Mid-size SUVs recos (again)

[El Chupacabra]

I had a 4th gen 4Runner, sold it last year. Exceptional build quality, great fulltime 4WD features were phenomenal in snow -- torsen center diff + bunch of electronic stability and traction controls.

Sold it because it just wasn't comfortable. No headroom, awkward seating position, uncomfortable seats. Just didn't fit me well, and after 7 years of putting up with it, I'd had enough. MPG wasn't anything great either -- 17-18 combined, and not a particularly powerful V6.

The Lexus GX (older 470, and newer 460) has more headroom and (I assume) more cushy creature comforts than any trim level of the 4Runner. It's kinda weird looking, IMHO. But if I were considering a 4Runner again, I'd go look at the Lexus version pretty closely.

[Timberridge]

Sold it because it just wasn't comfortable. No headroom, awkward seating position, uncomfortable seats. Just didn't fit me well, and after 7 years of putting up with it, I'd had enough. MPG wasn't anything great either -- 17-18 combined, and not a particularly powerful V6.

Hmm. I just bought a 5th Gen in September. No sunroof. Seats are quite comfortable in front and my kid loves that the backs recline. Love the rear window which rolls down. 20-22mpg combined (tho I do a lot of highway). I'm 6'2, 195 and have borderline high cholesterol.

[DBdude]

how is you blood pressure?

[Timberridge]

how is you blood pressure?

Ok, 117/75. I'm pretty sure it's been going higher lately at work and with the new car payments, so I might be a ticking time-bomb.

[El Chupacabra]

Hmm. I just bought a 5th Gen in September. No sunroof. Seats are quite comfortable in front and my kid loves that the backs recline. Love the rear window which rolls down. 20-22mpg combined (tho I do a lot of highway). I'm 6'2, 195 and have borderline high cholesterol.

Mine had a sunroof, and was the base model of the 4th gen, which had a tilt (but not telescope) steering wheel. I think that was a big part of the "can't get comfortable" problem. The steering wheel needed to be out farther from the dashboard by about another 1 to 2 inches.

If I had my seat pushed rearward far enough to where my legs should be, then my arms were stretched straight out to hold the wheel -- unless I sat bolt upright, in which case my head was on the ceiling. If I had my seat pushed rearward far enough to where my arms should be, then my legs were folded up too much. I'm 6'0", but have ~ 34" inseam.

I think these are fantastic vehicles, if you fit in them. Sold mine to a friend who's about 5'9", he loves the 4Runner.

[Timberridge]

Yeah, I'm not sure about all the different models and years, this is my first one. My only complaint is w/ the actual steering wheel itself. I just want a smooth rim, this one has bumps gets thicker and thinner where someone at Toyota thought your hands should go.

[AK47bp]

I wear a 34x32 pant and 16.5 collar shirt, 7.25 fitted hat, large Hanes boxer briefs. 4Runner fits me good.

[DBdude]

Ok, 117/75. I'm pretty sure it's been going higher lately at work and with the new car payments, so I might be a ticking time-bomb.

the dr prescribes more weed and more skiing and perhaps the 4R is too small

try it out and let me know if your BP goes down

[Timberridge]

I wear a 34x32 pant and 16.5 collar shirt, 7.25 fitted hat, large Hanes boxer briefs. 4Runner fits me good.

How's the cholesterol and bp?

the dr prescribes more weed and more skiing and perhaps the 4R is too small

try it out and let me know if your BP goes down

Thanks doc. The skiing part is an issue, I'm on the EC.

[Art Shirk]

Was looking new but found a low mile Highlander Limited down the street that I'm going to take a spin in later today.

I like bells and whistles of the more costly trim packages on these toyotas, but as someone mentioned, they sure add a lot of $ to the equation. Anyone with kids and a dog but non-leather seats who want to tell me it aint too bad?

[DBdude]

How's the cholesterol and bp?



Thanks doc. The skiing part is an issue, I'm on the EC.

yeah me too - fucking rain on saturday - ugggghhhh

[uglymoney]

Was looking new but found a low mile Highlander Limited down the street that I'm going to take a spin in later today.

I like bells and whistles of the more costly trim packages on these toyotas, but as someone mentioned, they sure add a lot of $ to the equation.

Yep. Wife's parents bought all the bells and whistles they could get but didn't get the Limited because it was like 5k more or something crazy. With my blood pressure sitting squarely at 115 over 62 it seems insanely plush anyway considering the Highlanders roots are from a Camry.

New Tacos have the 3.5L instead of the venerable 4.0L so I'm assuming the mileage is a little better and they feel a little more spirited but the 4Runner still gets the 4.0L which is a workhorse but not much of a breather.

[AK47bp]

How's the cholesterol and bp?

BP is on the high side, which is why I bought the 4Runner Pre-Hypertension model.

[schuss]

Was looking new but found a low mile Highlander Limited down the street that I'm going to take a spin in later today.

I like bells and whistles of the more costly trim packages on these toyotas, but as someone mentioned, they sure add a lot of $ to the equation. Anyone with kids and a dog but non-leather seats who want to tell me it aint too bad?

If you have dogs and cloth seats, seat covers are the way.

[Art Shirk]

If you have dogs and cloth seats, seat covers are the way.

Yeah, that where we are heading if this Limited I am scoping falls through. I liked it a lot and the boss is checking it out tonight, so we may actually be close.

[Art Shirk]

Thanks for the advice. Ruled out pathfinder, drove the 4Runner (nice but felt too utilitarian for the wife) and found a Highlander limited early on in the search. Didn't go much further as it ticked all the main boxes.

Unless anyone has any remaining comments regarding equine wang, I think we may be done here.

[bodywhomper]

congrats on the highlander

i test drove a lightly used lexus gx4?0 in the spring, which i thought was very nice. after sitting (not driving) in the the newest version 4runner, the gx felt roomier in the second and third rows. does the lexus lx/gx adjustable air suspension still have a 10yr life expectancy?

i saw a short wheelbase 2-dr g-wagon today. never seen the short 2-dr before.

[Bobby Stainless]

The adjustable suspension is not on all GX460s. It comes with the premium, that has rear ent and ML sound.

It's not the same as the LX.

Saw one of these the other day. Pretty sure my brother is getting one.

[BS720]

I just want a smooth rim...

God bless ya, we all want a smooth rim.

[frorider]

Family member about to pull trigger on a low-miles 2014 Toureg V6 gasser, CPO warranty from VW dealer, leather / NAV Sport for 26k asking price. Anything in particular he should look out for?

[ncskier]

Family member about to pull trigger on a low-miles 2014 Toureg V6 gasser, CPO warranty from VW dealer, leather / NAV Sport for 26k asking price. Anything in particular he should look out for?

If the front and rear badges have a VW emblem run. its a ticking time bomb of unreliability.

[Bobcat Sig]

Family member about to pull trigger on a low-miles 2014 Toureg V6 gasser, CPO warranty from VW dealer, leather / NAV Sport for 26k asking price. Anything in particular he should look out for?

If the front and rear badges have a VW emblem run. its a ticking time bomb of unreliability.

The build quality has improved over the years. They were slagged for reliability with the V10 oil burner. The gasser is ok. I'd tell your family member to plan on trading it after the CPO is up.

[SirHeady]

I recently acquired a 2006 Lexus GX 470 because I needed 4WD for the winters in Utah. I was attracted to this vehicle since its based on the 4Runner/Sequoia platform with the refinement one would expect in a Lexus. While the gas mileage sucks and I just had to spend north of $2000 to fix the air suspension (problematic in these) to a coil system I love the truck. Its a perfect blend of elegance and ruggedness.