PLEASE talk me off of the ledge / 2011 T4R Limited

[Juiceman]

Mountaineer, I hear ya about the "newest toy" syndrome. It is really hard to resist. It's funny, I was at a funeral a couple of weeks ago and my cousin and his wife had just purchased a black 4-door JK as a second car. So as I was checking it out, my sister walks up behind me and out of the clear blue says, "I LOVE Wranglers". Now here's a woman who I NEVER remember opining about any car pro or con, in fact she barely even drives, yet here she goes claiming her devotion to the iconing Jeep LOL. But after everyone's input, I think I am leaning towards the used Wrangler, maybe try to pick one up with the old I-6, which was a really dependable power plant. Although I am definitely test driving the 2012. But I do really appreciate everyone's input. This is a tremendous forum and thanks for treating a newbie with such respect!!

 

[mountaineer83]

Wanting a new toy often is hard to deal with, especially now that I'm settling down and will be married soon. I used to trade everytime i got bored, which, is why I made sure I loved the 4Runner this time. I love it, but, I will see a silver one (mine is black) or a mag grey or whatever color, and instantly it's "man, I should have gotten that color, or maybe a Tundra Rock Warrior?" It never ends :redbrick:

So, with that said, I will keep the 4R until it's paid off hopefully, then I have my eyes on another mustang or maybe a vette.

 

[Juiceman]

Mountaineer, my God, you sound EXACTLY like me. Here I thought I was the only one LOL. At one point a few years ago, I was through 8 vehicles in the space of literally 8 years. I stopped after I got the H3 in '07. As an aside, I had the '06 Grand Cherokee SRT-8. That truck was nasty with the 6.1 hemi, but it had some issues. From the start, the transmission was all over the place. Each time I drove it, it felt like a different vehicle. One day it was really quick off the line if I floored it, the next day there was a crazy hesitation before the truck would take off. No way that thing was doing an under 5 second 60. Then not soon after I purchased it I started smelling burning transmission fluid. The main tech at the dealership was clueless but did admit that they having issues with the transmissions. The low profile tires were a mess, I had two flats in like 3 months. They were really hard to balance. At one point, I had such a bad shimmey in the steering wheel that it was almost undrivable at speed. The front fascia was almost scraping the ground and got all nicked up after only a few weeks of driving. The rear tailpipes were smack dab in the middle of the truck so you couldn't unload anything from the back if the truck was running or you would literally burn the skin off of your shins. Oh, and the fit and finish was horrible. It was just a badly executed truck. I'm sure the newer models were improved but I have to say that the 2012 is absolutely gorgeous. I sure do hope the quality has improved.

 

[fxoffroad]

What I see here is, the expectation with a Jeep product is much lower than a Toyota - which seems to beckon the question... why dump your 4Runner.

Ultimately I'm not sure why any words/wisdom from a bunch of randoms on the internet would matter to you. No offense, but good luck w/ that.

I too have vehicle-igits... in fact last week I went out and tested a new Land Cruiser, Sequoia and a GX. I figured I'd really want the GX but no - the only thing that I really like is the interior. The Land Cruiser was great, but in reality the 4Runner is just a better fit for me and doesn't feel like a boat. The Sequoia - well that was just a waste of time.

All this just re-affirmed why I bought the 4Runner in the first place. Happy to say (for the first time), completely happy with what I have.

I totally agree with...

...Apparently nothing stops you when you want a new vehicle so you expect a few words typed on an internet forum to help you? I don't think so. Enjoy the new vehicle.

 

[platinumb]

‪Killing a Toyota part 1 - Top Gear - BBC‬‏ - YouTube

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfZDtC9kjVk

watch his and the following videos it will convince you to keep the toyota.

i like jeeps too, most others on here seem to have the same opinion of them as i do i have an 03 wrangler it is a fun weekend car as a comuter they are crap.

 

[platinumb]

here is the second attempt to destroy it the following week.

‪Top Gear - killing a Toyota Pt 3 - BBC‬‏ - YouTube

 

[Thai]

my H3 rode like a tank and was absolutely indestructible or should I say unstoppable when driving in heavy snow.

But my impulsive side is getting the best of me, because I am very close to ordering a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with the new Pentastar V6.

But the Jeep, despite its myriad and well-discussed shortcomings, has an indefinable or intangible allure that I am at a loss to explain, which I presume is partly responsible for its robust resale value.

A few minor notes:

1. You apparently buy 4x4s more for their all-weather capability than pure off-road capability.

2. Wranglers have a part-time 4x4 system, which makes them less "useable" than your 4runner Limited's full-time system capability in bad weather.

3. As everyone on here can tell you, i am a BIG fan of the Wrangler! But, like some here said, it is more of a fun weekend vehicle or a great 2nd vehicle. As a daily driver, it drinks more gas than your 4runner (at least with the current powertrain) and obviously not as comfortable nor as safe.

4. Do you know what auto transmission it will have with the Pentastar? Is it going to be the same transmission as the JGC or a 4-speed again? Whatever it may be, just make sure that it is a JGC tranny, and not from the Chrysler 200! (Back when the 4-speed auto first came out, it came from the Sebring and would literally die on any type of hill due to lack of proper fluid management!!) Of course, if you get the 6-speed manual, then this is a moot point.

What I should do is keep my T4R and just get the 2012 Wrangler...but in this economy and with this administration, it's very hard to predict what's going to happen....there is too damn much uncertainty.....better to be conservative and maintain a strong cash position....that's the banker in my talking....years ago I had a new H2 and a pre-owned Lexus SC400, which for me was the very best of both worlds.....I used the SC400 as my DD and took out my H2 (which I heavily aftermarketed) on weekends and special occasions LOL.....

Gas prices will go up again i am sure...do you really want two gas gulping vehicle in your garage??? You will get rape when you do sell them down the road.

BTW, trading in your new 4runner this early is not exactly "maintaining a strong cash position" regardless!!

(Trust me, i know EXACTLY how you feel...lets just say that i have owned more cars than you over a lesser time frame!!! So, blind leading the blind?! )

Good luck with whatever you decide.

PS: Maintaining a strong cash position = sucking it up and find another love/hobby instead of upgrading cars every year! (For me, i found guns and other little hobbies to keep my mind away from cars!)

 

[DocMT]

Just get the Jeep. You know you want it and nothing is going to change that.

I'm basically a two-vehicle guy. I have my 4Runner for my activities (kayaking, skiing, mountain biking, etc...) and for winter driving. I have my Audi A5 for road trips, commuting, mountain driving (and pleasure driving), and pretty much everything else. Best of both words as far as I'm concerned.

 

[phillyd2]

Paragraphs be your friend

Have you considered....... owning both?

 

[TrailEd328]

We traded our 2005 Wrangler Unlimited with 25k miles for our 2011 Trail Edition, and we have not regretted it once. While the 4R's brakes are pretty awful, they are either up to par or a little better even with the current Wranglers. I like the added space, and there are not too many Trail Editions on the road, so it's kind of nice to a have a subtle toyota SUV and it can still stand out. I've received many compliments on the 4runner, and I love driving it... Though coming out of my BMW straight to the Toyota.. it kind of feels like the Toyota is made out of marshmallows, from how soft it drives, haha!

 

[Liam1234]

8 cars in 11 years. Do you have a money printing machine in your basement?

If I were you, I would go get a new M3 and keep the 4Runner. Case closed.

 

[tlflow]

8 cars in 11 years. Do you have a money printing machine in your basement?

If I were you, I would go get a new M3 and keep the 4Runner. Case closed.

I think the Boss302 LagunaSeca would be more fun than an M3, and keep the T4R