4RunnerWisc
New member
Well ... I've joined the 4Runner family coming from a Sprinter van! Talk about head room and endless amounts of space! Thankfully, the 4Runner has a much more economical maintenance schedule. I enjoyed the Sprinter very much, but driving a diesel vehicle in the US with all of the emissions stuff you have to have is no longer cost-effective. Some of the emissions stuff is $2.5-$3k PER ITEM! :crybaby: It was time to move on after the emissions warranty ran out. I'm very happy with my choice on the 4Runner.
One of the things I really enjoy is the fact that the 4Runner, like the Sprinter, has a fairly up-ended windshield. it doesn't have an aggressive slope to it, and that's a huge bonus for me. I'm right up to the ceiling with the seat all the way down ... definitely not the head room as in the Sprinter, but I don't touch the ceiling, so that's a win.
It's also very easy for me to see out of. Mirrors are large and windows are box-like. These new "slender and sleek" vehicles have such tiny windows and they have horrible blind spots in them. I've got some vision challenges, and with blind spot mirrors, I'm pretty comfortable moving about.
For me, a huge plus is the cost of maintenance. The Sprinter was reliable, but the maintenance costs were a bit on the excessive side. That, and the fact there's such a small network of dealers that work on them. You can't roll up to a fix-it shop when you have a problem and expect someone to fix it. I always held my breath on longer road trips and prepared for the worst if I had to be towed 3+ hours to the nearest Sprinter shop.
I purchased a 2016 4R Limited. Similar fuel economy to the Sprinter, but lots more get up and go! I would really like to use Waze on the display screen, but I haven't really figured out how to do that (it seems I can't, would have to get a screen mirroring device and install it, right?).
The only thing I'm not crazy about is the steering wheel. I'm so used to holding my hands at 5 and 7 o'clock as that portion was open on the Sprinter. On this vehicle, the bars which come down get in the way and I can't hold the wheel the way I used to. Will get used to a new method.
I really enjoy my 4R and am looking forward to a few longer road trips (this winter to TX and next fall to NC). I think it will be an awesome road trip vehicle!
I'm excited to be a part of the forum!
One of the things I really enjoy is the fact that the 4Runner, like the Sprinter, has a fairly up-ended windshield. it doesn't have an aggressive slope to it, and that's a huge bonus for me. I'm right up to the ceiling with the seat all the way down ... definitely not the head room as in the Sprinter, but I don't touch the ceiling, so that's a win.
It's also very easy for me to see out of. Mirrors are large and windows are box-like. These new "slender and sleek" vehicles have such tiny windows and they have horrible blind spots in them. I've got some vision challenges, and with blind spot mirrors, I'm pretty comfortable moving about.
For me, a huge plus is the cost of maintenance. The Sprinter was reliable, but the maintenance costs were a bit on the excessive side. That, and the fact there's such a small network of dealers that work on them. You can't roll up to a fix-it shop when you have a problem and expect someone to fix it. I always held my breath on longer road trips and prepared for the worst if I had to be towed 3+ hours to the nearest Sprinter shop.
I purchased a 2016 4R Limited. Similar fuel economy to the Sprinter, but lots more get up and go! I would really like to use Waze on the display screen, but I haven't really figured out how to do that (it seems I can't, would have to get a screen mirroring device and install it, right?).
The only thing I'm not crazy about is the steering wheel. I'm so used to holding my hands at 5 and 7 o'clock as that portion was open on the Sprinter. On this vehicle, the bars which come down get in the way and I can't hold the wheel the way I used to. Will get used to a new method.
I really enjoy my 4R and am looking forward to a few longer road trips (this winter to TX and next fall to NC). I think it will be an awesome road trip vehicle!
I'm excited to be a part of the forum!
