TTown
New member
There is your answer!
New Tacoma vs New 4Runner?
- Thread starter WillBill
- Start date
There is your answer!
KCcarguy
New member
I always thought your avatar was a BMX-biker. Now I realize that's what a 6'4"
250lb guy looks like on a mountain bike, LOL!
1engineer
Moderator
Yep! It's a good thing it is a 29er with an XL frame lol! I love to ride I just don't fit the mold of a tour rider
I loved my tacoma the couple months I had it before it got totaled. If you like your creature comforts, a fully loaded taco is a tad lacking. Don't get me wrong, I loved that little truck, but after having a limited 4runner, I probably couldnt go back. The taco now just feels a tad small to haul my husband and 2 dogs, plus all our stuff. If it was just him and me, I'd definitely probably get another one, if I could get some of the options i'd want in it. They just dont offer it.
I just went from a 2004 4Runner SR5 to a Taco Sport with Leather. I do miss the 4Runner - it was just such a quite smooth ride compared to the Taco but I need the hauling capacity.
Compromises that I really didnt want to make but had to in addition to those stated above - no low washer fluid indicator and no heated mirrors on the Taco (big issue in Canada in the winter). I think the Taco is the only vehicle in the Toyota range not to offer heated mirrors as an option now. The 2012 refresh does not improve on that or the outdated drivetrain - expect the 2013 to be a big change though. That said, the Taco is fun to drive and similar in terms of size and maneuverability to the T4R although a somewhat stiffer ride.
Compromises that I really didnt want to make but had to in addition to those stated above - no low washer fluid indicator and no heated mirrors on the Taco (big issue in Canada in the winter). I think the Taco is the only vehicle in the Toyota range not to offer heated mirrors as an option now. The 2012 refresh does not improve on that or the outdated drivetrain - expect the 2013 to be a big change though. That said, the Taco is fun to drive and similar in terms of size and maneuverability to the T4R although a somewhat stiffer ride.
Ghost Runner
New member
I was going to get a tacoma, FJ or 4runner. The cost was the big turn off for the runner when I was looking. I ended up getting a great deal on my 2010 trail edition so it was a dream come true for me!
Some of my thoughts:
FJ - back seat is actually way roomier then tacoma, but the submarine windows suck! Amazing value IMO on this vehicle.
Tacoma - as an avid skiier/boarder/climber having 4 peops and gear to stay warm inside is basically impossible. The tacoma rear seat is actually very small. With the long bed, the wheel base is huge for off roading IMO. Also in Canada, you cannot get a factory locker/off road edition on a 4 door which I thought sucked...I wanted a factory locker! Also cost of a topper made this choice almost the same price as my trail edition.
4runner - Huge backseat! Greater cost, especially for Trail edition...which IMO is such a great vehicle. Same part time 4wd system the tacoma has - very proven for reliablitly, despite what the Limited vs Part time (trail ed/sr5) debate might indicate
Other thoughts on the 4runner engine/transmission. Some gripe about a lack of power...personally I think this is bull. I just drove 800 km in a brand new Tundra....guess what, it downshifts on smallish hills just like the 4runner, taking advantage of a more suitable engine RPM for the terrain. The 6 speed in the tundra will actually downshift around the same time as the 5th gen runner. Some gripe about not having a 6 speed...I think the 5th gear in the 6 speed is not that usefull....and suprisingly 6th gear in the tundra will run around the same RPM at say 80 MPH as 5th gear will in the runner.
Im going to claim that the new v6 on the runner drives a lot like a V8, yet gets superior milage to any older v8, just as it was designed.
I love the tacoma, love the older V8 runners, love the FJ but my choice hands down, for my family, is the 5th generation 4runner with KDSS and locking rear differential.
Some of my thoughts:
FJ - back seat is actually way roomier then tacoma, but the submarine windows suck! Amazing value IMO on this vehicle.
Tacoma - as an avid skiier/boarder/climber having 4 peops and gear to stay warm inside is basically impossible. The tacoma rear seat is actually very small. With the long bed, the wheel base is huge for off roading IMO. Also in Canada, you cannot get a factory locker/off road edition on a 4 door which I thought sucked...I wanted a factory locker! Also cost of a topper made this choice almost the same price as my trail edition.
4runner - Huge backseat! Greater cost, especially for Trail edition...which IMO is such a great vehicle. Same part time 4wd system the tacoma has - very proven for reliablitly, despite what the Limited vs Part time (trail ed/sr5) debate might indicate
Other thoughts on the 4runner engine/transmission. Some gripe about a lack of power...personally I think this is bull. I just drove 800 km in a brand new Tundra....guess what, it downshifts on smallish hills just like the 4runner, taking advantage of a more suitable engine RPM for the terrain. The 6 speed in the tundra will actually downshift around the same time as the 5th gen runner. Some gripe about not having a 6 speed...I think the 5th gear in the 6 speed is not that usefull....and suprisingly 6th gear in the tundra will run around the same RPM at say 80 MPH as 5th gear will in the runner.
Im going to claim that the new v6 on the runner drives a lot like a V8, yet gets superior milage to any older v8, just as it was designed.
I love the tacoma, love the older V8 runners, love the FJ but my choice hands down, for my family, is the 5th generation 4runner with KDSS and locking rear differential.
Sells
New member
Did they stop putting a locker in the 4 door off road tacoma? I had a 2010 and it had a rear locker.
You can only get the locker on a 4door with shortbox, and you can only get the shortbox with the manual transmission. If you want an automatic 4 door you have to get the long box, in Canada. Us Canadians get stuck with premade Toyota packages.
The wife and I bought a Tacoma 4 door TRD with leather new in 2009, it worked fantastic when we had only one kid. Now with 2 kids if you want the car seat facing forward the seats have to move forward to an uncomfortable driving position, so with that we are actually looking at a 4runner.
The Tacoma has been fantastic, the back seats are big enough for adults, I wouldn't go on a week long road trip with 5 people, but I would do day trips. As other people have mentioned, the Tacoma is a truck and it's a little sparse on the luxury comforts, the 4runner is quite a bit more luxury than the Tacoma, but you also pay for it. If you really need a truck bed to haul things, then go with a Tacoma. If you don't need a bed for any reason then go with the 4runner.
Tacomaworld is a great website for all things Tacoma
The wife and I bought a Tacoma 4 door TRD with leather new in 2009, it worked fantastic when we had only one kid. Now with 2 kids if you want the car seat facing forward the seats have to move forward to an uncomfortable driving position, so with that we are actually looking at a 4runner.
The Tacoma has been fantastic, the back seats are big enough for adults, I wouldn't go on a week long road trip with 5 people, but I would do day trips. As other people have mentioned, the Tacoma is a truck and it's a little sparse on the luxury comforts, the 4runner is quite a bit more luxury than the Tacoma, but you also pay for it. If you really need a truck bed to haul things, then go with a Tacoma. If you don't need a bed for any reason then go with the 4runner.
Tacomaworld is a great website for all things Tacoma
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