Thinking of going from Durango to 4Runner - Questions?

[aimcat]

Hi, my husband and I are considering trading out 12 Dodge Durango RT AWD for a 5th Gen 4runner. Considering new and used.
We love the Durango as far as looks - I think its a great looking SUV, especially the RT, but we have not been to happy with reliability and build quality. It constantly has a new rattle every month. I think the transmission seams really weird and jerky. It only has 60k miles and already had it for several serious recalls and spark plugs and other various repairs.
Interior wise it is comfy and has a lot of space which we like. Before the Durango we had an FJ cruiser and only traded because we wanted something with more space for travel with our dogs, etc.
So now after rethinking we considered all the Toyota SUVS and liked the thought of the 4runner the best.

We are yet to drive a 5th, but how do they ride? My sister has a 2005 and it is a little rigid of a ride.
What is the difference between the Sr5, the Limited (besides luxury) and the Trail? I kind of the like the looks of the trail for some reason, but is it a more rigid ride?

Do you guys like your 4runners?

Really need something we can get and keep for the next 5-6 years and be happy with. Our most important concern is reliability.

Thanks!

 

[Riddler6.7]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?t=186247

Check out that thread. It has almost all the info on what the differences are between models.

The trail model does not ride any more rigid then the other models. However There can be suspension differences between models. Best idea is to test drive them all, but you wont be disappointed with how the trail rides in my opinion. I love the trail premium we just got this month

 

[oljedi11950]

My buddy had the 12 & traded it in for 15 durango v8 awd so far so good no issues just saying !

 

[desertred]

Ride will be very subjective. A friend of mine felt no difference between driving my '10 SR5 and her '07 Limited, while others feel there is a night and day difference. I would try and drive the three major trims (SR5, Trail w/KDSS, and Limited) to see if you like and feel a difference. A lot of people feel that the KDSS (available only on the Trail) improves on road handling/feel. The Limited has XREAS and full time 4WD, while the SR5 and Trail only have part time 4WD.

If looking at used, realize that the 10-13 model years are a bit different in offerings. The SR5 with Leather package offers many of the same luxury items as the Limited and looks identical on the exterior save for the 20" wheels. It has a full leather interior the same as the Limited. The Trail from these model years come with a water resistant interior fabric and black plastic molding around the wheel wells and on the front fascia that is unique to these years. Look through the first dozen pages of the 5th gen picture thread (Sticky at the top of the forum page) to see the visual differences.

 

[meRockboost]

You're better off spending the couple grand more for a new one versus used. 3yr old toyotas sell for a good amount. You should be able to get a good deal on a new one and have the knowledge of its history from day one, my opinion.
I had to choose between the Durango and 4Runner and I choose the yota for the reasons you are getting rid of the Chrysler. It won't have as much get up as you're used to with the hemi but it will be more reliable.

 

[aimcat]

New vs Used yes I would like to get new bc of the prices. I did find a usd 12Limited for a good price. In the new our budget limits us to SR5 or Trail either with probably just cloth which I don't know about because I am so use to leather.
Does the cloth hold up well in the 4runners?

Also on the hemi - sometimes I never even realize I have the hemi in the Durango because it honestly feels very sluggish at times.

 

[meRockboost]

Get a set of wet okole seat covers for $500 and never worry about wear and tear and save big cash vs the premium models with leather. I got my sr5 for $33.9k new, two months later they advertised a black one for $33.1k. Click link and scroll down for pic. These are next on my buy list.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/181670-wet-okole.html

 

[1engineer]

Test drive.

 

[flyinhawaiian01]

I had a Durango once.

Once....

I bought it brand new, traded my '95 4 runner for it, what a mistake that was!

I have never had nearly as many issues with that friggin' junk than all of my other cars put together! The rattles. The noise from the rear a/c. the tiny little foam balls from the rear a/c coming from the vents as the fan tried to eat its way out of the damned vehicle. The transmission. The transmission (yes, twice, because it went south twice on us! This, with a vehicle babied and never towed with).

The final straw was the vehicle just completely dying on the highway after my wife dropped me off at the airport for a business trip. My 6 or 7 month old son was with her as she was stranded for an hour waiting for AAA to get her. The dealership reproduced the issue once, couldn't do it again, I said eff it, I'm done with Dodge and went out and bought her an '05 Tacoma double cab.

Yeah, the Durangos look pretty nice, and those hemis are really fun (we had the 360, that was plenty enough for me), but the fit and finish in them, as well as reliability after 70k (we had 76k) is not worth it.

Good luck on your purchase, I'm sure you'll enjoy the 4 runner if you decide to get one!

 

[dekeman]

Test drive.

Indeed. And not for the 15 minutes, on the select route, that the salesperson wants. Demand at least an hour or more with it, drive it where you normally would, try out its 4WD, its brakes from 60 mph, its passing ability, mash the throttle to the floor. Do not baby it, but thoroughly evaluate over a host of parameters, including how easy the kids climb and fit into the back. And remember it is a truck — albeit one that requires repairs far, far less than any vehicle you've owned before, especially a Dingo.

 

[Saker]

Do you guys like your 4runners?

Really need something we can get and keep for the next 5-6 years and be happy with. Our most important concern is reliability.

Thanks!

Definately go to the dealership, and take all models on a test drive. I'm not talking a 5 minute test drive while the salesman is trying to sell you on the vehicle you are currently testing......
Take a test drive, put it on backroads, interstate and TEST DRIVE them.

Before I purchased my former FJ Cruiser, I had it for 6 hours of test driving it.
When I bought my current T4R, I drove it for 4 hours.....
Obviousluy the test drive were without salesmen, only me and the wife.

Just sayin' how I take a "Test Drive"!

Yes, we like our 4Runners no matter what generation we are driving.
Once I left American vehicles and started driving Toyotas, there was no going back.
Dependability!

Durango (Chrysler) vs. 4Runner (Toyota) = 4Runner (Toyota) hands down IMHO

 

[philsey]

-5/27/13-

my husband and i currently own a 12 jeep wrangler unlimited with around 17k miles. While we really love dropping the top on the jeep, we have sort of gotten to the point where we are asking why we got it. It has a very ridged ride and not sure its for us. We travel a lot and its pretty raw driving down the interstate with the top moving and the vehicle swaying every time you pass a semi. Haha.

So we are asking ourselves this and need some opinions....do we keep the jeep or sell and get one of the following.....and looking at these

06 lexus gx470 w 95k miles
06 sequoia srs sport edition - 91k
07 sequoia limited - 120k
07 4 runner limited - 115k
or maybe 06-09 rx350 (more of a crossover by lexus)

things that are important to us - ride, comfy and luxury. I will be honest - it seems none of these have satellite radio or aux imput options and i love my satellite radio, so huge negative there....and from what ive read hard to add without changing factory options?!

just need some imput - highly considering the lexus - is this too many miles on these? We plan on keeping 2-3 years.

-5/28/13-

ok i drove my sisters 4runner this morning - have never driven it before. Did not like the ride and thought the seats were a little uncomfortable. So i will rule out the 4runner and no offense 4runner owners!

Ok so that leaves the 06 lexus gx470 with 95k miles
2 sequoias one with the srs sport package with leather and all that just no wood grain and 91k miles and a limited with 120k miles
or maybe a lexus rx350.....

Does the sequoia have a better ride than the lexus?

Would you see any problems getting a gx with 95k miles?

---also wanted to throw this in the mix - what about a mercedes ml with 84k miles? One of the dealers i am looking at has one - mint condtion. However i have never had a mercedes and not sure on reliability?

 

[Saker]

Hmmmm
Thanks philsey!

looks like someone :fishing:

 

[Orc]

Who trolls a SUV forum lol

 

[aimcat]

I don't understand posting my previous posts? Yes I've posted here before asking for advice? Is that not what this board is for? So for asking for advice again I am a troll?? Wow.

 

[1engineer]

I don't understand posting my previous posts? Yes I've posted here before asking for advice? Is that not what this board is for? So for asking for advice again I am a troll?? Wow.

You didn't like it a year and a half ago. The 4runner has not changed. It does not ride any differently than it did then lol.

 

[philsey]

Since you're a little butthurt, and it's my fault, I've isolated out your actual questions. You remind me of my kids when they were in school, inasmuch as they got ticked when I wouldn't do their homework for them. Here ya go ....

We are yet to drive a 5th, but how do they ride?

* Totally subjective - go test drive. /fights temptation to say "rigid"/

What is the difference between the Sr5, the Limited (besides luxury) and the Trail?

* If you'll look around, there is a very recent thread on this, or you could go to Toyota.com, ya know? And of course there's always Search.
Here ya go: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...te-search-toyota-4runner-5th-gen-section.html

I kind of the like the looks of the trail for some reason, but is it a more rigid ride?

* Than what?

Do you guys like your 4runners?

* Seriously? SERIOUSLY?

OK, you've been spoonfed. We WILL help you, but please don't come back with questions that could be answered "test drive", 'kay?

 

[T4Trail]

OP, if i may

Do you off road ? if you do, to what extent ?

Why did you rule out a highlander ?

Do you care for a third row seating?

Asking becuse a lot of people take the 4runner as just another SUV and use it as thier daily driver. ( nothing wrong with that ) however, what they are usually looking for is bascially a highlander and they somehow end up with a 4runner.

I am a 4runner guy and my wife a highlander gal. She thinks the 4runner to too bulky, rigid and manly Vs. the highlander, perfect for her style.

Either way you are in the right market of Toyota, looking for your next SUV. I would definately look into a highlander and a 4runner closely, driver the two, compare, and see what suits your lifestyle the best.

 

[ShannyBananny]

If you want something that rides nice, get a Highlander. We looked at Highlanders and 4Runners. I really wanted the nice ride and comfy seats of the Highlander but couldn't bring myself to drive something that looked similar to a minivan. Call it a mid-life crisis but I wanted something tougher looking and was willing to sacrifice a little comfort. You are also going to be giving up a lot of power from the Durango to a 4Runner.

I have had mine for 2 months and absolutely love it. I haven't been this excited about a vehicle since I bought my first SUV (Yukon) over 15 years ago.

 

[dekeman]

I don't understand posting my previous posts? Yes I've posted here before asking for advice? Is that not what this board is for? So for asking for advice again I am a troll?? Wow.

Phil, unlike yourself, has not wasted other people's time. Either heed the advice given many times and buy a 4R — or not — or add something to the discussion or move along. Start being a plus-one instead of a minus one.