Why did you buy your 4 Runner?

[mikey's2010SR5]

So now where does the bike go?

Hitch mounted rack with a hitch extension.

 

[Quetico]

I owned a Forester Turbo - fast as anything, but a real rattle trap, and very limited off road capability. I wanted more ground clearance, more heavy duty, more space, a real 4x4, etc.

The first vehicle I ever bought was a used Tacoma, so I have a real nostalgic soft spot for those. The DCLB wouldn't fit in my garage. The DCSB would fit, barely, but I need to store the lawn mower and some other stuff against the wall there too. Plus the interior of the Taco was really underwhelming to us given the price.

I considered the Wrangler Unlimited Rubi, but the quality worried me, and there's not a ton of space in those either. I considered a Land Rover LR4, but the price was too much of a stretch at the time. I would not have considered a 4Runner SR5 or a Limited, but then I saw the TE's! It fits in the garage just right, and the price worked. Just had to wait a month or so for it to ship over!

 

[4runner10]

Fell in LOVE with 4Runners since Dad bought his 01 4Runner SR5 (became mine). Great truck, drove it back and forth to Univ without any issues, drove it to 200k.

I didn't like the look of the 4th gens, and when I saw the new design, I knew I had to have one. The front takes design cues from the 3rd gen (in my opinion) and just really strengthens them. I also wanted to have the creature comforts like XM, Bluetooth, Ipod in. I think it's a nice manly truck, the dials are big and bold. Can't beat the power back window either! Hard to find that option anywhere else.

 

[Bay33saw]

Fell in LOVE with 4Runners since Dad bought his 01 4Runner SR5 (became mine). Great truck, drove it back and forth to Univ without any issues, drove it to 200k.

I didn't like the look of the 4th gens, and when I saw the new design, I knew I had to have one. The front takes design cues from the 3rd gen (in my opinion) and just really strengthens them. I also wanted to have the creature comforts like XM, Bluetooth, Ipod in. I think it's a nice manly truck, the dials are big and bold. Can't beat the power back window either! Hard to find that option anywhere else.

One of the MAJOR factors I bought my runner was the rear window..

 

[HedgehogOutdoors]

Well, my dad found my 4runner on craigslist. Every day we would go through every single post for Tacomas in Connecticut and Massachusetts. One day in school(when I was supposed to be working on a project) I happened to check my email, and there was this awesome looking 4runner, and I immediately knew that it was the one. Blacked out bumpers and grille, clear corners and turns, TRD offroad package, looked pretty nice, but then again it is a craigslist vehicle. Called the guy, he ended up being from Gates GMC Buick Nissan in N. Windham, CT, a reputable dealership. So, I went with my father to look at it that night(Tuesday), looked really cool, rode nice! After the test drive he told the gentleman there he would have to speak with the wife, and Gates had to do their safety check, if that check wasn't performed, or if the vehicle didn't pass, they couldn't sell it to us.

That night, we showed the ad to our resident Toyota expert(been working for Toyota since the '80s), he gave me a list of things to look out for, axle seals being one of them. He said that would cost about $1,100 to fix.

Fast forward to Friday. My dad brought my mom to the dealership to look at it while I was at school. I got home and asked my dad if it had passed inspection, he said no, bad axle seals. I immediately thought well so much for that, it was perfect too.

Fast forward to the next Wednesday. My dad picked me up from school, kept asking me if my phone was on. He likes to be annoying like that, so I didn't think anything of it. When we got home, I was helping my granny out of the car(God rest her soul), and my phone went off. It was the dealership, saying my 4runner was ready. I was shocked, I looked to my dad, he was taking a picture of me with his phone. We went that night and picked it up, I was exploring it for the next week. I didn't have my learner's permit at that time so I didn't get to drive it for another few weeks.

Sorry for the long story, but I figured some of you could get a laugh out of my dad playing me like a fool haha.

 

[look171]

New here. I bought because I have had a Toyota or two since I started driving at the age of 16. Had their early 80's 4WD pick-ups then Land Cruisers, and a bunch of large domestic trucks, both gas and diesel for work and stuff. I wanted another vehicle, the 4runner was the natural choice due to its size, the fuel mileage, and HP. I was going to pull the trigger on the 100 series LC, but decided on the 4 runner instead. I own a 2010 limited but drive my dirty trucks most of the time. My wife drives a Sienna limited as kids hauler.

 

[bogman2121]

I bought it on a whim when I found out my friends and dog didn't fit in my G35.

I bought mine because going to the snow in a 350Z was near impossible. Plus I could not carry a mountain bike in it either. Plus I have wanted a 4Runner since I was 15 and looked at a 1st Gen that got sold before I could buy it.

Then the truck morphed into a tank.

I do miss her though...

Haven't bought it yet but I have the above listed problems in my G35 and I can't get to enough 14er trailheads or ski resorts in it.

Can't wait to get my silver Trail.

 

[RainCityShecks]

I bought the 4runner because it was simply the best SUV for the $, and it looks and performs like a truck, not a souped up minivan (yeah I'm talking to you MDX, ML, GL, RX330, CX-9 etc etc)

 

[4runner10]

I bought the 4runner because it was simply the best SUV for the $, and it looks and performs like a truck, not a souped up minivan (yeah I'm talking to you MDX, ML, GL, RX330, CX-9 etc etc)

Yeah, body on frame trucks seem to be out of popularity with manufacturers (and therefore likely customers too). Most people only need a vehicle for groceries, etc, so an AWD crossover suits them just fine. If you need to do serious towing or (any) off-roading, body on frame is the way to go (IMO)!

 

[WFO_Racer]

1. Needed a current version of a 1960's station wagon.

2. Needed a vehicle to take me far away from prying eyes when my sons and I send lead very far down range in the state I live in Liberal Land USA.

 

[mugoo]

I know this has been covered in the other forums but not yet in our 5th Gen forum, so here goes.....Why did you buy your 4 Runner?

The roads in my city are the worst in the nation. I came out of a 2007 GTI that was decent on gas, non assuming, practical, and fun to drive. However, after moving here, it was as if I was driving in fear of losing my front end.

I looked at the Range Rover Evoque, but the engine was crappy and it seemed overpriced for what it was. All the rovers were outside my price range actually.

I looked at the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, and was excited because I could get it loaded with a stick shift. After adding all the options I wanted, it was over $37k. I couldn't for the life of me justify spending that much on a freggin' Wrangler that most people said would fall apart.

I saw the 4runner my buddy in NY was driving and asked him about it in comparison to the Honda Pilot. My question was made in fun of as the difference between cars being the difference between a wanabe or a mommy mobile vs. one of the few remaining suv's out there.

2 months later I made a deal I am happy with on a new LE, which price out to like 5k more than the Wrangler I was looking at. But seems like a completely different class of car. Happy so far, except for a weird rattle in the passenger door whenever I play my JBL loud, and its not a blown speaker.

 

[badhabits]

Had to do better than the RAV4 I had. Went in to service my son's Avalon and while waiting test drove a 4runner, that was all she wrote, went through the lot and found the package I wanted and bought it that day. It turned out to be a rather expensive service on the Avalon, but it has been worth it.

 

[Bay33saw]

Had to do better than the RAV4 I had. Went in to service my son's Avalon and while waiting test drove a 4runner, that was all she wrote, went through the lot and found the package I wanted and bought it that day. It turned out to be a rather expensive service on the Avalon, but it has been worth it.

Great first post :frog:

 

[adam2562]

i bought mine for an amazing suv with truck like qualities and its features.. and great offroad capabilities.. i have always loved 4runners. especially the rear window going down.. but never owned one.. renting a 5th gen to go to our cabin made me want one so i sold my gs400 and did it.. i had a limited.. and then realized a trail was more for me.. so i traded the limited for the trail. i needed something to haul around my atv's and whatever else for taking stuff down to our cabin. love it

 

[toyslug]

To replace my 86 FJ60 totaled by a neighbor!

 

[tacobill]

It was time to "off the '10 F150". Wanted an SUV but not a "mommy wagon". Priorities:
1-Truck built body on frame
2-4WD for when I might need it
3-Resale
4-Reliability-long term
5-MPG's; this does pretty well, but it's no Prius.
6-Decent comfort and room

Doesn't leave too many vehicles to choose from. Actually just one.

 

[CapeCod4runner]

Really wanted the 4wd for snow/light trails/beach! I owned a vw golf before hand and really miss the mpg, but absolutely love my 4runner! plenty of space, reliable, ~20mpg, plenty of power, and easy to work on and modify! So far I have put heated seats up front, put weather techs in, and put rain guards on my windows. Looking into doing the satoshi grill and replacing the interior lights with LEDs

 

[LandCruiser]

Wanted a small, comfortable, maneuverable family friendly truck with lots of power, body on frame, and actuall off-road capability.

The Xterra was much cheaper, and much crappier.

 

[Shogun]

The kind and helpful folks on the T4R.org forum...

 

[Renegad44]

I wrecked my 97 SR5 coming from Washington, so I bought a new 2000-LTD, in 2000. After I retired in 09, after a couple of years I decided to buy a new one, a 2011-LTD. The 2000-LTD ran like a clock with 188k miles on it. Just wanted a new one.:clap2: