Open Road

I made a brief post along time ago but this belongs in this section. Yeh, I know, probably too much information, I probably sound like a 4Runner salesman, but if something like this fits your needs, worth considering.

For 30 years, I drove Porsches as my daily driver, mostly 911s. However, for some years, as I have aged, I thought at some point I would move into a mid-size SUV, as more practical. Before I started looking, I had in the back of my mind maybe a Macan (to stick with Porsches), but finally early last year I decided it was time, and went on a much broader hunt. I finally ended up getting a new '23 Toyota 4Runner, something I had never even remotely thought of before. Why?

I like the looks. I like the size. I like the extreme reliability. I like the extensive off-road capabilities, even though it is doubtful I will ever really use those, but as a car guy, that sort of turns it into something more interesting than just some ordinary soccer mom SUV. There is also at least one active forum (I poke around sometimes though it would never replace OR and its a totally different group of people), but these things can be modded extensively and there is a huge market of aftermarket parts (not that I plan to do hardly any of that - but again, a bit fun as a car guy.

Reliability - see pic below, Consumer Reports' 10 Most Reliable Cars in 2023 - 4Runner is number 1. Take good care of them and they routinely last 300,000 miles, potentially a lot more. At my present rate of driving, it would take me 75 or so years to get there, no, that ain't gonna happen, but I like reliability. This is one of only a few Toyota-branded cars built in Toyota's Tahara factory in Japan, one of its oldest and considered one of the best auto manufacturing facilities in the world; Toyota uses it mostly for its Lexus division. This is the 5th generation 4Runner but this generation has been mostly unchanged drivetrain and body-wise for a dozen years; other stuff, i.e. electronic features and minor stuff has been updated. The engine is a totally proven NA V6 (270hp, 278torque) engine in use for an extremely long-time, super reliable history; the trans is only 5 speed, but likewise bulletproof. Not fast, but it does have some grunt and it gets the job done. Possibly one of the few downsides to this setup is the gas mileage is fairly poor for other cars out there these days. However, '24 is the last year of this long 5th Gen run, '25 is a major makeover with a smaller, turbocharged engine, and it remains to be seen if it has the same reliability, etc.

There are 7 versions of the car, in increasing order and cost, two basic (SR5, SR5 Premium), TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium (what I got), Limited, and TRD Pro. TRD Pro is setup more for off road including Fox shocks and a number of other things, Limited is more of a soccer mom setup, and TRD Off Road Premium (mine) has a bunch of off road stuff, mine has a $1,750 option Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (greatly improves regular driving by making up for some of the downsides of all the off road stuff underneath).

My version has selectable 2WD, and 4WD in regular and low; crawl control (maintains selectable very low speed without having to step on the gas pedal while climbing up a hill over rocks); Multi-Terrain Select (can select various suspension modes for ice, snow, mud, etc.).

Some complain that the 4Runner is lacking in modern stuff, like a large screen, more modern controls, etc. However, I like the smaller built in screen (hate the ridiculous Tesla-type "big screen TV"), a number of the controls are analog (which I like), and as far as I have figured out, I really can't think of anything I am missing.

Sometimes I am surprised at myself, but after almost a year and a half, I actually really like this thing.

Pics below, first two my car, color is Lunar Rock (greenish gray), other car pics are stock.

I have done roughly 750,000 in Toyota 4Runners (probably more, actually) over the last twelve years. They are great vehicles, and never left me on the side of the road, they are comfortable and practical, and a very good value for the dollar. I got them new, ran each on up to about 75k miles and then traded it in on a new one, and wound up paying income on the transaction once I got the trade-in and subtracting use cost from the business. I averaged about three new 4Runners every two years for a good number of years.

The only reason I am not driving one now is that I just plain needed to get something else as I was tired of them. If you don't drive them as much as I did, I am sure you'll get a LOT of use out of it. Good choice, imo.

jcnesq wrote: ↑Sat Jun 22, 2024 3:10 am I made a brief post along time ago but this belongs in this section. Yeh, I know, probably too much information, I probably sound like a 4Runner salesman, but if something like this fits your needs, worth considering.

For 30 years, I drove Porsches as my daily driver, mostly 911s. However, for some years, as I have aged, I thought at some point I would move into a mid-size SUV, as more practical. Before I started looking, I had in the back of my mind maybe a Macan (to stick with Porsches), but finally early last year I decided it was time, and went on a much broader hunt. I finally ended up getting a new '23 Toyota 4Runner, something I had never even remotely thought of before. Why?

I like the looks. I like the size. I like the extreme reliability. I like the extensive off-road capabilities, even though it is doubtful I will ever really use those, but as a car guy, that sort of turns it into something more interesting than just some ordinary soccer mom SUV. There is also at least one active forum (I poke around sometimes though it would never replace OR and its a totally different group of people), but these things can be modded extensively and there is a huge market of aftermarket parts (not that I plan to do hardly any of that - but again, a bit fun as a car guy.

Reliability - see pic below, Consumer Reports' 10 Most Reliable Cars in 2023 - 4Runner is number 1. Take good care of them and they routinely last 300,000 miles, potentially a lot more. At my present rate of driving, it would take me 75 or so years to get there, no, that ain't gonna happen, but I like reliability. This is one of only a few Toyota-branded cars built in Toyota's Tahara factory in Japan, one of its oldest and considered one of the best auto manufacturing facilities in the world; Toyota uses it mostly for its Lexus division. This is the 5th generation 4Runner but this generation has been mostly unchanged drivetrain and body-wise for a dozen years; other stuff, i.e. electronic features and minor stuff has been updated. The engine is a totally proven NA V6 (270hp, 278torque) engine in use for an extremely long-time, super reliable history; the trans is only 5 speed, but likewise bulletproof. Not fast, but it does have some grunt and it gets the job done. Possibly one of the few downsides to this setup is the gas mileage is fairly poor for other cars out there these days. However, '24 is the last year of this long 5th Gen run, '25 is a major makeover with a smaller, turbocharged engine, and it remains to be seen if it has the same reliability, etc.

There are 7 versions of the car, in increasing order and cost, two basic (SR5, SR5 Premium), TRD Sport, TRD Off Road, TRD Off Road Premium (what I got), Limited, and TRD Pro. TRD Pro is setup more for off road including Fox shocks and a number of other things, Limited is more of a soccer mom setup, and TRD Off Road Premium (mine) has a bunch of off road stuff, mine has a $1,750 option Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (greatly improves regular driving by making up for some of the downsides of all the off road stuff underneath).

My version has selectable 2WD, and 4WD in regular and low; crawl control (maintains selectable very low speed without having to step on the gas pedal while climbing up a hill over rocks); Multi-Terrain Select (can select various suspension modes for ice, snow, mud, etc.).

Some complain that the 4Runner is lacking in modern stuff, like a large screen, more modern controls, etc. However, I like the smaller built in screen (hate the ridiculous Tesla-type "big screen TV"), a number of the controls are analog (which I like), and as far as I have figured out, I really can't think of anything I am missing.

Sometimes I am surprised at myself, but after almost a year and a half, I actually really like this thing.

Pics below, first two my car, color is Lunar Rock (greenish gray), other car pics are stock.

I've never owned or driven one but have been a passenger several times.

Every one of the owners raves about their utility and reliability. Unlike other SUVs acting like trucks, this one seems to be the real deal. I also have read that the lack of innovation and electronic goodies is another reason for such reliability and why so many owners keep coming back for newer versions.

As much as I always want to default to Porsche as being the answer for everything, there are many other options so glad to hear this is a good one!

I love my 4runner........4cyl 5sp, sweet, old school toyota.