Why did you buy the 4Runner?

[MikesToy]

So why did you buy the 4Runner and not the other SUVs out there?

For me, i needed an SUV for the winter. I googled pretty much every SUV on the internet. Spent 4 months on the net, i felt like i had a big term paper to do. To make long story short, the 4Runner was the very closest what i was looking for.

 

[Falls]

I wanted an SUV that was truck based , good off road reputation , tough , 4x4 is always a must , mid size , able to fit down tighter trails , and not a domestic vehicle.

I don't need a pickup sine a have a 1 ton trailer that can haul more than any pick up can and can easily pull it with the V8. when loaded up.

My other trucks and SUV/trucks have been real nice but I really developed a real good feel for this truck.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

So why did you buy the 4Runner and not the other SUVs out there?

For me, i needed an SUV for the winter. I googled pretty much every SUV on the internet. Spent 4 months on the net, i felt like i had a big term paper to do. To make long story short, the 4Runner was the very closest what i was looking for.

I wish I could say I was that smart. I have no doubt for CO the functionality of the 4wd system has to be near perfect. Truthfully, I didn't fully understand until the day after mine was in the driveway just how cool the 4wd is:bash: I studied enough to know they were well built and have great customer loyalty. I looked at early 4th gens and late 3rd gens and decided the build quality was great as they were holding-up very well. Then I bought it.

I wanted out of my Nissan Titan. There was nothing I wanted and I had owned a '99 Trooper which I loved (even though it was far from perfect). My girlfriend loves 4Runners and wanted one. Her car is good and meeting her/our needs. I studied the T4R and came to the same conclusions as Falls about design etc. The plan was to have me in the 4Runner until the new 1/2ton diesel pickups hit the market. I love the 4Runner so much I am not sure that's the plan anymore :lmao:

:cheers:

 

[charlier180]

The 4Runner fits my needs better than the competition did.
I needed a vehicle for winter (4x4) driving, also needed something to tow my enclosed car trailer without breaking a sweat.
Then there is the 5 feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded. The quiet ride, smooth V8 engine and space for 5 people.
All of that for a price that, in some cases, beat the competition. Last but not least was the Toyota name & reliability.

During my search, I spent a LOT of time researching the finalists on my list.
One thing that made the 4Runner stick out above the rest was the comments (both good and bad) about the vehicle.

 

[longislandtoy]

i ordered my 09 yesterday, but it will not be here until jan, 09.

i chose the 4 runner since i have a 50 plus fleet of toyota matrix and camry's. the reliability and build quality of toyota is great.

i have had 3 ford explorer sport tracs and now it is time to move on since i am not satisfied with ford and the tranny problems i have experienced. in the sport trac i no longer need the pick up bed and can use an enclosed cargo area as in the 4runner.

i can't wait for my new ride to arrive

 

[LV4R]

I previously owned a 1995 s-10 4 door Blazer. Enough said.

 

[Uneek]

Considering the alternatives in the 4Runner's class, is there anything else comparable in terms of looks, performance, reliability, value, etc.?

 

[MikesToy]

Considering the alternatives in the 4Runner's class, is there anything else comparable in terms of looks, performance, reliability, value, etc.?

I'd say the Nissan Armada (Nissan Pathfinder's big brother). http://www.nissanusa.com/armada/#/photos/exterior-photos/

The only thing i didn't like was the body style. Looks like a boat to me.

 

[Eric91Z]

Just out of curiosity, what other vehicles or SUV's were you guys look at? I have been looking at a bunch of things and have it narrowed down to the following:

1) T4R
2) FJ Cruiser
3) Nissan Xterra
4) Nissan Pathfinder


Yes, all just a tad different, but overall same requirements as to what I want. The T4R and Pathfinder would be V8 options for the additional towing capability. If I decide I really don't need or want the towing capability, then I am thinking Xterra.

Any of you drive those in comparison before getting your T4R?

 

[Uneek]

I'd say the Nissan Armada (Nissan Pathfinder's big brother). http://www.nissanusa.com/armada/#/photos/exterior-photos/

The only thing i didn't like was the body style. Looks like a boat to me.

I don't think they're in the same class. The Armada is probably a closer competitor to the Sequoia. I don't know why Nissan cannot make a flat roof or make appear to have a flat roof. The Xterra is humped and the Armada's looks like it's domed.

The Pathfinder is a direct competitor to the 4Runner, but the back of the Pathfinder is terrible looking. The interior looks like it's all plastic. And it's IRS.

But if I have the cash, Lexus LX570. That crawl control feature is awesome.

 

[shuly]

I bought my 2007 v8 ltd runner because we already had (and still have) a 1996 with 200k+ on it. That vehicle even though it isn't "mine," has been everywhere...pismo, deep snow...desert....all over...and it is stock! So I figured I would get another one that would be MINE and I can make all the buildups I wanted. I picked up a limited because it is my daily driver as well...and I wanted the leather and basically everything minus the xreas (since the suspention was going to be ditched anyway.) Might as well offroad in comfort. There is a guy that comes to my office and washes it when I don't have the time and he even did one detail already after our AZ trip. Plus when I have to haul other engineers or a client around the plush interior is a lot nicer than a beater rig. Although the truck does seem much happier when it is covered in mud

Toyota's even though their quality doesn't seem to be what it was 10 years ago still seems great...and when we finally retire the 96 runner...I have to have somewhere else to put the two dogs...

 

[leftyguns21]

This is my 3rd 4runner. I had two before an 00' (which i stupidly sold to buy an Audi S4) and sold my last one because the miles had piled up and i wanted a new one. So I did a ton of research to find out what to replace her with. I looked at pathfinders and touregs. I went w. the 4runner for the reliability and the fact the back window rolls down for my dog. That was the biggest selling point.
But I wanted a new car w. leather, outside temp, compass, and HID's. I got all of that and just added the HID's. The pathfinder was a few grand more to get the same things, but also a lot bigger. No thank you. The toureg was just so expensive to maintain. An oil change is $120?? I'm coo on that. The inside of the 4th gen is taking some getting used to but, I'm used to it now and love it.

 

[TheBlueWave]

I wanted an adventure worthy vehicle that wouldn't punish my backside during normal urban driving. I hate the look of the Nissan's, the Trailblazer I drove felt like a rattley toy, and the Explorer (and Pathfinder, for that matter) have IRS.
Also, the 4wd system is just awesome, that's all I can say about that. And it tows boats; mine, my friends, easily.
My dog likes the back so it works great when we camp (dirty wet dogs don't belong in tents).
All in all, the best vehicle I've ever owned, and the gas milage ain't bad for what it is, either.

 

[Muskie Junkie]

I just dumped my '05 Tundra (loved that truck) for an '07 V6 4runner and the main reason was gas mileage. I need a truck to tow my boats and snowmobile but would rather not drive around every day at 16 mpg.

My last tank of gas averaged 22mpg (computer says 24) so I feel like I made the right desicion.

 

[Rivers]

The wife had a 04 limited and traded it for an 06 diesel beetle. Yea i know! Then along comes little man. The bug is no good for kids. So I conviced her, the 07 rav 4 is where its at for her. Pretty good mom mobiel. For me I needed the perfect truck to replace the sti, It is missed every time one goes by. But the 4 runner is the best for our needs. Toyota reliability and tuffness doesnt hurt ether.

 

[CannondaleMan]

Part of the deal with the Mrs. for moving back to this dump of a Socialist and politically corrupt state (Massachusetts) was a no questions asked, I get what I want truck. And she let me get it too - she just wanted to make sure we were not hosed on the price.

So........No other mid-sized SUV got as good gas mileage, performed as well in crash tests from both NHTSA and IIHS, had not had billions of freaking recalls, lasted as long, looked as good, was as technologically advanced, off-road capable, or less expensive as the 4Runner. Plus they make the Sport Edition which has that mean-ass hood scoop, and no other non-Toyota SUV has a rear window that slides down.

I looked at the X-Terra but that back seat arrangement is horrible. The lower leg opening in the doors is ridiculously tight and you have to crawl over half of the rear tire, which is just plain stupid.

My biggest choice was Salsa Red or Shadow Mica. But then I saw a Salsa Red one in the rain and it just looked freaking sweet. Would have been a worse choice if they had the Blizzard Pearl that they have on the Highlander. Very sweet color.

So now I took a great truck and made it better with my mods. Still wish I could have gotten my JBL though.

 

[HB 4X4]

Bigger Balls. :bigok:

 

[034RUNNER]

I started my SUV search after trying to battle New England winters in a 1999 Camaro z28. That didn't work out and sharing a pick up also didn't work! So I started my search and test drove many out there. I almost bought an Explorer, as just something plain and beatable, but then the Toyota dealer caught my eye. I looked at prices and found my '03 within budget. I went and test drove one (although it was a v8 and mine is a v6) and fell in love right away. It was the perfect combination of luxury and real truck. It's hard to explain. I like cars that give me feedback. My parents have a 2003 Avalanche that I despise but I love the 2000 Ram we have. The 4runner feels more like the ram than the Avy to me, which is great. It's not as draining to drive though or brutal.

It's hard to explain it but I adore the truck and it's never once let me down in the slightest way. I seriously doubt it ever will either. Best SUV that I looked out, and I looked at A LOT.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

it's that back window the dogs rule the trucks

the dog loved the 2nd gen with a real tailgate.we're still adapting to the 3rd gen with that heavy hatch but either one has the sliding rear glass. Cmon you got dogs you know it is that glass that sold you on the truck right there. Or step into an old Bronco nahhhhh

Sure the paint takes a bit of abuse back there -but on upward heading slopes once I stop she will bolt right out the window- with the command "GO" and off she chases and runs and jumps. And she'll jump back in if I would let her but that is tougher now than the exit so I discourage it.

Piece of cake in the 95. just like a real truck... but then

When you move up from a 2nd to a 3rd gen the leather and the power of the 3.4 why it's a drug it should not be legal then you find out they came with superchargers too and woooo .

I grin every day and look at it and pinch myself and say damn that is fine truck-and mine is a salvage!

and you can get them these days for like nothing ! I am wanting a whole stable of these babies .....

 

[Vizwar]

I previously owned a 1995 s-10 4 door Blazer. Enough said.

Yeah.... My 1st SUV was a '99 S-10 which I beat the crap out of off road. It was good that the first SUV wasn't the 4R because I learned a lot through its abuse.

I researched, test drove, researched more for about 4 months. I was sick of dealers, sick of sales people, and sick of finance asshats but it was all worth it. The 4R is a great machine. Nearly went with an FJ but the 4R was MUCH more practical as a daily driver and still had nearly all the same abilities off road.

I am very impressed with the onboard electronics for the 4x4 systems but off roading wasn't the main reason I bought it. I wanted an SUV for the snow/wind/rain storms here in Seattle, mountain pass crossings in the winter and ability to carry equipment and mount 2-way radios in it. The 4R was by far the best fit and value for quality.

I will definitely own all Toyota after this and to hell with GM. I do NOT understand the appeal, Americans have really lost their appreciation for quality.