What are some annoying things about your 5th gen besides mpg?

Correct regarding the auto shut off . I meant does not have the light sensor to turn on and off automatically for night time and daylight.
Thanks for the double sided tape , I tried Velcro did not work, but maybe the tape will .
Have Fun !

 

This thread is great! It’s the only thing I can think of that will tamp down the used 4runner prices.

Personally, I’d love to have a spare 5th gen, just for whatever…dedicated trail rig, parts car, whatever. But not at the prices they’re at now! That’s nuts!

Keep the comments going!

 

Not going to lie, unless you off road, the 4R is pretty boring to drive.

My GFs cousin just got a new Explorer ST, I'm not a Ford guy but it actually seems very nice for what it is.

If you're a serial trader, I wouldn't be too concerned with reliability.

 

That mindset can apply to all trucks. Some folks enjoy driving that category of vehicles.

Keeping the opposite end of the vehicle spectrum out of scope (Porsche boater, Miata, etc) I find the 4r to be more enjoyable to drive than other vehicles that indexes more towards responsiveness and quick dynamics.

 

Try spraying some silicone lube in the rear hatch latch mechanism.

 

the grand Cherokee 2023 I just bought has sooooooo many more conveniences over the 4 runner

Just look at this thread and the JGC cures almost all the irritants

and I liked most things about the 4 runner until I drove one for a few days and talked to some owners that were looking for a new car and owned a 4 runner

had a big list of all the add ones to buy, bumpers, lights, running boards, pedal commander, tires, and so on a pile of mo eh to,spend in the first year for a mall crawler only


the jeep was 3 grand cheaper than the 4 runner TRD OFF ROAD and in a limited package

if it lasts and does not break down I could not be happier

 

Watch out for the Explorer especially ST unless you don’t mind your car in the shop. My uncle loves the speed and has had three of them. All of them spent a ton of time in shop especially for electrical issues. He does not mind since he is retired and dealer gives him a demo. I have a lot of friends who work for Ford also and openly acknowledge lack of quality

 

Since I weighed in on several of the observations, I should say that those I agree would be better in a perfect world, but they don't impede my happiness at all. The 4R is more comfortable and convenient than any vehicle I've owned. I enjoy driving it, even on the highway, and I'm happy to trade some acceleration for everything else it can do.

By the way, I rented a VW Jetta a couple weeks ago, and I liked how the head unit and climate controls are tilted about 10 degrees toward the driver instead of facing straight back. Operating everything was just a bit faster and easier, and they were still clearly visible to the front passenger. On the other hand, I don't like virtual gas gauges.

 

For me, the 4Runner is also the only way to achieve adjacency with the legendary Toyota 4x4 world. The 1grfe is also used in the LC 70series in other markets. Having a major facet of that LC in my 4R gives me a cozy feeling.

 

That fancy word promoted dictionary contiguity

 

Agreed, the Explorer and Grand Cherokee are okay if you don't keep your past the 3 year mark but their recent build quality has been...not great.

I say this as the owner of a late model F250. Ford people don't take the explorer seriously at all.

 

My previous daily driver (and only vehicle) prior to my 4Runner was (is-I still have it) a 2008 Dodge Dakota SLT. She just turned 128,000 miles and the ONLY trip to the dealer was for a broken shift cable back around 2013. Obviously I keep my rides a LONG time lol. The 'runner seems like a luxury vehicle to me. Hopefully it will last as long as my old Dakota. In other words, what I'm trying to say is that all these complaints I am reading about are silly to me. It will hopefully be the last new vehicle I ever buy.

 

I dare say, good sir, it even achieves parity with legendary toyota 4x4s!

You missed a perfect opportunity to use the word “promulgated”

 

This! I use Smart water bottles 1L and Yeti 18oz Rambler and both fit inside rubber inserts but the minute you lift them they come out. Without rubber inserts there is too much slop

 

Ya'll sound like Jackie Chiles.

 

I'm amused at folks call the 4Runner slow. Don't get me wrong, I know it's hardly quick for a mid-size brick and especially with added armor, etc. but coming from a Sorento with the base 4-cylinder cranking out a whopping peak 185 hp (178 lb/ft) and a 20 year-old RAV4 before it, the 4Runner sure feels like a rocket ship on the on-ramp and I don't even need to kiss redline often!

 

I took the inserts out, and I use neoprene mug holders that fit my water bottles and don't rattle around in the cup holders.
.

 

This is actually very true, good point. I like driving my 4Runner around town, I like the visibility from the higher seating position, and I like not worrying at all about the road surface. There are some terrible roads here, and 4Runner don't care.

It's mainly on the highway that I enjoy it less.

 

+1 on everything you said, except the last thing you said. I appreciate it a lot on the highway, and here's why:

I know it's slow as molasses in winter time, but I don't give a fuck. I didn't buy it thinking I could drive it like a Porsche. I drive slow and I'm proud of that. I rarely drive it faster than 65MPH when I'm on the highway; and I take my sweet time getting up to speed.

I also love the "presence" that my SLOWRunna' has on the highway. I never get brake checked and people rarely ride my ass. If I'm in the slow lane and a car is cruising up the on ramp, I never change my speed.....and the car or truck that's approaching never tries to bully me. They either slow down and drop in behind me, or speed up a lot and jump out in front of me. Don't get me wrong, I don't try to bully anyone on the road and because my truck is so big, they don't try to bully me.

Sure, the truck is slow as fuck and the MPG's suck balls, but......I get there with almost 0% stress when I arrive at my destination. I also have a lot of insurance, a gun and a dash cam... That helps too.

 

I drive mostly in Mass and Rhode Island, and I don't experience the presence thing at all. I feel better in it when I'm in traffic, but other drivers around here do not GAF what you're driving. They cut off fully loaded semis like they're not even there, and tailgate like a mofo.

I guess I do feel a little bit secure though, if some idiot gets too close and side swipes me or rear ends me.

The only time I ever felt that presence thing was when I was driving my buddies 3" lifted 80 series with an ARB front bumper around Southern California. I felt like a king in that vehicle, people gave me such a wide berth, would not cut in front of me, gave me plenty of room. It was great. I saw this one woman check three times before merging in front of me, and then immediately cut off another car without even looking lol.

I usually don't go much over 65 in my 4R either. I enjoyed highway driving when I first got it, but going on 5 years I sometimes find it a little tiresome. It wanders a little bit, the constant downshifting on any type of grade has gotten annoying, and I feel like it's a little loud. Maybe because it's 10 years old with 165k. Could be some steering components are getting a little loose, and could be that the tires have gotten louder as they're coming toward the end of their life.

I've got a new suspension for it, new lower control arms, planning on doing UCAs at the same time, and possibly inner and outer tie rods. Once that's done, I'm going with new tires, so maybe it'll be like a new vehicle at that point.

 

So like a neoprene coozy with no bottom sort of?

 

Yeah, coozy is a better description. It has a bottom. They fit a medium Dunkin cup, but also my water bottle.

 

I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee back when they were more SUV (solid axles front and rear) and less mini-van like. Had it 18 months before it was returned for lemon law violations. Today's GC's are certainly more comfortable but much less capable off road than the 4R and they certainly lack the reliability. Good luck with it, I hope you don't plan on keeping it 10+ years.

 

Bingo. The roads here suck also. I drove a 2010 Tacoma TRD Sport 4WD for 12.5 years. That was my first 4WD vehicle - and I'll never go back to a non-4WD vehicle. That truck drove as nice/smooth/straight the day I gave it to my son as the day I drove it home from the dealer. Never changed/replaced anything related to the suspension - except tires. Every 2WD car/van that we ever had before that drove like a piece of shit by the time it got to 100-125K miles. Didn't really need the truck bed - so replaced it with a 2023 4Runner Limited FT 4WD. I love driving this thing. Never needed it to be any faster or have better acceleration than it does - but I can understand the desire for that, especially if you went from a sportier/faster vehicle directly to the 4Runner. For sure my personal opinion - but I'll trade speed/acceleration/MPG - for reliability, ruggedness, and practically drive anywhere capability forever.

 

This is a great answer ahah
And just for the record:

 

I agree to that. Anyone ever driven the streets of Morgantown WV? I don't live there but visit and those roads are harsh however everyone is doing 80.

 

Now that works!

 

I'm in the same region, mostly between NYC and CT. Yep, the roads are horrible. My '18 Jeep Grand Cherokee didn't mind the lousy roads either. Probably the best reason to get a 4R is the road conditions.

 

Thought I would let you folks know the outcome. I had a great price on a '23 Limited with $3,800 off sticker. Really loved it but had a hard time with the power issue. So I went to Lexus and drove the GX460. Whoa- what a difference on the ride and mostly the smoothness and noise suppression. Found a brand new '23 Premium Plus with a $64k sticker. I got a $7k discount, so net over the 4Runner was $7k. A no brainer for me. Was hell bent on buying a top notch SUV and either one would have been great, but felt the GX was more for me. I know it will eat me out of house on home on the fuel bill, but that's how things roll.
Thank you all for your information and guidance. Happy trucking.