What did you consider before your t4r

[1beastnstl]

I'm in a slump right now in my search for my t4r. Just NOT finding what I'm looking for since I'm searching out of state as well as locally. I'm curious what you guys considered purchasing before pulling the trigger on the rig you have now. I had looked at Pathfinders and Land Cruisers before making my mind up to come BACK to a t4r.........

 

[Kung]

My wife was dead set on an Explorer Sport Trac, and my last 2 Fords haven't been that bad to me (my F150 has been fantastic), but soon as I found out about the whole timing chain tensioner guide rattle thing, pretty much anything with that engine (4.0L) was a no go for me.

I circled around Xterras and even the Sequoia; but the simple fact is that I know/knew too many people who owned 4Runners and were happy with them. I briefly flirted with a 2003 4Runner, V8 Limited, but then found my current '00 4Runner SR5 Highlander 4x4.

 

[4Running Daily]

A ford, a chevy and a few others.

But the fact is, keep searching for a 4Runner. In the end, it'll be worth it.
Nothing compares to a 4Runner.

 

[1beastnstl]

A ford, a chevy and a few others.

But the fact is, keep searching for a 4Runner. In the end, it'll be worth it.
Nothing compares to a 4Runner.

This I know EVEN from the "dogs" I have driven so far.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

We tested an extensive list of vehicles before going with the T4R. In fact, at first the 4Runner wasn't even on the list for us at first. We were looking for a family oriented vehicle that my wife can drive in poor weather and we can take on camping/road trips. We were not looking for an off-road monster.
So, we looked at
Rav4
- We were happy with it, but felt too much body roll around corners. We liked the mpg and V6 engine as well as 3500lb towing. What killed it was the packages. We wanted something nicer than the base model and less expensive than the Limited, but the Sport model came with RFT (run flat tires) which we didn't like, along with other small things we didn't like
Highlander
- On paper, looks like a good vehicle. This was one of the shortest test drives because we didn't like the interior layout of the feel of the drive at all.
Edge
We took a chance and test drove the edge, but felt like the price tag was set for all the (pointless) knick knacks inside, not the ride quality of vehicle, engine or longevity.
* Now that I have my new work truck (2011 V8 F150) I am sooooo glad we didn't buy a Ford with our own money because I would have been very upset with the outcome
Volvo XC 60
This was one of the closest runner up because of all the safety features, but every little add on cost an arm and a leg and we just didn't want to pay $40K+ for a vehicle that wasn't "perfect in every way" and only got driven on the weekends
Subaru Outback 3.6R
We loved almost everything about this car, except for the new generation had unresolved issues with shaking steering wheel/column. Even after multiple call backs, Subaru still couldn't get the problem fixed on a couple owner's vehicles and they had to lemon law those cars. We weren't paying $35K for a car with a 50/50 chance of that type of problem.

Finally, one day we decided to take a 4Runner out on a test drive, just because we had some time to kill before meeting family for dinner and fell in love. At that point, we decided to scour the web for the right 4th Gen T4R for us. We finally found it at Pappas Toyota in St. Charles. Which, by the way, was a great dealership to deal with. If we knew we were looking for this size vehicle from the get go, I would have also taken one of the new Explorers out on a test drive, but I already mentioned my feelings about Ford above.

 

[SCRunner12]

A 1st gen 4runner and 4th gen Toyota pickup. All I will ever own is a Toyota, but maybe a Subaru for the Fiance.

 

[ant-ny]

started with the pilot. had it for about 4mths and 3500 miles before trading it in and buying the T4R. best decision i ever made. the pilot had some mechanical/tansmission issues i was worried about and the dealer claimed everything was "normal". there is a website very similar to this one for pilot owners that i still check occassionally, and the problems i had with mine, it seems many others are having the same issues and getting the runaround from honda like i did. there were some things on the pilot that i liked better, but overall, the 4R is a much better vehicle and i made the right choice (eventually)

 

[Hepar]

Before I had this Runner, I had an '01 Tacoma. I needed more passenger space. My sister's d-bag ex-husband decided to bail on her and her two kids, so I've been helping her out as much as I can. Was getting to be a big pain in the a$$ to get them in and out of the back.

I knew the search was going to be hard and the only other vehicle I was considering was a new FJ. I came SO close several times to buying one, but I just kept telling myself to be patient. It took me almost a year to find the one I wanted. Being picky has its time costs, but I am so glad I did. I know I would have been happy with an FJ, but not as happy as I am in my 3rd gen. The downside was that I had budgeted for a new FJ, so when I bought a Runner that was far under that cost, I went a little mod happy.

Good luck with the search. Be patient. It will reward you in the long run.

 

[034RUNNER]

I considered MANY vehicles before my 4runner.

Land Rover Discovery
Ford Explorer
Trailblazer
Jeep Grand Cherokee

I cant even remember the others but man, it was a long, exhaustive search as it is whenever we buy cars in this house. Don't settle, OP, the wait will be worth it.

I didn't think I could afford the 4R but a deal came up as I was about to make a deposit on a nearby Ford Explorer. It wasn't anything special and it was just supposed to be my "snow" car so I could get around.

Before making the trip to see the Yota, we went and test drove one. Now, let me keep in mind that I had never been in anything but a domestic car before, let alone drive one. It seemed so luxurious and so exotic. The Ford quickly seemed cheap and not special in my mind right then and there.

I am so happy my father talked me into the 4Runner and had me go drive one. I will drive the wheels off my truck.

I had to drive many of the SUV's I was considering for my job about a year ago. My God, if I bought the Explorer, I would have gotten rid of it by now. Everything else seemed so cheap and horrible to drive. It made getting into my 4Runner even sweeter by comparison.

Don't give up and don't quit looking. The best deals take time to come up.

 

[bergs]

I was half-looking for a family vehicle, moreso I was trying to stay current on prices, but the vehicles I was seriously considering before I ended up purchasing the "Toyota Valdez" (on a deal I could not pass up):

BMW 540i (with the Sports package) or the M5
Volvo V70R
Volvo S60R
Volvo S80
Subaru Legacy GT wagon


I needed something that could tow and while none of these cars make good tow vehicles, I resigned to the fact that I'd be keeping my Ranger to tow the race bike (and supporting items) while making my lady-friend and daughter drive to the track on their own........then a 2005 4Runner V8 Sport came out of nowhere and the rest is history.

 

[Dusty Driftwood]

Don't give up and don't quit looking. The best deals take time to come up.

I couldn't agree with this more. It took us a good 6 moths to find the right one for us, but I am glad that I waited and we're in a 4Runner now. It is like a dream car. Since you're in StL, shoot me some specs on what you're looking for and I'll help you keep an eye out. I still check postings from time to time just to get an idea of what they're selling for. I also have a contact at Pappas Toyota that will scour the ends of the Earth to find her customers what they're looking for.

 

[1beastnstl]

I couldn't agree with this more. It took us a good 6 moths to find the right one for us, but I am glad that I waited and we're in a 4Runner now. It is like a dream car. Since you're in StL, shoot me some specs on what you're looking for and I'll help you keep an eye out. I still check postings from time to time just to get an idea of what they're selling for. I also have a contact at Pappas Toyota that will scour the ends of the Earth to find her customers what they're looking for.

Just got off the phone/email with a dealer and they have an 02 that is the BEST looking t4r I have seen in my journey

TOTAL Toyota history but the price is STEEP.........11,900

 

[Kung]

Whoa...that's a little steep, UNLESS it has like 40K miles (IMHO). I could have had an '03 4x4 Limited with 105K miles in perfect condition for $12,500 when I purchased mine.

 

[bergs]

That's more than I paid for my 2005!

 

[1beastnstl]

Whoa...that's a little steep, UNLESS it has like 40K miles (IMHO). I could have had an '03 4x4 Limited with 105K miles in perfect condition for $12,500 when I purchased mine.

I agree that the price is a bit STEEP. I'm not going to offer much more than 9k if I offer anything.