On the fence!

[dekeman]

What other midsize SUVs should you try? How much time and money have you got?

Here's just a few I would try:

Acura MDX
Audi Q7 TDI
BMW X5 diesel
Buick Enclave
Chevy Tahoe
Dodge Durango
GMC Yukon
Ford Explorer
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe
Hyundai Vercruze
Infiniti FX
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Land Rover LR4
Lexus GX and RX
Mercedes M-Class
Nissan X-Terra
Nissan Pathfinder V8
Porsche Cayenne
Volkswagon Touareg TDI

Granted, some of these are larger (Yukon) and some smaller (FX, RX) but none seem to have all "the right stuff" that the 4Runner has. I've driven every one of these vehicles, except the LR4 and new Explorer (will drive soon), and the 4Runner still comes out my favorite in this class. The X5 diesel, Q7 TDI and Cayenne are also favourites, but the 4R absolutely kills them on price and reliability.

As others have said, the wandering you detect is less an issue with the truck, and better tires do make a difference.

Good luck shopping.

 

[fmixman]

I Drove the JGC, seemed nice, But I could not help wondering when the thing would turn into a trans nightmare with rust... :') LOL.

Seriously, I think they are nice, but I noticed, at least around Philly area, They are priced like a limited or Trail, for the same features, so the SR5 had it all beat.

As mentioned, the wonder is probably the stock tires, and an easy, less expensive fix, then a JGC sticker.

 

[polishpiper]

Gonna take the JGC for a spin today.
If I was to take the SR5; what tires would you guys recommend? Hopefully this gets back to Toyota so they can realize potential sales are being lost on inferior tires.

 

[snhrph]

Gonna take the JGC for a spin today.

If I was to take the SR5; what tires would you guys recommend? Hopefully this gets back to Toyota so they can realize potential sales are being lost on inferior tires.

Just about any tire except Dunflops GrandTrek.

 

[dekeman]

Gonna take the JGC for a spin today.
If I was to take the SR5; what tires would you guys recommend? Hopefully this gets back to Toyota so they can realize potential sales are being lost on inferior tires.

Really depends on what you're doing with it, but for general on-road use, Michelin LTX M/S2 for summer and Bridgestone Blizzak DM-V1 for winter will make you happy.

 

[RECDOG]

Gonna take the JGC for a spin today.
If I was to take the SR5; what tires would you guys recommend? Hopefully this gets back to Toyota so they can realize potential sales are being lost on inferior tires.

I just put yokohama prada X ..275/55 r 20 on mine...night and day difference

 

[AustinCyclist]

Anyone drove a 2011 JGC here? What were your thoughts?

I made an offer (turned down) on the 2011 JGC Overland 5.7 prior to purchasing the T4R SR5. I was really on the fence. The interior of the GC for the Limited/Overland models is REALLLY nice.. but some of the nobs / plastic is "insanely thin". So not sure how it would last.. like interior lights, they really flex when you hit em.. Exterior wise, I like them about the same.. for the Jeep, the base wheels are ugly.. you have to go with the LImited or Overland to get the nice ones.. which forces you up 7-10k. On the T4R, I actually prefer the SR5 wheels to the Limited.. I would pay more to NOT have the limited wheels. Further, the Overland.. has leather on the dash? that's just waiting to shrink up and crack under the sun in 3 years time..

Drive-ability wise, if you're in the 5.7 Hemi vs the T4R v6, the hemi feels better.. but not by that much.. the 4r handles better and feels more solid.. I think the Jeep is now on a car-frame.. but that's the Mercedes ML frame, and its RWD base (or 4WD of course).. so no issues there.. its legit. both are pretty awesome.. but the T4R has a better track record in reliability.. that's why I ultimately went with the toyota.. and I was happy with the options/price with the toyota more-so than the Jeep.. T4R rides a little higher, has more of a presence to it.. Glad to see Jeep deliver such a nice product though.. I just prefer the 4R once all is compared..

 

[M1911]

I think the Jeep is now on a car-frame.. but that's the Mercedes ML frame, and its RWD base (or 4WD of course)

It's not based on a car and it doesn't have a frame. The JGC is (and always has been) unibody. The unibody platform was under development when Mercedes owned Chrysler, so it was being developed for the JGC, Durango, upcoming ML, and upcoming GL. I don't know how much it diverged after the Mercedes sold Chrysler.

 

[polishpiper]

Well.... I took the JGC for a spin yesterday. I liked the handling, but HATED the space it did not give me. 2nd Row is very crowded...no leg room. I checked Ford; nothing turned me on there either. I will never buy a GM; just don't like the looks of their products, and am still sour about my taxes bailing them out.
I went back to Toyota. I drove the Highlander...love the way it drives, and the interior, but hate the station wagon look. I kept looking at the 4-runner, and the dark metallic gray (charcoal) looks so DAMN COOL!
I'm ready to pull the trigger on it, but I want to be reassured that the road-walking will be taken care of with different tires. The driveability reminds me of an 87 F150 that walked all over the road.
Question: Would a dealer swap tires for me on a new vehicle? I looked at the Dunlops, and they look like balloon tires! I would think somthing with a more vertical sidwall would definetly help...maybe more plys too.
What do you guys have the best luck with on the T4R's on-road handling?

 

[cowaggon]

Bridgstone

My SR5 came with the factory installed bridgstones and I now have 900 miles on it with lots of interstate driving 70 -80 mph and notice ZERO travel. Honestly while I was looking all around central arkansas I saw most 4runners with the bridgestones. After being on this site that was the first thing I looked at when I took delivery, to make sure I had the bridgstones and not the dunlops.

I would say have the dealer install the bridgstones if at all possible.

 

[polishpiper]

My SR5 came with the factory installed bridgstones and I now have 900 miles on it with lots of interstate driving 70 -80 mph and notice ZERO travel. Honestly while I was looking all around central arkansas I saw most 4runners with the bridgestones. After being on this site that was the first thing I looked at when I took delivery, to make sure I had the bridgstones and not the dunlops.

I would say have the dealer install the bridgstones if at all possible.

Do you think it has something to do with the geographical area as to what they put on @ the factory, or do you think my dealer just orders cheap tires? I tried telling the sales manager about my issues with these tires, and he just gave me the Toyota quality speal over and over :redbrick:

 

[snhrph]

I kept looking at the 4-runner, and the dark metallic gray (charcoal) looks so DAMN COOL!

I'm ready to pull the trigger on it, but I want to be reassured that the road-walking will be taken care of with different tires. The driveability reminds me of an 87 F150 that walked all over the road.

Question: Would a dealer swap tires for me on a new vehicle? I looked at the Dunlops, and they look like balloon tires! I would think somthing with a more vertical sidwall would definetly help...maybe more plys too.

What do you guys have the best luck with on the T4R's on-road handling?

I had Dunflops on my GX470 - what a crappy tire. Could not wait to replace them: they were Ok on dry road, but were absolutely horrible in rain. Snow traction was next to non-existent.

Last month I bought Michelin LTX M/S2 and, WOW, what a difference!!! They hold the line, improved cornering, wet traction is great, snow performance is very good for an all-season highway tire.

My T4R had Michelin Cross-Terrains and I was very happy with them. When the time came to have them replaced I bought the GY Wrangler Silent Armor. Awesome tires. Search the forum, there is a lot of info on these tires.

The stealer will replace the tires for you at your expense. You can try making the tires a deal breaker for you and see is you can get any concessions. May be given that the winter is over and the gas prices are on the rise with no ceiling in sight the stealer will be willing to negotiate.

Good luck.

 

[Screecha]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and am in the same dilemma. My wife has a 03 Land Rover Discovery SE7 which is nice but build like a piece of junk. We have had a million problems with the Rover so I finally convinced my wife we need to get something more reliable since we are about to have our first baby in May. My problem is that I think the 10/11 4Runner is awesome compared to everything out there however the price is steep. We just sold our condo so we have the cash to purchase however I am debating if we should get an older vehicle and invest more cash or just go all out on the 4runner.

Anybody with a 5th gen have any regrets minor or major?

If so what other SUV would you choose?

Owners with children, how do you find the ease of use?

Thanks for you time and input

eace:

 

[polishpiper]

Well, pulled the trigger...
Dealer is swapping Dunlops for Michelin Latitude Tours...
Reviews show they're a good tire... anyone have'em?

 

[philsey]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and am in the same dilemma. My wife has a 03 Land Rover Discovery SE7 which is nice but build like a piece of junk. We have had a million problems with the Rover so I finally convinced my wife we need to get something more reliable since we are about to have our first baby in May. My problem is that I think the 10/11 4Runner is awesome compared to everything out there however the price is steep. We just sold our condo so we have the cash to purchase however I am debating if we should get an older vehicle and invest more cash or just go all out on the 4runner.

eace:

You've got a LR and you think a 4R is "steep" ? Uh, OK.

 

[philsey]

Well, pulled the trigger...
Dealer is swapping Dunlops for Michelin Latitude Tours...
Reviews show they're a good tire... anyone have'em?

Smart move. Way to go!! How'd you do that?

 

[Screecha]

You've got a LR and you think a 4R is "steep" ? Uh, OK.

Thanks for the useful information

 

[4RFan]

Congrats! IMO, you just purchased the best built, most reliable, longest lasting, and most off-road capable SUV available. You have a true 'truck based' vehicle ready for whatever you can throw at it.

 

[DigableKid]

Well, pulled the trigger...
Dealer is swapping Dunlops for Michelin Latitude Tours...
Reviews show they're a good tire... anyone have'em?

Congratulations, Piper! Your decision was without a doubt a win-win for you. You get reliability, style, functionality and value in your T4R.

 

[Maji]

Hi All,

I am new to this forum and am in the same dilemma. My wife has a 03 Land Rover Discovery SE7 which is nice but build like a piece of junk. We have had a million problems with the Rover so I finally convinced my wife we need to get something more reliable since we are about to have our first baby in May. My problem is that I think the 10/11 4Runner is awesome compared to everything out there however the price is steep. We just sold our condo so we have the cash to purchase however I am debating if we should get an older vehicle and invest more cash or just go all out on the 4runner.

Anybody with a 5th gen have any regrets minor or major?

If so what other SUV would you choose?

Owners with children, how do you find the ease of use?

Thanks for you time and input

eace:

The only two SUVs that I considered were the Pilot and the T4R. I had a 2003 Pilot (all AWDs at that time) before the 2011 T4R. I needed one with AWD or 4WD, and the T4R was the only one available. Would have to wait for months for a Pilot with AWD.

I am glad though that I got the T4R. It appears a little more robust, and is a true truck. Of course, that means the ride is truck like instead of the Pilot's car like ride. In my opinion, get a new T4R or a Pilot. The Pilot LX comes without much bells and whistles, and if you need a AWD version, it will be around $26,500 before TTL. It is cheaper than than the base SR5 T4R, but really the base T4R is comparable to the Pilot EX.

Anyway, my recommendation is to get either of the two.