4Runner VS. GX470

[kilohotel]

Hey guys,

I'm starting to shop around for a new truck. It will be my daily driver and see about 250 miles / week of 70% hwy driving. The truck will see mild to medium off-roading.

Both retail for pretty much the same price-range.

If you had to chose between one, which would it be?

 

[calicamper]

Hey guys,

I'm starting to shop around for a new truck. It will be my daily driver and see about 250 miles / week of 70% hwy driving. The truck will see mild to medium off-roading.

Both retail for pretty much the same price-range.

If you had to chose between one, which would it be?

250miles a week 70% highway you need a Subaru not a 4runner or GX.

 

[vr4z06gt]

fuel economy isn't that different :smilies27 in all reality there are so many pro's/con's for both. When my wife and I were looking for her new car, coming from an '02 WJ the two on our list were a new outback 3.6r or a 4th gen V8 (GX would be nice but every time we tried they sold out from under us). In the end the used 4th gen won out simply because of the long term potential of overland travel. I think the outback would also be a great platform for most overland travel but we decided to get a 4runner. In the end I think we will end up with both as I am getting ready to move on from my maxima. My point is, figure out what you need vs want vs don't need at all and go from there. 4th gen and GX are both 120 series. In the GX watch out for the timing belt, automatic height control issues, the rear door. In the 4th gen, w/ v8, look out for X-reas (if present), that 4WD/center diff lock works, and timing belt. For both check for rust and look at the wheels to make sure there is no corrosion. Either platform, with routine maintenance will last quite a while. Oh and the GX requires premium fuel while the 4th gen runs on regular. Towing capacity (and I think cargo capacity) is also greater in the 4th gen.

 

[Viggen]

Hey guys,

I'm starting to shop around for a new truck. It will be my daily driver and see about 250 miles / week of 70% hwy driving. The truck will see mild to medium off-roading.

Both retail for pretty much the same price-range.

If you had to chose between one, which would it be?

No way they are in the same price range for the same truck. When a GX gets into the 4Runner price bracket, it has many, many more miles on it.

250 miles a week at 18 realistic mpg blows. Blows big time. Get a 4 cylinder commuter car and have something else on the side. There are cheaper and more comfortable ways to get around.

 

[calicamper]

No way they are in the same price range for the same truck. When a GX gets into the 4Runner price bracket, it has many, many more miles on it.

250 miles a week at 18 realistic mpg blows. Blows big time. Get a 4 cylinder commuter car and have something else on the side. There are cheaper and more comfortable ways to get around.

^ what he says
I thought my 27miles each way was a bit much every day Monday - Friday rode the motorcycle nearly year around from 2002 to 2008 strictly to work and back miles the bike had 65,000 miles on it when I sold it in 09.

My commute is about 100ft these days home office yep same job we don't pay for the office space and I get a short commute. My Subaru OB 2.5 CVT 70% highway would probably be returning around 28-31mpg and be a much smoother nicer machine to commute with than the 4runner had one or the GX looked at them bought a Sequoia instead and no I don't commute with it we put about 8,000 miles a year on it hauling family around.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Dudes above can't do math, 250 miles/week is only 13,000 a year. The small savings in fuel compared to another 4x4 isn't worth the reduction in safety, cabability, versatility and headlights not in my eyesability.

The GX and the 4runner are both awesome, you'll be happy with both. In nine years with my 4runner, I have replaced the front brake pads and a few bulbs. It is fantastic. We are probably going to be adding a GX in the future.

 

[tyv12]

People talk about mileage and savings but at the end of the day I wouldn't drive a little crap box to get good mileage and then hate my life to and from work when I have to drive it, buy what you enjoy driving and the fuel is what it is


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kilohotel]

ok, nevermind the mileage, I can manage my fuel money on my own, currently daily-driving a 1990 jeep YJ with a carb'd 4.2L I6, I barely do 9mpg...

 

[p nut]

Depends on what you want. From my experience, the 4Runner feels more agile and sporty (...for an suv) while the GX feels more refined. MPG may still be a factor. My friend's bone stock gx460 gets 13 mixed driving. 16-17 highway. 4runners generally do 21-22 freeway (stock).

 

[lathamb]

I went through the same process earlier, last year. I test drove quite a few GX470's, nice vehicles for sure. Too nice for me really. In the end, the 4Runner made more sense, since they are the same platform. I found a V8 Limited that already had a lift on it at a good price, so i went with that. No issues and no regrets what so ever. Its nice enough for me, comfortable, capable, and the 4.7 has plenty of power (feels like a rocket compared to my 80 I sold). The GX and the V8 4wd 4Runner are both full time 4wd, so fuel economy should be the same, essentially.

 

[v_man]

They say the 3 things in life where you don't want to skimp are a good bed , a good car , and a good TV . The idea of getting some cheap little 4 banger to commute in and get 10mpg better doesn't appeal to me . Get the 4x4 you want , and if you want to commute it , get a 4x4 that is as reliable and comfy as you can ... I don't think you can wrong with either .

 

[calicamper]

They say the 3 things in life where you don't want to skimp are a good bed , a good car , and a good TV . The idea of getting some cheap little 4 banger to commute in and get 10mpg better doesn't appeal to me . Get the 4x4 you want , and if you want to commute it , get a 4x4 that is as reliable and comfy as you can ... I don't think you can wrong with either .

Actually I think the saying goes "When your on your death bed you wont be saying" I wish I worked more, commuted more miles and spent more time doing things that didn't involve family and friends.

180 miles a week to zero for me yep same job my life is WAY IMPROVED!!!! Cheap vehicles vs Costly vehicles translates to how many hours worked vs playing to pay for them or fuel them etc.

 

[kilohotel]

So I think I've pretty much settled on the 4Runner

Now it's a matter of V6 vs V8...

ughh

 

[calicamper]

Wise choice - if you can find a clean one go for the v8 its a work of art in its self great engine. Keep in mind it does have a big 100K TB water pump and fan job and its typical to find dealers and private sellers dumping them without having the 100K service done and playing dumb about the fact it needs to be done.

My 07 Sequoia has the 4.7 its a really nice engine and most of the 4.7's probably out last the body and the transmission they are connected too.

The 4runner is a a little wider and longer platform than the GX you get more machine for the money and I like the handling behavior of the 4runner over the GX. Wise choice

 

[p nut]

Get the V8 if you tow on a regular basis. V6 is good for towing as well, but V8 is so much nicer. This is assuming if you're 3-4k+ lbs.

Other than that, V6 has better MPG, 2WD selectable, timing chain, slightly less maintenance cost, and most importantly, easier oil changes (oil filter relocator!).