Decision time: 4 Runner, 4 door Wrangler or FJC

[The Swiss]

It is decision time! The company I am working for decided to change policy and instead of giving me an allowance for my vehicle to provide my with a company vehicle instead. Best thing of all : All my favorite vehicle fit the ticket :jump: My boss is fine with any choice as long as it does not break any of the company rules (his car is also not what you would call a usual company vehicle but what he enjoys driving).

So time for my Commander to go and to choose a new ride. I know there have been several similar threads lately (most of all Tacodoc thinking about becoming Wranglerdoc; I know I am not brand loyal, never have been so I chose my screen name whisely ) but I think this forum is the best because we all drive different brands but all have a common interest, so I can get imput from different sides without it starting to become a flame war. That I put this post in the Jeep forum is just because I currently drive a Jeep, and I know the Toyota guys hang out here too.

My vehicle will be my daily driver as well as my weekend warrior and vacation vehicle. I would not expect it to see more than maybe a class 3 trail. (Dictum at GWNF is probably the hardes I have done in the last 7 years)

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited:
Pros:

• It's a Wrangler
• Its a 4 door convertible
• With the power package surprisingly SUV like (which for once is a good thing if it is a company car )
• Easy to put a 2" lift on and easy to put it back to stock when the lease is up.
• Cheapest of the 3
• It's "US made" (at least to about 65%)

Cons:

• Milage is not too hot
• Most likely has to be special ordered, very few X with khaki interior and power package
• No good dealership within 25 mile radius

4 Runner
Pros:

• Really loved the handling and the ride when I had one as a rental car
• Milage
• Range due to large fuel tank
• Not a convertible, but with the sunroof and the electric window in the rear hatch still a lot of open air feeling
• Interior
• Room for luggage
• Excellent local dealership.

Cons:

• Plane jane exterior
• Ground clearance (maybe not in actual numbers, but looks)
• Not sure abot the possibility of bigger tires without lift or small lift
• Most expensive
• Has most likely to be special ordered (very few 4x4 here in the South East)
• 100% Japanese made (good for quality, not so good for "political" reasons)

FJ Cruiser
Pros:

• Looks
• Availability (only one that is on the lot)
• Off road performance with excellent road manners

Cons:

• Not even a sunroof
• No real 4 doors
• Trail edition almost as expensive as the 4 Runner
• 100% Japanese made.

Your thoughs? All comments are most welcome! (Gee, I love those kinds of decision problems I am having right now :elkgrin

Thanks guys

 

[cshontz]

Beats me, Michael. All three are ones that I'd seriously consider for myself. I'd lean toward the Wrangler largely for the open-airedness. I'd lean toward the 4Runner for overall sensibility. I'd lean toward the FJ Cruiser for character. Tough call, but each vehicle is a winner in some regard.

 

[SinCityFJC]

Friend gets a little bit better milage in his 4 door wrangler than I do in my FJ Cruiser

Build quality is about the same, Id hold off on the FJ till they get the latest design of front inner fenders in production & see if it fixes the bulging/cracking issue.

Overall the Toyota's are better daily drivers but more expensive to lift than the wranglers - wrangler are better off-road & can't beat top down wheeling

 

[BIGdaddy]

It is decision time! The company I am working for decided to change policy and instead of giving me an allowance for my vehicle to provide my with a company vehicle instead. Best thing of all : All my favorite vehicle fit the ticket :jump: My boss is fine with any choice as long as it does not break any of the company rules (his car is also not what you would call a usual company vehicle but what he enjoys driving).

So time for my Commander to go and to choose a new ride. I know there have been several similar threads lately (most of all Tacodoc thinking about becoming Wranglerdoc; I know I am not brand loyal, never have been so I chose my screen name whisely ) but I think this forum is the best because we all drive different brands but all have a common interest, so I can get imput from different sides without it starting to become a flame war. That I put this post in the Jeep forum is just because I currently drive a Jeep, and I know the Toyota guys hang out here too.

My vehicle will be my daily driver as well as my weekend warrior and vacation vehicle. I would not expect it to see more than maybe a class 3 trail. (Dictum at GWNF is probably the hardes I have done in the last 7 years)

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited:
Pros:

• It's a Wrangler
• Its a 4 door convertible
• With the power package surprisingly SUV like (which for once is a good thing if it is a company car )
• Easy to put a 2" lift on and easy to put it back to stock when the lease is up.
• Cheapest of the 3
• It's "US made" (at least to about 65%)

Cons:

• Milage is not too hot
• Most likely has to be special ordered, very few X with khaki interior and power package
• No good dealership within 25 mile radius

4 Runner
Pros:

• Really loved the handling and the ride when I had one as a rental car
• Milage
• Range due to large fuel tank
• Not a convertible, but with the sunroof and the electric window in the rear hatch still a lot of open air feeling
• Interior
• Room for luggage
• Excellent local dealership.

Cons:

• Plane jane exterior
• Ground clearance (maybe not in actual numbers, but looks)
• Not sure abot the possibility of bigger tires without lift or small lift
• Most expensive
• Has most likely to be special ordered (very few 4x4 here in the South East)
• 100% Japanese made (good for quality, not so good for "political" reasons)

FJ Cruiser
Pros:

• Looks
• Availability (only one that is on the lot)
• Off road performance with excellent road manners

Cons:

• Not even a sunroof
• No real 4 doors
• Trail edition almost as expensive as the 4 Runner
• 100% Japanese made.

Your thoughs? All comments are most welcome! (Gee, I love those kinds of decision problems I am having right now :elkgrin

Thanks guys

4runner...no question
-classy styling
-very comfy
-powerful
-good mpgs
-toyota dealers abound
-good aftermarket

fjcruisers are nice, but they are kind of dumb in a lot of ways..
-premium gas
-lots of stuff you can rip off on a trail
-lots of blind spots
-goofy suicide doors
-etc.

jk..nah
-don't like how they look
-wheelbase is so long you might as well keep the commander
-small cargo area
-very "trendy"

 

[Redline]

I have a love my 4Runner, but I think the Wrangler. Primarily because it is a company car that you apparently have total use of, but still need to give back in some normal/stock condition.

A 2-in. spacer lift and some narrow 33s (255/85R16) would be pretty terrific and capable. See if you can get a Rubicon model for about the same $$ as a 4Runner?

 

[The Swiss]

3:1 towards the Wrangler so far (should have been posting a poll )

I love my 4Runner, but I think the Wrangler.

Redline, what's the largest tire size (narrow, like the 235/85-16 you mentioned, I like your thinking) you can put on a 4 Runner without lift. Sorry for the newby question :O

 

[Dave Bennett]

As stated above, I am leaning towards the JK :hehe:

 

[Spikepretorius]

I vote 4Runner. More practical.

 

[Redline]

You can put either a 235/85 or 265/75R16 on a non-lifted 4th Gen. 4Runner. But you will need an SR5 with smaller brakes (still VERY good) to fit 16-in wheels. You would be best to find an SR5 with the stock 16x7-in wheels that all of these sizes will fit on. OR, you can buy some TRD wheels online, but the TRDs are 16x7.5, a little wide for 235/85R16.

3:1 towards the Wrangler so far (should have been posting a poll )Redline, what's the largest tire size (narrow, like the 235/85-16 you mentioned, I like your thinking) you can put on a 4 Runner without lift. Sorry for the newby question :O

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

I guess this will make it Jeep 4:2.

The 4Runner is the the most practical choice and is what I would go with if my company told me to make a practical choice.

I've driven an FJC on the dirt which was a great performing rig but I wasn't particilarly impressed with the visibility or the overall funkiness of the truck. Form definitely broke functions nose in that fight.

I have a love my 4Runner, but I think the Wrangler. Primarily because it is a company car that you apparently have total use of, but still need to give back in some normal/stock condition.

A 2-in. spacer lift and some narrow 33s (255/85R16) would be pretty terrific and capable. See if you can get a Rubicon model for about the same $$ as a 4Runner?

I like where James' head is at.

Have you driven any of these trucks yet? If so, what was your impression of them?

As stated above, I am leaning towards the JK :hehe:

:lurk:

 

[Nullifier]

Personally if I wa driving it as awork vehicle I would have to take into account what the work was. Are you traveling to meet clients and need to talk on a cell phone with out alot of background noise? do you haul clients around? if those answers are yes then the jeep would be my last choice.

If you haul clients the FJ is out no room in the back seat.

So 4runner it would be for that scenario.

What are your work requirements to better answer the question

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

Personally if I wa driving it as awork vehicle I would have to take into account what the work was. Are you traveling to meet clients and need to talk on a cell phone with out alot of background noise? do you haul clients around? if those answers are yes then the jeep would be my last choice.

If you haul clients the FJ is out no room in the back seat.

So 4runner it would be for that scenario.

What are your work requirements to better answer the question

Seems like buying a foreign car might not be the best choice either though.

• It's "US made" (at least to about 65%)
• 100% Japanese made (good for quality, not so good for "political" reasons)
• 100% Japanese made (good for quality, not so good for "political" reasons)

Out of curiosity, what line of work are you in where driving a foreign car would be cause for controversy?

 

[Ryanmb21]

If you are allowed to put a 2" lift, my vote is for the 4runner. But the jeep would be a close second. I have been impressed with my 4runner's build quality, everything seems rock solid. With a 3" OME lift, and 265/70/17 all terrains I get 20 MPG on the highway (if I keep it around 70mph).

Some things I like, that come to mind:
-super quiet inside
-torsen diff with v6 allows you full time AWD for snow and rain, selectable 2wd for better MPG
-roll down back window, with controls on the key fob
-GREAT SEATS
-awesome stock headlights
-The engine auto-starts when turn the ignition, no need to hold till engine turns...hard to explain but still cool
-good turning radius
-full boxed frame
-Good visibility, comfy driving postion
-4 friends, 4 surfboards no problem.
-the v6 has impressive power

 

[Redline]

Ryan:

Good job posting many of the reasons we love our 4th Gen 4Runners! :iagree:

Some of these comfort/ergonomics benefits are why I sold my TJ Rubicon and purchased the Mall Crawler. Compared to my TJ the 4Runner is a much better 'car' while still a good 4x4 (with mods).

20-MPG at 70-MPH! Hell I better loose some weight and put on some smaller tires ☺

Redline

If you are allowed to put a 2" lift, my vote is for the 4runner. But the jeep would be a close second. I have been impressed with my 4runner's build quality, everything seems rock solid. With a 3" OME lift, and 265/70/17 all terrains I get 20 MPG on the highway (if I keep it around 70mph).

Some things I like, that come to mind:
-super quiet inside
-torsen diff with v6 allows you full time AWD for snow and rain, selectable 2wd for better MPG
-roll down back window, with controls on the key fob
-GREAT SEATS
-awesome stock headlights
-The engine auto-starts when turn the ignition, no need to hold till engine turns...hard to explain but still cool
-good turning radius
-full boxed frame
-Good visibility, comfy driving postion
-4 friends, 4 surfboards no problem.
-the v6 has impressive power

 

[The Swiss]

IHave you driven any of these trucks yet? If so, what was your impression of them?

Yes I have. I had a 4 Runner as a rental car in Phoenix and I loved it. That's actually when it caught my attention. The 4 door Wrangler I just had on a regular dealer testdrive; not really enough to form an opinion. Would be nice to rent one for an extended weekend.

Personally if I wa driving it as awork vehicle I would have to take into account what the work was. Are you traveling to meet clients and need to talk on a cell phone with out alot of background noise? do you haul clients around? if those answers are yes then the jeep would be my last choice.

If you haul clients the FJ is out no room in the back seat.

So 4runner it would be for that scenario.

What are your work requirements to better answer the question

Good points. I occasionally take clients out to lunch, but I mostly I need it to haul myself around. And yes, I do use my cell way too much when driving.

Out of curiosity, what line of work are you in where driving a foreign car would be cause for controversy?

I am director of sales for a company making OEM components for the automotive industry. "Foreign" car is not really a problem; besides the big 3, we also supply Nissan, Honda, Toyota and from next year on also Kia. Driving a Tacoma would not be a problem at all as the domestic part content (parts supplied by US suppliers) is 60%. The 4 Runner being 100% Japanese built is a problem. Just on a side note: One of the most American built cars is the Honda Accord with about 83%; the Ford Mustang has I think about 54% domestic part content.