Choosing my next ride...

0210 · Jun 23, 2016

...

Vantage · Feb 13, 2016

T4R sounds like a winner for sure. Although I found the new models very slow and I did not like the interior layout.

I loved my older V8 runner (but bad mileage). I highly recommend a 2008-2009 limited V8.

I would even suggest looking into a Lexus GX470 or 460.

470's have the nicest interior I have even sat in, even being a few years older. Have rear air that can easily be swapped for cheap if it fails, and all the automatic goodies you look for.

They are just as good offroad as any 4Runner and have the upscale luxury feel you want.

All 04-09 4Runner lifts work on the GX so a lift is easy and cheap.

Google Lifted Lexus and you will find a few examples and forums, as the GX is bringing to be a popular choice because it has finally started to become affordable.

Only thing to read up on and watch for is the exhaust manifold tick tick. Can be an expensive fix if the manifolds start leaking. That's the reason I sold my old V8 runner and I regret it because the vehicle was that good.

Joe D · Feb 13, 2016

0210[OP] initial post: ↑

Hello folks. Need some opinions and insight from 'yota owners.

First, a bit of (recent) car history: '05 BMW 330Ci ZHP 6MT -> '06 Mercedes C230 Auto -> '07 BMW 335i 6MT -> '06 Mercedes ML350 (current).

Having done more off-roading in my 335i than the average bro-truck in my neck of the woods, and having a large dog, I decided to get an SUV, and have owned my ML for almost two years now. With 4matic, surprisingly capable no-name all season tires, and air suspension (11.5" of clearance at the touch of a button) this thing has taken me more places than I could have ever imagined, and in some damn good comfort, too.

The only downside is maintenance cost. One of my rear air shocks started leaking last year, so I replaced the rear two w/ Bilsteins (bought each shock separately at the cheapest prices I could find), and even with getting great deals on the shocks and using an indy mechanic, it ran me $2k. My brakes will soon need to be replaced - that's about a $1000. I'm hearing a "clunk" at slow-speed turns (parking lots), so that's likely a CV joint, and I'm guessing at least a $500 job. The brake and tranny fluids need a flush - at least another $500. And then the real fun - pretty much all Mercedes V6s built between 2006 and 2008 suffer from the infamous "balance shaft" issue (a sprocket was made out of a soft alloy and it wears out, requiring replacement) - that's a $4000-8000 job, depending on whether you go with an indy or dealer. I've no problems so far, but my understanding is that it's a ticking time bomb, and I'd rather not deal with that.

So... I'm considering upgrading my current ride and am unsure of which direction to go in.

My requirements for a vehicle are as follows:
- Off-road capability. I'm not interested in crawling rocks or playing in the mud, but I want to be able to go well off the beaten path (forest service roads, light trails, etc.) to explore and camp.
- External-luggage options (ie. roof rack). I'm hoping to get a canoe in the next few years, and would prefer to carry that on the roof instead of a trailer.
- Tons of interior room. My dog's crate is 48" long, 32" wide, and 35" high. It fits in the interior of my ML with two of the three rear seats folded down, and still leaves me a good amount of storage room. I'll be eventually down-sizing to a smaller crate (it's oversized for my dog), but would still love the option of having a large one, and being able to sleep in the vehicle (I'm 6').
- Daily driver, so modern features are a huge plus: heated & powered seats, good stereo, QUIET interior, auto headlights, auto wipers, auto powered windows, AC, etc. Having remote start would be a huge benefit (could leave dog in the car and start it up for AC).
- Good ride, good aftermarket support, reasonably cheap to maintain.

All of the above has mostly limited me to two options: 2010+ 4Runner (although I strongly prefer the looks & options of 2014+), and the 2014 Tacoma with a canopy (w/ windoors). Having just discovered the new 2017 Ridgeline, that could potentially work, too (yes, I already read all of your Ridgeline hate in that other thread ).

Domestic vehicles are pretty much all on my shit list, so that's a no go. Land Cruisers are awesome, but there's close to zero options locally, and they're crazy expensive. Sequoia could work, but only the '07+ models, and they're expensive. Tundra might work too, but something about it is pushing me off. Not a fan of the Highlander or FJ. I'm thinking I'd like to avoid german luxury vehicles for maintenance cost reasons.

I test-drove a 2012 Tacoma 6MT last summer. I found the rear seats to be cramped (much less room than in my ML), the truck to be slow and gutless, incredibly noisy interior, and very dated options/features. The gutless part is apparently addressed by getting an auto. The noise could (theoretically) be addressed with dynamat all over the interior. The rear seats could be removed altogether and replaced with the dog crate. And a canopy could be added for more versatility and sleeping comfort.

A well equipped, dual-cab 2014 Tacoma can be had for about $33k around here. Factor-in another $2k for a canopy, for a $35k total.

I've read a lot of the 4runner vs Tacoma threads on here (and other forums) and it seems the consensus is that the 4runner is a better-built vehicle with much more creature comforts. Have to admit, lack of power seats (or vertical adjustability), rear drum brakes, leaf springs, and the bare~ness of the Tacoma's interior does help (for my needs). But with even that said, for some reason I keep coming back to the Tacoma.

The 2014 4runner is fantastic and would likely be an awesome option, but it's freaking expensive. I'm looking at a minimum of $42k for a Limited in decent condition. But it checks all the right boxes, and I think this could be a great vehicle for long-term ownership.

Another option is to simply upgrade from my '06 ML350 to something like an '09+ ML550. This would eliminate the costly balance-shaft issue, and give me more nice-to-haves. There is a local '09 ML550 with half my SUV's mileage for $26k, so I figure that's about a $12-14k difference after trading my ML350 in. Cheapest (immediate) option.

What would you do?
Click to expand...

Basically the same situation as you...

To me the T4R feels slower than my old 2012 Tacoma but, it's not a problem.

Here's my current T4R and my old Tacoma.

Overall it's T4R hands down.

flying_az · Feb 13, 2016

0210[OP] initial post: ↑

Hello folks. Need some opinions and insight from 'yota owners.

First, a bit of (recent) car history: '05 BMW 330Ci ZHP 6MT -> '06 Mercedes C230 Auto -> '07 BMW 335i 6MT -> '06 Mercedes ML350 (current).

Having done more off-roading in my 335i than the average bro-truck in my neck of the woods, and having a large dog, I decided to get an SUV, and have owned my ML for almost two years now. With 4matic, surprisingly capable no-name all season tires, and air suspension (11.5" of clearance at the touch of a button) this thing has taken me more places than I could have ever imagined, and in some damn good comfort, too.

The only downside is maintenance cost. One of my rear air shocks started leaking last year, so I replaced the rear two w/ Bilsteins (bought each shock separately at the cheapest prices I could find), and even with getting great deals on the shocks and using an indy mechanic, it ran me $2k. My brakes will soon need to be replaced - that's about a $1000. I'm hearing a "clunk" at slow-speed turns (parking lots), so that's likely a CV joint, and I'm guessing at least a $500 job. The brake and tranny fluids need a flush - at least another $500. And then the real fun - pretty much all Mercedes V6s built between 2006 and 2008 suffer from the infamous "balance shaft" issue (a sprocket was made out of a soft alloy and it wears out, requiring replacement) - that's a $4000-8000 job, depending on whether you go with an indy or dealer. I've no problems so far, but my understanding is that it's a ticking time bomb, and I'd rather not deal with that.

So... I'm considering upgrading my current ride and am unsure of which direction to go in.

My requirements for a vehicle are as follows:
- Off-road capability. I'm not interested in crawling rocks or playing in the mud, but I want to be able to go well off the beaten path (forest service roads, light trails, etc.) to explore and camp.
- External-luggage options (ie. roof rack). I'm hoping to get a canoe in the next few years, and would prefer to carry that on the roof instead of a trailer.
- Tons of interior room. My dog's crate is 48" long, 32" wide, and 35" high. It fits in the interior of my ML with two of the three rear seats folded down, and still leaves me a good amount of storage room. I'll be eventually down-sizing to a smaller crate (it's oversized for my dog), but would still love the option of having a large one, and being able to sleep in the vehicle (I'm 6').
- Daily driver, so modern features are a huge plus: heated & powered seats, good stereo, QUIET interior, auto headlights, auto wipers, auto powered windows, AC, etc. Having remote start would be a huge benefit (could leave dog in the car and start it up for AC).
- Good ride, good aftermarket support, reasonably cheap to maintain.

All of the above has mostly limited me to two options: 2010+ 4Runner (although I strongly prefer the looks & options of 2014+), and the 2014 Tacoma with a canopy (w/ windoors). Having just discovered the new 2017 Ridgeline, that could potentially work, too (yes, I already read all of your Ridgeline hate in that other thread ).

Domestic vehicles are pretty much all on my shit list, so that's a no go. Land Cruisers are awesome, but there's close to zero options locally, and they're crazy expensive. Sequoia could work, but only the '07+ models, and they're expensive. Tundra might work too, but something about it is pushing me off. Not a fan of the Highlander or FJ. I'm thinking I'd like to avoid german luxury vehicles for maintenance cost reasons.

I test-drove a 2012 Tacoma 6MT last summer. I found the rear seats to be cramped (much less room than in my ML), the truck to be slow and gutless, incredibly noisy interior, and very dated options/features. The gutless part is apparently addressed by getting an auto. The noise could (theoretically) be addressed with dynamat all over the interior. The rear seats could be removed altogether and replaced with the dog crate. And a canopy could be added for more versatility and sleeping comfort.

A well equipped, dual-cab 2014 Tacoma can be had for about $33k around here. Factor-in another $2k for a canopy, for a $35k total.

I've read a lot of the 4runner vs Tacoma threads on here (and other forums) and it seems the consensus is that the 4runner is a better-built vehicle with much more creature comforts. Have to admit, lack of power seats (or vertical adjustability), rear drum brakes, leaf springs, and the bare~ness of the Tacoma's interior does help (for my needs). But with even that said, for some reason I keep coming back to the Tacoma.

The 2014 4runner is fantastic and would likely be an awesome option, but it's freaking expensive. I'm looking at a minimum of $42k for a Limited in decent condition. But it checks all the right boxes, and I think this could be a great vehicle for long-term ownership.

Another option is to simply upgrade from my '06 ML350 to something like an '09+ ML550. This would eliminate the costly balance-shaft issue, and give me more nice-to-haves. There is a local '09 ML550 with half my SUV's mileage for $26k, so I figure that's about a $12-14k difference after trading my ML350 in. Cheapest (immediate) option.

What would you do?
Click to expand...

With as much time as you've obviously put into researching, you should already know what you want.

2015tacoblanco · Feb 13, 2016

It sounds like you need/want a 4Runner. I love my truck and the simplicity of it appeals to me because I'm planning to keep it until it dies, but 4runners have way more comforts. My friend has an '01 limited T4R and it has way more than my '15 interior wise (eg. Leather, wood, heated seats, auto Windows, and some other stuff). The covered rear area is also useful for carrying dogs and even in the relatively small area back there he has been able to camp with the seats folded down, btw he is 6'+. Either one of these vehicles will do you well, it just sounds like in your use case a T4R is more you're speed.

Joe D · Feb 13, 2016

0210[OP] said: ↑

Both trucks look great, Joe!

I was just out walking the dog and a lifted 2014+ T4R in the dark gray (my fav colour) passed by - looked awesome. I have to admit, I prefer the looks of the Tacoma to the T4R (especially your white one - looks fantastic), but practicality will take precedence.

I'm reading through a bunch of GX470 build threads on random forums - lots of cool work out there.
Click to expand...

Thanks man.

I'm with you, I like the look of the Tacoma better but, having owned several and the T4R I prefer the T4R...it also fits my current needs better.

I've given thought to a GX for the next DD but, that's about it. I'll wait until the time is closer...

He's 140 pounds and the Golden is 75.

k20me · Feb 13, 2016

Almost 2 months ago, I got traded in my '07 S/C Tacoma for a '16 T4R Trail. The T4R is definitely better than the Tacoma in terms of build quality and quietness. It suits both my German Shepherd and Husky quite well in the cargo area (although I don't crate them). As expected, the power was a letdown compared to my old Tacoma and WRX, but it really isn't bad if you're willing to get on it. Even with more aggressiveness towards the accelerator, and with the stock tires replaced with BFG AT KO2's, I'm still managing around 18-19 mpgs consistently. Go with the T4R. I'm glad I did.

Don't mind the jerk parking with the T4R. That was just for the picture.

Schmidt · Feb 13, 2016

Can i say your comparing apples to oranges here.
German engineered Mercedes to a toyota. Totally different price ranges when you look for the same year and class of vehicle.
I would say go with a 4runner cause thats basically a transfer over from your current ML.
Also if your tried of expensive repair why would you go for another ML? Anything from Germany other than VW can be expensive to repair.

Vantage · Feb 19, 2016

Wow, this thread really grew after my last post.

Why not get a Tacoma + cap? Great for the dogs, get a long box and you can sleep inside if camping.

You can easily build a platform for the rear seats of the double cab if you want the dogs inside.

I will say this. Reading threads, builds ect is great, but the more you get out and test drive the narrower you're search will become.

All the vehicles drive quite different.

96-02 4Runner
03-09 4Runner
10+ 4Runner
GX470
GX460
Tacoma's
X5
ML

Hell I would look at the 2011+ Touareg TDI as well. Quite cheap now with the VW scandal. 30+ mpg. Fast. Fun. Luxury. Great offroad.

I nearly nearly nearlyyyyy bought one but the deal breaker was that I couldn't sleep in the back.

I have owned way to many vehicles:
2001 Tacoma extended cab with canopy
2011 Tacoma Double cab short box
2013 Tacoma double cab long box
1992 4Runner v6
1996 4Runner v6
2005 4Runner v8
2007 GX470

Tested about 20 Touareg's/X5's TDI

And now I own a 2015 Titan pro4x.

Loco38SUP · May 28, 2016

Get a TRD Pro 4Runner and enjoy the trails in style with your dog.

The TRD Pro 4Runner sounds like the perfect fit.

RJM

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