oliverlove
Adventurer
Hey guys, I know this seems like a monthly topic but I am lost on the dealership lot. I currently drive a 2001 extra cab, and it has served my wife and I very well. We have traveled all over the US and visited countless National Parks, and spent hundreds of miles cruising dirt roads. We just gave birth to our first child, a beautiful daughter. We are both teachers so we spend our summer traveling and exploring. We don't do any really hardcore off-roading, but I do enjoy trail riding, and class 4 roads.
I have test driven both the 4th generation and 5th generation 4 runners, and was very underwhelmed for the price. The finishes inside weren't that nice, and the seating position is a little low for my wife. She prefers a more upright seating position, she currently hates the 01 taco seating position. Also I'm 6'3, and just barely fit in the cab of the truck. I am totally in love with my truck and so I have overlooked that I don't really fit.
Replacement Options
We test drove a newer Tahoe and we both loved it, but I realize that it is going to create huge problems if I really want to offroad in the vehicle. There is very little aftermarket support and the community is totally lacking. The interior space and drivers position are great. I have looked around to try and find the modifications the Border Patrol makes to there vehicles, but it seems they closely guard that info.
2006 LR3 - We test drove it, I loved it, my wife said we aren't high class enough for it. I laughed, but she is serious. Good offroad lineage, good community, but the cost of any sort of modification is insane. Parts are VERY pricey, and the drivers kinda seem....stuck up.
So this brings me to other options I haven't driven yet.
Older Sequioa's, older tundras, ???
Price range - Under 20k
Requirements - Hold 4 adults comfortably, or 2 adults, and some kids and a 50lbs dog. We also camp out of the vehicle, and have run a RTT on a custom rack over the bed of the truck. I would like to keep that tent, too many memories to get rid of it. Oh! Most important!! Space for rearward facing car seats, behind both the driver and the passenger seats. Having it stuck in the middle is a pain in the butt.
I realize this is a ramble, and with the need of a replacement vehicle looming I'm totally lost. The 5th gen 4 runners are too much money. 4th gen are hard to find in lower miles and I'm not sure the wife will be happy with that buy. I would love to stay with the Toyota brand for the long term reliability, and the community that supports them.
What do I do?!
I have test driven both the 4th generation and 5th generation 4 runners, and was very underwhelmed for the price. The finishes inside weren't that nice, and the seating position is a little low for my wife. She prefers a more upright seating position, she currently hates the 01 taco seating position. Also I'm 6'3, and just barely fit in the cab of the truck. I am totally in love with my truck and so I have overlooked that I don't really fit.
Replacement Options
We test drove a newer Tahoe and we both loved it, but I realize that it is going to create huge problems if I really want to offroad in the vehicle. There is very little aftermarket support and the community is totally lacking. The interior space and drivers position are great. I have looked around to try and find the modifications the Border Patrol makes to there vehicles, but it seems they closely guard that info.
2006 LR3 - We test drove it, I loved it, my wife said we aren't high class enough for it. I laughed, but she is serious. Good offroad lineage, good community, but the cost of any sort of modification is insane. Parts are VERY pricey, and the drivers kinda seem....stuck up.
So this brings me to other options I haven't driven yet.
Older Sequioa's, older tundras, ???
Price range - Under 20k
Requirements - Hold 4 adults comfortably, or 2 adults, and some kids and a 50lbs dog. We also camp out of the vehicle, and have run a RTT on a custom rack over the bed of the truck. I would like to keep that tent, too many memories to get rid of it. Oh! Most important!! Space for rearward facing car seats, behind both the driver and the passenger seats. Having it stuck in the middle is a pain in the butt.
I realize this is a ramble, and with the need of a replacement vehicle looming I'm totally lost. The 5th gen 4 runners are too much money. 4th gen are hard to find in lower miles and I'm not sure the wife will be happy with that buy. I would love to stay with the Toyota brand for the long term reliability, and the community that supports them.
What do I do?!
