Hey Toyot4...welcome to the site...i am fairly new also, so welcome
before someone jumps on and says you should do the searches in the 5th gen sub-forum on all of these questions, let me do my best to answer them, as you seem like a similar case as i am. i spent over a yr researching what SUV to buy, wanting a truck based, as i have an F150 with 130K miles and runs just fine, and the only truck based mid size SUVs are the 4runner and Gx470-460. i was set to buy a 470 until i saw that it has the air suspension which, in time, WILL fail and need replaceing, and that put me off. i ended up settling on a 5th gen 4runner, but then got very lucky with both my personal finances and a dealership which just sold me a left over 2014 SR5 at a very deep deep discount (4k off MSRP). So anyway, onto your questions.
-Is 4runner an everyday truck?
I use my 4runner as a daily driver of sorts. i also have the mentioned F150 and a Kawasaki that i ride from March to Nov. Unlike what is said in all of the reviews i have seen and read, the T4R is very smooth, fun to drive, and super quiet. Maybe the reviewers are used to riding in Caddys and Benz's to the point of being numb to anything else, but i plan in driving mine daily all winter for as many winters as i can, until paid off and beyond then.
-What truck is 4runner comparable to?
usually the Runner is compaired to the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Xterra. The Grand Cherokee is usually reviewed as a much smoother and more refined ride on road. But there are many threads and google searches will confirm that they seem to have many electronic problems with them, right off the show room floor. The Xterras are tough enough, but they are a down-market vehicle in terms of quality and build. and some will have the dreaded Nissan transmission issue...
-Is the 4runner roomy enough for a 6'2 guy?
I cant speak to your size, as i am only 5-8. however, if you do a youtube search of 'Everyman Driver' for the 4runner, he gives a great review of the room inside for a taller person. i dont think that you will have any issues FWIW.
-How is the base model ride compared to the Premium or TRD etc? Do they ride the same as in comfort and smoothness?
the differences between the SR5, TE, & LE are small, but it depends on what you want. SR5 and TE have same 4WD systems. my SR5 is great, and i know i wont be doign any off roading at all, my selection was for snow and family space. the TE has the SDSS suspension that you will read in other places is great both on and off road & has a lockable rear axle diff. making it smoother with less body roll. the TE has the XREAS system, which does similar but for the LE's full time 4WD system (with lockable center diff). also, the LE is a premium, so heated leather seats, full time 4WD, premium stereo, but the SR5 and TEs have 'premium' optional levels, that include heated and cooled leather seats also, running boards, and are pretty nice. All have the updated Entune system with nav, blue tooth streaming, voice controls, ect. again, VERY nice upgrade for the 2014 2015 model years.
-How cheap are the parts?
Parts are what they are...but since i have not had a need to buy any, i cannot answer that. there are many threads talking about parts for lifting, and modding the T4R, and where to find the best values. But, i, like many, bought this vehicle because it doesnt have a need to be repaired that often, if ever. the dependability of this truck is legendary, and its on the list of what most of us bought it for.
-Do I really need a 4x4? I live in northeast NJ.
I dont plan on going off road, but the 4WD system in this truck is one reason i bought it. and i am sure in northern NJ, like THIS week 1/26, that 6 inches - 3 feet of accumulation will have you wishing you had made the purchase. beyond that, you put it in 2WD and just drive and enjoy.
-Any good dealerships in NJ? Sorry, i cant speak to that.
-Does anyone know how often those 0% apr deals come around?
I bought my truck during toyota thon...did it help, i couldnt tell you. what helped me more was working to get my fico scores up into the mid 700s by the time i was ready to buy...i would think common sense car buying tips would do you well here. if you cannot find a good deal on a 2015, look for 2014s left over, as they are exactly the same...and the 5th gens before are just as good, just a little different internally and externally, but mechanically they are 95% one to the other.
-Finally, what is the lower end of payments and the highest?
my 2014 with 20k miles on it i bought for $28K...brand new SR5s are running 33-36k, used ones are going for 31-33k. After some back and forth, i was able to get myself 2% financing and my payments are 470/month...
i hope all of this helps...
stroll over to the 5th gen forums and check out the stickys there to learn more...good luck
