Why did you buy the 4Runner?
- Thread starter MikesToy
- Start date
So I went around the market, and thought, since I love the GX, might as well go with the Big Boy's little cousin, the 4Runner. 
dingo
New member
I wanted one since high school. A family friend had a 2nd gen and the thing was like a tank to me. When I got older with a better job I bought a new '05 SR5 to replace my wife's PITA POS Nissan Sentra. Then two years later my '91 Acura Integra started crapping out. I sold it to my buddy then picked up the '07 Sport Edition. Now I have two runners in the stable. Insane? Probably, but we all die sometime so you might as well live and be happy. They are both DD's. I use mine (SE) to trek to and from work, haul server equipment to our other office sites, and tow my uncle's utility trailer from time to time on weekends while doing general contractor work for extra cash. We use the SR5 for longer road/camping trips, and the occasional Tahoe and Reno runs to Nevada or SoCal runs. Plus it's silver, it hides the enormous amounts of dirt and bugs better. 
I plan to run them both into the ground until the wheels fall off.
I plan to run them both into the ground until the wheels fall off.
Slider
New member
Mostly the need for a larger car. I had a GTP coupe and the wife had an Acura CL, also a 2 door. With dogs and a kid it wasn't very practical.
A minivan probably would have worked, but it's not something that I would buy.
Wanted something with AWD or 4WD to deal with the winters here in the Springs.
A minivan probably would have worked, but it's not something that I would buy.
Wanted something with AWD or 4WD to deal with the winters here in the Springs.
MikeinCincy
New member
Well, I came from an Audi A4 and let me tell you; that thing was beyond problematic. I spent about $3,000 on repairs the first year I had it (and that was at an indy shop too!) So, I decided enough was enough. I wanted something that performed well in the snow, was extremely reliable (Japanese reliable), and was just overall cool! To be honest, I never even really thought about buying a 4Runner until my gf begged me to look at them. They are her favorite vehicle. So, I said "what the heck". I looked at two and this was the one I settled on. That was about a year ago to this day. T4R.org convinced me too to buy one!
Now, I am really a car guy at heart. I really either wanted to buy a 2004-2005 Audi S4 (I know, I must not have learned my lesson) or a 2004-2005 BMW M3. However, the S4 was going to cost me $960 for insurance every six months, get about 14 mpg, and probably have been damn expensive to repair. The M3 would probably have been about the same for insurance and would have been horrible for me in the winter. Also, I am only 22 now (21 when I bought the 4Runner) so, I am just going to be patient and wait until I turn 25 to buy a nice sports car and maybe another 4Runner!
That's my story. Sorry for being so verbose.
Now, I am really a car guy at heart. I really either wanted to buy a 2004-2005 Audi S4 (I know, I must not have learned my lesson) or a 2004-2005 BMW M3. However, the S4 was going to cost me $960 for insurance every six months, get about 14 mpg, and probably have been damn expensive to repair. The M3 would probably have been about the same for insurance and would have been horrible for me in the winter. Also, I am only 22 now (21 when I bought the 4Runner) so, I am just going to be patient and wait until I turn 25 to buy a nice sports car and maybe another 4Runner!
That's my story. Sorry for being so verbose.
rollingthunder
New member
I like Imports, the one I found locally was in very good shape and a steal of a price, everyone around here has American made SUVs at car shows, I want to do it with an Import, 4Runners are the only SUVs with a power back glass
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:Overnight I became carless and was somewhat forced to purchase new car. I know that I wanted/needed SUV. I was little torn between pathfinder and 4runner until i actually drove both vehicles. I did some research here and there. After the 1st ride in 4runner the choice suddenly became very clear, 4runner it is. I like everything about it.
Hmm... I wanted a truck to modify for 38s... Had the chance of gettin' my ol' nephew's 'Runner and decided to jump on it...
After workin' on the runner for quite a time, and tried one Ford Ranger in the between I decided to get another one... 1st gen that time, sold it later for a "newer" truck, and sold that one and got myself got one with a diesel engine... (Oh, I forgot to mention, I rolled the 1st one over, still own it tho' It's a work in progress, very very slow progress...)
I love how easy it is gettin' parts for it, and modifyin' them for abit bigger wheels... I like almost everything 'bout them save the stupid chrome all over the truck like cockroaches... (But I'm slowly killin' that cancer...)
After workin' on the runner for quite a time, and tried one Ford Ranger in the between I decided to get another one... 1st gen that time, sold it later for a "newer" truck, and sold that one and got myself got one with a diesel engine... (Oh, I forgot to mention, I rolled the 1st one over, still own it tho' It's a work in progress, very very slow progress...)
I love how easy it is gettin' parts for it, and modifyin' them for abit bigger wheels... I like almost everything 'bout them save the stupid chrome all over the truck like cockroaches... (But I'm slowly killin' that cancer...)
Netrilix
New member
My last vehicle was a 1996 Chevy S10 Blazer, and I loved that thing so much that I was certain my next vehicle would be a Chevy Trailblazer. However, when I started doing research into Consumer Reports, and the Trailblazers were not holding up well at all. Toyota, on the other hand, was nearly flawless in every catagory for every vehicle. The Rav4 was far too small for me, and the Highlander was too pricey (I would have gone with that if I could have afforded a hybrid). Then I started looking into the 4Runners. It was a little larger than my Blazer, it could tow nicely, and any features it had were an upgrade from a 1996, so they were just icing on the cake. I was a little put off by the size of the engine (4.0 to my Blazer's 4.3), but I decided to buy it before even pulling out of the parking lot on the test drive. Pulling out of the parking spot had me sold. It was quiet, smooth, and had more power off the line than my Blazer could have dreamed of. The dealer didn't give much of a break on price, but he was the lowest in the area already (I actually drove 2.5 hours to get to him). The salesman was helpful, didn't push me, and even let me walk out the door to go home and "think" about it.
The ONLY thing I didn't like about buying my 4Runner is that I was buying used, and no one sells their 4Runners with less than 70k. I was lucky enough to find this one, a 2005, with only 35,500 on it. It was previously a 3-year lease, and it had been absolutely babied. It was the cleanest used car I had ever seen.
As of October 1, 2008, I have been converted from a Chevy guy to a Toyota guy.
The ONLY thing I didn't like about buying my 4Runner is that I was buying used, and no one sells their 4Runners with less than 70k. I was lucky enough to find this one, a 2005, with only 35,500 on it. It was previously a 3-year lease, and it had been absolutely babied. It was the cleanest used car I had ever seen.
As of October 1, 2008, I have been converted from a Chevy guy to a Toyota guy.
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I bought mine yesterday!! For the simple reason of practicality. I have been through a lot of cars in the past 3 years. An old Honda Civic, a Honda S2000, and the most recent an Infinti G35. They were all fun cars, but no I find myself needing more space and more all around drivability? Real word??
My civic was good in the snow, the s2000 couldn't go in snow, and I was scared of the G35 in snow, even with snow tires.
I wanted an SUV that was comfortable inside and good looking on the outside. Well the 4runner was the best of both.
My civic was good in the snow, the s2000 couldn't go in snow, and I was scared of the G35 in snow, even with snow tires.
I wanted an SUV that was comfortable inside and good looking on the outside. Well the 4runner was the best of both.
Cruzrtwdgt
New member
I had an Explorer Sporttrac for 7 years and the mileage sucked from day one. Really didn't need the bed though (I had a camper shell on it) and I have a trailer for my ATV. My girl friend has a Sequoia Limited and after driving it, I really enjoyed the Toyota quality.
I considered a Tacoma PreRunner but after considering how much I really didn't use the bed, I tried the 4Runner and liked it. It is only me, and occasionally the GF and her kids or my grandson, so I wanted the 4 doors, and the protected cargo area.
The V6 is giving me close to 20mpg where my Sporttrac got 15.5 in the same situation. Can't wait to see what it does on the highway.
I considered a Tacoma PreRunner but after considering how much I really didn't use the bed, I tried the 4Runner and liked it. It is only me, and occasionally the GF and her kids or my grandson, so I wanted the 4 doors, and the protected cargo area.
The V6 is giving me close to 20mpg where my Sporttrac got 15.5 in the same situation. Can't wait to see what it does on the highway.
Annoyed
New member
I owned a 2000 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 that I had purchased new. I had driven that for 8 years, and was very happy with it.
In early November, I took it to the dealer for some routine maint., and they advised me it was subject to a factory buyback program due to a manufacturing defect that caused the frames to rust out prematurely. Toyota outright purchased it back from me, giving me 1.5 times KBB value, assuming excellent condition.
Since Toyota went to such lengths to support their product, they were the first brand I was looking for as a replacement.
Since I want a truck-based 4WD capable vehicle, and there aren't many Tacomas/Tundras on the used market here (people that have them don't sell them), I looked at other Toyota products. The 4Runner is a 4WD, truck-chassis based SUV, so that's what I looked for.
In early November, I took it to the dealer for some routine maint., and they advised me it was subject to a factory buyback program due to a manufacturing defect that caused the frames to rust out prematurely. Toyota outright purchased it back from me, giving me 1.5 times KBB value, assuming excellent condition.
Since Toyota went to such lengths to support their product, they were the first brand I was looking for as a replacement.
Since I want a truck-based 4WD capable vehicle, and there aren't many Tacomas/Tundras on the used market here (people that have them don't sell them), I looked at other Toyota products. The 4Runner is a 4WD, truck-chassis based SUV, so that's what I looked for.
slowteg97
New member
well i was gonna buy a 2006 crew cab titan which was sweet but not practical with a new born on the way and since i work for pepsi as a salesman i do alot of driving and that 5.7 would have killed me on gas. my 4runner was traded in while i was lookin at the titan and since the dealer was one i used to work at i got a good deal and the truck was mint and i had a chance to talk with the people trading it in i got that instead and im glad i did cause i love it.
Rowan611
New member
Got tired of dumping massive amounts of money into my BMW. I remembered that I had driven a good friend of mines Runner once (his is a 99 Limited) and was really impressed with how it drove and how solid it felt. So I decided to sell my bimmer and buy a Yota; drove about 5 runners before I bought my 04 LTD. I still really love the third gen but just felt a little tight for me.
Bourbon City
New member
I was a big Ford fan for many years. I owned a Bronco, Explorer and an Expidition. All 4 WD. Then I tried a Toyota. That was all it took. Since then I have owned two Toyotas.
I am now a loyal Toyota Fan. I have wanted a T4R since the early 1990s. I finally bought mine on Friday, November 28, 2009. A new 2008 SR5 Loaded like I wanted. Paid Cash too.
I am a happy camper. Broke but a happy camper none the less.
I am now a loyal Toyota Fan. I have wanted a T4R since the early 1990s. I finally bought mine on Friday, November 28, 2009. A new 2008 SR5 Loaded like I wanted. Paid Cash too.
I am a happy camper. Broke but a happy camper none the less.
Chalk Outline
New member
For the past 20 yrs I've had 2 criteria for a vehicle. It has to be a 4x4 and it to has to sleep 2 in the back. I looked at an FJC and thought "Great, but if they only made one with better rear visiblity and a bit more room in the back" ... then I realized they do, the 4Runner.
r3dh3ad84
New member
I worked at Enterprise Rent A Car at the time I sold my old 96 Cherokee, and was looking for the same midsized off road capabilities. I first looked at the X-Terrible and almost bought one through Enterprise... but the day the Xterra was there for me to buy they pulled out the 4runner that a private owner had traded in on an 07 V6 Mustang. They traded because they wanted better gas mileage and said the runner's v8 was a HOG- not true. I am happy I ended up not buying the rental vehicle-and am also VERY lucky that my 4runner came in that day. Dumb luck, but thank goodness for it!
