Light_Mania
New member
Just joined the T4R fold a couple of weeks ago, and glad to be here. I had been an Isuzu Trooper guy since 1986. The truck was always there for me and I found it a capable off-roader on trips to the 4WD trails in the Colorado and Arizona mining country. I decided to get a new SUV when the auto trans on my 1999 Trooper began feeling clunky (found out the dang transmission was made in FRANCE! Get a rope...). Since Japan built Troopers are no longer brought to the US, I had to find a new home.
My first thought (without much research) was a Honda Pilot, but I didn't like the way it handled on a test drive. At highway speeds it was mushy and the steering overall did not feel crisp. I liked the plethora of 12v accessory outlets, but then it didn't have an aux input to the sound system. I decided more research was needed, and learned that the 4R was true off-road 4WD system and better suited to towing than the Pilot. While my towing is largely limited to pulling a 17 foot sailboat to regattas, the body on frame of the 4R was still appealing.
I was concerned that the 4R didn't have the cargo volume to make a good "regatta-mobile" like the Trooper, so I test drove a Sequoia. It was OK, but didn't feel too spritely on the test drive, and though I could configure one with what I needed for only about $36,000, there was no sign of one optioned for less than $45,000 in the region. The 4R OTOH handles great even in SR5 trim, and the V6 provides more than enough power for my needs. I might have opted for the Sport version, but the phony hood scoop really put me off.
Though still concerned a little bit about giving up the cargo volume I had, I really like my 4R. An outstanding price offered by the Internet Sales guy at Bob Howard Toyota in OKC convinced me, and here I am. I live in Tulsa, OK so the drive to OKC for the car was an inconvenience, but none of the local dealers seemed to want to quote a good price on the 4R I wanted via email (they all said "Come on down, and we'll talk").
I've already benefited from the experience here on the forum by installing an HID kit from XenonDepot, thanks gang. The Homelink and Ashtray upgrades (for the additional 12v outlet) are next.
My first thought (without much research) was a Honda Pilot, but I didn't like the way it handled on a test drive. At highway speeds it was mushy and the steering overall did not feel crisp. I liked the plethora of 12v accessory outlets, but then it didn't have an aux input to the sound system. I decided more research was needed, and learned that the 4R was true off-road 4WD system and better suited to towing than the Pilot. While my towing is largely limited to pulling a 17 foot sailboat to regattas, the body on frame of the 4R was still appealing.
I was concerned that the 4R didn't have the cargo volume to make a good "regatta-mobile" like the Trooper, so I test drove a Sequoia. It was OK, but didn't feel too spritely on the test drive, and though I could configure one with what I needed for only about $36,000, there was no sign of one optioned for less than $45,000 in the region. The 4R OTOH handles great even in SR5 trim, and the V6 provides more than enough power for my needs. I might have opted for the Sport version, but the phony hood scoop really put me off.
Though still concerned a little bit about giving up the cargo volume I had, I really like my 4R. An outstanding price offered by the Internet Sales guy at Bob Howard Toyota in OKC convinced me, and here I am. I live in Tulsa, OK so the drive to OKC for the car was an inconvenience, but none of the local dealers seemed to want to quote a good price on the 4R I wanted via email (they all said "Come on down, and we'll talk").
I've already benefited from the experience here on the forum by installing an HID kit from XenonDepot, thanks gang. The Homelink and Ashtray upgrades (for the additional 12v outlet) are next.
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