Thinking of picking up a 2014.

[THEDK]

I want a 2wd 2014 SR5, base as possible.
It's -just- at the top of my price range. (OK, a little over.)

I had a 2003 tacoma years ago and loved it. I dropped it for a WRX and a Corvette... I've missed the 'truck' feeling for years.

Being 6'7, i'm also tired of being paranoid about the combination of cabin intrusion and being in small, invisible vehicles.

I've been driving my wife's Tundra for the last couple of weeks, and I'm really liking it.

99% of my driving is going to be town. I commute 25 miles one way. I will put at least 1000 miles a month on this puppy. If it does 18-19 mpg combined, really, that's fine. Both of my other cars do the same, and require premium. (I'll be ditching the Corvette and WRX.)





I do sometimes go on BLM land, but it's nothing that the Tundra (2wd) couldn't handle easily, so I'm sure the 4runner will be good too...


so my questions:
1. I want to drive this thing 150-200,000 miles. Is this a good choice? Of all the "old" vehicles I still see around town, I swear at least 50% of them are 4runners.
2. Any other tall people have any regrets with the 4runner? sometimes I find several thousand miles down the road with a vehicle that there's something that makes driving-while-tall a terrible experience.
3. Are people getting good deals on these?
4. Any comments from people with similar commutes would be highly appreciated. or any other caveats.

Thanks in advance.

The competition is the Xterra, but it jsut feels so dated (and small inside.)
Or getting a CX-6 for the wife, and taking over the Tundra.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Here are my thoughts/answers to your questions:

1. Given that you do the required maintenance, there should be no reason that a 4runner can't easily make it to 150k, 200k even 250k. My 2008 4runner at 124,000 miles is still going strong. There is a member here that has a 2003 or 2004 with 550,000 miles and counting.

2. I'm not tall at 5'9" on a good day but it seems like there should be enough room for you. Best advise I can give is that you take an extended test drive in one and see if it fits you.

3. I feel I got a fair deal on mine. Purchase price of $36k. It really depends and differs where you look. I looked all over NM, TX, CO, AZ. There were a few dealers that offered me good deals over the phone or email. When it came down to it though, I didn't really have time to travel so I bought from the one dealer in my state that offered me a good price. Unfortunately, trail editions seem to be selling like hot cakes here so I'm sure I could've done a lot better on an in-stock SR5 ( I had to order mine).

4. My wife and I also commute 28 miles each way. It's nice to have a vehicle that can tackle just about anything. Both my 2008 and my 2014 are getting around 19 mpg.

Like I said, take an extended test drive, think about it, then go for another test drive. I've enjoyed my 2008 a lot and I'm sure I'll enjoy my 2014 ( if my wife will give me a chance to drive it).

 

[Biggcrisp]

I want a 2wd 2014 SR5, base as possible.
It's -just- at the top of my price range. (OK, a little over.)

I had a 2003 tacoma years ago and loved it. I dropped it for a WRX and a Corvette... I've missed the 'truck' feeling for years.

Being 6'7, i'm also tired of being paranoid about the combination of cabin intrusion and being in small, invisible vehicles.

I've been driving my wife's Tundra for the last couple of weeks, and I'm really liking it.

99% of my driving is going to be town. I commute 25 miles one way. I will put at least 1000 miles a month on this puppy. If it does 18-19 mpg combined, really, that's fine. Both of my other cars do the same, and require premium. (I'll be ditching the Corvette and WRX.)





I do sometimes go on BLM land, but it's nothing that the Tundra (2wd) couldn't handle easily, so I'm sure the 4runner will be good too...


so my questions:
1. I want to drive this thing 150-200,000 miles. Is this a good choice? Of all the "old" vehicles I still see around town, I swear at least 50% of them are 4runners.
2. Any other tall people have any regrets with the 4runner? sometimes I find several thousand miles down the road with a vehicle that there's something that makes driving-while-tall a terrible experience.
3. Are people getting good deals on these?
4. Any comments from people with similar commutes would be highly appreciated. or any other caveats.

Thanks in advance.

The competition is the Xterra, but it jsut feels so dated (and small inside.)
Or getting a CX-6 for the wife, and taking over the Tundra.

At 6'7" drive the Tundra and get your wife the CX-6 or whatever.

I'm 6' and daily drive a full-size truck. 4runner has a smaller cabin than most full size trucks. 4runner cabin is big enough (just not as big).

 

[The Waco Kid]

I want a 2wd 2014 SR5, base as possible.
It's -just- at the top of my price range. (OK, a little over.)

I had a 2003 tacoma years ago and loved it. I dropped it for a WRX and a Corvette... I've missed the 'truck' feeling for years.

Being 6'7, i'm also tired of being paranoid about the combination of cabin intrusion and being in small, invisible vehicles.

I've been driving my wife's Tundra for the last couple of weeks, and I'm really liking it.

99% of my driving is going to be town. I commute 25 miles one way. I will put at least 1000 miles a month on this puppy. If it does 18-19 mpg combined, really, that's fine. Both of my other cars do the same, and require premium. (I'll be ditching the Corvette and WRX.)





I do sometimes go on BLM land, but it's nothing that the Tundra (2wd) couldn't handle easily, so I'm sure the 4runner will be good too...


so my questions:
1. I want to drive this thing 150-200,000 miles. Is this a good choice? Of all the "old" vehicles I still see around town, I swear at least 50% of them are 4runners.
2. Any other tall people have any regrets with the 4runner? sometimes I find several thousand miles down the road with a vehicle that there's something that makes driving-while-tall a terrible experience.
3. Are people getting good deals on these?
4. Any comments from people with similar commutes would be highly appreciated. or any other caveats.

Thanks in advance.

The competition is the Xterra, but it jsut feels so dated (and small inside.)
Or getting a CX-6 for the wife, and taking over the Tundra.

1. I see the same around here. It's the main reason I went with a Toyota SUV in the first place. Fit and finish is really good compared to my previous vehicle (Dodge Dakota), material quality is decent (much better than the Dodges), and the powertrain has a proven reputation of being reliable as compared to similar domestics. You should have no trouble getting 150K or more out of this truck. I passed my Dakota back to my father with 170K on the odo...still drives great and runs strong. So if that can make it that far, I have really high expectations for this T4r.

2. I'm 6'1", and for the most part the cabin is very comfortable. I do feel that on long trips (200+ miles) that the top of the seat is a little too "sculpted." It feels as if it is trying to cup the top of a shorter man's shoulders, but on mine the top of the seat hits the middle-upper half of my shoulders, rather than forming around them. It's not a bad feeling or uncomfortable by any means, but it is a little annoying. My recommendation for you is to spend a few hours in the cabin of one, and see if it's something you can live with. Also, I wish the steering column was a little more adjustable, but again it's not bad by any means, just a personal preference. The best advise anyone can give you here is TEST DRIVE, TEST DRIVE, TEST DRIVE. That'll tell you more than anyone on here can.

3. Check out this thread. Lots of good info. What People are Paying *CLICK ME*

4. My normal commute is 10 miles round trip on city streets (albeit the main street I travel on has a speed limit of 50) and I get about 18.3 (on my current tank). Pure freeway, I'm getting 22+. Pure city stop and go is worse, but my numbers there are from pre-break in, so I was getting 14-17 (it's obviously better now). Coming from a V8 Dakota, which struggled to get 14... this is hyper-mileage territory for me:lol:

At 6'7" drive the Tundra and get your wife the CX-6 or whatever.

I'm 6' and daily drive a full-size truck. 4runner has a smaller cabin than most full size trucks. 4runner cabin is big enough (just not as big).

If he fit in the taco, I'm sure he's be fine in the 4r. It's smaller than a full size pick-up, but it uses it well. It feels bigger than it is... <----lol op2:

 

[THEDK]

Awesome input!
Looks like there are deals to be had.
Hopefully the Internet Sales guy can meet me tomorrow.

 

[THEDK]

So I drove one on the way home.

It has a TREMENDOUS amount of room inside. More head and leg room than the Tundra. In fact, I even had to move the seat forward.
I'm glad I was forewarned about the seat poking in at the top. it is a little bothersome, but not the worst.

Few questions:

1) I drove a 4wd. The accelleration was porky at best - felt like I was towing. Is the 2wd the same?
1a) 99% of my driving will be commuting. Should I still consider a 4wd for the what-ifs and value?
2) The nose dive when braking is boat-like-comical. Is there an anti-lift kit or somesuch I can install for not too much money to combat it? I'm a habitual late braker.

All in all, I think I found my next vehicle.

 

[Stifler]

get the 4wd because you will want it if you dont.

 

[THEDK]

get the 4wd because you will want it if you dont.

This has been true about 9/10 times whenever I bought 'one model down.' Hmmmmm.

 

[Jeremy556]

This has been true about 9/10 times whenever I bought 'one model down.' Hmmmmm.

The 2WD will be slightly lighter, but not enough that you'll notice much difference in acceleration. The throttle response and shift points are designed for economy; it will go quickly (for what it is), but you have to floor it.

Nose dive and body roll can be largely reduced with aftermarket shocks, Bilstein 4300 or 5100 would be the cheapest/easiest option, and around $300. Just realize, the more you eliminate nose dive and body roll, the more you will give up on the cushy ride.

Edit: Sorry, I think they are actually around $300-400 for a set, not $600.

 

[THEDK]

The 2WD will be slightly lighter, but not enough that you'll notice much difference in acceleration. The throttle response and shift points are designed for economy; it will go quickly (for what it is), but you have to floor it.

Nose dive and body roll can be largely reduced with aftermarket shocks, Bilstein 4300 or 5100 would be the cheapest/easiest option, and around $600. Just realize, the more you eliminate nose dive and body roll, the more you will give up on the cushy ride.

Thanks. I prefer a stout (but not jarring) ride. So I'll wait until the shocks blow out, and bet some nice bils. Thanks!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

If you have been driving a 5.7 Tundra the 4runner will feel very underpowered. I came from a V8 4runner and felt the same way. My 14 is either running a little better with more miles or I am just getting used to it. Not sure yet. My thought is why buy a 2 wheel drive. Just get the 4 wheel drive for resale and knowing you can off road farther safely in that BLM land if you want to. I have the limited with the xreas suspension and I do not notice any nose dive. It actually rides stiffer than my 03 did and is very solid with little body roll on the corners. I am surprised at how well it corners on mountain roads. It is actually a little to stiff at times on rough roads compared to my 03 SR5. I never drove a newer SR5 so I do not know what they are like. My son has drove his father in laws 2013 SR5 and my limited and he says the SR5 does nose dive and is floatier than my Limited. I think the trick to buying a new 4runner is to not test drive all the new crossovers with more power, features and more transmission gears. Then you will not feel like you got cheated. Just buy the 4runner and accept it for what it is and enjoy it for 10 or more trouble free years

 

[THEDK]

Yeah. It's not even the 'slowness' that feels weird. I've tets driven slower cars. It just feels like it's ...held back.
Google says maybe supercharger available soon. Hmm..

Will the fancy suspension on a trail have a lot less bucking and dive? I suppose I can drive one tomorrow.

 

[1engineer]

Just floor it tomorrow. You will be surprised. I had the SR5 and now I have a TE with the "fancy" KDSS suspension and there is a huge difference. BTW I am 6'4" and I currently have 43K on the odometer in 18 months. Yes I drive it lol. I just did a 13 hour trip and was comfortable the whole way. Good luck.

 

[THEDK]

Just floor it tomorrow. You will be surprised. I had the SR5 and now I have a TE with the "fancy" KDSS suspension and there is a huge difference. BTW I am 6'4" and I currently have 43K on the odometer in 18 months. Yes I drive it lol. I just did a 13 hour trip and was comfortable the whole way. Good luck.

KDSS is a huge on-road improvement huh? Well crap, that's going to make it harder to find the right truck.

Red or white TE with KDSS, no sunroof, no third row seat, no premium audio.

Wife is going to murder me.

 

[Jeremy556]

Yeah. It's not even the 'slowness' that feels weird. I've tets driven slower cars. It just feels like it's ...held back.
Google says maybe supercharger available soon. Hmm..

Will the fancy suspension on a trail have a lot less bucking and dive? I suppose I can drive one tomorrow.

TRD has been saying the Supercharger is just around the corner for YEARS. Don't count on it ever materializing. There are no aftermarket options either, as Toyota has blocked URD (Gadget) from access to components.

Trail Edition has the same suspension as the SR5. The optional on TE "KDSS" has different (bigger) sway bars and a hydraulic system linking them. KDSS will do little for nose dive, but pretty much eliminates body roll.

 

[THEDK]

TRD has been saying the Supercharger is just around the corner for YEARS. Don't count on it ever materializing. There are no aftermarket options either, as Toyota has block URD (Gadget) from access to components.

Trail Edition has the same suspension as the SR5. The optional on TE "KDSS" has different (bigger) sway bars and a hydraulic system linking them. KDSS will do little for nose dive, but pretty much eliminates body roll.

I don't see why I couldn't just put fatter swaybars on it, for a lot less money then. Unless they can't be had.

I wasn't really that annoyed about the bodyroll.. its' better than the tundra, worse than my vette.

 

[Jeremy556]

I don't see why I couldn't just put fatter swaybars on it, for a lot less money then. Unless they can't be had.

I wasn't really that annoyed about the bodyroll.. its' better than the tundra, worse than my vette.

Cause no one makes aftermarket sway bars for 4runner. Unless you are going to mod/fab the hell out of your ride, the TE KDSS is the best handling OEM setup.

 

[THEDK]

Cause no one makes aftermarket sway bars for 4runner. Unless you are going to mod/fab the hell out of your ride, the TE KDSS is the best handling OEM setup.

KDSS doesn't look s obad now that I've reviewed it. Just hydraulics. I was worried it was magnetic shocks or something. I went down that road before on another car. $1200 per shock, or programming them out of the ysstem.

 

[1engineer]

KDSS is a huge on-road improvement huh? Well crap, that's going to make it harder to find the right truck.

Red or white TE with KDSS, no sunroof, no third row seat, no premium audio.

Wife is going to murder me.

My TE has sunroof, premium audio and slide out tray. 3rd row seat is for really little people and takes up lots of cargo room even when folded down + adds weight the 99 percent of the time you don't use it.

 

[Jeremy556]

The only (currently available) modification that will materially increase acceleration are 4.56 Nitro gears.