Silverado vs my 4runner

[ToyotaDan]

OK - So I went to my chevy dealer to get the oil changed in my Vette, as I am waiting, I saw an awesome looking Silverado. It's called a badlander, with a 6 inch lift, huge tires. This is a new 2007 truck that a company called Regency does.

For the hell of it, I drove back with my 4runner, and believe it or not, the dealer is offering 22,500 for my 2003 4runner limited. The Silverado is 58k, but he dropped down to 48k. My question is, would anyone here do it?

Does the Silverado even compare to the 4runner capabilities? JD Power seems to rate them high, I spoke to many owners and no one seems to have issues with them. Also, newest car and driver magazine put the silverado ahead of the tundra.

I know what I am posting is blasphemous to some here. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[kickinasphalt]

I have drove the redesigned Silverado and I must say they are leaps and bounds above the previous model. If you thinking about getting a truck I would definitely try out the new tundra 1st

 

[AlphaQup]

GM.... blehh

Get the Tundra. It's a Toyota. :beer:

 

[Jacobzky]

Give it a try, you can always go back to your 4Runner. And we'll find out.

 

[toto]

As with any car deal, check both Edmunds and KBB for the trade-in value of your 4Runner, and also research invoice price of the Silverado. Of course, you'll have to estimate the cost of the lift.

Make sure the numbers are good so you don't get stuck financially.

 

[spud72]

Originally posted by ToyotaDan The Silverado is 58k, but he dropped down to 48k. My question is, would anyone here do it? [/B]

He dropped $10K before you even made an offer? Wow.

No, I wouldn't personally. I've got an 04 Chev 4x4 right now that rattles and bangs more than my 10 year old Cherokee it replaced.. and I never even offroaded. The worst it has seen is crappy ice covered winter roads and mudded up gravel roads.

I'd take also that the 1st year Tundra over a 1st year chev. Anyday.

 

[Northof49]

If I wanted a new truck, I would go with the Tundra. I drove the 5.7 V8 yesterday and it is mental. Just a bigger and better version of the previous Tundra, which was already an awesome truck.

You can lift and big tire any truck, don't get snooked in because the dealer put on some accessories. Also, kinda hard to tell because we don't know the model and options, but 48K for a 1/2 ton (?) Silverado sounds absolutely insane.

 

[dwm2112]

I have a 2004 Runner V8 Sport Edition and a 2005 Silverado Z71 and find both to be fine vehicles for their intended purpose. Regarding capabilities I don't know that this is a fair compairson as they vehicles are both designed for different purposes and each performs well for those purposes.

When we lived in Colorado the 4Runner provied to be an awesome snow cruiser that was always willing and made it seem effortless for the vehicle. It is comfortable. and competent and my only real complaint is that it is a little down on horsepower. The 5 speed helps to off-set that to some degree but more ponies would be a welcome addition. Prior to our current 4Runner we had a 2002 which was in many ways better than the current 2004. I prefer the appearance and seating positon of the 3rd generation 4Runners and they also carried better ground clearance from the factory. The driveline in the 04 is superior but outside of that I prefer the 02.

We added the Silverado last December when I traded my Jeep Wrangler on it. We moved from Colorado and I needed something capable of doing more hauling and the Wrangler did not fit that bill. When I went to looking I honestly did not consider the Tundra as an option. Thus far I am quite satisfied with the Silverado as it has ample power, is confortable on-road and has performed well off-road thus far. From a hauling perspective it has performed well and is more than willing to perform.

As mentioned above I did not even consider the Tundra when I decided to add a pick-up to the stable. I have been a Toyota owner for over 20 years now and have been loyal to them but over the past 5 or so years their quality has really slipped. I can see big differences in the build quality of our 2002 and 2004 4Runners. The Tundra has far from a stellar record and Toyota is having to recall a bunch due to an on-going front-end issue that they have been trying to deny. I have a friend who has a Tundra and his has been repaired once under warranty and is already failing again. Hopefully the recall gets his done under warranty as his warranty has expired. Given this and the fact that the new Tundra is butt ugly in my book I did not consider it.

As stated, I have been a long time loyal Toyota customer but their quality is slipping. Their drive to be the largest manufacturer in world has been at the expense of their quality and the reuslt is I am now considering what others have to offer. Hopefully Toyota wakes up before we decide to replace our current 4Runner otherwise I will have to start investigating other options...

 

[spud72]

Originally posted by DWM-4Runner Hopefully Toyota wakes up before we decide to replace our current 4Runner otherwise I will have to start investigating other options...

Even with the odd hiccup, you'd be hard pressed to find any manufacturer, short of Honda and Subbie, with a reliability record even close to Toyotas.

 

[toto]

I agree that Toyota has high standards, but you can't deny that they're having problems under both the Toyota and Lexus brands with first-model-year production. I love Toyotas, but I'd be really hesitant to buy something like an 07 Tundra or an 08 Highlander for that reason. Second model year, I'm there, but not first model year.

 

[spud72]

I agree that Toyota has high standards, but you can't deny that they're having problems under both the Toyota and Lexus brands with first-model-year production. I love Toyotas, but I'd be really hesitant to buy something like an 07 Tundra or an 08 Highlander for that reason. Second model year, I'm there, but not first model year.

I'd probably agree with that without doing any research, but I stay away from any 1st model year, personally.

 

[Falls]

I agree that Toyota has high standards, but you can't deny that they're having problems under both the Toyota and Lexus brands with first-model-year production. I love Toyotas, but I'd be really hesitant to buy something like an 07 Tundra or an 08 Highlander for that reason. Second model year, I'm there, but not first model year.

I agree with you . This is my first Toyota and I like it ,but depending on what my needs are and what Toyota has available , I personally would have no problem going back to GM or Ford. I buy a new truck every 2-3 years and have had great luck with all my domestic trucks with the exception of my last 04 Tahoe Z71 where my front axle took a crap otherwise no problems with it at all.

In my opinion , just like on other boards I see just as many people bitchin about issues or problems here as anywhere else.

I like these type of boards because you can get real world experience from other owners. I do not trust JD Power , Consumer Reports ect.... for their critique of vehicles. Like any other vehicle some can be good and some can be bad , all mfg's have them and when you buy a vehicle I feel its always the luck of the draw. Toyota as well as all other have plenty of problems and design flaws. I will need to get a bigger vehicle probably next time , if Toyota does not have anything I like I will go to GM or Ford.

We have a 95 Suburban 350 V8 2wd , it has 170,000+ miles and has never had anything done to it except maint.and does not burn a drop of oil. Others with the same vehicle may have had lots of problems , who knows ??? ( actually its not even rusty living here in the road salt belt of Wisconsin)

 

[Northof49]

As mentioned above I did not even consider the Tundra when I decided to add a pick-up to the stable. I have been a Toyota owner for over 20 years now and have been loyal to them but over the past 5 or so years their quality has really slipped. I can see big differences in the build quality of our 2002 and 2004 4Runners. The Tundra has far from a stellar record and Toyota is having to recall a bunch due to an on-going front-end issue that they have been trying to deny. I have a friend who has a Tundra and his has been repaired once under warranty and is already failing again. Hopefully the recall gets his done under warranty as his warranty has expired. Given this and the fact that the new Tundra is butt ugly in my book I did not consider it.

As stated, I have been a long time loyal Toyota customer but their quality is slipping. Their drive to be the largest manufacturer in world has been at the expense of their quality and the reuslt is I am now considering what others have to offer. Hopefully Toyota wakes up before we decide to replace our current 4Runner otherwise I will have to start investigating other options...

Even if their quality has slipped, it has not slipped to the point where it is easily bested by much else, let alone GM.

The balljoint recall you speak of is interesting. Keep in mind that this is a voluntary recall and not one Toyota "had" to do, and that balljoints wear out all the time, and at amazing rates on comparable domestics. For example; if Ford were to recall all the vehicles they've produced that may suffer premature balljoint wear (by the definition of "premature" Toyota is using), they would basically have to recall every 4x4 pickup they've ever made to this point. No exageration.

 

[dwm2112]

Even if their quality has slipped, it has not slipped to the point where it is easily bested by much else, let alone GM.

The balljoint recall you speak of is interesting. Keep in mind that this is a voluntary recall and not one Toyota "had" to do, and that balljoints wear out all the time, and at amazing rates on comparable domestics. For example; if Ford were to recall all the vehicles they've produced that may suffer premature balljoint wear (by the definition of "premature" Toyota is using), they would basically have to recall every 4x4 pickup they've ever made to this point. No exageration.

Saying they are doing volunarily right before being forced to do so is not voluntary in my book. It is putting the best face possible on a bad situation. Better to volunteer than be volunteered. I am also not aware of others who have typical MTBF of the ball joints at less thank 30K miles but as stated all makes have their issues. The deal for me is Toyota has now had enough that I no longer purchase them without consideration of what else is on the market.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

In my opinion , just like on other boards I see just as many people bitchin about issues or problems here as anywhere else.

I like these type of boards because you can get real world experience from other owners. I do not trust JD Power , Consumer Reports ect.... for their critique of vehicles.

Yes,real world experience is the best results but there also are alot of people touting a product or vehicle to help them justify their purchase and money spent. How many people swear by throttle body spacers and can feel the "power" they produce?

I take CR with a grain of salt but JD Power does go by actual reported problems to dealerships in the first few years of ownership and they seem to get most right on the money. H2s and Land Rovers are rated the worst and in real world problems I read about those two vehicles seem to deserve to be on the bottom.
My neighbor has an H2 and it's been in the shop 5 times in the last 14 months for warranty work.

 

[ToyotaDan]

Just to be fair to all the comments here, the only car I have ever lemon lawed was a 2004 Lexus ES330. Do you guys remember the hesitation issues due to the fly-by-wire throttle? Well, my wife was making a left, she hit the gas and the car slowly rolled into the intersection, hesitated for 2 seconds, and then jetted out. Almost killed her. My other cars were a jeep wrangler (no probs) and a Durango (some tranny slips towards 100k). I have a Vette, C6 from 2006, not a single trip to the dealer. I also have a 2005 Sienna that has been to the dealer now 9 times. Mostly electric issues.

I think GM has done a great job in the quality department, but I am just not sure if getting a Silverado would be a step forward. Specifically off road capability. Which one would you guys say is better? I guess Silverado and 4runner both have limited slip differentials, right? 4runner uses brakes to stop the spinning wheel, right? I really do not know enough about the off road capabilities of the silverado.

 

[AlphaQup]

ToyotaDan,

I can't believe you're still debating over the Siverado. Just take a look at the videos under this page. http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minisite/tundraexperience/

Look at the "Tundra VS Competition" section and you'll see the Silverado there as well, finishing behind the Tundra in all areas that is.

Hope that helped you decide.

 

[Northof49]

Saying they are doing volunarily right before being forced to do so is not voluntary in my book. It is putting the best face possible on a bad situation. Better to volunteer than be volunteered. I am also not aware of others who have typical MTBF of the ball joints at less thank 30K miles but as stated all makes have their issues. The deal for me is Toyota has now had enough that I no longer purchase them without consideration of what else is on the market.

They would not be volunteered for that balljoint recall, nor the steering bar recall, nor the 3.0L headgasket recall. Fords have been regularily dealing the ball joint in 40,000kms, much more regularily than Tundras, since the 70's with no recalls

But I agree that all have problems.....it's all junk really, some are just less crappy than others. Go with what works for you.

 

[Falls]

I was out snow beating tonite and went to the Toyota dealer and they have quite a few new Tundra's there . Nice looking but to low to the ground IMO. (Even the TRD version)

As far as the Silverado , there is a Chev. dealer across from the Yota dealer and sure enough a Black 4dr crew cab Silverado with a Regency tag on the front lifted , chromes , pretty cool looking. I will try to go tomorrow and get a price ( sticker ) on it for you , maybe tire size & type if I can. I was snowing and somewhat buried tonite and I was not about to climb over the snow piles with a flash light.

I'll try to let you know tomorrow.
The dealer is Bergstrom Chevrolet in Milwaukee Wi.

 

[Uneek]

They would not be volunteered for that balljoint recall, nor the steering bar recall, nor the 3.0L headgasket recall. Fords have been regularily dealing the ball joint in 40,000kms, much more regularily than Tundras, since the 70's with no recalls

But I agree that all have problems.....it's all junk really, some are just less crappy than others. Go with what works for you.

A friend at a tire/alignment shop said it's very very common for Ford trucks to have their balljoints go and that's why they usually come in for alignments and balljoints end up being replaced and he would rather his shop stock the parts instead of having to pick them up at the dealer for repairs.

IMO, no manufacturer is immune from defects or quality issues. However, I still believe the probability with catching a problematic vehicle from Toyota is much lower than another make.