where I’ve suggested that we all take a day and hit a trail. I don’t get a lot of takers. None, actually.

Its all good though, It’s an awesome truck and car camping is cool these days. So, it’s to be expected. Kinda like peanut butter and chocolate. I wish it was different, but it’s not.

LOL, My t4r gets washed when it rains. I'm in the mud nearly every day. It makes no sense for me to ever take the time to hand wash, much less wax it..

 

[HyperMike]

Interesting thread! Around here, 5th Gen AND 4th Gen 4Runners are EVERYWHERE. I agree that the vast majority of 5th Gen trucks are driven by folks who will never, ever take them off the pavement although there is a small but active subset that are using their trucks for their intended purpose and taking them offroad or at least using them for some type of Overland travel.

My pet peeve is the dealers (there's one in the area that is particularly bad for this) that bolt every conceivable goodie onto a new truck and ask INSANE amounts of money for them...and generally, they sell! I looked at a new 4Runner that had suspension, bumper, sliders, lift, wheels, tires...all the extras. Their stated cost for all of that was almost double what you or I could do sourcing good quality parts and doing it ourselves! :crazy:

Cheers!

 

[Crusifix]

Part of owning a rig like these, or a Taco or Wrangler is turning the wrenches yourself to repair and upgrade them. I got the TRDP for the Inferno color. If they had offered it in a TE in 2015, I would have bought one of those and saved some money. The only items that are remaining on my rig that are TRDP factory items are the grill, and paint...And the TRD stitched seats of course.

 

[Ausumm]

I feel like the 4Runner has somewhat lost it's unique quality, especially when they're built up with everyone and their wife/sister/mother/brother/grandma/etc. owning a 4Runner.
Stupid rant I know. I am just curious if any other people feel the same way?

One of the first things I posted when I joined...
was that all of the 4Runners I see in my area,
are driven by soccer moms with no real passion for the vehicle.
NONE of the ones I see are modified.

I bought mine because I love the 4R's...
seems like everyone else would be just as content no matter WHAT they are driving.

 

[srpuywa]

sooo may 4Runners in the PNW with the 'Off Road' look that never get dirty.

I'm not wasting money on mods I would rarely need