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equ · 12-26-2017, 10:57 AM

Zombie thread revival...

I find myself thinking of 4runner's. It was a circuitous route. Started with older Range Rover full-sized, then considered Land Cruisers, but realized both of those are too big.

How did I get to Toyota's? Due to various orthopaedic and podiatric recoveries, weather and plain laziness, I've been taking a short Uber or Lyft ride every evening for maybe a hundred days in a row. How older Toyota's are screwed together and hold up over and above other cars became quite clear to me. Land Rover & Range Rover's drive very well for their size, but I just have no money for new and no time or money for more maintenance of the old.

Thought of the GX460, drove two (from the 2011 to 2013 generation) before the uglification. The logic there was that, the GX has a Lexus interior, a v8, HID's (and a torsen center) over the 4runner at around the same used price. So why not?

Well, there is a reason for the resale. It just doesn't come together visually. The v8 feels slow anyway. The car is slow-witted, soft and tall handling with soft brakes. The barn door tailgate is a strange negative. Once I thought of the whole design as 'grafted on' the 4runner (as in raised ceiling and heavier), I can't get over the mutant aspect, despite the better spec.

I plan to check out a pre-owned 5th generation 4runner (current) and possibly a 4th generation (if I can find a one for a fair price). Their resale is amazing and so is their reputation. The VIN's start with JT, just as the Land Cruiser, they are built in Japan. I've been reading about and giving some thought to the trim differences. I don't like the 20" wheels, but I think I'll be "limited" to the Limited. That's the only one that has a Center torsen diff. Apparently 2009 and before it was more available, but 2010+, the other models are 2wd or locked 4wd. My use case is almost never rocks/boulders, but often snowy highway. I would like an AWD system, ideally with a slight rear bias. The bonus of the 4runner limited is that the center is lockable and has higher clearance than the audis, subarus and xdrives that I'm used to. The trail 4runner has a rear locking diff, but I'm not sure how 4wd (4hi) drives on a snowy highway. I have no experience with that, but I'm guessing it'll make me miss audis and subarus badly. This is why I cannot consider Wranglers or Tacoma's. None of them have a torsen or other viscous center diff.

I have never driven a 4runner - of any generation. Hopefully some test drives this week. And hopefully it will not flop like the Lexus GX and something will feel together about it.

12-26-2017, 10:57 AM	#84
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	Zombie thread revival... I find myself thinking of 4runner's. It was a circuitous route. Started with older Range Rover full-sized, then considered Land Cruisers, but realized both of those are too big. How did I get to Toyota's? Due to various orthopaedic and podiatric recoveries, weather and plain laziness, I've been taking a short Uber or Lyft ride every evening for maybe a hundred days in a row. How older Toyota's are screwed together and hold up over and above other cars became quite clear to me. Land Rover & Range Rover's drive very well for their size, but I just have no money for new and no time or money for more maintenance of the old. Thought of the GX460, drove two (from the 2011 to 2013 generation) before the uglification. The logic there was that, the GX has a Lexus interior, a v8, HID's (and a torsen center) over the 4runner at around the same used price. So why not? Well, there is a reason for the resale. It just doesn't come together visually. The v8 feels slow anyway. The car is slow-witted, soft and tall handling with soft brakes. The barn door tailgate is a strange negative. Once I thought of the whole design as 'grafted on' the 4runner (as in raised ceiling and heavier), I can't get over the mutant aspect, despite the better spec. I plan to check out a pre-owned 5th generation 4runner (current) and possibly a 4th generation (if I can find a one for a fair price). Their resale is amazing and so is their reputation. The VIN's start with JT, just as the Land Cruiser, they are built in Japan. I've been reading about and giving some thought to the trim differences. I don't like the 20" wheels, but I think I'll be "limited" to the Limited. That's the only one that has a Center torsen diff. Apparently 2009 and before it was more available, but 2010+, the other models are 2wd or locked 4wd. My use case is almost never rocks/boulders, but often snowy highway. I would like an AWD system, ideally with a slight rear bias. The bonus of the 4runner limited is that the center is lockable and has higher clearance than the audis, subarus and xdrives that I'm used to. The trail 4runner has a rear locking diff, but I'm not sure how 4wd (4hi) drives on a snowy highway. I have no experience with that, but I'm guessing it'll make me miss audis and subarus badly. This is why I cannot consider Wranglers or Tacoma's. None of them have a torsen or other viscous center diff. I have never driven a 4runner - of any generation. Hopefully some test drives this week. And hopefully it will not flop like the Lexus GX and something will feel together about it.