I kind of hate my 5th gen 4Runner. It's the return of Gramma Ray!

I'd have a Miata for my being able to get into and out of a parking lot sensibly needs.

 

it is a small vehicle. I am amazed at the spots I fit in. Drive a truck

 

Where are you seeing that the Land Cruiser is a foot wider than the 5th gen 4R?

 

I think that comes from the LC being measured at the mirrors and the 4R at the body. Not sure how or why.

 

There must be a typo somewhere.

As best I can tell, the new Land Cruiser 250 is 1980 mm, or just short of 78 inches wide. So, 2 inches wider than the current 4Runner. I'm not sure where people are getting this crazy wide measurement, but if it was actually a foot wider than the 4Runner, that would make it wider than the F150 raptor.

 

My Truck Truck is a 4WD F250 Crewcab longbed. It is long, but the mirrors are really good so I know exactly where my wheels are at all times and to be honest with its greenhouse it is easier sometimes to drive it around town than smaller vehicles that have bigger blind spots. The loooooong wheelbase also paradoxically makes higher speed turns more stable, in addition to making the ride better.

 

I was more amazed by the spots I'd fit in with my old Liberty. Drive an NA Miata.

 

https://www.4runners.com/threads/new-land-cruiser-meh.33150/page-4#post-478017

 

That appears to be incorrect.

Also, 8.4" isn't a foot.

 

Well, if it's any wider than the 5th gen 4Runner, then the point still stands.

Bring the Suzuki Jimny to the US, you bastards!

 

I saw a brand new sequoia today. It looked small.

 

It’s the creasing I think.

 

As far as handling? The 4Runner does fine for me.
I drive multiple and various rentals a year as I travel a lot. We mostly get full size cars with some crossovers, a few Town and Country type vans, and a few Tahoes and 4Runners over the past 20 years.
Camry's are great, Altima isnt bad, Passat is horrible, etc, etc. 2 weeks ago in LA I drove a hybrid Wrangler Unlimited. It did OK and is pretty quick, but kinda twitchy at hwy speed.
My point is I have a unique perspective and experience.
The 4Runner is obviously not a roadster, but these trucks will surprise you if you push em a little.
At close to 6k lbs I took my 5th gen on the Tail of the Dragon, actually by mistake going from Windrock park to see my Cuz in NC.
Once I was passed by a dozen bikes and figured out where I was, I dove this big ass pig w mud tires no less, into corners that people from all over the country go to run bikes, Vettes, Carreras, etc.
The 4Runner did great, but the brake fade is a problem throwing this much weight around.
They have still photographers set up all up and down the road. So I bought the pic below. I say again they aren't a roadster and never did I expect it to be. But it will surprise you if you push it a little.

 

One of a kind, you are, Gamma

 

The 4Runner must be too big because you keep saying it is. Rent a lexus is. Camaro? What was the reason you got your runner?

 

Awesome, That’s why I’m not worried about my 4runner being really fast. I have my C7 Z06 I take on the tail with it.

 

The 4Runner's too big because when you use a tape measure, it's empirically too big. Plus, when you park it in parking spots, there's a chance you're going to be in incredibly tight situations. The main reason I got my 4Runner was because I was used to older 4X4s that weren't so big and bloated. The time came to get a new 4X4. They're all big and bloated now, as I've come to find. I've been driving 4X4s for nearly 20 years. I know a 4X4 doesn't have to be big and bloated. The 5th gen is like a fat chick.

 

Well, two of a kind. Because I have two balls.

 

I don’t see the point of this thread anymore. Is it to just vent? You knew the dimensions when you bought the vehicle. Test drive would have told you it drives bigger than it is.

If the vehicle doesn’t feel right you should sell it. They aren’t going to bring Suzuki back just because you want it, can they? Unless you wanna import one yourself.

 

I want my old Jeep Cherokee Sport, straight 6, manual transmission, but instead I went with Toyota pickup, then a couple of Tacomas to the 4Runner now. Guess what, just like everything else, change happens with or with out us, and Merica likes big shit. And parking spaces are getting smaller so we can have more places to park as our population grows.

Merica..

 

4Runner is shorter and narrower than Explorer, Pilot, and Palisade, but is taller than all three. 4Runner is marginally longer and wider than Wrangler, but a little shorter. So 4R isn't big by comparison.

 

Time for GammaRay to sell the 4runner. Lost the love for it. Lol.

 

When I use it as a utility vehicle, I often wish it were larger. I often think to myself "I should have gotten a Suburban".

For an "off-road" vehicle, it's a fat pig. Visibility isn't great, bodywork is too wide in relation to the track, rear overhang is way too long. And IFS. I often think to myself "I should get an XJ".

When I first got it, a coworker asked me how it drove. I said "Great! Or like total shit, depends what you're into".

Early this summer, I was visiting friends in SoCal and they lent me their lifted 80-series to use while I was there. When they gave me the keys, she warned me that it's an old truck and drives like one. It's slow, brakes are heavy, handles bad, etc...

I honestly didn't think it was that different from driving my 4R. It was BETTER in some ways. Visibility was excellent, and zero steering wheel shake at 65mph. Plus the coolness factor is off the charts. Only bad part was 10mpg @ 5.00/gal. Smiles per gallon for sure.

Edit: forgot to mention, as a DD I think the 4R is a fine size. I have zero issues maneuvering or parking it, in fact I find it easy to park, especially since it has no problem bumping up over curbs. I street park mine, I turn in tight, bump over the curb, then when I come down I'm already lined up in the spot.

 

Fat bottomed girls, you make the rockin' world go round.

 

Bingo. The 4Runner, like nearly every other vehicle, is a compromise. It is, first and foremost, a very well built/rugged utility vehicle - that also performs pretty well off-road. For those that are really into off-roading, if you could afford a dedicated off-road vehicle - that you only drove when off-roading and never on the streets - would that vehicle be a 4Runner (of any trim/build level)? Probably not. However, if you have to choose a vehicle for off-roading that you also have to drive to work everyday during the week - and you have to drive it to where you are off-roading with all the gear you need - its pretty damned hard to beat. Compromise. You give up some things to gain other things. Acceleration and cornering while still getting reasonably good gas mileage, and easy to park? If you bought a 4Runner you gave that up for the capability to haul all your shit into just about anywhere you can reasonably expect to take a vehicle in almost any weather conditions. Being able to quickly go from 80mph to stopping on a dime? You gave that up for the ability to tow 5000 lbs. If you wanted all the things I just mentioned - and you were not willing to compromise at all - you wouldn't be looking for any car/SUV - you'd be looking for a motorcycle.

 

One more from me than I'll bow out of this rant. There are so many vehicles - Gamma Ray, go find one that works for you - no harm, no foul. You'll get a great price for your trade in or private sale. We also have a Honda CRV - my wife loves it, it drives great, AWD, great gas mileage. Find something that fits you and best of luck and skill to you in the future.

 

https://youtu.be/2M584bP_FeE?si=Q8qFR6CTtaSQ45nl

 

I like my fat chick. And when necessary, my 4Runner makes it possible to "make" my own parking space.

 

Whoa now, be careful!

 

Whoa dere lol