To 4Runner or to not 4Runner, that is the question

Tacoma’s and 4Runners are meant to be together.

 

Ignore the naysayers. Miatas are a lot cheaper than a 4R. And they're a lot more fun.

 

Just took my ho runner off roading and camping today while I miss my taco my ho runner is way more capable than a taco thanks to the shorter wheelbase but also a much better ride off roading there’s a night and day difference between coils in the rear vs leaf springs and I had deavers which are pretty much the best leaf springs

 

I went truck shopping late last year, 2024. I had a 2006 Tundra "Double Cab" 4WD TRD Off Road, which I had bought new for myself in '06. It was a great truck, but I had finally caught new truck fever after all the good years with the '06 Tundra. I had figured to get the new 2024 Tacoma as a replacement. I went to test drive one. I didn't care for it at all. I was severely disappointed in it. I didn't care for its mannerisms, its engine, its steering feel.

I had already sold my Tundra privately, and I suddenly missed it very severely. Wifey knew I was bumming. She came up with this brainstorm that I should go try a 4Runner instead. I called my saleslady back to ask about 4Runners. She told me to come in and check out a really nice one that a lady owner had just traded in. It was a 2022 SR5 Premium 4WD, only 18,XXX miles, and they had it inspected and registered under their Toyota certified / pre-owned program. Wifey and I both went in to look at it, drove it. We both fell in love with it. It reminded me in a way of driving my old Tundra, yet refreshing and more refined. It immediately felt like an old friend. I asked my saleslady why the woman traded it in. I was told she traded down to a RAV4 for better fuel economy, figured she didn't really need a 4Runner.

We looked at it on a Saturday morning. My saleslady told us to take it home for the rest of the weekend, drive it around. She said you can come back in Monday to buy it. Oh-hhhhhhh Kay-yyyyy. LOL! That woman was slick. Ha-Ha. I'll be danged if we didn't do just that! Went in there thinking brand new Tacoma, ended up with a pre-owned / certified 2022 4Runner SR5 Premium 4WD! I really didn't need a pickup that bad anymore anyway. I don't regret one bit getting that T4R!

Since purchase, it has been perfect! I changed out the upper grill on it to what they call the "Heritage" grill, switched to stock size AT tires on it from the stock all season tires that were on it, and installed Bilstein model 5100 adjustable front shocks on it, raising the front up to the 1.75" setting. I don't think I'm going to be getting a Tacoma anytime soon now. I am feeling like it's 'til death do us part with my 4Runner.

My neighbor just bought a brand new 2024 Tacoma from the same dealer. He's very happy with his new gen Tacoma. He traded out of an older Nissan Frontier.

 

This was prior generation models but I traded a pickup for 4Runner better for guiding and parenting. When we had actual kids they always preferred passenger vehicles where minivans and Outbacks were their favorites.

I know people like their light trucks and heavy duty SUVs but I much preferred the Outbacks and vans in the child raising years and the Outbacks did really well for off road basics and then some. Our Sienna even worked surprisingly well for my trail building and ski area crew time. I'd still enjoy them but have a pickup truck is right for a few years ahead - actual light truck needs vs wants. That said, I like new Tacoma a lot and guess new 4Runner will have similar positive aspects.

 

Yeah…..every time I sit down and list out reasons to buy a 4Runner I end up with the end result being a minivan. Probably an Odyssey mainly because of the shares of the sienna and ridiculously high prices they have, eve. Used. I can get a nice Honda Odyssey Touring for about the same as a base model Sienna.

I still want a Miata, have a neighbor that needs to sell off his 1990 Miata that’s a project. But when will I have the time. It would be selfish of me to buy it I think.

I just want a fun vehicle that does it all. I want a convertible, manual, 4x4, pickup truck. But that’s a Jeep gladiator and talk about crap reliability and bad MPGs. I need therapy for a car guy or something. I am considering a Honda Fit to play with since it can also haul people.

 

Feel for you OP. I used to love driving my 2004 330i (still do, but it's sitting right now in need of TLC mechanically), so the 4Runner is getting all of the attention at the moment. It is so versatile and it's a one and done purchase. It will do everything I need. Can go anywhere-take me to the store, Costco run, dinner, camping and 4 wheeling. Zero mods done and it is quite a capable off-roader. Only change I made was to the tires with Falken Wildpeak AT3Ws.

I Miata would be a blast to own/drive! But for me and the wife, it would rarely see the light of day.