What makes people drive 4Runners?

[farmerjon]

Perhaps this is just due to me being young and only having driven a few vehicles (none of which are jeeps!), but what is it exactly that "converts" people to drive 4Runners?

I started thinking about this, especially after reading a number of times on the forums about how "my buddy drove my 4Runner and now has one himself/wants one/etc." or how Millerad1651 is looking at a 4Runner for his wife... or how BFAD's wife drives one - what is it that makes one's spouses willing to drive one as well and such?

Like I said, it may be that I just haven't experienced enough vehicles or such, and though I LOVE my 4Runner, I'm not exactly sure what other people think of it...

So...fire away! How do you see it?

 

[4Running Daily]

Cupholders.

Oh wait, no that isn't it.

 

[S Brake]

Checked all the right boxes for me. I needed something that would be good in the snow, could carry a car seat, tow decently, and get me to my favorite shooting spots. I drove an 89 pickup in high school so I wanted to get another Toyota.

 

[PitbullRescuer]

I'm not that young and have owned over 40 vehicles. That said, I love these things for a few reasons:
-they're almost unbreakable
-they're affordable
-they're DIY friendly
-they still look good
-they're comfortable
-they're safe
-they fit pretty much anything you need in them

Want me to go on?

 

[farmerjon]

I'm not that young and have owned over 40 vehicles. That said, I love these things for a few reasons:
-they're almost unbreakable
-they're affordable
-they're DIY friendly
-they still look good
-they're comfortable
-they're safe
-they fit pretty much anything you need in them

Want me to go on?

I was hoping some of the more "veteran" owners would chime in, thanks PBR And yes, you can go on

I love that the 4Runners run skid plates as stock equipment, a sure sign (and blessing) from Toyota that they were meant to be used and taken everywhere, used for everything...

 

[Evil Ash]

I have also owned several vehicles including a Nissan hardbody 4x4 and a 02 wrangler.
I couldn't find a nice 97 land cruiser so I looked into 4runners. I have always thought it would be great to own a 4Runner so I dove in.
Some specifics-
Toy quality
4x4
small/mid size SUV
buildable- lots of mods available
style

 

[TheDurk]

I was living in Brazil when I first drove a 4Runner. My BIL bought one and it was the perfect machine for brutal Brazilian roads and wonderful off-road destinations. Small enough to maneuver but big enough to intimidate crazy Brazilian drivers in tiny cars. Holds a few kids plus a maid and a dog and groceries on weekend trips.

I bought one myself in 1997 and loved it (HiLux sw4, almost the same as a 4Runner.) Then I moved back to the States and bought another one in 1999. Same reasons as before, and I needed a snow-capable vehicle. I also had two kids coming to go to college in the States. I've probably done 20 moves for those kids with my '99 4Runner since I bought it new. Kid #3 is now getting moved, too.

It's simple to maintain. I am the only wrench to touch her in the last 12 years and 90,000 miles, including the timing belt. (Kids fried the clutch learning to drive--I let the dealer do that.) Stuff rarely breaks that doesn't deserve to--the stinkin' clock is my only complaint.

All three 4Runners are still in the family and running great.

EDIT: I should mention my BIL was an automotive engineer for FIAT do Brasil. He had done a lot of research before buying his HiLux and remains a huge fanboy of the 3G HiLux/Surf/4Runner. Those HiLux have outlasted both our marriages.

 

[fluffeh]

I'm in the same boat as you, being young and having owned very few cars, but in my little corner of the world my 4runner is looked down upon for a million reasons. But it is, in my opinion, far superior to any SUV anyone I know drives. I love it and wouldn't trade it for anything.

 

[JasetheDamager]

I finally bought a 4Runner cuz I've watched my friends tear Toyotas to shreds over the last 15 years by taking them onroad, offroad, over hills, around hills, through hills, over jumps and bumps, into lakes, then miraculously out of lakes. And the trucks keep on living no matter what.

I've had so many conversations in which 200K+ miles is normal on the original motor. How many vehicle owners can say that?

And I've been around Jeep owners. I like Jeeps. Some of them are amazing offroad vehicles. But the Jeeps I've been in mostly suck on the road. I have an awesome all-around vehicle. My Runner can get me places most cars/trucks/SUVs can never go, and I don't even have locking diffs and probably never will.

I especially love my Runner compared to the brodozers I'm surrounded by here in the OC.

My truck needs a paint job. I rarely wash it. I should probably wax it. I no longer have any chrome, but if I did, it wouldn't be shiny. I feel real Runner owners know the most important stuff is a rust-free undercarriage and a safe, sound mechanical vehicle, not 20" rims and a 6" lift.

 

[farmerjon]

I finally bought a 4Runner cuz I've watched my friends tear Toyotas to shreds over the last 15 years by taking them onroad, offroad, over hills, around hills, through hills, over jumps and bumps, into lakes, then miraculously out of lakes. And the trucks keep on living no matter what.

I've had so many conversations in which 200K+ miles is normal on the original motor. How many vehicle owners can say that?

And I've been around Jeep owners. I like Jeeps. Some of them are amazing offroad vehicles. But the Jeeps I've been in mostly suck on the road. I have an awesome all-around vehicle. My Runner can get me places most cars/trucks/SUVs can never go, and I don't even have locking diffs and probably never will.

I especially love my Runner compared to the brodozers I'm surrounded by here in the OC.

My truck needs a paint job. I rarely wash it. I should probably wax it. I no longer have any chrome, but if I did, it wouldn't be shiny. I feel real Runner owners know the most important stuff is a rust-free undercarriage and a safe, sound mechanical vehicle, not 20" rims and a 6" lift.

Well said, JasetheDamager!

 

[JWaldz]

Not only have I been dedicated to Toyotas since I could drive but my family has as well. My first vehicle was a 2nd gen 4Runner and despite me totaling it, it also saved my life. I can't imagine the same wreck in any other vehicle and me walking away from it the way I did. These things have always had great crash ratings and built to last year after year, even after being tortured. Lastly, the 3rd gens were built in such a style that was ahead of their time, especially the 99+. They truly fit right in with all the other new suv's out there today. THAT is why love my 4runner and take pride in driving it.

 

[farmerjon]

Not only have I been dedicated to Toyotas since I could drive but my family has as well. My first vehicle was a 2nd gen 4Runner and despite me totaling it, it also saved my life. I can't imagine the same wreck in any other vehicle and me walking away from it the way I did. These things have always had great crash ratings and built to last year after year, even after being tortured. Lastly, the 3rd gens were built in such a style that was ahead of their time, especially the 99+. They truly fit right in with all the other new suv's out there today. THAT is why love my 4runner and take pride in driving it.

That's been one story I've heard time and time again - "I crashed in my 4Runner, it's totaled, but I walked away." Many times with little injuries. They've truly been proven.

I've noticed that, that especially the 3rd gens were designed in such a way, that they were ahead of their time, as you said. Many people have been shocked when told that the vehicle is a late 90's and not newer than that...

 

[mikebontoft]

Well... I never thought I'd own one.

I may only be 20 but this would be my fourth car. First one and one I still have is a Focus. I loved driving it, handled great. Then I went to an old turbo mazda and I love that one too (still have it but tons of trouble lately) Finally had a nice one pop up and decided I needed something reliable.

Now I have a 4wd. Never expected that. I drive and work on tons of cars every day. No, these aren't the easiest to work on but they look so damn nice!

Maybe that's why I have one? would rather have a 3rd gen but it is what it is.

edit: OH cupholders. That is a good reason for me. stupid mazda had none.

 

[chimpy]

My wife loves our 2001 SR5 4x4 and when momma is happy, everyone is happy!:banana:

 

[KidVermicious]

For me, it's the powerful motor and excellent fuel economy and plush ride.















What?

 

[TCMach]

Well I had a mustang. I knew I needed and wanted something better for the mountains so I started to look at DIY friendly SUVs. I ended up finding this site and that was all she wrote.
Another huge factor was that when I was a kid my mom had an 02 limited. It was the first vehicle I ever drove and I have plenty of good memories from it. I just get to extend those memories with my 4runner

 

[Granite]

congrats!.

 

[1985taylor1925]

I loved Tacomas when I was younger. I remember seeing 2nd gen Tacos driving around when I was 16 and thinking they were awesome. When I was looking at vehicles over two years ago Tacomas were too expensive for my budget. So I started looking at the next best thing, 4runners. So I went on edmonds to look at reviews and found that 3rd gens are one of the highest reviewed vehicles out there. I think after that my mind was set on a 3rd gen, even though I had never driven one.

 

[I_bRAD]

This is my first truck as I've always been a wagon guy. I was looking for a wagon with good space, actual towing capacity and a manual transmission- that doesn't exist anymore. I tend to take my cars way further off road than most- so a capable 4x4 was probably a good idea as well now that I've got a family to worry about. So, on to SUVs. Picked out a few. Looked at the 30-40G price tags and said screw that You can't even get most of them with a stick either. Got fed up, did a search online to see what I could get for a grand. Turns out, not much. But an old 2nd gen caught my eye and while it was too far gone for my tastes I was decided on a runner. for much closer to the 1G than the 40 I got me a nice 4runner. Turns out it's as much fun to work on as it is to drive.

 

[Hepar]

My brother's first car when he was sixteen was a lifted '89 Xtra Cab. I LOVED that truck. I've owned all sorts of vehicles, but if I ever strayed from a Toyota 4wd, I didn't stray for long. That gave me a love of Toyotas. My love of 4Runners has been around for just as long. Drooled over the 1st gens and when the 2nd gens first came out, I didn't think they got much better. Stopped liking them too much when the 4th gens came out. Didn't like the styling all that much and also the bigger size. (although this sight has shown me that they can look SICK when built)

Now for my current 4Runner, I previously had an '01 Xtra Cab Tacoma that was my baby. Unfortunately my sisters ahole ex bailed on her and her two kids, so I've been trying to help out as much as I can. With them getting bigger every day, it make life hard with the truck and I didn't want to get a quad cab because of the short bed. I decided that the only two vehicles that were in my price range were a new FJ or if I could find it, the perfect 3rd gen 4Runner. Just was the perfect blend of stye, size, reliability etc etc. Almost gave up my search many times, but SO glad I stuck with it.