I think this will be our next vehicle of choice. It’s been a few months traveling to every dealership in the area trying to make our minds up. We are 100% sure this is our new vehicle now.
Any other 4Runner owners out there? Thoughts? Pros, cons?? for a “tri” vehicle?
Thanks
Not trying to be an ass, but why an SUV?
Do you live up a 10 miles up a 10%plus grade, mountain gravel road with pot-holes and washed out sections that does not get plowed out in the winter, like the images and scenes in all the SUV/Truck ads or does your car spend 95%+ of it’s time driving on pavement? Just asking.
Do you need something this size?
I have a '97 4Runner with 238,000 miles on it. I do not do anything other than regular maintenance. I simply love the car and its reliability. I have racks for bikes and occasionally put one inside if its raining. Actually the things that are starting to go on the car now are the seats and buttons on the radio. The engine is still humming along.
Subaru-almost-SUV’s aren’t for everyone…
The 4-Runner has been, in most of its incarnations, one of my favorite all-around vehicles. Tough to go wrong with it.
Solid SUV. We’re pushing 220K on our 2003; currently my HS son’s vehicle.
Looked at picking one up this summer and couldn’t find anything in my price range, wanted to pay cash. Dealerships said they don’t lose much value they are so reliable. If I’d had the money I would have bought one.
Your extreme example makes you kind of an ass. There are a lot of more moderate reasons to own an SUV.
What is the most mileage anybody here has put on a vehicle? What’s the most mileage you’d be willing to take on a used Toyota?
I expect to get another 80,000 (300K) and much of that total was/is spent transporting a large family in deep snow in the winter and my son and his buddies on fire roads for mountain biking in the summer.
Not trying to be an ass…
Fail.
Do you live up a 10 miles up a 10%plus grade, mountain gravel road with pot-holes and washed out sections that does not get plowed out in the winter, like the images and scenes in all the SUV/Truck ads or does your car spend 95%+ of it’s time driving on pavement?
You know, most 4runners are two wheel drive.
Can’t go wrong.
I’m on my second Tacoma (same truck body as 4Runner). The only reason I sold the first one was it had 4 wheel drive which I didn’t need.
Gave my 1999 4Runner to my son a couple of years ago. It had 205,000 miles on it when he got rear-ended and the insurance company totaled it. No problems, solid, in tip top condition. Just changed the fluids on a regular basis. Cost of ownership was really low. The car would’ve lasted another 5-7 years, easy. Hated to see it go.
Mileage wasn’t great, though. I have a 2010 GMC Yukon XL that gets better mileage than our old 4Runner. Still a great vehicle, IMO.
You know, most 4runners are two wheel drive.
To you the OP and Al P Huez, then I am an ass, my apologies.
However, I did have a senior marketing exec in the automobile business tell me ounce that they ( the car companies) know that they are taking many car drivers for a ride with all the rugged advertising and promo images they use to sell SUV’s and that the whole thing is a bit of a ruse. His exact words!
( the car companies) know that they are taking many car drivers for a ride with all the rugged advertising and promo images they use to sell SUV’s and that the whole thing is a bit of a ruse. His exact words!
No question about that…you are correct in that the vast majority of SUVs are rarely, if ever, taken off road and a solid percentage of the 4x4 versions never are put in that gearing. That being said, the SUV has obviously filled a need where those that didn’t want to succumb to the minivan look could have something just as versatile and…well, more rugged looking…
You know, most 4runners are two wheel drive.
To you the OP and Al P Huez, then I am an ass, my apologies.
However, I did have a senior marketing exec in the automobile business tell me ounce that they ( the car companies) know that they are taking many car drivers for a ride with all the rugged advertising and promo images they use to sell SUV’s and that the whole thing is a bit of a ruse. His exact words!
The vast majority of suv purchases are for people who would better suited to a minivan. It’s just that minivans aren’t cool.
The profit margin (at least in the past) on SUVs is pretty high so the dealers and car makers love it.
That being said, I’m all for people buying whatever car they want.
I drive a pickup (essentially the same as an suv (and no one seems to get all uppity about pickups)) because I often have to throw shit in the back. Every time I thought of selling it and getting a 4runner I end up having to haul some dirty heavy object.
My wife drives a car that is way more car than anyone needs but what the hell.
The vast majority of our transportation needs are fulfilled by bike.
Thanks for the admission of assness. A true rarity on this forum!
I could have starred in those commercials.
This just in: Modern advertising tries to sell an image. What percentage of Moutain Dew drinkers compete in action sports.
I drive a pickup (essentially the same as an suv (and no one seems to get all uppity about pickups)) because I often have to throw shit in the back. Every time I thought of selling it and getting a 4runner I end up having to haul some dirty heavy object.
I agreed with most of your post, but an SUV is nothing like a pickup - You can’t put 2 tons of stone in a SUV, you can’t tow anything of significant weight with an SUV, its really hard to get 35’s under a SUV. SUV’s are very similar to mini-vans as others have posted. (I own both - SUV and pick-up and would consider the SUV to be a lot more like my car than my truck)
Most minivans towing capacity is 3500 lbs, my 4Runner is twice that.
You can’t take a minivan where I take my 4Runner.
Most minivans towing capacity is 3500 lbs, my 4Runner is twice that.
You can’t take a minivan where I take my 4Runner.
And my Ram can tow over 14,000 lbs. Your 4Runner is much closer to a minivan than it is to a truck. (and I don’t mean anything negative by that statement)
I have a Tacoma. It shares the exact same frame, wheelbase, engine, interior, etc. as the same year 4Runner.
The capacity is slightly better with th p/u mainly because the 4Runner starts out heavier.
Now if you’re talking about most American suv/trucks then you’re right.
I should have been specific in my previous post (about Toyota). A Highlander is its own car from the ground up and has no relation to any pickup. A Sequoia is based on a Tundra but they beefed the crap out of the Tundra so your tow/haul numbers will be higher. You can order a custom Sequoia that has fairly massive tow capacity.
I’d like to see a Tundra diesel (in America). Probably get a million miles out of it.