New member needs some advice.

[Pdog]

New member here. My wife and I are planning on purchasing a 2004 4Runner as soon as we sell our 2001 Acura CL-S. We will be looking this weekend and hopefully test driving one. As much as we love the Acura, we really need a SUV, and what better SUV than the 4Runner. Since my wife will be driving it 95% of the time (lucky her), I am concerned about the size of the vehicle since she has only driven smaller cars in the past. Not so much the length as I think the 4Runner is just as long as the Acura, but more the height issue. She is only 5

 

[jharris2]

First, welcome to the board!

The 4Runner is about the same length as our Camry, so it just lseems bigger than it really is. It is taller and heavier, but you can adjust to these differences quickly, just as you do with any other vehicle.

Also, with the adjustable seats, 5' 5" should not be a problem. Most issues are just the opposite -- tall folks who try to fit into a 4Runner with a sunroof.

Let her test drive it and see how she feels about it.

Good luck in your hunt!

 

[PA 4Runner]

My wife is 5'2" and at first she refused to even test drive the 4Runner. She actually wanted a RAV4 and was afraid that the 4Runner would be to big and unweildy for her. I litterally had to threaten her to take the test drive. After that it was all down hill, and now I have to fight with her sometimes to drive the 4Runner.

 

[Pdog]

Great. Thanks for the help guys. I plan on spending a good amount of time on this board. We are looking at the V8 Limited, hopefully staying under $40k.

Thanks again

 

[momo.75]

99% of the time I am the one driving our 4Runner (I am 6'2"). At first my wife was scared it was going to be hard to drive, because of it's size. She is 5'1" and has no problem at all.

 

[Biff]

When we first bought the 4runner my wife was hesitant to drive it, at 5'0" she felt uncomfortable, a year later she fights me to drive it almost every day.

 

[peter78]

and now I have to fight with her sometimes to drive the 4Runner.

As a Honda and Acura fan & owner, the Toyota 4Runner was a change for our family. I bought the 2001 4Runner FOR ME and I Kept my old 88 Acura Integra as a third car. My Wife (5'3") started to drive the 4Runner and fell in love. I think there is something about the hieght, space and maybe a little bit of coolness, anyway she basically drives it all the time and her poor 92 Honda Wagon just sits in the garage.

Bottom line; there is a good chance your Wife will love it and you will hardly ever get to drive it.

 

[thholr]

It is funny reading this because I sold my 2001 CL type S a week and a half ago for a brand new 4runner. It was a huge change but we also needed an SUV. I can tell you it is a huge change , but the 4runner is an amazing vehicle and once you are used to the driving position it is great. Although I do miss the sportyness of the Cl a lot, but the 4runner has a wonderful engine and tranny and a lot of the gadgets the cl had. You both will love it .

I was very reluctant to make this change because I really loved my cl, but I have had 2 transmissions replaced in it and with us moving into a house I figured we really need an SUV. I drove them all , and wasnt sold, but once I drove the 4runner, my opinion changed. A great vehicle indeed.

 

[momo.75]

It is funny reading this because I sold my 2001 CL type S a week and a half ago for a brand new 4runner. It was a huge change but we also needed an SUV. I can tell you it is a huge change , but the 4runner is an amazing vehicle and once you are used to the driving position it is great. Although I do miss the sportyness of the Cl a lot, but the 4runner has a wonderful engine and tranny and a lot of the gadgets the cl had. You both will love it .

I was very reluctant to make this change because I really loved my cl, but I have had 2 transmissions replaced in it and with us moving into a house I figured we really need an SUV. I drove them all , and wasnt sold, but once I drove the 4runner, my opinion changed. A great vehicle indeed.

That was my situation exactly. I had a Maxima and we had just moved into a new house. I was always having to get friends to come pick up stuff for us and we always had to make multiple trips moving stuff around. I hated to get rid of my Maxima but, I have really enjoyed the 4Runner. The V8 is silky smooth and the Xreas suspension gives it a sporty feel on the road. I also have the optional 18" wheels, which adds a little more sporty feel to it.

 

[Pdog]

Thanks guys. We too purchased a home recently and we really could use an SUV for those Lowe's and Home Depot trips.

I have a Honda S2000, so I will still have some speed in the household

 

[sharp4runr]

Yeah you'll both have to get used to driving the larger 4Runner. I traded in my 93 Celica (Lowered 1.5") for the 4Runner and it took a bit of adjustment but I've become used to the 4Runner and love it. The change is pretty drastic but it's a change for the better.

Good luck with your purchase!

 

[BobbyC]

Pdog,

We purchased an '03 V8 Limited this past August for well under $40 K, do your homework and work more than one dealer. The truck is fully loaded with the exception of the nav system.

My wife actually preferes driving the Runner over her MB E 320 which I find interesting, she absolutely hated driving my old '98 Explorer due to it's "truck like" driving characteristics. These new Runners are quiet, smooth, and handle exceptionally well considering their size and weight. I would recommend the XREAS suspension, my wife was amazed at how this truck cornered compared to the Explorer.

Our MB is comming off lease soon, we are strongly considering another Toyota/Lexus SUV as a replacement. I'm pushing for a GX - would'nt that be sweet;-)

Your neighbor in Northern Jersey

 

[trsnrtr]

Pdog, my wife is 5' 4" and drives my '03 4Runner all the time.

By the way, your board name is familiar. You aren't packing, are you?

 

[EDGE]

Truck has large dimensions but handles like a Corolla, once you get use to the size it's no problem,