ads2539
New member
My grandparents never had leather seats in their cars because they said they were too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter (no garage or pets).
Retired and Ordering 2023 would like your thoughts
- Thread starter MickeyR
- Start date
My grandparents never had leather seats in their cars because they said they were too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter (no garage or pets).
John in NC
Member
My thoughts with these statements from you in mind-
Your wife has a Sienna but you don't like the looks.
You used 4x4 maybe 4 times and don't go offroad.
You put on a lot of highway miles...
Get a Highlander or Rav4 and use the Sienna for the long road trips.
The Sienna gets better MPG than a 4runner and I'd guess it's a much better highway vehicle, certainly roomier.
Or get another Tacoma and again, use the Sienna for long highway trips. In retirement I'm sure a pickup would be very useful.
My wife has a Highlander XLE, it's like a spaceship compared to my 2011 SR5. Just did a 7 hour each way road trip in her Highlander, we've done the same trip in my 4runner, hers is better suited for it. She and the kids call my 2011 SR5 4x4 an old tin can and always want to take the Highlander.
Her Dad has a 2010 Rav4 Sport with the 3.5 V-6, in a dark teal/ green color and loves it. He likes the smaller scale vs. his prior 3rd gen 4runner that he had.
My Mom drove the new Rav4 and didn't care for it, ended up with a loaded CRV (this was 2021). She really wanted a more compact SUV/ Crossover type vehicle.
Just a few different perspectives.
Your wife has a Sienna but you don't like the looks.
You used 4x4 maybe 4 times and don't go offroad.
You put on a lot of highway miles...
Get a Highlander or Rav4 and use the Sienna for the long road trips.
The Sienna gets better MPG than a 4runner and I'd guess it's a much better highway vehicle, certainly roomier.
Or get another Tacoma and again, use the Sienna for long highway trips. In retirement I'm sure a pickup would be very useful.
My wife has a Highlander XLE, it's like a spaceship compared to my 2011 SR5. Just did a 7 hour each way road trip in her Highlander, we've done the same trip in my 4runner, hers is better suited for it. She and the kids call my 2011 SR5 4x4 an old tin can and always want to take the Highlander.
Her Dad has a 2010 Rav4 Sport with the 3.5 V-6, in a dark teal/ green color and loves it. He likes the smaller scale vs. his prior 3rd gen 4runner that he had.
My Mom drove the new Rav4 and didn't care for it, ended up with a loaded CRV (this was 2021). She really wanted a more compact SUV/ Crossover type vehicle.
Just a few different perspectives.
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Auntie Soshul
New member
I did the same thing to my 2013 SR5 with cloth seats, but the cost was closer to $90.
Hungryhawk
Member
Exploded reliability myth
Yesterday I was shocked to learn my 2017 SR5 with 48,000 miles requires a new torque converter! The drivability problem started 2 weeks ago and became worse each day. Last month the 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty expired. At purchase in 2017 I fortunately got the platinum service agreement which should cover P & L for “new” transmission. My dealer received Toyota approval for repair and will confirm parts and loaner availability in a couple of days.
I had hoped our 4runners would be reliable for the long term, but I am now disenchanted.
You still have the opportunity to purchase the extended service agreement-I am so glad I did!
Yesterday I was shocked to learn my 2017 SR5 with 48,000 miles requires a new torque converter! The drivability problem started 2 weeks ago and became worse each day. Last month the 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty expired. At purchase in 2017 I fortunately got the platinum service agreement which should cover P & L for “new” transmission. My dealer received Toyota approval for repair and will confirm parts and loaner availability in a couple of days.
I had hoped our 4runners would be reliable for the long term, but I am now disenchanted.
You still have the opportunity to purchase the extended service agreement-I am so glad I did!
RobS10
Member
That's the first I've heard of a 4Runner having major transmission problems. Looks like one mediocre year, 2012, for "Major Transmission" problems, according to Consumer Reports. You may have just been one of the few unlucky ones to get the odd bad one.
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Charles Bronson
Member
No vehicle is perfect. There will always be rare instances of major failures amongst even the most reliable makes/brands. You have to remember, that 4Runner you have went into service in 2016. It's closing in on 7 years of service. It's not actually new.
An OEM torque converter is around $800 from Toyota. I think Toyota also has a remanufactured torque converter exchange program too with the reman being around $300. Figure $100 in fluids and shop materials and $800 in labor and the bill will be $1,500-$2,000. You could save a small bundle going to an independent Toyota shop. $1500-2000 lower than what most people purchase extended warrantied for. I'd take my chances NOT buying an extended warranty on a 4Runner. They're way too reliable.
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RobS10
Member
That was my thought, actually, that unless you have a complete transmission or engine failure, an extended warranty is probably not cost effective. We wouldn't be buying a 4Runner if there was a good chance of that happening!
I saved up for awhile in the early 1990’s for a new Toyota pickup. I meticulously maintained it with synthetic oil, etc. However, it still threw a timing chain at 48000 miles, just out of warranty. Kinda soured me on the supposedly “bulletproof” Toyota. Bought a new Honda CRV and had so much trouble with it, I traded it in on a new 2019 4runner. It immediately had a whining differential which Toyota replaced, but it still whines. I’ve given up on trying to find the “perfect” vehicle.
I’d tend to think these are problems occurring at the “tail of the curve”, but 3 in a row is a bit disheartening.
Just remembered…I had a 1997 4runner in between a couple of those cars. Meticulously maintained, but between 120,000 and 200,000 miles, it was a litany of issues. AC compressor, fan motor, master cylinder, rear axle seal, fuel injectors, 3 or 4 dripping oil leaks, starter motor (twice), radiator.
Hoping my 5th gen has fewer issues.
Tryin2decide
Junior Member
I'm not retired yet, but thinking about getting a 4runner (we have ::snooze:: highlander.)
Is the only exterior styling difference between the SR5 and top TRD PRO, the black wheels?
Thnaks.
Is the only exterior styling difference between the SR5 and top TRD PRO, the black wheels?
Thnaks.
RobS10
Member
The styling differences between the SR5 and Pro are the wheels (you can buy them from Toyota if you like them), but the Pro (and all TRDs) also has the faux hood scoop and the Pro gets the tubular roof rack and the exclusive colors, like Lime Rush for the '22s.
Almost forgot, as jp.vegas mentioned, the black TOYOTA grill is a Pro Only feature, but can be ordered after the fact
.
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gomiami
Member
I would probably add it where you did, on the original post. Congrats on your new ride. I was away on vacation and was not able to post prior to your decision but I would have voted SR5 Premium.
I went ORP because I do intend to take it off road on occasion.
I think passing on the Limited was a wise choice...not from a mechanical perspective but from a price point.
DAW89446
Member
Yes. On trips to the city or out of state I use the guidance. Otherwise, where I live things don’t change as far as routes. It also shows a surprisingly large amount of local maintained and often unmaintained dirt roads and trails that network the region if I zoom in a level or two. I’ve used it in navigation mode to give me an idea of what time I will reach a location a long ways away if I’m meeting friends at some restaurant in another part of the state or a state away. It don’t look as nice as the aftermarket Garmin in my Subaru Outback, but they do the same job. About the only thing I don’t like about it is that it shows about half screen in home screen mode and with it being that small it’s basically useless. However, full screen is only a tap away.
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IslandJim
New member
From whats been stated there are a few differences, the heritage grill, the wheels, and there is also about a 1.5" lift if recalled correctly.(been drinking so thats up for debate). Also KDSS is not available on the Pro. It does have a lot of the same upgrades as the Off Road, such as locking rear differential.
The Pro is nice to have and if you have unlimited funds, or a big down payment or trade -in. The trail wheels are more practical if you are rock crawlin more. Thanks to Dr. KDSS there are some nice modifications to be had if you get the Off Road and then do a suspension lift (2" or abouts).
May be a bit bias but like the Off Road version more. Congratz on the Off Road Premium purchase OP, am sure you will be happy with it.
joshelliot
Junior Member
I have 27k miles on my 2022 Trail Edition (aka blacked out SR5) ... I love the way it drives on the highway, it's stock and I took the rack off, so I'm sure it's different than a lifted and loaded mega overlander, but I don't understand all the posts complaining about the highway. I drive a new Range Rover at work and it's much more jarring, I think it's the huge wheels and small tires that make it feel like garbage, but it's floaty when cornering on the highway and jarring when hitting small bumps and cracks in the road in town... I think the 4runners are great!
Interesting. I figured everybody just used their phone/Google Maps/Carplay at this point.
DAW89446
Member
Where I live traveling in any direction there is only intermittent to no phone service.
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Lexington
Member
But I will still look macho! Male vanity at its best!
BearBio
New member
When I retired, I bought a '68 FJ40 TLC to restore. Got it 1/2 done and realized I couldn't drive it because of some recent injuries to upper arm and 2x broken kneecap. Had bought my wife a '19 SR5 Premium=she gave that to me, and I bought her a '14 RAV4. Both were very low mileage and we paid cash for both, so as to not have car payments. Best move (re: cars!) we've ever done!
Our 4Runner does NOT have sunroof but has navigation. Never thought I'd use it but after roaming around the seedier parts of Victorville, CA at night for a couple of hours trying to find my brother's house in Apple Valley, I decided to learn how to use it. Now, I'm still learning but I LOVE it!
Our 4Runner does NOT have sunroof but has navigation. Never thought I'd use it but after roaming around the seedier parts of Victorville, CA at night for a couple of hours trying to find my brother's house in Apple Valley, I decided to learn how to use it. Now, I'm still learning but I LOVE it!
BearBio
New member
The above-mentioned night in Victorville, we used my wife's cell phone and it helped but not a lot!
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