Well, it's time to get rid of the wifes 03' Camry and figured we would have the car/SUV combo in the household. Without being biased since we are all in the Toyota family.....Whats your thoughts on either??? I like both of these vehicles.

I'm trying to stay in the $24-$28K range. Don't need 4wd.

Thanks..... :)

get RAV4 if you dont need 4WD. You definetly dont need truck based SUV if you dont need 4WD. For that range you can get V6 Rav4 with 0-60 in 6.3 secs and better handling that half of the cars out there.

4Runner - built to last, and last, and last.........................

but another consideration would be the Highlander
great SUV for those who really don't need to 4WD
and your wife will feel like she still riding in her camry ;)

get RAV4 if you dont need 4WD. You definetly dont need truck based SUV if you dont need 4WD. For that range you can get V6 Rav4 with 0-60 in 6.3 secs and better handling that half of the cars out there.

Yeah...I looked at the Rav4 last week and the problem right now is the V6 is limited right now because it was just released last month. I also want something close to invoice which I am not sure dealers will be giving away a hot seller like the V6 Rav right now. Im liking the horse power of the Xterra.....265 and 7.0 sec 0-60. But also...Im not the one driving it.

Yeah...I looked at the Rav4 last week and the problem right now is the V6 is limited right now because it was just released last month. I also want something close to invoice which I am not sure dealers will be giving away a hot seller like the V6 Rav right now. Im liking the horse power of the Xterra.....265 and 7.0 sec 0-60. But also...Im not the one driving it.
it doesnt make sense to me to buy an truck based SUV, if you dont need it. Buy an real SUV. It handles better, goes faster and gets better mpg. Go to rav4world.com, some dealers are offering near invoice for RAV4...

Just for mpg, Xterra gets 16/22, 4runner gets 18/22 while Rav4 gets 22/29 with V6, while being faster in every possible way.

I would go for the 4runner. :)

definitely 4runner, it's such a solid car

4Runner definitely. Great truck, but I agree, if you dont need a truck based SUV or 4WD, then a Rav4, Highlander, Pilot and the like might be better.

poll time!!!

I wouldn't touch the Xterra with a 10 foot stick dipped in gold

From the choices, 4-Runner; But I think the RAv4 would be the better choice, although the cup holders look like the same kind in my sister civic, which is horrible in keeping drinks in

the C&D April Issue tested 4 models and voted as follow. The 4-runner was not included but it might give you some idea.

4th - Hummer H3. The verdict: Governor Arnold off-road. Barney Fife on-road
3rd - Toyota FJ Cruiser 4wd : Verdict - Great value, great fun, and hey, it's a toyota.
2nd - Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4wd. Verdict - Still the best all-around Jeep ever created.
1st - Nissan Xterra 4wd: Verdict - Unfazed by anything we threw at it.

I recommend the 4-runner though. But if it was for me, I would get the FJ Cruiser. :)

Given your choices I would definitely say the 4Runner.

I will add that to me coming out of a Camry (thinking - space & ride quality) that the Highlander would be worth a serious look.

TripleL

lol that C&D article is a joke. they didnt add the toyota in for a reason. it will blow all of those SUVs out the water. u can buy a 4 runner at below invoice. RAV4 is a very hot seller they wont be giving those away anytime soon. If you want to know how to get the best deal on a 4Runner.... send in an internet price quote request threw edmunds, toyota website, autobytel, dealix, and so forth. you will be receiving emials and phone calls from the dealers that u sent the request to. they will give you a price. that price should be like 500-700 over invoice. then you can talk them down the rest. WAIT for the end of the month to do so as well. o yeah i know all this cuz i used to work for a toyota dealership. and o yeah... DONT take any of the warrenties. they are a big waste of money.

lol that C&D article is a joke. they didnt add the toyota in for a reason. it will blow all of those SUVs out the water.

:uh: :uh: :uh: actually there was a toyota.

In Mexico, they way they like to sell the Xterra is by mentiong the supposed high hp it has. Problem is so what. People end up walking across the street and get the 4Runner as it has all they need plus consistent quality year after year.

Well, it's time to get rid of the wifes 03' Camry and figured we would have the car/SUV combo in the household. Without being biased since we are all in the Toyota family.....Whats your thoughts on either??? I like both of these vehicles.

I'm trying to stay in the $24-$28K range. Don't need 4wd.

Thanks..... :)

I test drove the 4 Runner and wasn't impressed, I decided to stay with my Lexus RX300. The interior is just cheap looking with that silver dash and funky HVAC controls.

Why not get a loaded 03 RX300 w/NAV etc.

This should not even be a poll. 4 Runner for the above mentioned reasons. Now the Pathfinder is something I'd consider out of the Nissan family.

I've got over 300k miles on my toyota landcruiser and it is still going strong. Mind you I ride my cars/trucks hard. The landcruiser been thru some severe 4 wheeling and never missed a beat.

FJCRUISER!!!! uhh i mean 4runner....

Well, it's time to get rid of the wifes 03' Camry and figured we would have the car/SUV combo in the household. Without being biased since we are all in the Toyota family.....Whats your thoughts on either??? I like both of these vehicles.

I'm trying to stay in the $24-$28K range. Don't need 4wd.

Thanks..... :)


X-terra is out.....But now I'm considering the Honda Pilot. I like the size, 3 rows of seats, looks and all the safety ratings I'm seeing. Now keep in mind...the wife will be driving it. This kind of vehicle would not be my choice for a daily driver. Any Pilot owners out there? (new one)

X-terra is out.....But now I'm considering the Honda Pilot. I like the size, 3 rows of seats, looks and all the safety ratings I'm seeing. Now keep in mind...the wife will be driving it. This kind of vehicle would not be my choice for a daily driver. Any Pilot owners out there? (new one)
i sat in one couple of times. really not that impressed by it. pressy spacious that's for sure, but build quality is so-so, and it's pretty damn stiff

X-terra is out.....But now I'm considering the Honda Pilot. I like the size, 3 rows of seats, looks and all the safety ratings I'm seeing. Now keep in mind...the wife will be driving it. This kind of vehicle would not be my choice for a daily driver. Any Pilot owners out there? (new one)

Hi AZDesersGS,

Bought my wife a 2004 Pilot in Nov 2003. We have 30K care free miles on it! If the size works for you I think it would be an awesome buy for you coming out of a Camry. It rides smooth and quiet, has awesome pick up, gets good gas miliage & again has been trouble free.

My brother who swore by his wife's Grand Cherokee for years, drove my wife's Pilot when we got it and was so impressed with how 'tight' is was that within a month had sold the Jeep and bought a new Pilot! (ps my bro is a '02 LS430 owner)

TripleL

I tested both the Honda Pilot and the Acura MDX before I got my 06 GX470. The Pilot just had a cheaper feel to the whole vehicle (the MDX was just a little bit better) and I also never buy a vehicle without a floor/console mounted shifter. The Pilot just offers that old fashioned column shifter.

Let's keep in mind that the poster doesn't want to go over $28K! That leaves out a lot of the vehicles.

I just shopped around for an SUV before buying my GX, but I was looking at the higher price point. I wanted real 4WD, with ability to lock differentials and 4WD low, so the Accura MDX /Pilot was out. If you just want 2WD, there is no need to limit yourself to the 4Runner/XTerra/Pathfinder models - these are truck type SUVs made for people who like 4WD.
You are probably going to have to get the really stripped version if you want to keep the price point down.

Yes, between the 4Runner and XTerra the 4Runner IMO is the way to go. Both are truck-based and will ride stiffly and not handle well...and both are high, narrow, and tipsy. But, while I don't like the 4Runner's cheap-looking silver-painted plastic and tinny-feeling and sounding doors, there is no denying its greater overall refinement than the Xterra and its bulletproof reliability......our local Toyota dealers here think nothing of selling used ones with 150,000 miles on them even with dealer warranties....they are THAT durable.

However, for your ( and your wife's ) specific needs, I question the wisdom of buying a stiff-riding, bouncy, truck-based SUV in the first place. There are a number of reasonably priced, durable, well-designed car-based FWD or AWD vehicles ( you said you may not need AWD ) in the mid-to-high 20's price range you are looking at. The RAV4, Honda CRV, Hyundai Santa Fe ( with its newfound quality and 10-year drivetrain warranty ) and Subaru Foresters and Outbacks are a good places to start looking....for my money it is tough to beat Subarus in their price range. Foresters, Legacys and Outbacks are all available with 250-HP turbo engines and manual trannies if you want power. I myself have an Outback...I love it.

3rd gen 4-runner with 3.4 v6 - $20k +/-

TRD supercharger - $2k

URD fuel upgrade and management - $1k

(TRD headers/exhaust optional)

You'll have a 14 second quarter mile truck, tons of torque, proven reliability, and excellent resale value for both the vehicle and parts.

As what most of the people have said---4Runner.

Relative of ours has one, 2WD, V6. Drives pretty smoothly, the ride isn't that rough, and the build quality is top notch.

As what most of the people have said---4Runner.

Relative of ours has one, 2WD, V6. Drives pretty smoothly, the ride isn't that rough, and the build quality is top notch.

Yes....the 2WD version generally rides smoother than the 4WD one for two reasons. First, there is less unsprung under the suspension because you don't have as many driveshafts and differentials, and, Second, the suspension itself is a little more supple because in most cases 2WD versions don't go off-road. However, the 2WD version, like 2WD Toyota pickups, has rather poor traction on slippery surfaces....( standard ABS helps keep the rear wheels from locking up while braking ) and you can't throw snow or sand in the bed for more weight and traction like you can with pickups.

I respect RX_330's opinion, but I still don't think you or your wife need a truck-based SUV.....the car-based ones like the RAV4, Highlander, Pilot, CRV, Forester, Outback, etc......would be better suited for your everyday needs.

lol that C&D article is a joke. they didnt add the toyota in for a reason. it will blow all of those SUVs out the water. u can buy a 4 runner at below invoice. RAV4 is a very hot seller they wont be giving those away anytime soon. If you want to know how to get the best deal on a 4Runner.... send in an internet price quote request threw edmunds, toyota website, autobytel, dealix, and so forth. you will be receiving emials and phone calls from the dealers that u sent the request to. they will give you a price. that price should be like 500-700 over invoice. then you can talk them down the rest. WAIT for the end of the month to do so as well. o yeah i know all this cuz i used to work for a toyota dealership. and o yeah... DONT take any of the warrenties. they are a big waste of money.
The new 4runner is not as good of a off-road vehicle as it use to be. It is more car like now. The Xterra still has the rough off-road ability under its skin like the original 4runner did. Now if you wanted a offroad SUV the xterra would be it. But if its for your wife and daily around town, nice comfy ride and reilable, get the Toyota.

I thought the new 4Runner drove almost exactly like the RX300 now.

In your situation I woudl get a Highlander though.

Thanks for everyones input.......I'm going after work to pick up a new 06' 4Runner......$25,800 and $13,000 for trade in on my 03 Camry. Wife should be happy....I know I am :D :D :D

Thanks for everyones input.......I'm going after work to pick up a new 06' 4Runner......$25,800 and $13,000 for trade in on my 03 Camry. Wife should be happy....I know I am :D :D :D

Congrat's man!! :woohoo:

Use it well and feel free to post up a pic or two!!

Enjoy,

TripleL

Thanks for everyones input.......I'm going after work to pick up a new 06' 4Runner......$25,800 and $13,000 for trade in on my 03 Camry. Wife should be happy....I know I am :D :D :D
Congrats! :thumbup:

Congrats man!

my 95 4runner still running strong..... just changed out the suspension last month.... car feels practically new again!

one vice about older SUV"s is that they tend to suck in getting good gas mileage.