Thinking of trading in my Tacoma for a 4Runner (advice)

I went from a 2016 Inferno 4x4 Crewcab Tacoma to a Tundra and just got a T4R. My girls are now 7 and 10. I originally was contemplating getting rid of the Tacoma because my girls seemed cramped in the back. I ended up getting a 2018 Tundra Crewmax 4x4 Sport new at a great deal killing time at the dealer waiting on an oil change for the Tacoma. Had zero plans to buy a truck that day but the sales manager clearly wanted to move inventory that day and he took my low ball price after some back and forth and explaining over and over I didn't need a new truck. Fast forward to a few weeks ago, I traded in the Tundra on a T4R ORP Premium. The girls certainly won't have as much room in the back like they did in my Tundra but they should be fine and my oldest loves the fact that the seats recline. We have a trip planned next month and she keeps talking about how sleeping in the Runner will be awesome. lol. I mainly ditched the Tundra as we now take our Dobie and Ridgeback everywhere and my wife hated the idea of me getting a bed topper(camper shell) and having them in there on trips etc. The 4Runner seemed like a good fit. Time will tell. I've always liked them and hated when we got rid of our 4th gen. A Sequoia or Land Cruiser would have been ideal but something new wouldn't of fit the budget like I have wanted. So far I am happy and don't miss the Tundra much other than the power. Also don't miss averaging 11.5mpg since it was on 34's. Probably should have waited on dumping the Tundra until I finished all my Spring projects but T4Rs do not last long on dealer lots and I didn't want to chance waiting and have inventory be worse and end up settling for something less than what I wanted. Most ORP's and up last 48 hours here.
An SR5 Premium seems like a good compromise if you're looking to stick to a certain budget. I went ORP Premium as I wanted the leather etc but also wanted a manual lever for 4WD unlike the SR5 Prem which is a knob. Plus I liked the all black leather better than the two tone in the SR5 Prem. The ORP also has crawl control etc which I prob won't get much use out of it but it's there just in case. Mine also came with KDSS. Didn't seek out KDSS but the truck I called about was already sold and the dealer was willing to negotiate on the one I bought so the KDSS became moot. In the end I actually like the way the KDSS model drives a little better than the non-KDSS' I test drove. It could all be mental but it feels a lot stiffer and rides more like my Tundra did.
Good luck! Not sure about where you live but here in the Southeast inventory on the Runners don't stick around long especially once you get to the higher trims.

 

Not trying to be rude, but paragraphs are helpful to those reading your posts.

 

The biggest problem I had, was the constant hunting for the correct gear. On a trip to St Louis heading into the wind, it was almost impossible to use the cruise because of the downshifting. The 4Runner with the 5 speed trans and 4 liter motor is a much better decision for ME.

 

The 4Runner is slow-ish but it has torque down low where it feels natural and is useful/accessible. The Tacoma lacks torque down low. You can access the available torque by pressing the gas faster and farther, but you sacrifice a ton of mpg and RPM’s go through the roof.

The fan boys say “that’s ok!”. But honestly, it sucked in my experience. I hated it. And I drove Tacoma’s for 20+ years. I probably had 6 of them over the years. I ended up trading my 3rd gen Tacoma after two months. Couldn’t tolerate it and couldn’t believe I’d just spent near $40k for something so suck-y.

Imagine driving your 4Runner around and every time it downshifted, it downshifted two or three gears instead of one. That’s kinda what it’s like driving the 3rd gen Tacoma. And it also seems to constantly be one gear higher than what you feel like it should be in (probably why it often downshifts two gears).

They could probably make it drive just like an older Tacoma or 4Runner if they just reprogrammed it. But if they did, it wouldn’t get the spec’d MPG numbers.

 

I've had Tacomas since early 90's, traded in my 2012 for a 2019. Mistake, hated the engine/trans combo. Purchased a 2021 4runner, way better.

 

I have read lots about the shitty shifting

manual transmission, I didn’t want to get a 4Runner because of the automatic transmission, but decided to look beyond that. And that’s what I hate about our runner is where it likes to shift.

 

It's not fast, but if you compare it to other vehicles in the segment, it holds it's own.

^ Agreed!

Mine seems to have learned where I want it to shift. Or, maybe I found the sweet spot in the pedal, who knows. But, it seems like you can get it to shift wherever you want by applying more or less gas.

 

Personal observation. The length of the gas pedal(opening of the throttle body) is a function specifically focused on, designed for, maximum fuel economy. If you nail the throttle of this V6 - it will respond accordingly.

I'm reminded, a few years back Bosch was entertaining the introduction of a "smart pedal" which would give the driver feedback when pushed too hard. Simply put. A long throttle does not equate to lack of power. It's simply a sign of the times. imo just tol.

 

Well with how long this vehicle should last it should end being my retirement vehicle . No need to go that fast, take time snd smell the roses. Hopefully another 6-7

I suppose it’s relative though. My old Explorer had 160 HP I believe and this 4R is around 270 HP. That’s a big step up

 

I had a 2013 Tacoma access cab that I bought new. I was perfectly happy with the power and transmission (auto) in it, but wanted more interior room, thus the hunt for a newer Tacoma or 4R. I knew the engine and transmission in the 4R was basically the same 4.0L as the 2nd gen Tacoma, but had more horsepower. After reading countless experiences of disappointed 3rd gen Tacoma owners, the Taco was eliminated from my list. I drive like an old grampa, and the 4R has way more than enough power for me. I shudder to think what could happen with the 6th gen 4R powertrain...

 

Had to walk away for now as it seems like they are lowballing my trade. Have a white 2017 TRD Sport 4x4 Premium with 29,700kms (18500 miles). Fairly clean overall, have the TRD pro grille, bed mat, chrome tip exhaust so ~$600 in accessories and BFG K02s with less than 5000 miles on them.

My lease buyout is ~27K CAD or $21500 USD. They are offering me $36K CAD on trade, or $28700 USD.

For a truck with my miles $36K CAD seems low. Similarly spec'd Tacomas with way more (sometime double) miles are being listed for $46-$48K all day in my area. Plus they won't budge 1 dollar off MSSRP on the T4R.

Going to a different dealer tomorrow.

 

Yeah I realize but that's the next dealerships gain if they get too greedy. There is enough resale value in my truck for everyone to walk away happy but it seems they just want to shake my pockets out.

 

So I can’t speak for the typical runner, but I will say tonight going down the highway 70 ish, saw a Porsche cranking in the rear view, waited till it got just about a few car lengths behind, then I got in to the super charger. Held my own for a minute, then they decided to quit playing, when they pulled away, I believe they were pushing 120 or so. So I know with the right mods it can move. When we went cross country, it wanted to do 80, anything under and it was higher rpms.

 

Sold my 2014 Tacoma and bought a 2021 4runner OR. My issue was the cab with 2 kids in the back. It was brutal. Passenger seat was pushed as far forward as it could go with the baby seat behind it. Loved the 2nd gen Tacoma, but love the 5th gen Runner even more. You wont regret the change.

 

traded in my 2017 Tacoma for a 2020 4runner, then sold the 2020 and got a 2021 4runner. Much happier overall with the 4runner than the Tacoma. However, my wife now wants a Tacoma so we’ll probably be getting another Tacoma in a year or so. However I will say, I do miss the bed of the truck. I occasionally have to rent a trailer to haul stuff at times. However it’s not a deal breaker.

 

Being ready to actually walk out helps a lot with bargaining. In my case, I did wait for the salesperson to get the manager. He still dicked around and after I stood up and said I didn't want to waste any more of their time, he found another $2K or 3K laying around somewhere. I did really well on this 4runner. ~ $4K below MSRP and got about $3K over KBB for my Tacoma.

 

Do it. I traded in a 2020 Tacoma on a 2020 4Runner ORP and have absolutely no regrets. It’s just a better vehicle in almost every regard

 

It’s likely been said already, but the only thing the Tacoma had better is the truck bed.

 

UPDATE

Went to dealer #2 this morning and we got a deal and they have my deposit. They initially offered $36700 for my trade with $1000 off an TRD ORP 4Runner. Managed to get them to give $37K on trade and we had a deal. That's $2K difference from the last place, suffice it to say I am reasonably happy.

They are looking to secure the black TRD ORP 4Runner as it appears there is only one inbound for a while, if they can't secure it, it will be a 3 month wait or so to get it from Japan.

Won't lie, will miss having a pickup but overall this is the best decision;

 

I have had lots of Tacos. The newer ones from 2016- on have that 3.5 engines. Those shift all the time. I have had a 2016, 2017 Pro and a 2019 Pro. They never really fixed the constant shifting and the cruise control issues. I have a 2020 4Runner Off Road now. Love the engine/trans. Just like the older Tacos. I go out to Colorado a lot and the first time I came back with the 4Runner, I thought wow, I didn't think once about all the crazy shifting that the Tacos would do. I am very happy with making the jump from a Taco to a 4Runner. Highly recommend.

 

Most of my experience is with my 3rd gen. The 4runners i have driven all felt like a 4runner. They all felt better made than my taco. If you don't need a bed, that is an easy yes. That factory over there, just builds them a little bit better in my opinion.

 

In 2016 when I bought my trail edition (we only get the premium with kdss and moon roof, running boards here in Canada) 3% over invoice was roughly $3,500 off. I know Covid times are different, but is $1,000 off msrp fairly standard in the US?

You won’t miss the driving position or the power train in the taco.

 

I’m trading my AG 4runner Pro in tundra Pro LunaRock. Waiting for it to be built. I would probably go back to a Tacoma but all that shifting you read about. That why years ago I bought a 15 Tacoma sport brand new instead of the new design 16. The only reason I’m trading in my wife has a SUV. We don’t need 2.

 

Im in basically the same boat right now. I saw how much my trade in should be worth lol, so I'm emailing 20-30 dealers tonight.
Going from DCLB TRD OR Taco to a 4R.
I do have a couple questions for you guys, don't know if I should just make a new thread....




I built out all the models on Toyotas website and am so far settling on just a base model SR5, with maaaaaybe the sliding cargo tray.

The Premium is about $2,800 more for just leather seats (I don't care about NAV). I can get Clazzios and be happy for $500ish.
The Trail Edition is about $1,600 for Amy Green, roofrack ($300 aftermarket), cargo tray and a cooler. And better rims.

The option I really want is KDSS, but that is legit a 5 grand price difference. I don't know if KDSS and a locking rear diff is worth $5k. I haven't had to actually lock my rear diff aside when I was screwing around in the two years I've had my Taco.

Finally, the OR Premium has the Offroad stuff plus $1300 for heated seats, which actually I would acceptably pay for. But the original $5k markup is still the question for KDSS...

I'm thinking $5k is better spent on Kings or something than KDSS. (And a kewl hood skewp)
Am I nuts?





Also, I've read mixed things on the cargo tray. Should I wait or special order one for the tray, or just get whatever's in stock and find an aftermarket replacement. I only have seen one, and it trades the 2" floor drop, for a 2" floor raise, both of which would suck for camping.


TLDR: If I can get 36k for my trade-in, and find a 4R for 36k (39k MSRP), that'd be pretty nice. I can pay extra for a OR Premium, and the seats and sunroof would be awesome, but the KDSS has to be worth it, and I don't know that it is, hence questions.

Thanks!

 

It is, but the 4 liter V6 in your old Explorer probably had a better torque curve, with more torque down low than the 4.0 in the 4Runner. I had a Grand Cherokee with the 4.0 straight 6 that only made 190 horsepower, and it felt quicker/more responsive around town and at under 40mph than the 4Runner.

The 4.0 in the 4Runner doesn't make much low-end torque, you've got to wind it out a little bit to access that power. Foot to the floor zero -60 it's actually pretty quick, but driving normal with a light foot it feels very slow and very quick to downshift.

What was said about the electronic throttle pedal seems pretty correct, it gets to a point where it doesn't accelerate anymore, more pressure on the accelerator pedal just equals downshifts and more noise, lol.

It's adequate for what it is, it just doesn't really like hills/mountains.

 

Well,
Ive got a decision to make very very soon. Ive got a dealer on the hook for a Base SR5 for under 38k, and an Offroad with KDSS, and a few features I dont care about for 42k. Any thoughts on whether KDSS is worth the 4k pricetag? Vs spending like half of that on a liftkit which would help with the nosedive?

 

IMO, Nope..!!

You could try to find ORP with out KDSS and get a good suspension setup with adjusts so you can dial in the way you want.

 

Yeah, the more time I spend thinking about it, and looking at dealer pricing. Base SR5 is looking better and better now that they have push to start.
Really want that tray, but no one has em outside the 3k more expensive Trail edition, so nope.

 

This will likely be me soon. Cant deal with my 19 Tacoma anymore. Kids are getting bigger and I'm 6'3. Only thing holding me back is wifey has a Runner already. Have come close to getting a Tundra on 3 occasions but always end up walking each time. I don't really tow anything and they're just so damn big. That engine is nice though.