Swiss Army Truck

[kung fu jesus]

Hello all! I am fielding input and opinions for an SUV. I know most default answers are "Search N00b!", but I am trying to parse down vehicle models to dive more deeply into for research.

I live in Atlanta, married, no kids. I have two large dogs (retired racing greyhounds, 65# & 70#). Together, we like to get out to the mountains for light hiking, camping, water sports, exploring. I don't see any heavy offroad use in our future, but we do still talk about driving out to Yellowstone/Utah/Badlands to take it all in.

It would be my daily driver, so I am apprehensive about a full-sized SUV/vehicle for city driving and parking. I am mechanically inclined, I tend to go overboard on maintenance and upgrades but I love a reliable machine.

The other stickler is I would use it 2-5X/year to tow my track car. I estimate the car (Miata) and trailer would be about 4500-5000#, longest foreseeable tow at 5-6 hours. Added gear and payload at 300-500# (EZ up, cooler, small tool kit, maybe extra wheels/tires).

I am looking specifically at Toyotas; the 4runner, GX, LX, and LC. Under $15k, under $10k would please SWMBO. I don't know if the V6 4runner is going to cut it on the towing aspect, if only just. The air suspensions on the GX and LX look to be trouble prone from what I have been reading. I am also concerned our dogs would shred the leather interiors on the Lexus models, too. They are like happier, fuzzier versions of velocirators. My wife says no to a truck with a cap on it for them, so SUV life for me I suppose. A V8 4R seems the ticket, though the comfort concerns me (I'm 6'0 175#), I'm no spring chicken, mid-40s. It would be really, really nice to have 4WD should we visit our families in MI. I am from Detroit, originally, but nothing from the Big 3 gives me a warm-fuzzy feeling.

I understand the more versatile you require something to be, compromises have to be made. I had bought the wife a Lexus IS300 Sportcross that was brilliant, but fuel economy was the price of comfort and reliability. A skidding Tundra ended it's life, but the car left a lasting impression on us for Toyota products. The FJ100 looks brilliant on paper, but the fuel economy is daunting. We lived in SOCAL during the Econolypse and filling my wife's Pilot at $4+/gal was sobering This will be my first truck, so I am open to collective experience of this site for any knowledge you are willing to offer! Thanks for reading, I appreciate your time and consideration!

 

[TwoTrack]

What about a 1st Gen Sequoia? Should be plenty big enough, has a reliable v8 for towing, should be cheaper than a 4runner.

 

[kung fu jesus]

Excellent question. I'm concerned about size/city driving.

 

[Dalko43]

Excellent question. I'm concerned about size/city driving.

The problem is you're emphasizing conflicting priorities. You seem reluctant to go full-size due to where you live, but at the same time you've said that you need to be able to tow at least 4,500lbs-5,000lbs which is pretty much the upper limit for some of the used Toyota's you are considering (namely the 4runner v6).

As well, I think you'll find that anything of the 4runner's size, or smaller, will seem tight, if not outright impractical, with 2 dogs, 2 adults, and associated gear/supplies.

Your best bet will lay with a LC100, Lx 470 (J100), or a Sequoia and/or Tundra (pretty much the same chassis, engines, frames, with different bodies put on top). I really don't know how more "full-size" a Sequoia/Tundra will be over a LC100 or LX 470; they are all fairly big vehicles. The 4runner v6 can likely tow that car/trailer, but its definitely the ideal vehicle for that purpose. The 4runner V8 will give you better towing capabilities (I believe its rated up to 7,300lbs) but again I question whether or not you'll have enough space, especially with your dogs. You'll probably need to check one out in person and decide for yourself.

Edit: A ford or Chevy full-sized pickup from those years (2004-2009) may also be worth a look. They don't have nearly the cool factor, or resale value, of comparable Toyota's, but some of them can run well enough with good maintenance. You can check the NHTSA for recalls and service bulletins, as you should for any vehicle, even Toyota's. http://www.nhtsa.gov/Vehicle+Safety/Recalls+&+Defects

 

[kung fu jesus]

Very much appreciated! I cannot do a truck with the dogs, wife won't allow the fellas to be in a truck bed with a topper. Big, strong dogs, if they escape, it's going to be to run something down. In a separate bed, we likely won't notice it and won't catch them...because 45 mph dogs are tough to catch.

 

[GTV]

2005-07 Sequoia. Bigger than a 4Runner, V8 power, reasonable mileage, slightly smaller than a Tahoe/Expedition and built a lot better.

 

[IdaSHO]

A bit hard to come by it seems, but Id look into FZJ80's

Early to mid 90's models had the 1FZ-FE, stout drivetrain, and a 5500lb tow rating.

Empty they seem to be 16+ MPG rigs.

 

[hedmisten]

2005-07 Sequoia. Bigger than a 4Runner, V8 power, reasonable mileage, slightly smaller than a Tahoe/Expedition and built a lot better.

This. I own a 2013 highlander with the beefy 3.5 V6. It's pulled our 5500# 22ft boat for hours just fine and has third row seating. I also own a 4WD 2005 Tundra Limited with the 4.7. I don't even notice the boat behind the truck. Those sequoias are the perfect in between. TONS of room, and power delivery. Reliable and easy to worth on.

 

[kung fu jesus]

Thanks everyone, I truly appreciate the opinions and anecdotal experience! I will look into the suggestions and see what shakes out for our bunch.

 

[NMBruce]

Look at the GX470. Prices run from the low teens to low 20's depending on year and mileage, 4.7L v8, 4wd, nice riding, towing capacity of 6500lbs, room for 2 dogs and or tools with some draws added. Many of these are well care for by the PO, histories from the dealers.

 

[peneumbra]

Something you might consider is the added interior space for the driver (and front passenger) you get with an LC over a 4Runner.

Seems like there's much more headroom and side-to-side space in our 80 Series, so the 100/200s (and I would assume the Sequoia as well) would also be pretty roomy. Makes a lot of difference on a long trip.

 

[GTV]

I'm confused where the Swiss Army Truck title comes in.

You're thinking too hard.

One tool that does it all.