Keep my '13 T4R or trade in for Tundra?

[Steamfitter]

I have a '13 T4R that I bought new 2 years ago. I am happy with it, but part of me would like a Tundra. I do not do any big towing, I just would like the truck bed and the power of the 5.7 V8, and the new Tundra platinum's look great. The downside is obviously the cost, I bought the T4R new and its paid for. To get a '15 Tundra Platinum I would still need to fork over another $30 grand easily on top of my 4R. I am also wondering about decreased reliability compared to the 4Runner. Tundras are supposed to be more reliable than the big 3, but still have more issues than the T4R. My brain is saying keep the less glamorous T4R, heart would like the big truck. I'm gonna just keep the T4R for now, but I'd like to hear people's thought on T4R's vs Tundras.

 

[1engineer]

There is no comparison. They are designed for two totally different tasks. Do you think your 4Runner is only worth $15K or something?

 

[slyangel9]

I was recently down this road looking at a F-150 and Tundra so I know the feeling. I recommend you read those forums and see the complaints. In the end for me, I remembered why I got my second 4Runner. It never has to go to the dealer.

 

[SKP-4R]

Tundra's are pretty massive, especially in 4 door guise. Way bigger than the 4Runner. IMO if you only need the bed I would go for a Tacoma with the TRD Sport package. That's a much more nimble package

 

[wadle5]

I was thinking about my next vehicle as well, and even though I do want a full size truck I just wouldn't use it as much as it what it is built for so that is not worth the absolutely hit in MPGs. I have now come up with the plan to continue in true T4R fashion and get a 5th gen, and then if and whenever I need a "TRUCK BED" I will just get a cheap trailer that I can pull with the Runner. I don't run a construction company, I'm not hauling a dump truck full of mulch at a time, so really the bed and tow capacity of the Tundra was definitely overkill for me as opposed to the 4Runner and trailer.

 

[Steamfitter]

There is no comparison. They are designed for two totally different tasks. Do you think your 4Runner is only worth $15K or something?

Well I live in Canada, and a '15 Tundra platinum would be $65k+ which is over and above the black book value of my t4r ($37-38 grand).

It would be nice to be able to put a snowmobile in the bed, but honestly it's partly an ego thing. I have many friends who don't tow anything more than a snowmobile or atv, and they all have new ram hemi's or Silverado 3500's, and they give me shit for driving the T4R... I do wish the 4R had more power, but like people say it's overkill for most people. That being said I think 80% of the guys I see in pick up trucks do not need them.

 

[STX4Runner]

If you're just towing a snowmobile, the 4Runner is fine. Don't go buy a $65,000 truck just to impress your friends. If they're towing atv's and snowmobiles with 1-ton trucks just to make themselves feel like big men, that's pretty silly.

 

[HerT4R]

Well I live in Canada, and a '15 Tundra platinum would be $65k+ which is over and above the black book value of my t4r ($37-38 grand).

It would be nice to be able to put a snowmobile in the bed, but honestly it's partly an ego thing. I have many friends who don't tow anything more than a snowmobile or atv, and they all have new ram hemi's or Silverado 3500's, and they give me shit for driving the T4R... I do wish the 4R had more power, but like people say it's overkill for most people. That being said I think 80% of the guys I see in pick up trucks do not need them.

oh the fragility of "manliness". :drama: not this shit again...

dude, you know they are just jealous because you drive something more economical with less issues than what they have.

if you like what you drive, KEEP IT. it's paid off, and its a very nice vehicle (as we here can all agree).

 

[3wbdriver]

My 2011 4.6L Tundra had 70,000 trouble free miles on it when I traded it in for the '14 4R. I didn't drive into the dealership looking for a trade and was actually quite happy with the Tundra, aside from the occasional desire for 4WD on wet work locations. I do miss the extra room and storage cubbies of the CrewMax cab, and with the 4.6 it got the same mileage as I am currently getting in the 4R. I kind of think of it as a 6 of one half dozen of the other deal. If'n ya want it, go for it.

 

[sooperedd]

People spend money they don't have
To buy things they don't need
To impress people that don't care

 

[wanderMT]

About the last thing in the world I needed was a T4R - but bought a new LE 2 months ago. So, buy a Tundra if you want, regardless of need. Just go pick some money off the tree - it will grow more!!

 

[mnofpeace]

May i go a different way...

I already have an old F150, i love it...no matter how many people give me crap about FORD-Found On Road Dead. But i know that at 133K miles on the clock, her days could be numbered.

thus my T4R purchase, where we all say with pride '100k is just break-in'

One of the reasons i wanted a 4runner is not only all of the regular stuff, but also because of where it was built. That plant in Japan is one of the top 3 Auto manufacturing plants in the world. Every auto that comes out of it is world class in terms of quality and durability. now, no disrespect to any other plant, but would a Tundra made in the USA have the same build quality as our beloved??

im just posing an alternative vote to keeping the Runner...:boxing:

 

[Repsol13]

If you want a Tundra, get one. I think they are awesome but I don't have a need for a truck, much less a truck that size.

Having a paid off '13 4R has to be pretty damn nice though, I would enjoy that.

 

[sn_85]

Why would you have to fork over another 30 grand. Platinum is what about 45-48K. Your 2013 4Runner can probably still fetch 30k trade in. After TTL you're probably looking to owe 20K but no where near 30K. Unless you go for some crazy dealer installed options.

 

[Steamfitter]

Hmm ok you guys have convinced me...

 

[sooperedd]

The Tundra is a nice truck. $65,000 is a lot of money and roughly TWICE as much as a T4R SR5. A question I would ask myself, " is the Tundra TWICE as good as the 4Runner and will it last TWICE as long as the 4Runner?"

But some folks have a lot of money and if you want it, and can afford it, no one should judge how you spend your money.

My wife would call it a First World Problem.

 

[Shawk00]

I have a '13 T4R that I bought new 2 years ago. I am happy with it, but part of me would like a Tundra. I do not do any big towing, I just would like the truck bed and the power of the 5.7 V8, and the new Tundra platinum's look great. The downside is obviously the cost, I bought the T4R new and its paid for. To get a '15 Tundra Platinum I would still need to fork over another $30 grand easily on top of my 4R. I am also wondering about decreased reliability compared to the 4Runner. Tundras are supposed to be more reliable than the big 3, but still have more issues than the T4R. My brain is saying keep the less glamorous T4R, heart would like the big truck. I'm gonna just keep the T4R for now, but I'd like to hear people's thought on T4R's vs Tundras.

If you want it, then get it... For me, I would look seriously at spending that $30k on a redesigned Tacoma and forget about the v8 (especially since you have nothing large to tow)... you could have a 4Runner and a truck then. Otherwise get a trailer and call it good. :thumb3:

 

[Boardmember]

Reverse issue: I drive an '11 Tundra Crewmax TRD (that I traded a '08 4R Sport for) and just bought a '15 4R SR5 Premium for my wife.

Love the Tundra, but now wish I was back in a 4R. The quality and feel difference is palpable. Close friend has a '14 Taco. It's nice, but a distant third place compared to either of the other two.

I'm a redneck. Everyone drives a pickup. My wife, however, is cool.

 

[WiscoTundra]

Reverse issue: I drive an '11 Tundra Crewmax TRD (that I traded a '08 4R Sport for) and just bought a '15 4R SR5 Premium for my wife.

Love the Tundra, but now wish I was back in a 4R. The quality and feel difference is palpable. Close friend has a '14 Taco. It's nice, but a distant third place compared to either of the other two.

I'm a redneck. Everyone drives a pickup. My wife, however, is cool.

I used a similar tactic, I drive a 2014 Tundra SR5 TRD Crewmax but really wanted a 4Runner Trail so convinced the wife the 2015 T4R would be the perfect vehicle for her. She drives it to work but on weekends I get to decide which toy to play with!

 

[Dalko43]

Tundra seems like it is a very good work/towing truck...I'm sure it can be used to off-road just fine, but given its added weight over the 4runner, and worse gas mileage, the real advantage it offers over the 4runner is that it can haul a lot more stuff.

The 4runner, by comparison, is a jack-of-all-trades...it can do a whole lot of things (towing, highway cruising, off-roading, daily driving) fairly well, but doesn't really specialize in any one area.

Once you figure out your driving priorities, the choice of truck should be pretty obvious...of course sometimes we as people will buy stuff not because we need it, but because we like it (I am guilty)...