Why did you buy your 4 Runner?

Reliability!

This is my 3rd Toyota. I put 440k+ miles on the other two combined and other than maintenance, neither was ever in for repair.....not once!

My buddy put 300K on a 01 Taco, never changed the timing belt and also never changed the oil for the last 100k...just added some here and there. Never broke!
 
I came back to the 4Runner family because I missed my 4th generation so much. I was on this site quite frequently a few years ago with my lifted 4th gen but I wanted to grow up and be more practical so I ended up selling it. I missed it a lot though. My wife needed a new car, she really liked my daily driver, so we sold her old car, she took my car, and I came back to the family with a new 5th generation.

I missed the ruggedness of the 4Runner, plus its practicality and reliability. I felt like it fit me well. I like many of the changes in the 5th generation, but frankly, I really don't think there are that many differences between a 4th and 5th gen. Rather than re-ignite a debate best held elsewhere, I will leave it at that :).
 
what the runner replaced

Don't have many digital pictures of the old truck. They are mostly slides. Was pretty much stock. Lots of low end torque and would go practically anywhere. Buddy's FJ40 really convinced me to go with the Runner. Had lots of fun teasing him that he needed a winch and positrac to keep up with the bronco.
 

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I needed something that was more family oriented as i'm expecting my first born in a few months. It was a pretty big change being that i went from a lowered 06 FWD Jetta to a 13 4x4 4runner.

1. Reliability - My Fiance drives a 05 Toyota Matrix along with her entire family who also drive Toyota/Scion. No issues with any of their cars.
2. Interior Space - I originally wanted a Tundra but the interior seating wasn't to my liking. I also hate tossing all my gear in the truck bed and having it get wet or dirty.
3. Hauling Capabilities - My primary reason for wanting a Tundra was having the ability to haul my bikes around. I load my R1 once a month for track days and the dirt bikes almost every week. The 4R lets me haul them on my trailer and keeps my gear nice and dry in the cabin.
4. 4wd - I don't off-road but I do visit places that take me off asphalt every once in awhile. My girlfriend and I snowboard every season so not having to put chains on is always nice.
5. Value - I don't plan on selling or even trading this vehicle but the option is always there.
6. Power/Gas - One of the main reasons I didn't chose the Tundra. The 4R was perfect for what I needed it for.
 
Bay33saw said:
bump, now we have the 6th gen coming out soon lets hear more 5th gen why you bought your runner????
Click to expand...

I thought this 2014 model is going to be ~5.5th gen, and not the official 6th gen?

I any event thanks for the bump, reading [MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] attempt at humor is priceless. "2walker" :lmao:
 
I don't really have a good reason for buying it and most are superficial. So, here is my story:

1) I've wanted one since about 6-7 years ago and I really liked the look of the 4th Gen (refresh/mid-cycle models). Had my eyes on a sport or a limited. Looked at one (2006 sport I believe) after I graduated from university but I was honestly disappointed by how it drove (felt loose and poor quality compared to the 2002 Limited Grand Cherokee my parents had) and the driver's seat position/ergonomics/cock-pit layout. I ended up buying a brand new 2010 4-dr Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara the following spring.
2) After owning my Jeep for just shy of 3 years I started looking around in January for replacement options. I was concerned about long-term reliability, lack of options, and the leaky roof I had from time-to-time.
3) Reliability and re-sale. Pretty self explanatory
4) The Limited has all the bells and whistles my Wrangler didn't have. I like the 4Runner's size and splendour.
5) Bigger and better on gas than the Wrangler despite the fact it is full time 4x4.
6) Plenty of power and torque but, again, decent fuel economy. IMO, this thing hauls ass for a V6.
7) The only alternative was a Grand Cherokee but I couldn't see myself not opting for the Hemi... which would add to the cost of ownership significantly.
8) It was a leftover 2012 so I got a great deal. A new 2013 was going to run me about $56,000 taxes out of the 4 dealers I had giving me quotes across New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (13% and 15% sales taxes). I saved about $6,000 buying the leftover... maybe more.

After 1 month of ownership, I am really enjoying the 4Runner so far and I notice it rides a little lighter now that it has 1,500km/900miles on it.
 
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I'm hoping to be a 4Runner owner in the next month. On the verge of buying one for these reasons,

1) always liked the truck look with the higher stance
2) use it for camping, fishing... although still 95% on road use
3) need more space with new baby(not a real good reason since we only have 1)
4) like to keep my car for a long time

So I considered the new 2014 Subaru Forester and Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Wrangler is a little too impractical for a family and DD car, also reliability issue. Came very close to buying the forester, still know deep down that the forester is a more practical choice for the family, given its fuel consumption. But it just looks too close to a car and doesn't excite me. So my final decision is the 4runner limited, but will make it look like the trail edition because i hate chrome.
 
natepolean said:
I'm hoping to be a 4Runner owner in the next month. On the verge of buying one for these reasons,

1) always liked the truck look with the higher stance
2) use it for camping, fishing... although still 95% on road use
3) need more space with new baby(not a real good reason since we only have 1)
4) like to keep my car for a long time

So I considered the new 2014 Subaru Forester and Jeep Wrangler unlimited. Wrangler is a little too impractical for a family and DD car, also reliability issue. Came very close to buying the forester, still know deep down that the forester is a more practical choice for the family, given its fuel consumption. But it just looks too close to a car and doesn't excite me. So my final decision is the 4runner limited, but will make it look like the trail edition because i hate chrome.
Click to expand...

Post pictures of your ride when you get it....As for the chrome on a LE...you get used to it or buy a few cans of plasti dip
 
My new daughters

I had one bad ass FJ cruiser. I loved it. Probably put 10 or 12 grand in it. Icon, audio, lights, blackout, TRD stuff, etc. It was me in vehicle form.
My wife and I started doing foster care until we sell our big house because our older children were gone and we had room to help some kids out until we could build our dream home. Enter Chelsea and Rylee at 3 and 4. Long story short, they were with us for 2 and a half years and the parents gave up their rights out of the blue. We adopted them and I do believe it was meant to be. The FJ is a great truck and will go anywhere and is just cool. But, the back seat has no room at all. They are 7 and 8 now and their knees were hitting the back seat. We also have a Great Dane, Leonidas and he didn't fit in the back too well.
Last week I bought an SR5 with premium package. After a week of grieving for my FJ and taking the fugly running boards off the 4runner, its growing on me.
I am going to try and make it mine. It is very nice but just feels so normal.
 
Jmdwifi said:
I had one bad ass FJ cruiser. I loved it. Probably put 10 or 12 grand in it. Icon, audio, lights, blackout, TRD stuff, etc. It was me in vehicle form.
My wife and I started doing foster care until we sell our big house because our older children were gone and we had room to help some kids out until we could build our dream home. Enter Chelsea and Rylee at 3 and 4. Long story short, they were with us for 2 and a half years and the parents gave up their rights out of the blue. We adopted them and I do believe it was meant to be. The FJ is a great truck and will go anywhere and is just cool. But, the back seat has no room at all. They are 7 and 8 now and their knees were hitting the back seat. We also have a Great Dane, Leonidas and he didn't fit in the back too well.
Last week I bought an SR5 with premium package. After a week of grieving for my FJ and taking the fugly running boards off the 4runner, its growing on me.
I am going to try and make it mine. It is very nice but just feels so normal.
Click to expand...

Dude..I am beyond impressed..congratz on the truck, and the future mods...but job well done with the youngins'...God bless ya's all!!
 
Molon Labe Leonidas......Great name for a dog..........................................................


Jmdwifi said:
I had one bad ass FJ cruiser. I loved it. Probably put 10 or 12 grand in it. Icon, audio, lights, blackout, TRD stuff, etc. It was me in vehicle form.
My wife and I started doing foster care until we sell our big house because our older children were gone and we had room to help some kids out until we could build our dream home. Enter Chelsea and Rylee at 3 and 4. Long story short, they were with us for 2 and a half years and the parents gave up their rights out of the blue. We adopted them and I do believe it was meant to be. The FJ is a great truck and will go anywhere and is just cool. But, the back seat has no room at all. They are 7 and 8 now and their knees were hitting the back seat. We also have a Great Dane, Leonidas and he didn't fit in the back too well.
Last week I bought an SR5 with premium package. After a week of grieving for my FJ and taking the fugly running boards off the 4runner, its growing on me.
I am going to try and make it mine. It is very nice but just feels so normal.
Click to expand...
 
Several reasons. I needed a 4x4 with ground clearance, but I went with the 4runner for the offroad ability, reputation for high quality and long-term durability, and lack of any other comparable options. If I had the money I would consider a lexus gx/lx or mercedes gl, they are the only other 4x4 Suv's I've been interested in and are much more expensive. I also wanted a vehicle that will keep it's resale value and still be running strong in 5-10 years if I still own it. I don't want a vehicle I'll need to or want to replace in 3-5 years.
 
My wife and I had 2 FWD hot hatches. Driving across the appalachian mountains to see my family in winter was becoming dodgy and we were ready to start a family. My wife always loved 4Runners so, I started looking for a 3rd gen. After finding super high prices and super high miles, I decided to look at a new one on a whim. Lots more space, great engine, good mileage, off road capable. I was sold.
 
Why did I buy my 5th Gen?

I had an 08 VW Rabbit 2 door that I had tried my best to turn into a poor man's GTI (Cold air intake, exhaust, blacked out plastic trim etc.) and had paid her off in April or so of 2012. I waited 6 months or so and couldn't help myself on looking for a replacement. I have a 92 Miata as well and was starting to realize I didn't need two small cars, so I may as well look for a tried and true 4WD. In the 9+ years in which I've been able to drive I have bought and sold something like 6 cars, so I have a history of a quick trigger finger:happens:

In addition, in September of 2012 the wife and I did a 2,800 mile camping trip from our house in so cal all the way up the Pacific coast to Olympic Nat'l park and then back down, camping all but 2 nights. The VW did extremely well and carried everything we needed (was a FULL car though) but this is what I really enjoy doing in every spare moment, so I figured I needed a real camping/national park seeing/world traveling vehicle.

We just had our first child a son, on July 2nd so this thing is here to stay. My hope now is the Wife lets me outfit my 5th Gen like so many other of the awesome rigs you fine gentleman all have, we'll see how that goes:vader:

Anyways, I am loving this rig and can honestly see myself owning it for a lonnnng time to come, something I historically have a hard time with.
 
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