I have an irrational desire to buy a 4Runner

"Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!" (eurylokhos)
07/30/2018 at 20:25 • Filed to: None

Seriously. There is no reason for me to buy one, but damned if I’m not looking. Never owned a Toyota, I’ve always been a Jeep guy with something like 5 of them in my past.

Then I was behind a guy at a light in a 4Runner, AND HE PUT THE BACK WINDOW DOWN! Let me repeat. THE BACK WINDOW ROLLS INTO THE TAILGATE!

Why hasn’t anyone told me about this before? Why is this the greatest idea in the world in my mind? I do not have the answer to either, but suddenly I’m looking. Wish I hadn’t just leased my Outback in January. Good news is I’m blowing out the mileage on that lease, so I can use seriously twisted logic to justify buying a 4Runner.

Plus, the last generation had a V8. Just think of the questionable shit I could drag home with a 7300lb tow rating!

DISCUSSION (36)

E92M3 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 20:39

I mean..what’s the worst that could happen?

You buy it, a year from now you want something else, and you can sell it whenever you want for $500 less than you paid for it.

Seriously though, more SUV’s should have roll down rear windows. It’s so much easier to haul long objects, and let them hangout the back hatch, than it is to slide them between the front seats, and have them resting on the dash. Dogs love it too.

vicali > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 20:42

Haha- surprised it still works. 2nd/3rd/ 4th gens rear window is usually the first thing to go.

Nothing wrong with a 4Runner- I’ll try my best to replace my wife’s Forester when the time comes.

jasmits > vicali
07/30/2018 at 20:51

*2nd thing after the head gasket on the 2nd gen

random001 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 20:52

Much like my irrational desire to buy a Wrangler. F#$% doors.

Spaceball-Two > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 21:05

I’ve had two over the years and they were both solid rigs. Watch the transmission on the V8. They were prone failing.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 21:12

I thought everyone knew that we could roll our back windows down.

If you have any questions about the 3rd gens, I might have an answer.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > E92M3
07/30/2018 at 21:12

My dogs loving it is exactly how I’d justify it to my wife.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap
07/30/2018 at 21:46

Nope. Never even considered a 4Runner, I’ve always been a Jeep guy but I find myself without an off-roader for the first time in decades and am definitely considering picking up a used 4Runner based on the small amount of reading I’ve done on them over the past few days.

Under_Score > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 22:20

I used to think these were cool, but as a family car, there are so many better choices. In fact, I think in 2015 or so, Consumer Reports had their highs and lows thing for the 4Runner. The only highs were “Reliability, power rear window.” These seem to be increasing in sales, and I honestly don’t know why.

Yes, they’re body-on-frame, which is neat, but they’re extremely expensive, even used, they are very sparsely equipped (2018 Limited doesn’t even have the safety features you can get on a Corolla for $15,000), the interior space is limited, and it’s hard to find them at $5,000+ off MSRP. I like a lot of cars many stray away from, such as most Nissans, but the 4Runner is one of a few vehicles that when I see one, especially in the lower SR5 trim, I just wonder “why?”

I’m sorry I dumped this on you, but it’s something I’ve recently thought about now that the current model has been out for so long. Basically, if you need something that’ll replace your Outback, even a Highlander would be a much better bet. I’ve been in one; those things are super nice inside and can fit very tall people in the three rows. The 4Runner, meanwhile, can barely fit tall people up front.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > jasmits
07/30/2018 at 22:47

And at least with the 3rd and 4th gen the hatch still works.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/30/2018 at 23:00

Their street manners are really good and they're competent off road, although I haven't personally tried. Other than some gravel lots.

jasmits > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
07/30/2018 at 23:13

True haha. Though I do appreciate the tailgate as a taller individual who whacks their head on many things

RPM esq. > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 00:11

This seems pretty logical to me. And I feel like I talk about the back window thing a lot. The key fob even has a button to do it remotely. Dogs love it.

Kinja'd!!!

I’ve got your 4th gen answers if you need them.

Nothing > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 01:02

That’s one thing I loved about my old CrewMax Tundra, the full rolldown back window. I wish my Taco had it!

M.T. Blake > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 02:13

Did we both drink the coo-laid?! I should have a 4Runner this week! But in the words of Mr. Skywalker in his last movie, “This is not going to go the way you think! ”

84 GM Turbo > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 02:57

Don’t listen to under_ score, 4runners are great, many in my family. There is a reason the cost a lot and hold their value, no frills reliable. Sent last week in summer major rough Backcountry trails getting to fishing spots in my brother’s 4 runner. Very capable and comfortable on the asphalt. You won’t regret it, I’ve been looking for a 3rd row 3rd get for a while. They are rare. The V8 in the one in the tundra, landcruiser, and Lexus SUVs. You won’t regret a 4 runner. I look for one once a week.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 07:57

This is like the 4th post I’ve seen in the last few weeks about people wanting to get into a 4th gen 4Runner. I’m definitely on that train too . I think the fact that they are the only generation with the V8 makes them very attractive as a daily driver /occasional tow vehicle. Plus the V8 is full time 4 wd, where the V6 is a selectable 4wd/2wd system. There’s a massive community around them as well, so most things have been figured out and documented on the forums.

One of my big hang-ups personally from being on the parts side of the business is that I’ve seen too many of these need brake master cylinders. On these cars the booster, accumulator, and ABS unit are all integrated into the master cylinder and a new one costs like $1,500 just in parts. It’s absolutely insane.

MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Under_Score
07/31/2018 at 08:02

I’ve always seen the Xterra/Frontier as a “store brand” 4Runner/Tacoma. Yes they are technically comparable but when you get into them you realize why the Toyotas hold their value. The interior is light years ahead (especially the Frontier) and the Nissans have so many weird little electrical issues all the time, at least that’s what I gather from anecdotal evidence.

I mean seriously look at this.

Kinja'd!!!

And realize that it’s made out of McDonalds Happymeal-toy quality plastic. It’s abysmal.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Under_Score
07/31/2018 at 08:19

I wouldn’t buy a new one, I’d be shopping for a sub $5000 toy to beat up in the woods, haul stuff give rides to the dogs . There’s a ton of them out there on the list O Craig for that budget.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/31/2018 at 08:21

I went to the Boston Auto Show last year and hopped into a new Frontier. I was (not pleasantly) surprised to find that it was identical to the 2008 I bought as a left over in 2009 and drove for a few years. I liked that truck, but the interior was garbage then, they really need to rede si gn that thing.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/31/2018 at 08:25

I definitely prefer the 4th gen, but I’m not married to the V8, it’s mainly just the desire to always have the big engine. Plus budget will probably push me a bit older. Doesn’t really matter, it’ll be a wrenching project/toy so older is where I generally land on things like that since it keeps me interested.

I travel for work (Pilot), so I’ve been checking Craigslist around the country when I have overnights. It’s pretty amazing what is out there in the Phoenix area for reasonable money, and would be one hell of a road trip to NH if I bought one down there.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > random001
07/31/2018 at 08:29

I’ve been down that road a bunch of times. Bought everything from new (2013 JKU Rubicon) to lightly used (2000 TJ Sahara) to dragged out of a field and replaced part of the frame (97 TJ Sport). Love them. Love having the doors off. My advice if it’s not a DD is get a TJ or older, or more of a beat JK so you won’t care when it rains and the doors are off. Weather gets warm, doors come off until really bad rain is predicted or snow.

Captain of the Enterprise > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 09:14

The Sequoias do the back window too. It really sealed the deal when I found out about the back window on the 4Runner lol

Under_Score > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 10:12

If you’re under $5,000 and you can work on it, go for it! I’m just saying that even as old as 2005, they’re still surprisingly expensive, especially considering most of them have 200,000+ miles.

Under_Score > MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig
07/31/2018 at 10:15

When the Frontier and the Xterra came out in 2005 (the current model), there were some really bad issues with them. By 2010 or so, it was better, but a redesigned Frontier would be great. My dad’s been wanting a truck; whenever the new Frontier gets here, I’ll have to guide him towards it, especially due to good family experience with Nissan. If my dad fit in one of the current Frontiers, he’d probably be driving one right now.

random001 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 10:22

And what if it is a DD?

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > random001
07/31/2018 at 11:55

Then no question. 2012 or newer. That puts you in a JK with the Pentastar so you’ve got the more powerful reliable engine and the JK is just so much better on road and daily livability than the TJ and earlier it’s not even close. If you are looking new then the JL is supposed to be even better but I know better than to walk in and look at the dealer I’ve already had 3 unplanned Jeep purchases from.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Captain of the Enterprise
07/31/2018 at 11:58

Didn’t know that. I’m buying an off road toy though, those Sequoias are monster sized, I need smaller for New England trails.

random001 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 12:02

Heh. I’ve driven a JL, and they are awesome. I haven’t driven a JK yet, though. My heart wants a 2 door, my head (and family status) says 4 door. I like the JL, but saving $10-15K on a JK makes my wallet more happy.

Captain of the Enterprise > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
07/31/2018 at 12:34

I’d go for the 4Runner too. I’ll probably have one eventually.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > random001
07/31/2018 at 18:56

I enjoyed my 3yr with my JKU Rubicon. Plenty of power, went up, over and through anything I pointed it at (aside from that one time I dropped it on the passenger side off road), towed well and was fun to drive. I commuted into Boston (80mi each way) 4 times a month in it and even that wasn’t bad aside from the 16mpg. Best advice I have for a JKU is the backseat is uncomfortable, but my kid didn’t complain, the stock BFG Muds SUCK in snow and ice (Goodyear Duratracs are fantastic in everything), and the stock shocks feel really unstable compared to just about any aftermarket. I had both Teraflex and Rancho RS9000s on mine and they were both a massive upgrade in stability, ride, and handling.

random001 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
08/01/2018 at 06:36

Are they pretty reliable? I feel like I don’t see a lot of broken down JK’s around, despite seeing JK’s everywhere.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > random001
08/01/2018 at 11:36

Pre 2012 JKs has oil consumption and other issues here and there, 2013 had the heads replaced, after have had no real glaring faults. I sold mine at 42kmi with no issues, it was just a damn solid rig. I’d buy another without reservation.

random001 > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
08/01/2018 at 11:49

I just wish it didn’t take a square acre to shift from 1st to 5th....

But yeah, I so want one.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > random001
08/01/2018 at 14:40

You are exaggerating, but not by much.

84 GM Turbo > 84 GM Turbo
08/01/2018 at 15:34

Holy cow, my last comment had autocorrect garbage all over.