Need Opinions.. Keep Runner or take Tacoma.

[4rabbit]

a crazy idea, but why not just trade her current tacoma and get her 2015, 4 door tacoma

I would echo what c350z just said. I had a 2002 Tacoma TRD double cab for the past 14 years and absolutely loved it. I was 100% ready to buy the new 2016 version - until I actually drove it. Wow, the redesign was a major disaster! (The thing drives like a boat, the front seats sit on the floor such that passengers in the back seats can't even fit their toes under the seat, let alone the mechanical problems people have been mentioning.) I was totally baffled as to what to do instead, until I finally started looking at 4Runners and I am now loving my new 2016 4Runner.

My 2016 4Runner has a very different ride from my old Tacoma. My Tacoma had a very fun, sporty ride to it, whereas my 4Runner has a much more refined ride. I still prefer the look of the older Tacomas to that of the 4Runner. But having said that, a 4Runner fits my lifestyle now. I don't drive quite as aggressively, I prefer the enclosed cabin, etc.

If your wife hasn't taken a 2016 Tacoma for a test drive yet, I definitely recommend doing that before you do anything else. I was 100% convinced I was getting a new 2016 until the moment I took one out for a test drive.

Other than that, it sounds like she'll need to decide if she likes the 2017 Tacoma more than her existing one or possibly consider swapping hers for a second generation Tacoma double cab (to get the four doors and larger back seats). And then you'd just have to decide if you prefer your 4Runner or her Tacoma.

A Tacoma/4Runner family ... you do have good taste!

 

[TeamLord]

If your wife needs a bigger truck she may want to consider a Tundra. If you aren't putting it on narrow trails then the Tundra makes sense, as it rides beautifully, has tons of power and has lots of space. The new Tacos look good and that's it. And by all means, if the T4R makes you happy, keep it!

And that was my two cents. I'll invoice you later. Hehehe.

 

[Jaydub514]

Keep the T4R - and swap the Taco for a 2015 - a fully tested and great platform. The 2016 has been a disappointment to many people.

I'd grab a 15 Taco as soon as possible...I'd imagine they will get harder to find for people specifically looking to avoid the 2016 and it's issues.

 

[cbreze]

Have a friend who trades for new all the time. Guy always has a fat car payment. Love Tacoma's, but not the new one. Underpowered is not my bag for a ride. They seem to come with a whole slew of possible issues depending on your luck of the draw . Seems a shame but No thanks. Not one single issue with.my runner. It's a keeper.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

I had this for 2896 miles:



(It had a R to D delay when cold, under powered unless ECT switch on, came with all 5 grease zerks on the (4WD) drive shaft BONE DRY, and Ubolts not torqued to spec. I lost confidence)

When I traded for this, getting top dollar for trade and paying invoice for this Trail Premium:

 

[Jernik]

I had this for 2896 miles:



(It had a R to D delay when cold, under powered unless ECT switch on, came with all 5 grease zerks on the (4WD) drive shaft BONE DRY, and Ubolts not torqued to spec. I lost confidence)

When I traded for this, getting top dollar for trade and paying invoice for this Trail Premium:

Nice rims, never seen that style before.

To the OP; I'd keep the 4R as a people hauler, and let her decide what she wants to do with the Taco (new 16, used 15, or keep what she has). Best of both worlds, IMO.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

Nice rims, never seen that style before.

To the OP; I'd keep the 4R as a people hauler, and let her decide what she wants to do with the Taco (new 16, used 15, or keep what she has). Best of both worlds, IMO.

American Outlaw "Ranger" wheels. I don't off road really and have no idea how they'd be there. I'm just not into the current selection of all black wheels.

 

[Swampmonger]

My girlfriend has a 16 Taco* and I have a 16 T4R TEP. If we were to only have one it would have to be the Taco because of the bed. However, we can have both so we do and we love it. Just get both.


*Her Taco is an SR 4 banger, 5spd MT (4x4) so the guts are tried and true. I can't give an opinion of the new 3.5L V6 with AT.

 

[dimodin]

I'm in the process of trading a loaded 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport (double cab, 7k miles) for a 2016 4Runner Limited. Hoping the Limited arrives Saturday.

I thought the Taco was sharp and fun to drive, but just didn't make as much sense as I thought it would. The interior volume was severely lacking, the seating dynamics were exceptionally poor, and the bed was too small to be that useful.

In hindsight if I ever went with a truck again I'd only consider full size.

I totally agree here. I just got a new 4Runner coming from a 2000 Tundra and after looking at all the options, the new trucks are either too big or too small.

The old Tundras were the perfect size truck imo, not too big and not too small. It's a shame...

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I'm sticking with kick her ass to the curb. ;-)

You are too young to understand it (I think) but 10 years from now when she is long gone you'll say "That Blitz guy, he was right".

I'm going to give you the secret to happiness right here and now. Do with it what you may:

Your vehicle is your vehicle. Her vehicle is her vehicle.

You pick out and pay for yours, she picks out and pay's for hers.

You don't get pissed because her car looks like a transient homeless camp dump inside. You don't let her drive your vehicle (because it too will look like a transient homeless camp dump in three hours).

Right now there are about 100 guys reading what I just typed above, shaking their heads yes. Why? Because we know. We know....

 

[stormTRoopeD]

I think the OP has it pretty much figured out. IMO I would keep your 4runner and upgrade the wife's truck to a 2015 Dblcab Tacoma TRD Sport. I had a second gen..2011 and miss it. I was back in the market for a truck at the tail end of 2015 and it was hard to find a deal on a new one in the configuration I want. Started looking at the 2016 model and test drove them. Not worth the upgrade the new powertrain just doesn't make since to me. 2 mpg isn't going to add stacks to your bank account. Which brings me to why I am on this forum I am in the market for a 2016/17 4runner (probably the last of the 4.0's) and not a 3rd gen Tacoma.

 

[craigster59]

You pretty much answered your own question in your original post "....And I LOVE my new Runner".

I'm still looking for a new 4Runner, currently drive an '07 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Offroad access cab. I also have an '89 FJ62 that I use for fun but it's horrible on gas. I like having no payments but the time has come. I make very good money, coworkers drive new Audi S6, another a '16 Tundra 4x4 Platinum and another Porsche 997 Twin Turbo.

They constantly give me crap about being cheap and DD'ing a 9 y.o. truck with 190k on the clock. I'm finally stepping up because I need extra passenger room but will still keep the Taco and FJ.

I guess bottom line, you like what you have. She seems to just want the same thing she has, just newer and shinier. Tell her she has to learn to live with her decisions or you both will be caught in the car payment merry-go-round. I've loved having no car payments for a long time but now it's time to finally reward myself.