Why a Tacoma and not a 4Runner

Ok, I've just visited my local dealer, they have a 2016 4Runner SR5 Premium for what I paid for my 2016 Sport 4 X 2. I know it's all about options, this 4Runner had leather, 8 way adjustable driver seat, double hood struts, 4 wheel drive, aluminum wheels, same infotainment system, with 8 speakers, tow package, 4 wheel disc brakes, and of course the 4.0L with 5 speed auto. plus with the back seats folded down you can get a lot more cargo in the back than the 5 foot Tacoma bed, to tell the truth the only vehicle I even looked at while there to buy my truck was my Tacoma, didn't even step foot in a Tundra or 4Runner. I love my truck but when you see other vehicles where you can get much more for your money you sort of ask yourself if you made the right decision.

 

In all honesty that's a good question. I think I would prefer a 4Runner over a crew cab, 5' bed, Tacoma with a tonneau cover.

 

I've owned 3 4Runners. They're awesome. If I said I didn't consider a 2015 4Runner Trail I'd be lying. The Tacoma seems to better fit my lifestyle. A small pickup with an open 5 foot bed is ideal for what I do (hunting, fishing, kayaking, camping, etc.)

 

So are you considering trading and you want some opinions, or are you asking us why you did something?

 

Manual transmission

 

4 Runner is heavy 6,000 lbs.

 

I traded in my 2010 4Runner for my Tacoma because my needs changed. I still think the current 5th gen 4Runner is one of the best built vehicles on the market. I wish the new Tacoma was built off of the 5th gen 4Runner platform.

 

Manual transmission.

 

That's gross weight, 4Runner is about 4400lbs.

 

Bingo.

Plus I self haul household trash and recycling. I'll be selling my beater F250 soon and we'll be back down to a two car household.

 

Don't hate me - but I wasn't impressed with the space inside the 4 runner. Seemed cramped. If I was going SUV style, I would have picked the highlander, just felt bigger and more open on the inside. Clearly, I'm not worried about off-road performance like you probably are...

 

It's been over 8 years since I priced anything, but in 2007 when I bought my Taco a comparably equipped 4 Runner was about $6000 more expensive than the DC 4X4 Taco I bought. I spent $1,000 on a shell and have a far more versatile vehicle for my needs. I can still seat as many as a 4Runner and have MORE lockable cargo area. I have the versatility to haul dirty stuff in the back and hose it out after. I've had SUV's in the past, but a 4 door truck is more versatile and suits my needs much better.

At the time the trucks were rated to tow more and had a heavier duty suspension.

At the time a trucks resale value was much better than SUV's. Pay less initially, get more for it down the road. Once again, I've not kept up with those details and things may have changed somewhat. But that was my rational.

 

Had our 4 Runner for 11 years. I bought a 15 Taco off road with bells and whistles because it was $7k less then replacing the 4 Runner. I would always buy another 4 Runner if the price of a Taco were anyhwere near it, which for the 2016 it is. The 4 Runner is to a Taco like fillet mignon is to a Big Mac at MacDonalds.

 

I've never been sold on the idea that any SUV has really useful room. My last 3 family vehicles have been a Suburban, and Escalade ESV and now a Yukon XL. I'm confident that my incoming DCSB will yield more useful room for me (my car is never the family hauler.) The big SUVs are still very limited by the rear hatch opening, and if you keep the third row up (with 4 future voters, we do), you know that the actual space between the last row and the hatch is tight. With the long wheelbase GMs, we have *just* enough room for the six of us plus luggage for a week long vacation. Space behind a third row in a short wheelbase GM is almost useless. Now, take any small or midsize SUV and the space issue becomes even more restrictive, even if you're only running two rows.

 

Yeah, a 4 Runner is $10K more expensive and you are stuck with an auto tragic trans. I don't know how Toyota even sells 4 Runners in this day and age.

 

I have yet to meet an owner who didn't luv his 4 Runner. Obviously, if you have truck needs, it isn't a truck and you get a truck. But, if can fit your life style and you ligit use it as was intended, off road an plenty of towing, it is the best all around vehicle Toyota has ever made or will ever make for the money. Drive through a foot plus of mud, tow a boat, drive cross country in comfort.

 

Uh, because I wanted a truck, not an SUV? I don't understand the question. Why not just ask why we didn't buy a 3 series BMW?

 

Ok is it just me, or if you put some teeth on the grill it would look like to-mater from cars?

 

I needed the tow rating from the Tacoma 6,200lbs the 4Runner is 4,000lbs my boat is 5,200lbs ish

 

I had a 5th Gen 4Runner and was not impressed. Maybe they've fixed the problems by now, but the early 5th Gens had a major issue with nose dive when the brakes were applied, and the steering was very twitchy at highway speeds. A lot of owners were having alignment shops push the caster all the way forward to make the steering work right. I had to put Bilstein 5100s on mine to get the nose dive even somewhat under control. I traded it in after a year and a half for a Tacoma and I have not missed it since.