So why did YOU get a 4runner?
- Thread starter JosephD05
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AlphaQup
New member
I've always loved the 3rd gens, especailly the later (Limited) 3rd gens. I just never had the money to afford one until recently. My real decision maker was my son being conceived. A small car just wasn't practical and safe for a new born baby.
Now in the beginning I had no knowledge of off road capabilities of any SUV, so it had came down to either the Chevy Trailblazer SS or the T4R. In the end, after all the reviews and endless raves about the T4R, not to mention Toyota's unsurpassed reliability. I decided to go with the T4R. I've had my rig since Feb06, passing the 30K mark, and no signs of breakage yet. The truck still purrs, look, and runs like the first day it rolled off the lot. No regrets here whatsoever. Although I still digg the look of the Trailblazer SS. :biggrin2:
Now in the beginning I had no knowledge of off road capabilities of any SUV, so it had came down to either the Chevy Trailblazer SS or the T4R. In the end, after all the reviews and endless raves about the T4R, not to mention Toyota's unsurpassed reliability. I decided to go with the T4R. I've had my rig since Feb06, passing the 30K mark, and no signs of breakage yet. The truck still purrs, look, and runs like the first day it rolled off the lot. No regrets here whatsoever. Although I still digg the look of the Trailblazer SS. :biggrin2:
tonybaloney
New member
for the hood scoop 
dingo
New member
I always wanted one since high school (at that time they had the 2nd gens). It was the only one that stuck out to me. As my friend put it, it was my "truck of choice". Something about the rear window too. Then the 3rd gens came out. I wanted one even more and by the time I was out of college I was trying to decide between a 3rd gen Sport or extra cab Tacoma. I'm glad I waited much longer after I got married and got a house with a double car garage - it would come in much handy later. I was driving my wife's POS '90 Nissan Sentra and it leaked like a sieve. I was parking it at the BART station when the alarm finally wouldn't shut up. Drove the piece of crap back home, popped the hood, and literally ripped the alarm wiring harness out with my hand. Tools are not needed when you're that pissed. Did some homework, and a week later drove the "truck of choice" into that garage. I purchased my 4th gen SR5 runner back in October '05. My wife wanted the 3rd row seating option but I wasn't about to turn in my man card for a mini-van nor castrate myself for a RAV4.
Then, in February '07 my other car, a '91 Acura Integra (had it since college) finally started crapping out. The tranny was acting up, sh*t was beeping for no reason, and it's days of being forever parked outside in the salty San Francisco air finally caught up with it. I needed another ride. Now was the ever narrow window of opportunity to get MYSELF the the ride I REALLY wanted but gave up because of the wifey's need. I really wanted XREAS. I really wanted the hoodscoop. I really wanted Shadow Mica paint. The hell with the 3rd row seats - only useful if you were putting kids or midgets back there. Went to Toyota Walnut Creek and came home with my '07 4runner Sport decked in Shadow Mica. Others thought I was nuts, but it was my choice alone (plus to the added approval of my fellow T4R.ORG members). As my wife said to me, "It's your car and money, you get whatever you want." Hell yeah to that. The SR5 had proven its weight in gold. It was the real deal and it was time to give myself an upgrade. I gave the SR5 to my wife to drive, and my ass has now become home and will be the only permanent fixture in the Sport's driver's seat.
Now my garage is home to both. A bit tight though. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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2005 SR5 4WD - purchased and own
other vehicles I considered at the time - none
2007 Sport Edition 4WD - puchased and own
other vehicles I considered at the time - Toyota Tacoma, BMW, Lexus, Honda
Then, in February '07 my other car, a '91 Acura Integra (had it since college) finally started crapping out. The tranny was acting up, sh*t was beeping for no reason, and it's days of being forever parked outside in the salty San Francisco air finally caught up with it. I needed another ride. Now was the ever narrow window of opportunity to get MYSELF the the ride I REALLY wanted but gave up because of the wifey's need. I really wanted XREAS. I really wanted the hoodscoop. I really wanted Shadow Mica paint. The hell with the 3rd row seats - only useful if you were putting kids or midgets back there. Went to Toyota Walnut Creek and came home with my '07 4runner Sport decked in Shadow Mica. Others thought I was nuts, but it was my choice alone (plus to the added approval of my fellow T4R.ORG members). As my wife said to me, "It's your car and money, you get whatever you want." Hell yeah to that. The SR5 had proven its weight in gold. It was the real deal and it was time to give myself an upgrade. I gave the SR5 to my wife to drive, and my ass has now become home and will be the only permanent fixture in the Sport's driver's seat.
Now my garage is home to both. A bit tight though. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
---
2005 SR5 4WD - purchased and own
other vehicles I considered at the time - none
2007 Sport Edition 4WD - puchased and own
other vehicles I considered at the time - Toyota Tacoma, BMW, Lexus, Honda
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armyguy872007
New member
Well I was the Pontiac Montana driving guy (for the space)for 4 years. Once I knew my daughter was graduating High School I started playing my cards. I would drop hints that "Wow sure have put a lot of miles on the Montana I hope stuff doesnt start breaking while towing our camper." Or " Honey I would love to get a new camper, but I do not think the van can pull it, hell I am scared to pull with it any further than 50 miles." SHE BOUGHT It Hook Line and Sinker
Now my brother is a wholesaler for Toyota/Mercedes in Richmond Va and he and I had started looking back in February for something for me, he knew what I wanted and called me one day and said" I have the one you want." So I did the financing over the phone, and packed that damn mini van up once more and headed to Richmond VA drove 17 hrs straight through. Signed the paper work and then saw it (hey it was Toyota certified and was being detailed when we got there.Plus I trust my brother.)
Vehicles considered: Tahoe, Yukon, Trailblazer (for 2 seconds)
Avalanche
Now my brother is a wholesaler for Toyota/Mercedes in Richmond Va and he and I had started looking back in February for something for me, he knew what I wanted and called me one day and said" I have the one you want." So I did the financing over the phone, and packed that damn mini van up once more and headed to Richmond VA drove 17 hrs straight through. Signed the paper work and then saw it (hey it was Toyota certified and was being detailed when we got there.Plus I trust my brother.)
Vehicles considered: Tahoe, Yukon, Trailblazer (for 2 seconds)
Avalanche
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HomebrewMTB
New member
I had a Tacoma for 4 years but wanted an SUV instead of a truck (more interior room, more comfortable, nicer ride). I didn't even consider any other vehicles. It was T4R or keep driving the truck. I looked around for a nice used T4R for a whle but with the high resale value and being picky on color, options, etc, it easier to just get a new one. It's only been a couple weeks but I've been very impressed.
:bigok:
:bigok:
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lawwailok
New member
i've been felt in love with the 3rd gen back in 99. but i was still a college kid with a part time job only, so barely could afford a new honda accord back then (still own it and it is still a great commute car). until recently my dream came true and my wife love the 4th gen also, so we decided to take one home.
it's been 9 months already and the more we drive it, the more we love it.
it's been 9 months already and the more we drive it, the more we love it.
MAC4Runner
New member
'cuz chics dig it! 
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We had a 92, and the 4runner has always remained a great suv.
I got my first job and my father and I negotiated a 4runner at cost. What a great lesson. Anyhow, it was either a 4runner or a highlander. You can guess which vehicle won out.
It costs a few more $$$ for gas each year, but my 04 has treated me well.
I got my first job and my father and I negotiated a 4runner at cost. What a great lesson. Anyhow, it was either a 4runner or a highlander. You can guess which vehicle won out.
It costs a few more $$$ for gas each year, but my 04 has treated me well.
Upon retirement four years ago I found myself spending lots of time helping my elderly parents. First Mom had health issues, then got much better; then Dad's health starting failing. He passed last July at age 92. Wonderful father.
Anyway, since Mom is doing so well these days, I thought I'd finally kick back and enjoy retirement a little. Decided to buy that boat I always wanted. But wait... I didn't have anything to tow it with. My wife's Town & Country couldn't do it, nor could my Buick Regal.
The T&C is a great hauler, especially if you're taking two golden retrievers in their kennels and you're heading to Northern Minnesota to visit friends at their cabin for the weekend. Our '08 T4R Limited V6 4WD fits the bill nicely.
What other vehicles did we look at? Well, let's see. We drove a new Saturn Outlook, but its built on the Lambda car-based chassis, not a truck chassis, and the best you can get is all-wheel drive versus real honest-to-goodness four-wheel drive. Moreover, the back (or center in this case) seat doesn't fold flat all the way, so not good for carrying dog kennels.
The Ford Exploder was another possibility, but its seat didn't fold flat either. The T4R has the flatest folding rear seat of them all. They don't fold perfectly flat, but flat enough and certainly flatter than the others.
AND, its a Toyota 4Runner. Has the best ride of them all, the best quality of fit and finish, the most little neat features that I discover more of each time I'm in it, and the best "Gee I feel good in this" feeling of them all.
Thanks. Fun post. It was a pleasure responding.
Anyway, since Mom is doing so well these days, I thought I'd finally kick back and enjoy retirement a little. Decided to buy that boat I always wanted. But wait... I didn't have anything to tow it with. My wife's Town & Country couldn't do it, nor could my Buick Regal.
The T&C is a great hauler, especially if you're taking two golden retrievers in their kennels and you're heading to Northern Minnesota to visit friends at their cabin for the weekend. Our '08 T4R Limited V6 4WD fits the bill nicely.
What other vehicles did we look at? Well, let's see. We drove a new Saturn Outlook, but its built on the Lambda car-based chassis, not a truck chassis, and the best you can get is all-wheel drive versus real honest-to-goodness four-wheel drive. Moreover, the back (or center in this case) seat doesn't fold flat all the way, so not good for carrying dog kennels.
The Ford Exploder was another possibility, but its seat didn't fold flat either. The T4R has the flatest folding rear seat of them all. They don't fold perfectly flat, but flat enough and certainly flatter than the others.
AND, its a Toyota 4Runner. Has the best ride of them all, the best quality of fit and finish, the most little neat features that I discover more of each time I'm in it, and the best "Gee I feel good in this" feeling of them all.
Thanks. Fun post. It was a pleasure responding.
Uneek
Super Moderator
I'll answer the question with a question, is there anything else that can comes close to the 4Runner?
I always liked SUVs as much as I like sportscars.
I liked the first gen since I was a kid. When we got the '90 pickup, I liked its cousin, the 4Runner even more. In 1996, when I was in high school and Toyota debut the third gen, that was it, I knew I had to have a 4Runner after Toyota dropped the tailgate design and went with a liftgate while keeping the drop down rear window. Fast foward 10 years later... I got a 4Runner.
I always liked SUVs as much as I like sportscars.
I liked the first gen since I was a kid. When we got the '90 pickup, I liked its cousin, the 4Runner even more. In 1996, when I was in high school and Toyota debut the third gen, that was it, I knew I had to have a 4Runner after Toyota dropped the tailgate design and went with a liftgate while keeping the drop down rear window. Fast foward 10 years later... I got a 4Runner.
cweta37
New member
I've wanted a 4runner since i was a kid... same story as a few of the other members, I remember seeing one when I was about 10, (I was born in 81) and I thought wow, that thing looks rad! I have wanted them ever since, any generation, almost all the colors... I like em!
My dad of corse was not happy, he's a chevy man, grew up hearing, don't buy a ford, they will only leave you stranded. I agree, to a certain degree. I drive Crown Vic's all day long .. What a bunch of Crappy cars... one after the next!!!!!Mustangs.. very nice... a nice big f250*drool*.
I got my Runner when it was raining one day in '06 and i was driving in Northern Marin County and My civic got scary to drive when my dog kicked me out of gear in the rain with a big rig next to me, I finally had an excuse to get a runner! it has a dog compartment!
I traded my civic, I love my runner.
I considered an MDX, Pilot, and a Silverado
I love it, maybe should have shopped a little longer! but I'm still happy.
My dad of corse was not happy, he's a chevy man, grew up hearing, don't buy a ford, they will only leave you stranded. I agree, to a certain degree. I drive Crown Vic's all day long .. What a bunch of Crappy cars... one after the next!!!!!Mustangs.. very nice... a nice big f250*drool*.
I got my Runner when it was raining one day in '06 and i was driving in Northern Marin County and My civic got scary to drive when my dog kicked me out of gear in the rain with a big rig next to me, I finally had an excuse to get a runner! it has a dog compartment!
I traded my civic, I love my runner.
I considered an MDX, Pilot, and a Silverado
I love it, maybe should have shopped a little longer! but I'm still happy.
simple
Senior Member
I was sold on an accord as my first car. The only thing holding me up was my bank loan hadn't come through yet. I had always wanted a 4runner but the gas economy scared me, but then I thought...I'm young...might as well enjoy life and get what I want while I'm still here! A few days later, I got a great deal on a great rig.
4RunerFan said:
I forgot to mention that we briefly, and I mean very briefly, considered the Nissan PathFinder. On paper it looked pretty good, but Nissan's current reputation for poor quality precedes the company. Decided to research various forums and ask around to verify. Didn't even visit a Nissan dealership.
