Picked this up Monday

[rdnkcpa]

New 4Runner. Traded the wife's minivan for a new ride. Wanted a midsized SUV. Did not like Highlander, Pilot, Traverse, Acadia, Explorer. Wanted something a little more truck like. Tahoe's and Expeditions are out of my price range.

 

Toyota does a good job with the 4Runner. Yes, it does not have all the tech of the other models and called a dinosaur by the automotive press, but it body on frame, with a real live transfer case.

 

 

[Boardmember]

Should be a good call. Wife drives a '15', daughter 1 an '09 and daughter 2 a '12.

 

Made in Japan. Good build quality. Same press you mention also - in another paragraph further down - calls them " bullet proof."

 

I've owned an '08' '94, '96, '00' '02 also. Never failed to do everything I asked. And you'll be able to sell it in a few years for not a whole lot less than you paid!

 

Why is this in a GM trucks forum?

[RyanbabZ71]

Just curious what did you dislike in the traverse?

 

 

Ryan

[Colossus]

While I don't like the exterior design of the 4-Runner, it is a solid ute. Congrats.

[rdnkcpa]

Just curious what did you dislike in the traverse?

 

 

Ryan

 

Traverse is nice, mainly did not like the unibody construction. Wanted something a little more in the traditional SUV/truck. And, the Traverse's are a little on the expensive side.

[rdnkcpa]

Should be a good call. Wife drives a '15', daughter 1 an '09 and daughter 2 a '12.

 

Made in Japan. Good build quality. Same press you mention also - in another paragraph further down - calls them " bullet proof."

 

I've owned an '08' '94, '96, '00' '02 also. Never failed to do everything I asked. And you'll be able to sell it in a few years for not a whole lot less than you paid!

 

Why is this in a GM trucks forum?

 

 

Agreed on the resale. Dealer had ones that were a year old with about 18k on the clock for about a 1.5k less than brand new ones.

 

Feels bullet proof when you drive. Feels very solid and well put together.

 

I posted in this forum because I've been a member for a while, still have my Silverado, and kind of proud of my new purchase. Most expensive vehicle I've ever bought!!! I joined a 4Runner forum, but I kind of like this forum the best. Also belong to a Chevy Cruze forum, it's pretty good as well.

 

While I don't like the exterior design of the 4-Runner, it is a solid ute. Congrats.

 

The nose is taking a little getting use to. Thanks. Read a review where it accused Toyota of making an ugly robot.... I guess they were trying to make it a look a little more manly.

 

Couple of curious things about it, no electric fan, it is old school fan clutch. That kind of surprised me. And no transmission dipstick.

[SnakeEyeSS]

I was looking at a 09 Z71 also when I bought my 09 Mazda in 2008. The price seemed a little high and the salesman tried to get me to look at a Traverse for that price. I couldn't figure out why they couldn't come down on the truck more when they were taking a bigger hit on the then new model Traverse. That says something about resale value!

 

 

Toyota is really odd on tech. The 14 or 15 corolla was the first compact with LED headlights, but was the only compact that still offered a 4 speed auto. Once they make a major part super reliable, they hang on to it for as long as they can, until it is obsolete.....and then a few more years after that. Which does have it's benefits, easy to get parts and is well proven.

[Jernik]

Nice! Absolutely Love our '14 MGM TEP. It's top 2 of my favorite vehicles I've ever owned. The other being a Jeep Wrangler TJ.

[Colossus]

The no tranny dipstick is something they and other auto manufacturers have done as a cost saving method. On most of those without a tranny, the dealer can hook up their factory scan tool and check the fluid level that way as there is some sort of fluid sensor in the transmission. They of course want you to take the vehicle to THEM instead of a competent independent repair facility. They also foolishly believe that you can go 100,000 miles without needing to do any type of service to the transmission. Just like that 100,000 mile antifreeze and 100,000 spark plug BS as well. Yes, I know some of you have been suckered into believing it is ok, I pity you.

 

Cheers

[KARNUT]

Almost all dealers specify following the extreme service intervals, they always have an excuse. As far as spark plugs, on my 04 Z71 those plugs we're still performing at 180K when I traded. I adverage 50K miles per year driving with my work. That truck was the longest I ever kept one. No replaced parts except water pump, not even brakes.

[SnakeEyeSS]

The no tranny dipstick is something they and other auto manufacturers have done as a cost saving method. On most of those without a tranny, the dealer can hook up their factory scan tool and check the fluid level that way as there is some sort of fluid sensor in the transmission. They of course want you to take the vehicle to THEM instead of a competent independent repair facility. They also foolishly believe that you can go 100,000 miles without needing to do any type of service to the transmission. Just like that 100,000 mile antifreeze and 100,000 spark plug BS as well. Yes, I know some of you have been suckered into believing it is ok, I pity you.

 

Cheers

Agree on the fluid and coolant.

 

 

Believe it or not, the Iridium spark plugs can take it. I changed some that had around 120k miles and although visibly well worn, new ones didn't noticeably improve anything. Many other here have had similar experiences.

[rdnkcpa]

Agree on the Iridium spark plugs. My wife's former car, 2007 Nissan Quest, had about 160,000 miles on it when I pulled the plugs. They were still in good shape.

 

I have changed the transmission fluid in all of my vehicles. When I changed the transmission fluid in my Silverado, the new Dex VI made a big difference in the way the transmission.

[MikeNH]

I was looking at a 09 Z71 also when I bought my 09 Mazda in 2008. The price seemed a little high and the salesman tried to get me to look at a Traverse for that price. I couldn't figure out why they couldn't come down on the truck more when they were taking a bigger hit on the then new model Traverse. That says something about resale value!

 

 

Toyota is really odd on tech. The 14 or 15 corolla was the first compact with LED headlights, but was the only compact that still offered a 4 speed auto. Once they make a major part super reliable, they hang on to it for as long as they can, until it is obsolete.....and then a few more years after that. Which does have it's benefits, easy to get parts and is well proven.

 

 

The 4 speed was only on poverty models after the redesign. All others had a CVT that wasn't too awful. Lightyears ahead of Nissan.

 

The 4Runner is a great truck and the last of the breed of real SUVs.