New member here. Opinons wanted.

[GrantMethePower]

Hello everyone.

I'm a bit confused here. I'm not only a noob to T4R.org, but also to toyota and to SUVs as well. I bought a brand new M3 in 1998. Its ready to be replaced.

Since buying the BMW i've gotten more and more into my hobbies, namely mountian biking, rock climbing, backpacking, etc. I'm thinking about going with a truck/suv to acccomadate doing those things.

I first went to the Toyota dealership to check out the Tacoma. It was nice becasue it was an inexpensive pickup. I could pay outright for it and have no payments and any money saved could go into my home (i'm a new homeowner too!).

While there I checked out the 4Runner. It was an intriguing option. Since that time, i have stacked the Tacoma/4Runner up against the toughest competition-The Honda Rigeline, the Land Rover LR3, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the Nissan Frontier and Xterra.

Every round, the Toyotas beat down the opposition when I took reliability and owners feelings into consideration. I'm going to be buying by Tuesday to get in on the February deals.

I'm looking at getting a 4x4 Limited w/ nav. The total MSRP is up around 43K, and I got a quote for 37,988.

First of all, am I crazy for how highly i'm thinking of the toyota? I've never owned a Toyota, or any Japanese car for that matter, but I've read wonderful things about them.

Second of all, is the 4Runner really as offroad capable as a Tacoma and/or the Jeep Cherokee?

Thirdly, is it crazy to be thinking about spending almost 40 grand on a 4runner ? the SR5 is available for so much less, just without the amenities, but it seems pretty cool to have everything.

Finally, is that a good price for one such as I've speced out?

Thanks everyone for your insights. I found this forum just through Google, and you guys seem to be knowlegable, have good attitudes and are active with the forum. I feel a little lost becasue going to the Toyota dealership really was an unpleasant experience. I've been about 4 times and everytime its taken 20+ min just to have someone help and they always seem like their really put out by it. I was initally looking at a new 3-Series or the Lexus IS and both of those dealerships really take care of you. What do you guys think about Toyota service departments?

Thanks again, sorry for such a lengthy and needy first post, but if I go this route I'll do my best to be a good contributor to this forum.

Thanks again.

 

[RunnerUp]

-the 4runner will help you get all your gear and you comfortably and safely wherever you need to go to rock climb/mountain bike etc.

-toyota is an amazing company, and not much rival's toyota in reliablilty, except ford (cough)

-if i had to get a new body style (4th gen) i would def. get the limited nav. perhaps switch out the 18"rims though, so you can get a little beefier tire on there, would def. get the V8 also

-if you want to see how capable these trucks are... just go to the offroad section of this forum, you will see pictures

-as far as price,i i dont know, someone else will chime in though im sure

-if the seem to be to put off by helping you, perhaps check another dealer, toyota's can be serviced at lexus dealerships under warranty i believe

-i love my old service department (helps to know a service manager)

 

[UoD]

You are not at all crazy for thinking of Toyota so highly. Toyota is well known for its time-tested reliability. One of the great things about this vehicle is that it is one of the few to be produced at Toyota's Tahara plan in Japan. This is one of the finest production plants in the world. I swear by Japanese vehicles. I had a 95 Toyota 4Runner, a 96 Acura 3.2 TL, and now a 2005 Toyota 4Runner. I have never had problems with any of these vehicles. The one time I purchased an American made vehicle (Dodge Intrepid), it caught on fire.

Your dealership experience is pretty normal. I have yet to find a dealership that doesn't give you some sort of hassle.

I will let someone else comment on the price questions and the Tacoma vs 4Runner questions as I am so there are many here more qualified than I am to answer those ...


BTW : In case you are interested --- Article on Toyota's Tahara plant

 

[sharp4runr]

6604 members feel the same way about the 4Runner I've owned a few Toyota vehicles and I"m pretty brand loyal. I'd never buy a domestic just because of all the horror stories I hear about them. Won't buy a Mazda, cause they're owned by Ford and QC sucks. Nissan, I'm hesitant as their QC has dropped over the years. I'd buy a Honda, but not the Ridgeline. I can't see how a vehicle based on a car frame can win Mototrend's truck of the year award. Plus it is just plane fugly.

For the price, find out what the Invoice price is with the options you want. Try to get as close or below that number. Don't feel bad about it, because whatever the invoice number you find, the dealer is still getting them for cheaper and making some money off it. Check out this thread for some good tips: http://www.carbuyingtips.com

4Runner is as capable as the Taco and more so of the Cherokee. Look through the offroading trips that some of the members have gone on and you'll see some of it is pretty hardcore. I'd suggest that if you are seriously going to be offroading a lot and want a huge lift, that you stay away from the XREAS option on the Limited. XREAS is nice on the road, but limits the lift options you can utilize (you have to remove XREAS if you want to do the OME/Downey lifts)

Remember that between the SR5/SportEdition/Limited, they are all built on the same platform. Going between one usually gives you more options built in. Having leather with heated seats, dual climate controls etc is nice, but you can get to the same location on the trail without.

UoD brings up a good point. The 4Runner is one of the few vehicles that Toyota still builds in Japan. The Japanese built vehicles are arguably better made than their US counterparts. 4Runners are built at the Tahara or Hino plants in Japan.

Each dealership is independently run so find a good one and stick to it. Of course since you were looking at "luxury" name plates, they are going to treat their customers better. Remember though, a $50k GX470 is still built on the same platform as that $30k 4runner.

 

[olliebear]

You won't go back...

to the domestics...my Toyota now has 39,000 trouble free miles. I have cull confidence in the off road capability----in reasnoable terms, mind you....off road, Class 1-III in unmodified form.....snow and dirt tracks, and not the Rubicon or Moab.

It will take you there and get you back. The LR3 has more whizz bang technology, but how is the reliability? The Jeep may be more trail custom capable, but will it get you back? Off roading is more than departure angles and articulation. It is the basics of firing up nad getting you out nad back, and in that respect, no one beats Toyota.

The Tacoma is a great light truck, but not as well balanced for everyday driving and comfort as the 4Runner. You will also need a camper shell if you want to store securely stuff in the bed. No need for that on the 4Runner. And with the defroster and wiper and roll down window, the 4Runner is outright better.

I have the V8 AWD, something the Taco can't offer. It is smooth, torque rich, and one of the best V8 made. Same engine used in the Lexus GX470 and LX470 and the Landcruiser.

I am not into leather seats, sunroof, nav--I can read a map, and a hand held is cheaper, and don't care for the whiz bang gimcracks. I bought the SR5 V8 AWD and it has eveything I could expect for conveneicne and comfort at $32k.

 

[M3_962]

I just picked up my 4Runner Sport, and I love it.

I've never owned a Toyota but I've been around enough to know they are top-notch. Toyota is the best car company in the world by many measures.

If you could deal with BMW service prices and attitude, I'm sure you will be more than happy with Toyota =)

I think unless you're towing something, there's no need for the V8. I'm sure the extra torque is nice, but with an 5-speed auto it's fine. Besides, I'm also in CA and I don't think I need to spend more on gas...I've been driving with a light foot around town. Not to mention

 

[Otto]

GrantMethePower-

I was almost in the exact same situation as you. I previously owned an Audi A4, and was a very active member of the Audi community, online & offline. It was a great car for me after college, but then I got married and bought a house.

I was one of the people who used to bash SUV's, calling them "oversized grocery wagons for menopausal soccer moms". But eventually my needs changed, and I pretty much destroyed my A4 throwing my tools in the back, making trips to the dump with garbage bags in the trunk, having to drive back from Home Depot with insulation and 2X4's sticking out the windows. What a nightmare!

Then I ended up here, and decided on the 4Runner for the same reasons.

You will not receive the same treatment at the dealer like you did with the BMW, and you won't get the same service either. With my Audi (and probably your M3) everything was covered to 60K miles, even oil changes. The dealership knew me by name, I could get same day appointments, and if repairs took longer then a few minutes they would give me a loaner car of the same value or better. But that is why the cars are more expensive, it's a tradeoff.

All that aside, I'm now a proud owner of an '06 SR5 (got it for $200 above invoice $29,100 and 2.9% financing). Everyone says "your truck is so big", but it only feels that way because I drove a little sedan around for 6 years. It has more than enough power for me, oil changes could not be any easier, I'm getting a navigation system for $1,500, and the main reason was that hopefully I will be able to put 200K miles on it without any major problems.

 

[GrantMethePower]

GrantMethePower-

I was almost in the exact same situation as you. I previously owned an Audi A4, and was a very active member of the Audi community, online & offline. It was a great car for me after college, but then I got married and bought a house.

I was one of the people who used to bash SUV's, calling them "oversized grocery wagons for menopausal soccer moms". But eventually my needs changed, and I pretty much destroyed my A4 throwing my tools in the back, making trips to the dump with garbage bags in the trunk, having to drive back from Home Depot with insulation and 2X4's sticking out the windows. What a nightmare!

Then I ended up here, and decided on the 4Runner for the same reasons.

You will not receive the same treatment at the dealer like you did with the BMW, and you won't get the same service either. With my Audi (and probably your M3) everything was covered to 60K miles, even oil changes. The dealership knew me by name, I could get same day appointments, and if repairs took longer then a few minutes they would give me a loaner car of the same value or better. But that is why the cars are more expensive, it's a tradeoff.

All that aside, I'm now a proud owner of an '06 SR5 (got it for $200 above invoice $29,100 and 2.9% financing). Everyone says "your truck is so big", but it only feels that way because I drove a little sedan around for 6 years. It has more than enough power for me, oil changes could not be any easier, I'm getting a navigation system for $1,500, and the main reason was that hopefully I will be able to put 200K miles on it without any major problems.

That definetly sounds like my position. I guess the money thing really doesn't become an issue until you load up the 4runner, but at the cost i'm at its almost as much as the Land Rover LR3. The Toyota really just seems to have a lot of reliability to it and that is invaluable when it is your only car. So many of the Land Rover owners seem to have "backup" cars for when theirs is in the shop.

I am used to that level of treatment from the dealer, but obviously I dont expect it from Toyota, but I also don't want what they give you at say Pontiac, which is something I could never deal with again.

Thanks for all the insight guys, its really very appreciated.

 

[ssmathis]

I cross shopped the LR3 and the problem I ran into is that dealers would not budge on the LR3 so MSRP was it and when you get decent options, including the locking rear diff, and you have to have the V8 since that thing is a porker, the price was around $52k. When I was shopping, I could get the 4runner for invoice and 0% for 60 months (don't have this anymore) so it made the decison pretty easy. My brother has an LR3 and while I do love it, there was no way I could justify the extra $200 to $300 a month in payment. BVLR.com is a local company here in Atlanta that resells Land Rovers and you can already see the depreciation on the LR3, basically after a year they're at where a new 4runner is. You make the call and you'll be happy with either one but this is my 3rd 4runner, every generation except the second, and I would replace it with the LR3 an time soon.

Scott

 

[GrantMethePower]

I You make the call and you'll be happy with either one but this is my 3rd 4runner, every generation except the second, and I would replace it with the LR3 an time soon.

Scott

Was this a typo or do you mean that you would like to switch your 4runner for an LR3?

 

[Boston_Runner]

GrantMethePower

If you want a truck that is reliable, have all the goodies in it, off road capabilities and you want your dealer to kiss your butt like the BMW dealers, then you should really look into a Lexus GX470 with KDSS suspensions.

 

[GrantMethePower]

GrantMethePower

If you want a truck that is reliable, have all the goodies in it, off road capabilities and you want your dealer to kiss your butt like the BMW dealers, then you should really look into a Lexus GX470 with KDSS suspensions.

I looked into it, but that ends up being 60K, which is definetly more than I wanted. Too bad too becuase it seems like a wonderful vehicle, but aside from a slightly more luxurious interior and a better dealership, the 4Runner is pretty much the same, isn't it?

 

[Boston_Runner]

I looked into it, but that ends up being 60K, which is definetly more than I wanted. Too bad too becuase it seems like a wonderful vehicle, but aside from a slightly more luxurious interior and a better dealership, the 4Runner is pretty much the same, isn't it?

I look into too 2 months ago, and a 06 GX470 with nav, mark levinson stereo system, which is one of the best system I have ever heard in a car and the KDSS suspension is about $46000 to $47000 if you talk them down to invoice, which is pretty easy thing to do nowadays. That prices comes with the Lexus' so call force option of the 3rd row seat too lol.

Good Luck

 

[GrantMethePower]

I look into too 2 months ago, and a 06 GX470 with nav, mark levinson stereo system, which is one of the best system I have ever heard in a car and the KDSS suspension is about $46000 to $47000 if you talk them down to invoice, which is pretty easy thing to do nowadays. That prices comes with the Lexus' so call force option of the 3rd row seat too lol.

Good Luck

Which did you end up getting?

 

[Uneek]

I think I'm qualified to speak on this one. I have both a 2005 Tacoma DoubleCab Prerunner with the TRD Off-Road package and I just got my 2006 4Runner Limited V6. Thread here. The Tacoma will be my dad's regular car, which I'm driving until he sells his current POS Chevy. We just got back from a trip to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon in the Tacoma. Very good truck and car-like. The 4.0 V6 has plenty of power.

A brief comparison: 4Runner vs. Tacoma, the 4Runner ride is a bit smoother, brakes seem a bit better on the 4Runner (feels that it grabs harder/stopping distances feels shorter) and it feels a bit faster too, despite the 4Runner is about 4300lbs and the Tacoma is 3800lbs. Amenities wise, the 4Runner wins hands down. Even though the 4Runner is better than the Tacoma, you won't/can't go wrong with either one. I should also mention the Tacoma is a part time 4WD system. There are a few things you can't get in a Tacoma, power seats, leather, auto climate control, moonroof, navigation and a few hard to find options, side/curtain airbags and VSC.

I was in the same boat as you. My mom was telling me to save the $10k on the 4Runner and get the Tacoma, and apply that towards a house. I was actually deciding on what I should get for myself, either a 4x4 Tacoma or the 4Runner. Of course a fully loaded Tacoma 4x4 will be breaking $30k and the 4Runner will go as high as mid $40k. If my dad didn't get the Tacoma, I would've more likely gotten it for the greater versatility of having a truck bed.

You're NOT crazy for thinking highly of Toyota. Their products are that good. My 4Runner is our 4th Toyota and we currently have three Toyotas. We've owned Nissans, a Mazda and a Chevy. The Nissans were ok, at best. Our Maxima burned its diff within a month. The Nissan truck kept stalling. Our Mazda has been as reliable as our Toyotas, BUT their ergonomics suck and comparable to a Toyota pickup at its time it lacked features (auto down window, delayed time for window control, master lock switch, etc). Our Chevy, let's not even get into what a pile it is.

Competition wise, Ridgeline is a joke. Think of it as an Odyssey with it's rear chopped and having 4 regular doors. It's like that VW Rabbit truck. There's a video somewhere with the product manager driving the truck off-road and it could not make it over a hill. He backed down the hill and tried again. What it looked like was his used speed and momentum to carry him up and over. (It wasn't even a real trail, just mud and probably a sedan with a bit more ground clearance and suspension travel could complete.) Can't speak on the LR3 or Grand Cherokee. Nissans have quality issues and I hate how their truck line looks.

Yes, the price is high for a loaded 4Runner. But like any comparable SUV in its class with the same features, the 4Runner fits right in. IMO, the SR-5 is a great value for the money.

I got my V6 Limited 4WD with navi, side/curtain airbags, spoiler and moonroof for about $39,500 OTD with the $1,500 rebate.

I could answer questions about the Tacoma if you like.

Good luck!

 

[the_josh]

why dont you pm me your email address and ill email you some videos of how capable the 4runner is, and with stock tires!!!

 

[daverunner]

110608 trouble free miles, just follow the service requirements and dont get hit by any kamikaze drivers!

The pic is for Thai!