Ready to drink the Kool-aid...buying a Runner...

[HowardRoark]

Hello Gentlemen...and Ladies...

Yes, this is my first post and I'm really excited to join the family as soon as I can!

I am in the process of looking for my new 4R and I REALLY need to get some input from you all on an issue I just can't seem to come to a conclusion on.

I'll just skip all the proverbial banter and jump right into it, but rest assured I sincerely appreciate anyone taking the time to help me out. I look forward to participating as much as I can on here.


OK, first issue...I'm not one that goes off road all that much, but I am torn between being set on getting a 4x4 or 2WD. The way I see it is, the 4x4 would be good to have in case I need it, but once again, I really don't think I will be using it maybe a handful of times a year...Is there any reason why a 2WD wouldn't be a better choice? I was always of the mindset that, "If you're going to get and SUV, might as well be a 4x4." Kind of like needing to get a Mustang or Camaro with a V8 and not a V6 type of thinking...


I'm not too much of an off-roader type, yet I still want it to have the capability of handling more than pavement or snow. I'm not climbing rocks, but...I'm sure you guys get the idea.

I'm a HUGE car audio guy and as soon as I get this thing, it will be getting 4 15s, so at least I can be of service in the audio department as my stay here progresses.

Thanks a lot for any help from any of you!

 

[jimithing]

Welcome to the site.

I use my 4wd all the time on pavement. I turn it on when it rains for extra traction. Not to mention the ice we get from time to time in the winter.

4 15s? Is there really a difference between 2 and 4?

 

[settytb]

Where do you live? Do you get snow often where you live? I would get the 4x4 just because the resale is way higher... no one wants to buy a used 2wd truck. That's just my 2 cents.

 

[NJshadow93]

In my opinion, if you're on the fence about 4x2 vs 4x4, ALWAYS get the 4x4. You know what they say, it's better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it...although 4x2 4Runners are decent off road.

 

[jediwebdude]

You say you aren't really the 4x4 type. Get the 4WD and then try out 4x4 in an off-road park. You'll be hooked.

 

[OHP]

4x4 hands down. Resale is way better and its there if you ever need it.

Why does anyone need 4 15's? Are you a professional db drag competitor?

 

[bluemarlin04]

I'm going to say get a two wheel. I've owned both types of vehicles and prefer the two wheel drive. Take a hard look at what you're going to be doing with it. Are you really going to off road it? I'm not talking about driving down a dirt road either.

It costs more to drive and requires more maintenance. I decided on 2wd for the time being.

 

[chris360hawks]

Get 4x4. If you never use it, solely for resale purposes. End of story.

 

[JohnnyT]

Get the 4x4. You never know.

Tomorrow your boss may decide to relocate you to Saskatchewan. Then you'll be glad you got it.

May want to buy a good warm coat too.

 

[boondoggle]

If you were the real Howard Roark you wouldn't care what people think. And you'd have a boring 30 page navel gazing illogical sermon to yourself on why you'd be better off taking a bus.

Ad you certainly wouldn't have 4 subs.

Get the 4x2. By the time you fill your cargo area with speakers you won't have any room for adventure gear anyhow.

I would never buy a 2WD SUV, personally.

 

[jambone]

Don't know where you live, but here in DFW, I like the 4wd. It's great for the roads that become very slick with the first drop of rain, and for the 1 or 2 times per year it snows here. I also like to use it on summer vacations to the mountains.

The additional maintenance isn't a big deal. And as others have mentioned, it'll be easier to sell down the road if you choose to do so.

Better to have it and not use it much than to constantly wish you had it.

Either way, they're great trucks and I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you end up with. Welcome aboard!

 

[dwm2112]

Get the 4X4 if snow is a possibility. My wife's 4Runner is really a snow cruiser. With the 4X4 it does really well in the snow.

 

[bluemarlin04]

Get 4x4. If you never use it, solely for resale purposes. End of story.

That's not end of story. The high resale doesn't really do anything if you have to pay more for it upfront. At most, you'll have depreciation that's about the same as a 2wd.

I always laugh at people that have 4x4 and don't really use it. Rain? Come on, that's a joke and we all know it. Snow? Modern winter tires get most people around fine unless you live in the sticks. If you off-road for a hobby that's fine, but if you just want to drive to and from work and like having the cargo space, go with 2wd.

You'd be surprised how far a 2wd can go.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Welcome to the site.
4 15s? Is there really a difference between 2 and 4?

Yes. With (2) 15's you can only piss off the people that live on your street. With (4) 15's, you can piss of the whole neighborhood, maybe the next one over too.

Sounds to me like it'll be a road runner. No problem with that, I recommend the 4x2 for the OP, which leaves the 4x4s for the people that want/need it.

 

[Mytoy4]

Welcome! Best of luck in your search!

 

[MidwestT4R]

My runner is the first 4 wheel drive car I have ever owned. I drove rear wheel drive cars when I first got my license and they just plain sucked in the snow, even with studded tires. I drove front wheel drive cars for years and they were better in snow and yes, rainy streets. But they still required a little practice figuring out how hard you could hit the gas without spinning the tires. Even with snow tires on them.

I now have a V8 limited with full time four wheel drive. Any, and I mean any, snow I can just hit the gas and take off. Same for driving in rainy weather. It has been a revelation to feel that kind of control when driving. We had a 20 inch snow storm a couple of years ago and I was the only car that could make it out of the court I live on. It was amazing.

Yes, you will spend a bit more on the four wheel drive. But I have to ask. Do you have a family? Any loved ones driving in the car with you? Any chance of a huge snowstorm? If so, get the four wheel drive. Why? Because braking ability is only one way to get out of a dangerous situation when driving. The ability to accelerate is another.

 

[Aren G]

Don't want the 4x4 version? Interested to know why you're considering a 4runner.

 

[HowardRoark]

Thank you all very much for your input, condescensions...LOL! I'm most likely going to get the 4x4, but I just needed some thoughts from all of you that have owned these vehicles for a length of time. This is my FIRST SUV and I have been driving cars my entire life. I want to make sure I feel confident in my decision...

So when in doubt, go with the 4x is what I have been thinking all along.

Welcome to the site.

I use my 4wd all the time on pavement. I turn it on when it rains for extra traction. Not to mention the ice we get from time to time in the winter.

4 15s? Is there really a difference between 2 and 4?

Driving on pavement a lot is something that I will mostly be doing. Once again, I would like to have it in case I ever needed or wanted it.

One thing I did learn (or at least think that I read on here) is that the 4x4 system on the TR4 is like an AWD system in that you CAN run it on 4x4 mode all the time and not worry about tearing up the drive system like you would with most other 4x4 vehicles; you can accelerate how ever you like and not have to worry about destroying it...

LOL! Yes. Huge difference between 2 and 4. Well...that's all install dependent so a lot of variables must be taken into consideration. I always told myself that if I ever get an SUV, I'm going to put 4 15s just because I can. I've always been a bass head, but considerate one at that. I'm not some 18 year old dumbass that blasts my music at stoplights...

In my opinion, if you're on the fence about 4x2 vs 4x4, ALWAYS get the 4x4. You know what they say, it's better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it...although 4x2 4Runners are decent off road.

That was my mind set from the beginning...

4x4 hands down. Resale is way better and its there if you ever need it.

Why does anyone need 4 15's? Are you a professional db drag competitor?

No. I don't compete, but I have always wanted to take a vehicle into the mid 50s on the meter. Just to do it...

If you were the real Howard Roark you wouldn't care what people think. And you'd have a boring 30 page navel gazing illogical sermon to yourself on why you'd be better off taking a bus.

Ad you certainly wouldn't have 4 subs.

Get the 4x2. By the time you fill your cargo area with speakers you won't have any room for adventure gear anyhow.

I would never buy a 2WD SUV, personally.

I have to give it to you on this reply. You really caught the semi-hypocrisy in between my post and my username. Very good! Although I'm not too sure about the bus part. I think he would much rather say that I may as well just build my 4runner to my standards. But most definitely wouldn't be on this form asking for advice. Then again...I'm a novice too...

Yes. With (2) 15's you can only piss off the people that live on your street. With (4) 15's, you can piss of the whole neighborhood, maybe the next one over too.

Sounds to me like it'll be a road runner. No problem with that, I recommend the 4x2 for the OP, which leaves the 4x4s for the people that want/need it.

Nah, I'm not that guy as I mentioned earlier. I rarely even turn my stereo up to those levels, but just like the 4x4 issue, it's nice to have a stereo putting your music straight through your vervous system when you want the rush.

Don't want the 4x4 version? Interested to know why you're considering a 4runner.

Hmm...ok...lets see...

-hold value exceptionally well
-great styling/handling
-better value than most other SUVs in it's class
-best reliability standards across the board
-...and I want an SUV. Best choice out there for the money as far as I'm concerned

Even it I did get the 2WD version, it's still the better buy out of all those catagories.

 

[jimithing]

One thing I did learn (or at least think that I read on here) is that the 4x4 system on the TR4 is like an AWD system in that you CAN run it on 4x4 mode all the time and not worry about tearing up the drive system like you would with most other 4x4 vehicles; you can accelerate how ever you like and not have to worry about destroying it...

Yes, this is correct. As a matter of fact, the 4wd V8's are always running 4wd, they have no 2wd option. The V6 can run 2wd or 4wd, doesn't hurt it to run either. The only thing you don't want to do is lock the differential on pavement where you don't have some slippage going on. You only want to lock it on sand, snow, mud, etc.