Anyone have a 4Runner?

[gummybear]

My 2005 Pilot just passed inspection but they told us it's on the cusp of needing a lot of work. So, we are in the market for a new car. My car is the family car, plus we use it for hauling stuff, so cargo capacity is a huge thing. 

My H is pushing for a another Pilot (I have driven Hondas for 22 years so I am feeling restless), I liked the Pathfinder (H thinks it may be too small). My friend recommended a 4Runner. It seems like a good option that fits our needs. We are not car people and drive ours into the ground, so reliability and longevity are more important than fancy features.


Tell me why you love it.

[alzi]

I just got a 2015 Pilot, I love it. The 16 is coming out soon, so there are great incentives to get rid of the 15's

I like the 4 Runner too though.

[gummybear]

Jun 2, 2015 7:01:24 GMT -5 alzi said:

I just got a 2015 Pilot, I love it. The 16 is coming out soon, so there are great incentives to get rid of the 15's

I like the 4 Runner too though.

I test drove the 2015 Pilot this weekend. I LOVE my 2005 and would drive it forever if I could. I think after driving the Pathfinder though I just felt like the Pilot was so plastic-y inside. I did like it though, it was just so "the same" of what I've been driving for the past decade 

The new Pilots are going to be more cross-overy and sleek looking. Not sure that is what we want. Although the Pathfinder is very car-like. Sigh.

I'd say there is at least a 60% chance we end up with the 2015 Pilot. We are not exciting people and it's a safe choice.

[alzi]

Jun 2, 2015 7:04:47 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Jun 2, 2015 7:01:24 GMT -5 alzi said:

I just got a 2015 Pilot, I love it. The 16 is coming out soon, so there are great incentives to get rid of the 15's

I like the 4 Runner too though.

I test drove the 2015 Pilot this weekend. I LOVE my 2005 and would drive it forever if I could. I think after driving the Pathfinder though I just felt like the Pilot was so plastic-y inside. I did like it though, it was just so "the same" of what I've been driving for the past decade 

The new Pilots are going to be more cross-overy and sleek looking. Not sure that is what we want. Although the Pathfinder is very car-like. Sigh.

I'd say there is at least a 60% chance we end up with the 2015 Pilot. We are not exciting people and it's a safe choice.

I don't like the crossover look, which is why I got the 15. My last Pilot was an 08 and the VP so the EX-L feels so fancy lol

[gummybear]

I don't care for it either, which is why I am surprised I liked the Pathfinder. I think I am being lured in my the nice interior. The one thing I didn't like was being so close to the ground. I need to focus and stop being distracted by the shiny things. I tried the Highlander too - the cargo was lacking but the dealer was out of 4Runners and trying to convince me it "met my needs" better.


ETA: We def. want a 2015 and not the new body. We have to be quick if we go that route though since the new ones are coming soon. We could also get a deal on one coming off lease which is an attractive option.

[charley]

I've had a couple of 4Runners and I loved them. I will say that they are SUPER light and are hard to drive when it's really windy. Also, mine flipped when I got T-boned and I am not sure many other cars would have. Make sure it has side airbags, lol.

[gummybear]

Jun 2, 2015 7:52:14 GMT -5 charley said:

I've had a couple of 4Runners and I loved them. I will say that they are SUPER light and are hard to drive when it's really windy. Also, mine flipped when I got T-boned and I am not sure many other cars would have. Make sure it has side airbags, lol.

Well this is scary!!

[Elsa]

I have an 04 4Runner. I also drive my cars into the ground- before this I had a Camry and drove it till 200,000 miles.

My 4runner currently has 180K miles on it. Its never needed anything more than tires/brakes. I took it into the shop last week when the check engine light came on, and either we need new O2 sensors or a new catalytic converter (to the tune of $2k). We are trying the O2 sensors first ($200ish). We will not be replacing the catalytic converter- if it comes to that we will replace the car. Still- I think 11 years without a single major repair is freaking amazing.

We will not be replacing with another 4runner- I want a smoother ride, so we will be looking at the Acura MDX, the Lexus RX and the toyota highlanders.The 4runner ride isn't bad, but you can definitely tell its on a truck frame if you are sitting in the back. Also- my year doesn't have rear vents, which is an absolute MUST for me, living in TX. The newer models probably have this, but I'm not sure.

[redheadk]

I had a 4Runner and loved it. I replaced it just before it hit 100k miles for a luxury SUV, but the 4Runner never had a single problem. It didn't go to the shop for any repairs, only maintenance. It's a easy SUV to like.

[poprocks]

We used to have a 4Runner and we now have a Pathfinder and I think they are very comparable with cargo space. I also think the Pathfinder is easier to drive.

[starlily]

H had his 4Runner for 15 years, until it conked out at just over 400,000 miles.

[happyholiday]

My mom has had her 4Runner since 1999. It has less than 50k miles on it. Lol. I'll be the lone dissenter and say I don't really like it. The interior is small and the ride isn't very smooth. Of course, this is based on one that is 15 years old. I will say that it has been pretty low-maintenence, just regular oil changes/tune-ups.

[sh10]

I love my 2015 Pathfinder! The third row has good leg room, and the slide seat feature makes it easy to access, even with a car seat installed.

[audry80]

We had a 2009 4 Runner and it was our favorite SUV ever. Being able to roll down the back window was great and we were able to fit so much stuff in it. We never had one problem with it and I miss it so much. We only sold it because we moved to SF.

[Mrs.Rad888]

What about a Pathfinder Armada? Aren't those a little bigger than a standard Pathfinder?

[bittybomb]

We have a highlander and looked at the 4runner - it was more rugged but did seem to have a lot more space than the highlander. My highlander does lack quite a bit in cargo space but that is because I have half of the third row up all the time (my eldest of 3 sits back there in his highbacked booster). It is my car, which is not the "family" car (we have a minivan too and the nanny uses that for during the week), so when we go on long trips or anytime we need more space, its not really an issue. I do love the highlander love, and think we are now Toyota people (we also had a pilot - 2008 - before we had the 3 kids and traded it in for the minivan when our little guy transitioned from the infant carrier to the convertible because ours was a middle bench seat and just not workable for us anymore).

[usuallylurking]

I had a 1999 4Runner, I loved that car. Then we bought a 2008 and loved it, too. Never had any problems with either one. The 99 we sold in Alaska because we no longer needed 2 cars. The 08 we sold just this spring when we moved on to our suburban because the 4Runner wasn't going to fit us forever and the sub was a great deal, the timing was right, etc. The 4Runner fit our 3 kids all in car seats, 3 dogs and luggage just great in the back, it towed small trailers no problem, and we live in the windiest town in WA, drive on the freeway frequently, and haven't ever had any problems with being pushed around; the suburban doesn't feel any different. The suspension of the 4Runner is stiffer, simply because it's built that way. I don't think that makes it uncomfortable, but it is different. I loved both cars, and still miss it at times. The new models look great!

[gummybear]

This is great feedback everyone! Thank you.
I did try the Highlander. It drove nicely but isn't as loaded as a Pathfinder. It is also significantly smaller in the cargo area. The advertised size vs what it really is as far as usable space can be a little different. We've been measuring ourselves and the Highlander was a few inches smaller. I thought about the Armada. I think they are pricier though?

[thejen626]

Yes I drive a 2014 4Runner Limited. I loooooooove it.

My previous vehicle was a 2012 Highlander Limited. (DH is in the car business and gets good employee pricing, so buys new cars every 2-3 years). Anyway, the Highlander had more "feminine details" like small storage places, it's easier to move the seats, etc. The 4Runner is very "manly", there isn't any storage, it's a bitch to move the 3rd row seats, etc.

If you have any specific questions I'm happy to answer, just let me know

[mrsfarmer]

I have a 2000 4Runner- only maintenance costs. The newer models do not have the truck base anymore unless you get one certain trim, and my 2000 has rear A/C. We are looking to replace it in the next 5 years or so with another 4Runner. I have sat in the Highlander 3rd row seats and they are terrible; I have not checked out the 4Runner ones, though. I had a 4Runner previous to this and my dad rolled in on an icy road - not the truck or his fault - trying to get over for someone and the tire caught the ditch. He and his passenger were safe and he was actually able to drive it home.

[thejen626]

Jun 2, 2015 15:11:47 GMT -5 mrsfarmer said:

I have a 2000 4Runner- only maintenance costs. The newer models do not have the truck base anymore unless you get one certain trim, and my 2000 has rear A/C. We are looking to replace it in the next 5 years or so with another 4Runner. I have sat in the Highlander 3rd row seats and they are terrible; I have not checked out the 4Runner ones, though. I had a 4Runner previous to this and my dad rolled in on an icy road - not the truck or his fault - trying to get over for someone and the tire caught the ditch. He and his passenger were safe and he was actually able to drive it home.

The Highlander 3rd row has slightly more room than the 4Runner 3rd row. The 4Runner 3rd row, the top of the seat literally hits the ceiling of the car, because it has "stadium seating" so the back rows are up higher than the front. It's confirtable for kids but I wouldn't want to put an adult back there.

[InBetweenDays]

I have a 2003 4Runner. Our last car was a 1995 4Runner. Our next car will hopefully be a 2012 4Runner (going to look at it on Friday). The only reason we are considering trading ours in is we feel it still has value, and I'd like to have something with a 3rd row.

We LOVE our 4runner and have never had to do any repairs other than the routine maintenance. They are also big enough to haul 4 people, 150lbs of dogs, and all our camping or skiing stuff for long weekends, yet still feels maneuverable in city. My parents have a 2002 Yukon that we've borrowed when we've needed a 3rd row, and I hate driving it around town (but I normally drive a Mazda3 since I commute - the 4Runner is really H's car).

An added bonus is the rear window rolls down like the side windows rather than popping open like most SUVs. So having the back window open isn't an all or nothing. This has been really nice when needing to get some air into the back for the dogs.

[WOT?*]

Just out of curiosity for the Highlander v. 4Runner people - one of the dealers I went to had plenty of 4Runners in stock. It seems a little more "tow the toys" worthy than the Highlander but the salesman said that if I was going to use the third row on a regular basis I'd probably want the Highlander. The Highlander seats 7-8, the 4Runner seats 7. The seats in the 4Runner seem more like jump seats than seat-seats and it seems like it doesn't really have a floor pan for foot room, so not really comfortable for longer drives in the third row?

The 4Runner seems more "trucky" while the Highlander seems more "SUV" like.

Do you have problems with foot room in the 4Runner? I don't know how often we'll use it, but we *will* be using it.

[thejen626]

Jun 2, 2015 19:38:44 GMT -5 WOT?* said:

Just out of curiosity for the Highlander v. 4Runner people - one of the dealers I went to had plenty of 4Runners in stock. It seems a little more "tow the toys" worthy than the Highlander but the salesman said that if I was going to use the third row on a regular basis I'd probably want the Highlander. The Highlander seats 7-8, the 4Runner seats 7. The seats in the 4Runner seem more like jump seats than seat-seats and it seems like it doesn't really have a floor pan for foot room, so not really comfortable for longer drives in the third row?

The 4Runner seems more "trucky" while the Highlander seems more "SUV" like.

Do you have problems with foot room in the 4Runner? I don't know how often we'll use it, but we *will* be using it.

The 3rd row in the 4Runner is good for kids but I'd never ask an adult to sit back there, way too tight of a fit.

And the Highlander towed our 18' boat no problem

[mrsfarmer]

Jun 2, 2015 15:25:15 GMT -5 thejen626 said:

Jun 2, 2015 15:11:47 GMT -5 mrsfarmer said:

I have a 2000 4Runner- only maintenance costs. The newer models do not have the truck base anymore unless you get one certain trim, and my 2000 has rear A/C. We are looking to replace it in the next 5 years or so with another 4Runner. I have sat in the Highlander 3rd row seats and they are terrible; I have not checked out the 4Runner ones, though. I had a 4Runner previous to this and my dad rolled in on an icy road - not the truck or his fault - trying to get over for someone and the tire caught the ditch. He and his passenger were safe and he was actually able to drive it home.

The Highlander 3rd row has slightly more room than the 4Runner 3rd row. The 4Runner 3rd row, the top of the seat literally hits the ceiling of the car, because it has "stadium seating" so the back rows are up higher than the front. It's confirtable for kids but I wouldn't want to put an adult back there.

It wasn't the seating room I minded, the seat itself had no padding to it.  I was also stuck in traffic in it in an already 2 hour in normal condition drive too.

[mac08]

My H has a 2007 4 runner that he's had since it was new.  We've really loved it.  It has had zero problems, nothing more than routine maintenance has needed to be done.  I think the ride is smooth and very comfortable.  The cargo space is great too.