Why are some obsessed with getting the last year of the 5th gen?

Odd.

I'll tag you next time I see it.

 

For me, I bought a 2017 Tacoma, not informed and expecting it to be like my 09, I was disappointed. When we decided to replace the Tacoma with the 4Runner, I wanted the 5th gen, as it has a proven track record and I had already driven a 5th gen runner. I pushed for a 2023 because now being informed thought it was the last year of current gen. For me, if I had a 2015 taco, the last year of the 2nd gen, I would not have traded or sold it due to being proven. I would assume getting that last year of the gen gives you more years with a proven set up while the new gen gets shit worked out.

 

I could see this as being the case, if toyota hadn't added so much nanny shit the past few years. I used to drive grand cherokees - had a 2001 (new style was 99 I think) that had all sorts of problems that were worked out by the last model year I had (04). Drove that one to about 215k miles and it really only needed a new suspension. I bought a 14 (wife still drives) with a bunch of bells and whistles but it has been a complete disappointment (think 2011 was the new gen).

All that to say this - I bought my first 4runner in 2019 new and am glad I don't have the newer tech they put on in later years. To me, the 2019 is the defacto "proven" model until the newer tech isnt proven to be an issue down the road.

I actually bought my 2019 after reading lots of reviews crapping on the 4runner for being a dinosaur with old (reliable) drive train and no "new tech". I'd had my fill with the grand cherokee issues at that point and knew what that would really get me

 

Sometimes "the latest....ain't the greatest. "
As to the technology in these new Toyotas....it's still years behind other companies and I'm OK with that, if I could have found a 2019 without TSS...........I would have preferred that.

 

The vast majority of people like bling and bells and whistles. I’m the opposite. Glad I bought my 18’ simple base SR5 when I did.

 

It seems like a lot of people aren't reading the actual question.

I could only guess they think there will be greater resale value, due to being the last model year of a generation.

Or, as mentioned above, it's the newest version of something old, so they have more time before they need to replace it. This doesn't make a lot of sense to me, though. If someone wants a 4Runner they should just go buy it. Why not get what you want as soon as you know you want it?

Maybe it was different for me, though, because I had gone from a 4Runner to a Taco, and couldn't wait to get back into a 4Runner. Nothing against the Taco, I just wanted my wagon back.

 

I don't see the 4runner as a I need now vehicle purchase, but to me it's on the expensive side of my vehicle budget. If I didn't think the 4runner was going to change for 23, I may have waited, another year no payments and driving the taco for another year wouldn't have been a big deal.

 

Yep! Love the old school key in my 2018 and not having BS nanny features.

 

What were you driving before the 4Runner?

For me, the 4Runner is part of my lifestyle. I didn't want to wait until the "right" time to live my life. I guess some people just want a vehicle for different reasons.

 

I had a 2017 Taco, an 09 Taco, and a 95 Toyota pickup. Wife had an Outback (we still have), a VW Jetta Wagon, VW Bug (Dumped that quick), VW Gulf.

 

Will agree. It's about resale. Older owners looking to upgrade may be waiting for the longest point of warranty on this generation, while waiting for the bugs of the new gen get worked out.

Its definitely NOT people waiting cuz the last model will have the latest and greatest tech, since things can be changed to get that now.

I thought about a 40th anniversary edition. But to swap the mods and upgrades for just a new warranty and a sticker on the doors isn't worth it to me. But everyone had their own opinions and it's their money not mine, storms it how you want.

We just bought a new venza. We got an LE cuz it had what we needed. We WANT heated seats, leather, fog lights. But those can be added WAY less expensive than the 10K extra for the XLE or limited. But the hybrid system is a million times better than the sluggish CRV we had. Night and day. But the 4runner just doesn't have the best great wonderful Tesla tech and options coming out. So resale is my still my top assumption.

 

I meant, what did you trade in for the 4Runner? The Taco didn't suit me. I wasn't going to be happy until I was back in a 4Runner.

If you're already happy with what you have, there's no reason to rush into a new vehicle. So, different situations.

 

May not apply to the original question, but for me the resale value did not factor into the equation at all when purchasing this 4R or any vehicle for that matter. I don't think a vehicle should ever be viewed as an investment. For me it is purely the utility of the vehicle and if it looks great - all the better! 4R owners often mention the higher resale value of a Pro, but that never entered the equation for me. I hope to enjoy the hell out of this thing for a dozen years - or longer!

 

For most it is longevity. But the OPs questioning specifically the final year of the 5th gen. Not just ANY year of the 5th (like i was after cuz every year looks the same)

 

YA, 2017 Taco, not my favorite, but not a need to get rid of. At one point we had a 4runner, we bought to drive cross country, and the Taco and that was a need to get rid of one, I couldn't have 2 vehicles that got under 20 mpgs as our Daily Drivers.

 

I haven't seen this point addressed, and am wondering if it really is a point - I would think that the final year of a generation would NOT be one I would look for specifically. The mfg. knows it is the final year, and may or may not put as much attention to the QC of an outgoing model. All attention is now on the upcoming offering, i.e. working out those 'bugs' before release. I personally would prefer the model about 2 years or so from the new generation, when all the old issues have been worked out, and is still being considered top of the line.

When I had a 2004 Jeep Rubicon, I considered that the best year model to have. I read a lot about issues with the last 2 years of the TJ Rubicon, '05 & '06.

Not to say Toyota is like Jeep, but I still wonder if the last year of a generation might get less attention in the manufacturing process due to its outgoing status.

 

You may have a point.. maybe that's the reason for non issuance Toyota TSB for T4R 21/22/23 - groaning needle thread Issues.
Service departments using that as an excuse as well

 

It’s a SR5 with a Starsky and Hutch stripe. Just buy a used SR5 and order a stripe.

 

Really looks nice. Friends had factory stripes on Honda Pilot 2009 to 2015... didnt last long though.
These could be of higher quality.
Maybe Taco Vinyl can come up with one

 

Lol. I'll just add some old school honda racing stripes

 

BNG…..Bold New Graphics….

 

I would think the manufacturing quality control is different from the design team quality control. I just don’t see Toyota pulling people from the manufacturing line.

 

Sure, but the newly designed 6th gen is eventually going to be manufactured, and there's bound to be a point in time where Toyota is wanting to get the last 20XX year model finished up and off the assembly line to make room for the next generation. Unless Toyota plans to manufacture the 6th gen elsewhere.

Or maybe the Tahara plant has the ability to run both separately at the same time. Like I said, I don't really know if this is a valid concern, just something to consider.

 

They will shut down the lines and retool, then start up production. I would assume, that’s how we would change over when I worked in a manufacturing plant.

 

Toyota will have the exact number of parts to finish exactly when they want. Their methods are a standard in the manufacturing world.

 

I personally don’t want to be the guinea pig for the new generation. The 5th gen is about as bullet proof as they’ll come over the next few years. I’ll wait at least 2-3 years of the 6th gen, to see what becomes of it.

Also, if you don’t get into a 5th gen now and the 6th gen sucks, it will cost more to get a used 5th gen.

Best case scenario, I’m stuck in a 5th gen for eternity. Worst case scenario, I’m stuck in a 5th gen for eternity. Lol.

They just better not release a purple 5th gen Pro in 2024, or I may have to buy one.

 

You're definitely not alone! I'm interested, depending on what Toyota does with them. But, I'd want to wait until they work out the bugs if I switch.

 

5th gen may be the last Japan manufactured 4Runner, for us in the US. The 6th gen is supposedly going to be manufactured in the US next to the Tacoma.

 

There's lots of speculation. I have mixed feelings about it. But, they manage to make quality vehicles here and in Mexico already.

 

Tacomas are no longer manufactured (assembled really) in the US. They are built in Mexico.