No more 4r's after 1014 ?

Register to hide this ad
just some yahoo with a blog. lol.

The FJ Cruiser... one of four currently excellent stock off roaders offered... yeah no. Not even much of a mention of why. "truck based." body on frame would be a better reason.

I don't see them going anywhere.
 
I doubt Toyota would have facelifted the 4Runner if they planned to kill it at the end of the 2014 model year.

The author of that article is talking from the same place that marketing projections come from.
 
that article is misleading. if you click the "read all" link at the bottom you see that the article actually has a dead list and a "On The Bubble" list. so the writer is just speculating from what i can see on the 4runner.
 
Can't say why Toyota would "kill" the 4Runner if they can sell 50-60,000 units annually, without any major changes. Honda still has the Ridgeline in production and they'd be lucky to sell that many units in 5 years. Speculation.
 
The Pathfinder is dead. It has been replaced with a car-based Crossover that shares no DNA with previous generation 'finders. Even the last model year was a softened up independed rear suspension trucklet, paving the way for the current edition.

Truck-based SUVs are dead in America. People want car-like handling and fuel economy, with roominess and the promise of "all-weather" handling that can come from AWD sourced from a front-wheel drive platform.

Every manufacturer has shifted over to car-based Crossovers with a few notable holdouts (Wrangler, 5th Gen 4Runner) and the giant T-Rex 'burbans and Tahoes soldier on because they're used by Government and contractors. The Armada is an ancient model, the Sequoia sales are dwindling. The Grand Cherokee and Durango have independent rear suspensions and losing sales to car-based vehicles.

I feel that over time there will be fewer and fewer truck based SUVs because THEY DON'T SELL, and the people who wheel are more likely to buy an old truck as a project vehicle (something without lots of computer systems that light up like a Christmas tree of failures with a lift).

I drive my Trail down a long dirt road every day, but probably don't plan on taking it on serious off road trails unless I can't get my 80 Series back to life.
 
That's not right. My dealer said the 2015 models will have the 5.7 with the 6 speed and have an option for a solid front axle with air lockers.

And, heated cup holders...:banana:
 
LandCruiser said:
The Pathfinder is dead. It has been replaced with a car-based Crossover that shares no DNA with previous generation 'finders. Even the last model year was a softened up independed rear suspension trucklet, paving the way for the current edition.

Truck-based SUVs are dead in America. People want car-like handling and fuel economy, with roominess and the promise of "all-weather" handling that can come from AWD sourced from a front-wheel drive platform.

Every manufacturer has shifted over to car-based Crossovers with a few notable holdouts (Wrangler, 5th Gen 4Runner) and the giant T-Rex 'burbans and Tahoes soldier on because they're used by Government and contractors. The Armada is an ancient model, the Sequoia sales are dwindling. The Grand Cherokee and Durango have independent rear suspensions and losing sales to car-based vehicles.

I feel that over time there will be fewer and fewer truck based SUVs because THEY DON'T SELL, and the people who wheel are more likely to buy an old truck as a project vehicle (something without lots of computer systems that light up like a Christmas tree of failures with a lift).

I drive my Trail down a long dirt road every day, but probably don't plan on taking it on serious off road trails unless I can't get my 80 Series back to life.
Click to expand...

Good point on market trends, but I don't think Toyota would do such an extensive refresh for a one year run. The next gen 4runner could be a real let-down though.....or even cancelled. Regardless of what happens in the US, I have no doubt the Prado/ Hilux platform will live on for many years on the international market.

I've always wondered if Toyota could make the 4runner more profitable by returning it to a simple SUV version of a Tacoma exterior/ interior panels and all. I would totally buy that!
 
KCcarguy said:
I've always wondered if Toyota could make the 4runner more profitable by returning it to a simple SUV version of a Tacoma exterior/ interior panels and all. I would totally buy that!
Click to expand...

You could argue that Toyota did the cheap thing with the FJ Cruiser a few years back, but with mixed success. The truck is basic and no-frills while sporting decent off-road tech and a good engine for its size, but has terrible visibility and weird styling.

They also had a short run of the 26k MSRP 5th gen 4runner with the 4 banger engine. Not sure if any sold, or were they just a boondoggle to get butts into dealerships expecting a 4Runner for under 30k.

As it stands, the current 4Runner reminds me of the 80 series Cruisers--great off road trucks, but dangling on the edge of being priced out of relevance. That doesn't get better when you see most are on-road oriented models and 4x4 version sales are falling off.

You can get a new cheapass Xterra for about 26-27k if you squeeze the Nissan dealer and you wind up with a bare bones no BS 4x4 truck with 4 real doors. I should know, I almost bought one except for some reason I instead bought a Trail 4Runner for 10 grand more.

Is there anything on my Trail that I love so much that I wouldn't be willing to buy a much cheaper version of the truck and spend 3-4k on mods and tires? No, can't think of anything I'd miss. But the demographic of 4Runner owners isn't hardcore wheelers... so would Toyota feel the need to offer a cheap version of what is only seen by a few as a serious off-roader?
 
KCcarguy said:
I've always wondered if Toyota could make the 4runner more profitable by returning it to a simple SUV version of a Tacoma exterior/ interior panels and all. I would totally buy that!
Click to expand...

if the 4runner interior will be anything like the new 2012/3 tacoma's, i will pass. i hate the warden's hard plastic door sill, dash etc.

my elbows hurt resting on that hard plastic.
 
LandCruiser said:
You could argue that Toyota did the cheap thing with the FJ Cruiser a few years back, but with mixed success. The truck is basic and no-frills while sporting decent off-road tech and a good engine for its size, but has terrible visibility and weird styling.

They also had a short run of the 26k MSRP 5th gen 4runner with the 4 banger engine. Not sure if any sold, or were they just a boondoggle to get butts into dealerships expecting a 4Runner for under 30k.

As it stands, the current 4Runner reminds me of the 80 series Cruisers--great off road trucks, but dangling on the edge of being priced out of relevance. That doesn't get better when you see most are on-road oriented models and 4x4 version sales are falling off.

You can get a new cheapass Xterra for about 26-27k if you squeeze the Nissan dealer and you wind up with a bare bones no BS 4x4 truck with 4 real doors. I should know, I almost bought one except for some reason I instead bought a Trail 4Runner for 10 grand more.

Is there anything on my Trail that I love so much that I wouldn't be willing to buy a much cheaper version of the truck and spend 3-4k on mods and tires? No, can't think of anything I'd miss. But the demographic of 4Runner owners isn't hardcore wheelers... so would Toyota feel the need to offer a cheap version of what is only seen by a few as a serious off-roader?
Click to expand...

Well, I'm just dreaming here anyway, but I just think they could outfit the 4runner to fit many tastes and still keep a fairly basic package (they did it in the 90's). And it would not have the drawbacks of the FJ. I'm no automotive manufacturing expert, but I would assume it would be more economical to share as many body panels and components as possible with another high-volume vehicle like the Tacoma....making lower-volume sales profitable. (?)

I guess I'm thinking something like the Fortuner, but built more to American tastes with Tacoma Styling instead of Hilux. Or better yet, why not just bring the more basic level Prados here and re-badge them as 4runners? I would bet Lexus goes CUV with the next GX anyway (talk about a crowd that rarely uses their SUVs). They're going to be making Prados anyway, so why not show us Americans some love?

So, for everyone out there, if Toyota DID kill the 4runner (which includes going to a pathfinder-style CUV) what would you do?

A) Give up and buy a Wrangler?

B) Buy a Tacoma/ Tundra crew cab and throw a shell on it?

C) Buy the new CUV version?

D) Hold on to your current 4r 'til it dies then rebuild it using scrap parts?

E) Buy another American SUV?
 
NoDak said:
if the 4runner interior will be anything like the new 2012/3 tacoma's, i will pass. i hate the warden's hard plastic door sill, dash etc.

my elbows hurt resting on that hard plastic.
Click to expand...

OK, but what's the alternative? I would rather have a 4runner with hard plastic than none at all. Comfy interiors are nice, but that's not what I buy a Toyota truck for.
 
I'd probably buy a Taco 4x4 4 banger with a stick and throw a shell and lift on it.

I'm all for a base model 4Runner with steelies and industrial-grade interior, but I don't see Toyota offering it, even as you say doing so would not be too difficult for them. Especially if they shift production to their Tacoma plants for the base model.

Having driven bare-bones trucks (and beaten up old Cruisers) for so long there's little I miss as long as my ass is in a comfy chair and there's AC. I didn't even realize the LCD panel in my truck was connected to anything but the backup camera until about two weeks ago.

Not sure how many people would agree with that sentiment, tho.
 
KCcarguy said:
So, for everyone out there, if Toyota DID kill the 4runner (which includes going to a pathfinder-style CUV) what would you do?

A) Give up and buy a Wrangler?

B) Buy a Tacoma/ Tundra crew cab and throw a shell on it?

C) Buy the new CUV version?

D) Hold on to your current 4r 'til it dies then rebuild it using scrap parts?

E) Buy another American SUV?
Click to expand...
E) I would, without hesitation, go back to Jeep and get a Grand Cherokee if the 4Runner turns into anything that looks like the new Pathfinder when it comes time to get a new vehicle. This is all assuming I am not in the market for something like a Denali, Lexus GX/LX, Escalade (doubt I'd ever get one) etc.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 847 (members: 5, guests: 842)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,312
Messages
3,554,087
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top