what to consider when buying...

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cxrob

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After 27 great years of having a company vehicle... it's coming to an end and I must purchase vehicle.

I am set on getting a 4x4 SUV and narrowed my choices to a late model Jeep GC, Ford Explorer and the 4runner.

I do like the 5th gen T4R's but would probably by used over new.

Are there any quirks/known issues with the 5th years I should be aware of when searching for a used one?

Thanks
 
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cxrob said:
After 27 great years of having a company vehicle... it's coming to an end and I must purchase vehicle.

I am set on getting a 4x4 SUV and narrowed my choices to a late model Jeep GC, Ford Explorer and the 4runner.

I do like the 5th gen T4R's but would probably by used over new.

Are there any quirks/known issues with the 5th years I should be aware of when searching for a used one?

Thanks
Click to expand...

The Explorer is really a front-wheel drive based crossover. They aren't bad, but if you plan on doing anything other than city driving inclement weather it's not going to be up to par.

The Jeep's are great, if you don't care about resale or reliability.

The 4Runner make not be as pretty, but it's resale is super strong, it can get you where you need to go, and it's known for not having problems.

Good luck!
 
cxrob said:
After 27 great years of having a company vehicle... it's coming to an end and I must purchase vehicle.

I am set on getting a 4x4 SUV and narrowed my choices to a late model Jeep GC, Ford Explorer and the 4runner.

I do like the 5th gen T4R's but would probably by used over new.

Are there any quirks/known issues with the 5th years I should be aware of when searching for a used one?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I test drove all 3 of those (along with the Tahoe) back in Feb/March before pulling the trigger on the 4R Limited.

The Explorer was very nice if you don't need/want any off-road capability. Honestly, it would have been just fine for my use as far as driving is concerned. Decent interior space, nice seats, good list of options. The biggest thing that had me with that was the up-trim MyFord Touch. I've heard VERY mixed reviews about it and I didn't want to have to deal with it down the road. The twin-turbo 6-cylinder was also quite appealing on this one.... really had to think about it.


The GC was very nice and the V8 was definitely better than the 4.0 V6 in the 4R. The interior was great and quite luxurious (I drove the Overland trim) and the features and tech were really top notch as well. Some of the stuff is largely unproven over time (air lift suspension) and given the reputation of Jeeps, I wasn't ready to make that commitment to something that might possibly have problems.


The 4R is perfect for my use. Everything just works. The seats are good, plenty of cargo space that is easy to use. The leather and stereo are quite good for OEM/options (JBL Nav on this one). The big deciding factor was really that it is hard to find legitimate issues with the 4R. Yes, there is the nose dive under hard braking, but that's not necessarily something "wrong" with the truck. I believe the older models had a headlight hazing issue, but it has since been corrected.

The engine and transmission are proven, as is the chassis and overall package. There are really only a couple of things my 4R is missing that I would have liked (power liftgate, memory seats, HID lighting, V8 option). The first 2 on that list I can do without since it's really just me driving it and not my wife much - she sticks to her Highlander. For the lighting, I'll probably end up doing a retrofit down the road and start saving for a supercharger now to give the truck what I felt it should have had from the factory. A huge bonus is the resale value (tightly linked to the reliability) that will only further differentiate from competitors as the years and miles add up.
 
Be sure to compare the prices on both new and used 5th Gen 4Runners. They hold their value so well that it almost isn't worth getting used in some situations.

Sometimes all that separates a new 4Runner and a 1-2 year old one with 20-30k miles on it is a couple thousand $$

I paid less for my new '13 SR5, then a comparable '12 SR5 they had on the same lot with 25k miles...granted I negotiated for my '13 and didn't negotiate for the '12, so I may have been able to get the '12 for $1k-$2k less then the '13, but that doesn't really translate much in the monthly payment, so why bother.

Also, Uni-body SUVs, or CUVs, like the Explorer and Jeep, really aren't much more then glorified mini-vans. If you really want a "4x4 SUV" then CUVs shouldn't be on your list. Their only benefit over a true BoF SUV, like the 4runner, is car like handling, and more interior space.
 
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Thanks all for feedback...

I have owned many Ford's as company cars most ok... but have had tranny issues on several. I sat in the Explorer and found it roomy and comfortable.

As for Jeep... owned 3 in the family all pretty much disasters... one ABS system went bad $3K, other blown cylinder head and last one transfer case. For some reason I continue to get drawn to the Jeep on its looks and ride but given the bad track record I had ... it may be time to scratch this off the list.

Never owned a Toyota but having now seen a few of the 5G TR's on the road I like the look

Here are some of the prices I am getting with no negotiation so far ... next step may be to test drive each.

2013 - 4 runner - Limited $38700, SR5 $29,845

2013 - Jeep - limitied $35,700

2014 - Ford Explorer - SPort - $ 37,383, base $ 31467
 
Not to be a homer, but I looked at the exact same three vehicles. I've owned an Explorer and an early generation 4Runner. Based on past experience, quality ratings (Consumer Reports, etc), resale value, and price being virtually equal... it was a no-brainer. Never have regretted getting the 4Runner Limited.

*It's a shame the Jeep quality is in the toilet because they are beautiful SUVs and by far have a superior interior compared to Toyota and Ford.
 
You can probably get an 2013 SR5 4x4 for not much over 32k while they're making room for 14s.

The resale value is so strong, and the used market is so insane, that you might just want to consider getting a new one.
 
Only if you buy a 4Runner can you get to stay on this awesome forum! So...buy that.

All honesty though, the saftey features, reliability, quality, and resale of the 4Runner are tramendous. I've seen others post on here before, and I get the same thing....random people coming up to you and saying "Nice 4Runner man". I love it. I love my 4Runner, I will never buy a diffrent SUV.
 
[MENTION=97806]cxrob[/MENTION] You're pretty much getting straight poop, not much to add except I agree with what's being said. Odd thing about this Forum: even though we're all 4R fanboys, I've seen numerous occasions where questions like yours were answered by "you really should get the MDX, Highlander, et al..." Pretty honest bunch...

I want to drive a *real* SUV. I have little *need*, I just want BOF, space, reliability, real 4WD, value, and so on. There are so, so, few that meet this criteria -- and in the 4Rs price range, maybe none.

I nearly LOLd that you are even remotely considering a Heep after saying this:

cxrob said:
..... As for Jeep... owned 3 in the family all pretty much disasters...
Click to expand...

:brick:

As to price, a reasonable rule of thumb is 10% off MSRP. Lots of speculation around '13s going for less as the '14s come out. Perhaps, but I wouldn't count on it.
 
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Take a look at your choices and look at:
1. Reliability
2. Durability
3. What does a used one go for after three years?

Toyota will win all three easily. If it has the options you want then it's a no brainer. If you want "twin turbos" or a "trail rated" badge then the 4Runner is not for you.
 
1engineer said:
Take a look at your choices and look at:
1. Reliability
2. Durability
3. What does a used one go for after three years?

Toyota will win all three easily. If it has the options you want then it's a no brainer. If you want "twin turbos" or a "trail rated" badge then the 4Runner is not for you.
Click to expand...

I find it amusing that the 4Runners out trail most "trail rated" jeeps.
 
cxrob said:
Are there any quirks/known issues with the 5th years I should be aware of when searching for a used one?

Thanks
Click to expand...

After owning Grand Cherokees for ten years, I have been very happy with my 4Runner. I now have put 46k miles on it and have had zero problems so far.

That being said, you ask about any quirks, I will say my biggest thing was getting used to the brakes. Not that there is any problem with them but they have something called "Brake Assist" that you should be aware of.

What it does is change the ratio of foot pressure required in what it perceives as a panic stop. In other words when you hit the pedal fast, even for a yellow stop light or unexpected slow traffic, it will increase braking force so that the vehicle really slows down fast.

This is an ongoing issue for me, I still do not like it, and I have gotten to where I will try not to apply brakes fast even when I probably should.

The reason is that I have removed the back seat bottoms and folded the back seat backs down flat and carry my work equipment and tools boxes in the back so when the brakes unexpectedly grab it throws stuff forward and makes a mess.

So the brake assist and the soft stock front shocks with the resulting nose dive is a minor issue or quirk to be aware of.

It does really stop fast in an emergency and could save your ass. (or get you rear ended by the car behind you)

Also if you change your own oil be aware that the procedure is a little more time consuming than what you may be used to due to having to remove a couple covers and skid plate as well as the fact that it has a canister style oil filter rather than the spin on kind.

Neither one of these things are a deal breaker, it is still an outstanding vehicle and I would buy another one if something happened to one I have. (Like getting rear ended due to brake assist kicking in)
 
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That's possibly true. If you check out the Rover forums, however, you'll find people who've owned these things without complaint. And they are in a class of their own - extremely capable off road right out of the box, amazing fit-and-finish, real-life adults can actually sit in the 3rd row, powerful engine, etc.

Anyhow, all I'm saying is it's free to check one out so why not CONSIDER it? That is the title of this thread.
 
LandCruiser said:
You can probably get an 2013 SR5 4x4 for not much over 32k while they're making room for 14s.

The resale value is so strong, and the used market is so insane, that you might just want to consider getting a new one.
Click to expand...

I got a 13' SR5 4x4 for less than that last fall, it was one of the first on the lot. You should be able to get an even better deal with the refresh coming.
 
Thanks all for the feedback and suggestions.

I was considering maybe a used 10-12' 4runner and finding that wow! they do keep their value and for a few $$'s more I could get a new 13'.

I will now go out a test drive a few...
 
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