Trying to decide b/w Tacoma & 4Runner

AFAIK, a good AWD implementation (Subaru for ex) is far better that part-time 4WD. Assuming same tires. If Element AWD is in the same class as Subaru, then yes, it will outperform a 4WD truck.

 

I have both and based on what you plan on doing I say 4Runner

 

A few inches.

 

In a blizzard I'll take my truck and you can have you wrx.

 

We get snow in the Dallas area on occasion, too.

 

I don't know about the Element, but Subies are AWESOME SAUCE in the snow. My better half has a outback and that baby is tank in the white stuff.

 

Oh trust me, that's fine by me. My statements are based in experience rather than assumption

 

Well this thread started out on track but Tacoma world didn't let me down

 

I never doubted AWD vehicles, they just aren't as superior as you all seem to think in your MILD conditions. I see so many Subarus driving like they are invincible in the weather here and that's probably why I see so many in the ditch. My wife owns a Subaru Legacy btw and when it's bad, there's absolutely no question in what vehicle we take. My truck. I do trust the Subaru for her and it's been great. I'm just realistic here.

 

You forgot that the Element is also super gay...

 

ridgeline

 

Really again this week... How many times do I have to clean my keyboard

 

So...Tacoma built by this guy in baja
and this guy in plano

4 runner made by... this guy
and this guy

Hmmmm.....

 

Cannot unsee that last pic.

 

if I could do it over again I would go 4runner.

2 recalls on tacoma with no fix for either. many other issues.. QC issues. and the mpg on many of the new tacomas are around 12/13 mpg on avg

 

^^^^ This.

I was out walking the shepherd the other day and accidentally threw his ball into a pond scum, algae covered ditch. Of course he went in after it.....and then I remembered why I have a truck because if I had to put that filthy dog in the back of a 4Runner, there would have been some major cleanup required of the entire interior.

 

No dog or messy stuff -- go 4Runner!

 

I love my truck but I have had a 4runner in the past too.. I love them both.. its 50/50 for me but the issues of the 3rd gen are too great to ignore and the 4runner is solid.... way less issues over all.

I would get a slightly used 2nd gen for less than the 3rd

 

I too like the second gens best. I'd have trouble passing up a lightly used pyrite tacoma.

Still both rigs are great. I like the 3rd gens too

 

I've owned an 09' DCLB and currently own a 16' Trail Premium. I love the comfort and size of the 4Runner, but miss the utility of the pickup. Utility is the real difference here. When you take a double cab Taco and add a quality hard folding tonneau with a built in rack system and roof height cross bars, you pretty much have all the utility you will ever need.

With my two girls of 2 and 6 still in car seats, the back of the Taco was pretty much done for- filled with kids and seats. Gone was the utility of the back wall storage. I didn't want Tundra size or gas mileage, or roll the dice on 3rd Gen Taco issues. I kept thinking maybe a new Taco with a topper at the time when I was shopping. I was looking for a 4Runner and didn't realize it. For dirty stuff- that's what Husky mats and canvas liners for the walls and back of the seats are currently made for. A $300 Harbor Freight utility trailer is an option as stated earlier too for the few times you need to haul piles of stuff.

For me, the Trail Premium had it all- power, sunroof, space, luxury, awesome off road capability with a factory locker, and enough towing capacity for our needs. Change the stock Dunlop tires and drive it straight to Moab without blinking. For me the 4Runner is the perfect size inside, smaller than Tundra but bigger than the Taco- so nice to have the space to stretch out without worrying where to park it. Nose dive stops when you either start slowing down sooner in stop and go traffic and learn the characteristics of the truck, or throw on a set of Bilstein 5100's set a 0.85 in front for $150.

Now, I would be in heaven if Toyota made a 4Runner size double cab pickup!