Runner or Taco????

[Silent Auction]

So i am in the market for a new rig right now. I used to own an 03 limited 4x4 runner V8 and loved it. I have a family of 4 with a dog and want something that will tow my quads and camping gear.

Here is the pros i see to both

Runner: V8 towing power i will be towing over mountains up to ten times a year
seems to be more space in the backseats in the runner as well

Taco: a bed, i dont have a truck and have alot of things planned for house projects and it would be much easier trips to homedepot without having to tow the trailer to pick up wood.

love the looks of both of them. please give me your unbiased opinions on what i should get...

thanks!

 

[DC runner]

I have owned 3 4runners and 1 Tacoma. My personal experience has been that we always over estimate our need for a bed and severely underestimate our need for seating.

Everyone does it. I have only twice thought, "man it would be nice to have a truck", while owning my 4runner(s) over the years. But, man, when I owned my Taco I was constantly yelling at myself at how much I missed the runner.

The 2 times you need truck like hauling, either borrow a buddies or rent a cheap trailer from U haul. Seriously.

 

[the4Rdan]

I was in a similar position about 2 years ago when my Tacoma (access cab) was totaled. I was already feeling limited with seating options before I lost the Tacoma, but still felt I wanted the bed for home improvement stuff, bikes, wet or muddy dogs (would've put a cap on it), etc. When I compared the 4Runner to the Tacoma doublecab ('07 vs '06), the build quality of the 4Runner greatly exceeded the Tacoma's, and the rear seats were much improved. Two years later, I've got a rubber mat in the back of the 4Runner, and other than moving to PA in December, I haven't really felt limited by the 4R, and enjoy driving it everyday.

 

[jimithing]

I have owned 3 4runners and 1 Tacoma. My personal experience has been that we always over estimate our need for a bed and severely underestimate our need for seating.

Everyone does it. I have only twice thought, "man it would be nice to have a truck", while owning my 4runner(s) over the years. But, man, when I owned my Taco I was constantly yelling at myself at how much I missed the runner.

The 2 times you need truck like hauling, either borrow a buddies or rent a cheap trailer from U haul. Seriously.

Agreed with all that. I haven't owned a Taco but I have owned a truck and I'm glad I have the 4Runner. Most of my home improvement materials fit inside the 4Runner but when I've needed to get lumber or sheetrock I've either used a friends truck or rented a uhaul trailer for $15. I much prefer having the enclosed storage area for the majority of the time.

 

[TRDCal]

I've been thinking about Tacoma's lately. I really miss the manual transmission in my Corolla and a 6 speed Tacoma would look pretty good in my laneway. When I was in the market for my 4runner I looked at Tacomas too, unfortunately they too expensive because I wanted a 05+, altho don't get me wrong, I happy with my choice and I love my 4runner. Also keep in mind I'm 20 years old, single, no kids so my needs are different. The only seat that needs to be comfortable and spacious in a vehicle I buy is the driver seat because that's my throne :lol:

 

[Mytoy4]

What kind of dog do you have? Do you plan to take him with you and the entire family when you do these trips?
If you got a Taco, would you kennel him in the back?

 

[DC runner]

Ahh. I hope not! That puppy belongs in the car! Totally my personal opinion, but my pups roll with me in car. Dogs ears are so sensitive, I can't imagine how painful loud road noise must be.

 

[Mytoy4]

I agree with you! This would be my determining factor. If he's big, like my boy, then you get a 4runner because he'll need the cargo area. If he's small and can fit between the kids, then I guess either would work, though I would still think it would be crouded.

 

[DC runner]

Love your great dane out the back. My fiance loves great danes and we intend to adopt one as soon as we are in a place large enough.

 

[TRDCal]

Dogs ears are so sensitive, I can't imagine how painful loud road noise must be.

I can't imagine it would be that painful seeing as when I drive around with my dads dogs, they willingly stick there head out of the car even at speeds up to 60mph. Also we sometimes put the kennel in the box of my dads truck and the only thing that seems to bother the dogs is that they can't see where we're going.

 

[Silent Auction]

What kind of dog do you have? Do you plan to take him with you and the entire family when you do these trips?
If you got a Taco, would you kennel him in the back?

we have a 25lb fox terrier, thinking of getting a second medium sized dog maybe 30-40lbs. if i got the taco i would def get a canopy but i sat in the back of one and there is not a lot of room with two car seats. I think i am now leaning more twds the runner as i can get major lumber and stuff with the quad trailer.

 

[Mytoy4]

Love your great dane out the back. My fiance loves great danes and we intend to adopt one as soon as we are in a place large enough.

Thank you! He's a good boy and he loves to go for rides. Lots of great rescues around the US. Not sure where you're at, but be sure to check them out! Oh and since you do the T4R forum, you should consider joining my Great Dane forum sometime

 

[Silent Auction]

Thank you all for your input

:roadkill:

 

[Seatown]

As others have said, I'm happy with my 4runner more than I was with my Tacoma. I've owned 4 4runners and 2 Tacomas...silly right? Its the whole "the grass is always greener" mindset. With my Tacos I wished I had more interior seating/space and with my 4runners I've always wanted to have a bed for hauling home improvement supplies. Fold down seats in the 4runner have proven to be a great compromise for me.

Sounds like you have 4 quads which you'll need a trailer regardless so go with the stronger V8 in the 4Runner enjoy the nicer interior and interior space. As others have mentioned, for those must have truck moments, borrow from your buddies.

Oh yeah, the Tacos have that damn 2 piece drive shaft where once you lift it you'll have an almost inevitable shimmy. I had a one piece made for mine since I tried everything from shims to carrier bearing drops with no luck. No way should this deter anyone from a Taco as I know I'll have another in the future:surfer: Just something to consider.

I have a Vizsla who loves being inside the rig versus in the back of a bed too...you'll dog will love you for the 4runner choice.

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

I had an 08' Tacoma. Loved it!! Of course then I bought a 2010 4Runner Trail Edition, should have listened to all my friends and relatives and kept the Tacoma. I then sold the 2010 cause I still owed lots of $$$ and bought a used 07' 4Runner V8. The V8 seems more refined than the V6's, has tons of power and gets decent mileage for being full time 4x4. After having the 4th gen since July last year, I regret not just getting a 4th gen V8 back when I got the Tacoma. My 4Runner would look AWESOME now if I bought it back in 08'. Probably would be paid off too.


I recommend just getting another V8 4Runner. I do miss having the truck bed, however the only time I really used it was to help people move. Having a 4Runner is nice cause I don't get asked anymore :reddance:

My Tacoma...

 

[zerowkul98]

My Tacoma...

That is a BEAUTIFUL truck,

 

[Seatown]

My Tacoma...

[/QUOTE]

Dude!! That's the EXACT look of my Tacoma. mine was a silver '07 on 5100/eibach springs and AAL in the rear. I had the same pro comps too! Nice

 

[Shiftin2Sixth]

I had an 08' Tacoma. Loved it!! Of course then I bought a 2010 4Runner Trail Edition, should have listened to all my friends and relatives and kept the Tacoma. I then sold the 2010 cause I still owed lots of $$$ and bought a used 07' 4Runner V8. The V8 seems more refined than the V6's, has tons of power and gets decent mileage for being full time 4x4. After having the 4th gen since July last year, I regret not just getting a 4th gen V8 back when I got the Tacoma. My 4Runner would look AWESOME now if I bought it back in 08'. Probably would be paid off too.


I recommend just getting another V8 4Runner. I do miss having the truck bed, however the only time I really used it was to help people move. Having a 4Runner is nice cause I don't get asked anymore :reddance:

My Tacoma...

x2 I just sold my Tacoma and bought a 4R because I was tired of hauling others peoples stuff around. I used my bed less then 10 times in the 6 years I had the Taco for my own stuff that could have easily been carried in the back of a 4R. Now I have a place to sleep off the ground when I go camping and a much more comfortable ride.

 

[truckmike26]

I've been test-driving brand-new and nearly-new Tacomas these past few weeks to maybe lease one after selling the 4Runner to save some money. I need a smaller pickup (my Tundra's too large sometimes) and the '94 has reliability issues (I'm working on that bit by bit).

I was shocked. The new Tacomas don't ride and handle much better than my old '94. Sure, there's more power and the steering is faster, but with all the improvements I've made to the '94 (Ironman springs, K&N, Borla, Pro-Comp shocks, etc.), it's not as far behind as I intially thought.

That being said, I was also really surprised at how much more noise and vibs the Tacoma has over the 'Runner. It's of course because of less sound-deadening and different frame/powertrain mounting but wow.

I drove an '11 Tacoma 4-cyl./auto reg. cab short box 4x4 yesterday and it's a dog. I thought the lighter weight of the shorty version would offset the 4-cyl. but again, wow. My '94 with the 3.0L lemon V6 can chirp the 31" tires but this one, nothing.

As it stands, I'm keeping my 4Runner for now.

 

[truckmike26]

I forgot to mention, one thing I didn't like about the '12 Tacomas are the steering wheels. I don't know if they're the same ones from the '10-up 4Runner but they're too fat and unecessary.