Sold my 5th gen. Final Thoughts.

[robotkiller]

Interesting about all the Infiniti owners in here. We just had a kid, so I'll be trading in my G37 coupe 6MT for a TE with KDSS, BFGs T/A KOs and Mojaves. I haven't driven the KDSS yet - buying it sight unseen and picking it up next week. That said, having driven the SR5 - I can't imagine how anyone could expect this thing to handle or drive like a sports sedan. In stock trim it handled perfectly fine for an SUV - loads better than the Lx470, which is the last SUV I've driven extensively.

I'm sure the KDSS will flatten out the handling, but I'm moderating my expectations and accepting the trade off in handling and speed for the space, capability and badassery of the TE 4Runner. I'll probably keep it forever and pick up a sports car in a few years for scratching the speed itch.

The interior is definitely utilitarian - not much in the way of soft touch materials or luxury feel. That said, the car was tightly built with no rattles or gaps. Well built with cheaper feeling materials beats poorly built with rich materials - ie my wife's new Audi.

 

[jam23r1]

your dead to us:gun4:

 

[Screecha]

Some guys just are not truck guys, and I don't get why they buy trucks expecting them to be cars. But then again, I have never driven anything but BOF 4x4 SUV's. I love my 11'LTD, but I digress. I don't own anything made in Europe, don't have a smartphone or even an Ipod. Try as I might.....I'm just not a fancyboy.:sobbing:

I am not a truck guy at all however I love how our T4R is the complete opposite of my WRX. I feel like I have the best of both worlds.

 

[gwcpa]

I see a trend here...I had one of the first G35s made, an Obsidian sedan that I loved. Fast, handled great and dealer service was very good.

But it was expensive to own, tires, brakes (although the first set including rotors were covered under warranty) and so so mpg.

One day I'd like another sports sedan/coupe, but my 4Runner is too practical to give up for me. I tow, carry lots of cargo around and like the way it drives. I think it handles fine, but I had a Tahoe recently, which really sucked in handling.

Mileage is good in the 4runner, ( avg 19-20 no problem) and it tows my 4500 lb boat fine.

Good luck with your next vehicle. I'd enjoy a 335i as well.

If Toyota updates the 4Runner in '12 or 13, I'll probably trade up.

 

[Renegad44]

Some guys just are not truck guys, and I don't get why they buy trucks expecting them to be cars. But then again, I have never driven anything but BOF 4x4 SUV's. I love my 11'LTD, but I digress. I don't own anything made in Europe, don't have a smartphone or even an Ipod. Try as I might.....I'm just not a fancyboy.:sobbing:

Good post :iagree:. I love my 4Runner, all three of them while I had them, but I never put either of them in the same class as my "modded" 2000 Corvette. My 4Runner is for fun, and my Corvette is for fun, just different types. :thumb3:

 

[ciaz]

I was never expecting the 4runner to handle like a sports car. I expected it to handle as well as other SUVs, and it failed. For me it was simply not enjoyable to drive.

 

[harper7]

Sad to see you go old friend! :hello:
Good luck with what ever you get in the future!
Life's too short not to drive what makes YOU happy!

 

[-JD-]

Sounds like yet another case of someone who was looking for a crossover but bought an SUV....

 

[ragde11]

:guitar3:

Some guys just are not truck guys, and I don't get why they buy trucks expecting them to be cars. But then again, I have never driven anything but BOF 4x4 SUV's. I love my 11'LTD, but I digress. I don't own anything made in Europe, don't have a smartphone or even an Ipod. Try as I might.....I'm just not a fancyboy.:sobbing:

http://www.mysmiley.net/imgs/smile/...iley.net/imgs/smile/fighting/fighting0060.gif

 

[rotorhead6]

I started a post a few days ago about trading my SR5 in also. I agree with the cons that you posted. I had a SR5 and never liked the way it handled on the road. Maybe a crossover was more of the direction I needed to go. I had a 3rd gen. T4R that I loved. However, no looking back. I went with an Acura MDX Advance Package and absolutely love it...Good luck.

 

[CraigRoberts]

We also own a Porsche Cayman and Honda Accord in addition to the 4Runner.

I have come to hate driving the Accord, just because it only does everything only OK. I expect the 4Runner to handle like a large truck and have incredible off-road abilities, and that is what I love it for. The Porsche is so outrageously the opposite and its capabilities are far beyond what I can ever hope to use fully on the street. I expect the 4Runner to be the total opposite of a well-tuned sports car and enjoy it for that. I didn't want a car-based SUV or any compromise.

If I could only have one though, the Accord would probably be the "best" because of the balanced features and is the most practical, but it could never be as fun to drive as either of the other two.

That said, the 335i is a great choice and an awesome car. Especially after a few mods :thumb3:

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I hear you bro since I came from driving sedans for many years. This is my first SUV and learned to embraced the way it drives.

Good luck with your next purchase and hopefully you'll get the vehicle you'll really enjoy owning/driving.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

If I could only have one though, the Accord would probably be the "best" because of the balanced features and is the most practical

I owned 1997 and 2004 Honda Accord in the past and never gave me problem. If only insurance companies up here in Canada gave me good rate on my 2004 Accord, I would have keep it.

 

[thebwlife]

I'm renting a car.

I'm going to get a beater/daily driver and a possibly a BMW 335i. Still haven't decided

We got one of these in 04/15/2010 to celebrate the raping I received from the US gov't on tax day. Mine is a European delivery (purchased in and shipped from germany) has a full european M-Tech body kit, you'll love one. We're now having twins so i'm getting rid of the Tahoe in a couple months and getting a 2012 4Runner, but were keeping this BMW its pretty sweet.


BMW 2 by thebwlife, on Flickr


BMW 3 by thebwlife, on Flickr


BMW 4 by thebwlife, on Flickr


BMW 1 by thebwlife, on Flickr

 

[CraigRoberts]

Sweeeeet

If we have kids I think the Cayman should go. European delivery on a 335i would be awesome. Twin turbo power!

 

[11TEBLK]

Goodluck with you're 335I!! I wish I could have kept mine, that thing dipped!! I'd take my TE any day though but to have both would be AWESOME!!

 

[chmura]

I'm doing European Delivery on a white M3 Sedan 6MT. Picking the car up in Munich on September 27th! Cant freaking wait! Ordered it in June.

 

[homeyclaus]

I'm doing European Delivery on a white M3 Sedan 6MT. Picking the car up in Munich on September 27th! Cant freaking wait! Ordered it in June.

Did you manage to get a hotel room there that time of year? Oktoberfest is on during that time, so be sure to check out the Wies'n - just don't drive after, since Germany has zero tolerance for that sort of thing.

 

[Ridin4Runner]

The Limited had leather and seat warmers, two things I was very used to, but those 20" rims. I also don't like auto climate and headlights, so the Trail wins for me there.

The auto climate is a choice, you can turn it off with the push of a the button. I can not stand auto as well in any of my vehicles. Hope the dealer did not tell you it had to be on, that would suck.

 

[Ridin4Runner]

I was never expecting the 4runner to handle like a sports car. I expected it to handle as well as other SUVs, and it failed. For me it was simply not enjoyable to drive.

Maybe it was your lift....I have only owned SUV's (no cross over stuff) for my daily vehicle and the 4Runner Limited with XREAS is far superior. Cornering is fantastic (for a SUV) and overall road, very solid. 5th Gen, major improvements IMO.