OK, here is my story. I’ve been a lurker on these boards for at least a month or two prior to taking ownership of a mag-grey 2011 T4R Limited in April. Needless to say, I’ve devoted hours upon hours researching the T4R (and other SUV’s under consideration) because I wanted to be 100% sure of my decision. Some history about my previous vehicles. I am very impulsive by nature, so I tended to change vehicles on a whim, but not so much recently, as I really liked my last vehicle. So since 1999, I’ve owned a BMW M3 (new), a Jeep Liberty Renegade Edition (new), an H2 (new), a Lexus SC 400 (used), a 2-door Jeep Wrangler Sport with the inline 6 (new), a Land Rover LR3 (new) and a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (new). Most of the time I’ve owned two vehicles at one time, one as a daily driver and one as a “garager”. My last vehicle before purchasing the 4Runner was a 2007 H3 (which I ordered with both the Off-Road/Adventure and Luxury packages) which I absolutely loved. I know the H3 and Hummers in general get little respect on these boards but my H3 rode like a tank and was absolutely indestructible or should I say unstoppable when driving in heavy snow. During some massive northeastern snowstorms (I live in S.E. PA) over the past 4 years, no matter how bad the conditions, the H3 drove like it was 70 degrees and sunny, and I am not exaggerating when I say that. The H2 was the same way, although I didn’t see quite as much snow when I owned it. Great great trucks in the snow, and a much better ride than one would ever expect on dry pavement. Sturdy and solid all the way around. With a bit more fine tuning, I think GM could have really had a great niche product, much like Chrysler does with the Wrangler. In fact, I would probably still have some version of the H2 (which I first purchased in ’04) if it wasn’t for the size of my garage. Which brings me to the 2011 Limited. I have nothing but good things to say about this vehicle. Since April, I have had absolutely no issues with the truck, at least none that seem to be prevalent on these boards. It tracks straight on the highway (no drift to speak of), there are no vibrations in the steering wheel or stutter when shifting, no nose dive when breaking, the handling is superb (especially coming from the more cumbersome H3) the acceleration is more than adequate and I don’t notice any vibrations or alterations in the hood at high speeds. I can’t even hear the damn engine when it’s running it’s that quiet. Even the interior, which many on these boards have described as somewhat “low-brow” or “plasticky”, is fine by my standards. I think the dash is well laid out and easy to operate. The nav is actually better than I expected. I actually like the look of the interior overall. Fit and finish of the exterior is great. The only thing that I believe could be improved upon are the breaks, which are entirely too pliant or spongy for such a heavy vehicle. The H3 was very truck-like, even more so than the T4R perhaps, yet the breaks on the H3 were far far superior. The breaks on my T4R sort of remind me of the breaks on my old ’77 Caddy Seville, which were something that you had to experience to believe. Oh, and the strange and somewhat restrictive choice of wheels on the Limited is curious, but that’s another story altogether. But the thing that really impresses me is the tightness and the solid feel of the vehicle. The engineering is just on a totally different level from what I’m used to in the past. I know Toyota has had quality control issues of late, but you couldn’t tell by riding in my T4R. 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. Now, please, before you folks hang me out to dry, please know that I totally understand the difference between Toyota engineering and the absolute crap that Chrysler usually produces. 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. I probably would have chosen the Rubicon before the 4Runner in April but that ****ty 3.8 was an absolute nonstarter for me. Do not misunderstand, I am very happy with the 4Runner, but I just can’t shake the call of the Jeep, which as illogical as it may seem, is there nonetheless. Remember, I have owned a Jeep in the past, so I know pretty much know what I am getting myself into here, although Chrysler has definitely improved the vehicle since 2005 (which is the model year I owned). Also note that I heavily modified my first Jeep, but my T4R is stock. So please, 4Runner friends, talk me off of the ledge because I am afraid I am about to jump.
PLEASE talk me off of the ledge / 2011 T4R Limited
- Thread starter Juiceman
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BrianLSU
New member
I'm not sure I can talk you out of it, but as a former Rubicon owner here's my take.
I have always loved Jeep's, CJ's. The final conclusion I came to recently, after owning two Wranglers over a 16 year period and using them as a primary vehicle is, they don't make good primary vehicles. I can hear the radio on the highway now, talk on the phone, get better mileage and more storage and have a much more comfortable ride. All without loosing off-road ability.
I'm looking now to get a nice condition CJ for the weekends and keep it for life, just not use it for a primary vehicle.
Plus, with this, I can keep the top off and pull it out on nice days. The whole top off, top on, top off thing gets REALLY old. Nothing sucked more than having to go somewhere, it's raining and you have the top off.
I have always loved Jeep's, CJ's. The final conclusion I came to recently, after owning two Wranglers over a 16 year period and using them as a primary vehicle is, they don't make good primary vehicles. I can hear the radio on the highway now, talk on the phone, get better mileage and more storage and have a much more comfortable ride. All without loosing off-road ability.
I'm looking now to get a nice condition CJ for the weekends and keep it for life, just not use it for a primary vehicle.
Plus, with this, I can keep the top off and pull it out on nice days. The whole top off, top on, top off thing gets REALLY old. Nothing sucked more than having to go somewhere, it's raining and you have the top off.
sevenstorydrop
New member
Wranglers ae awesome.. if you don't have to drive it everyday. They are loud, they have tons of rattles. My friend has one and loves it, but it' like riding in a 1985 ford. It's not tight, and it's hard to keep cool in the summer, and he has a hardtop.
1engineer
Moderator
Why not? You admittedly have no brand loyalty to any manufacturer, any vehicle type loyalty to any segment and trade on a whim. 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.
You both make great points....thank you very much for the input...believe me, I appreciate it......there is a real fun factor with the Jeep on so many levels, especially during the summertime, but it is not practical as a DD for sure...so I am really drawn to keeping the T4R and buying a used Jeep...BUT the one thing that really has gotten my attention is the new Pentastar....I drove Jeep GC with the Pentastar in April when I was deciding what to buy and that engine was pretty responsive, probably equal to (or maybe a tad bit better than) the T4R...I am really curious to see how it performs under Wrangler sheet metal......
Engineer, I have always admired the T4R and Toyota for that matter...Geez, I even talked my ex-girlfriend into buying a Rav4...and my current girlfriend is looking at the Rav4's herself on my recommendation....it's not brand loyalty for me....if anyting, I should be a Ford man as my brother-in-law is an executive at Ford in Michigan but I haven't driven a Ford product since my 1997 Explorer, which I really liked and gave me no problems at all...but I never felt compelled to get another Ford after I got rid of the Explorer...I went into a BMW and that was that.....brand loyalty isn't what it once was as far as I'm concerned.....especially now when a lot of the domestics build oversees and vice versa....
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.....
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
I have a 4runner and a modified Jeep Wrangler 2 door. For off roading in the desert there is no comparison for me. Me jeep is older and I do not care if it gets scratched up. It will go places the 4runner would never have a chance at going and my 4runner is lifted. I love my Jeep around town with the manual trans and top off in nice weather. It is a great 2nd vehicle for me and I have had it 10 trouble free years. I would not want to use it on long highway trips though. My 4runner serves that purpose. By the way my wife hates the Jeep because it it to hard for here to climb up into it. Ge both.
Sounds to me like a "keep the T4R as a primary vehicle, and get a beater CJ for the money you would otherwise have spent on modifying the T4R"..... plenty of those around in "this" economy...
ohhh and you may also want to invest in some paragraph breaks... I'll sell them to you, but I hear they come for free with the enter key on your keyboard! LOL :frog:
Okki
kmiller8821
New member
Juiceman:
I share your passion for cars/trucks, I myself have had a 97 4Runner Limited, 98 Toyota Landcruiser, 2001 4Runner Sport, 2005 4Runner SR5, 2006 4Runner SR5, and now a 2010 4Runner Limited. The only difference here? I am an avid brand loyalist. I like new, but I also love the reliability, dependability, and quality that a Toyota vehicle brings to me. Does some of the other offers "look" better? Perhaps, but we all know, looks can be very deceiving. There is one thing in this world that's a constant to me. My Toyota. While other offers may have better looks (others opinion, I love mine), what seals Toyota to me is knowing that every time I get in the truck, it's going to start, get me where I'm going, and return me safely, without fail, every single time. To that end, life's also too short not to be happy. If you feel you need to jump to another brand to make you happy, then: Peace! Later! Adios! Ciao! Coming here to ask us if you should go to your jeep, from a product we all love and admire, is just not realistic.
In the end, you drive it, you decide.
Good luck!
PS: Make sure you get roadside assistance, you'll need it!
I share your passion for cars/trucks, I myself have had a 97 4Runner Limited, 98 Toyota Landcruiser, 2001 4Runner Sport, 2005 4Runner SR5, 2006 4Runner SR5, and now a 2010 4Runner Limited. The only difference here? I am an avid brand loyalist. I like new, but I also love the reliability, dependability, and quality that a Toyota vehicle brings to me. Does some of the other offers "look" better? Perhaps, but we all know, looks can be very deceiving. There is one thing in this world that's a constant to me. My Toyota. While other offers may have better looks (others opinion, I love mine), what seals Toyota to me is knowing that every time I get in the truck, it's going to start, get me where I'm going, and return me safely, without fail, every single time. To that end, life's also too short not to be happy. If you feel you need to jump to another brand to make you happy, then: Peace! Later! Adios! Ciao! Coming here to ask us if you should go to your jeep, from a product we all love and admire, is just not realistic.
In the end, you drive it, you decide.
Good luck!
PS: Make sure you get roadside assistance, you'll need it!
It's ironic, I just bumped into a guy in the hall who attended the same High School as I, in fact we graduated the same year and had lunch together one year. It's a coincidence that happens to work at the same company. He just told me that he owns a Toyota Avalon with 240K + miles on it. He's looking to finally trade up and he is considering only Toyota, maybe the Tundra. His wife is looking at the Rav4 and the Nissan Murano. He said he would never consider anything but a Toyota and NEVER even think about an American brand.
And as far as moving to a Toyota, I ALWAYS admired the brand because of the legendary dependibility factory. When my brother was in his 20's (in the early to mid 80's), he drove a beat up old blue Toyota Corrolla. That thing would not die. I still remember it clear as day. I know he bought it with over 100K on the odo and I know for a fact that he put at least another 100K on it. He pounded that thing. Then he got a brand new Taurus and had lots of problems over the years. My ex has had no problems with her Rav4 for over 5 years now. My next door neighbor had a silver 4th Gen that he loved which I always admired so I've always had it in the back of my mind to get a 4Runner at some point.
I loved my 97 TJ Wrangler and probably would have bought a new limited Jeep over the 4runner a few years ago. No Penestar at the time made the lack of power in the Jeep a no go. Now after experiencing the quality and refined nature of the 4runner I would never consider the Jeep as a primary vehicle even with the Penestar.
mountaineer83
New member
I have owned two YJ Wranglers in the past and loved both. One was a '90 with the 4.2L, and it was very slow. The other was a '95 Rio Grande. I loved the '95 for around town and driving to college, but it was no comparison to my 4Runner that I now have and love.
My advice would be to keep the 4R for trips, hauling passengers, etc. And if possible, then just buy you a nice TJ Wrangler ('97-04) to have as a daily driver and your project or off-road vehicle. You can pick them up realatively cheap anymore compared to the $30K + for the new wrangler. Then you have the best of both worlds.
But, at the end of the day, it's your decision since you are the one driving and paying for whichever you chose. I would probably wait until the new wrangler comes out with the new pentastar engine, then drive it. You may order it and then hate it once you take it home. Just my opinion. Good luck as I know how it feels to want the "newest" toy.
My advice would be to keep the 4R for trips, hauling passengers, etc. And if possible, then just buy you a nice TJ Wrangler ('97-04) to have as a daily driver and your project or off-road vehicle. You can pick them up realatively cheap anymore compared to the $30K + for the new wrangler. Then you have the best of both worlds.
But, at the end of the day, it's your decision since you are the one driving and paying for whichever you chose. I would probably wait until the new wrangler comes out with the new pentastar engine, then drive it. You may order it and then hate it once you take it home. Just my opinion. Good luck as I know how it feels to want the "newest" toy.
