![]() The XL7 on the other hand, doesn't really LOOK like it's cut out for the job at first glance, but it's got potential to be a contender for thousands less $$$. ![]() I just replaced the 4wd actuator on my friend's 2001 Tacoma so I'm a little gun-shy of electronic shift motors if I can avoid them. 5) Push button 4wd- lame, bound to leave me stranded one day. I'd say $10,000 tops but even that's a little on the high side. A clean one with lower mileage can go for as much as $15,000 which is over what I'm willing to pay. 4) Expensive- the cheapest one I've found was around $8000 CDN, with high mileage, and 3 provinces away requiring an inspection to bring it to BC. 3) No possibility of retrofitting manual hubs to it. I don't really need that, I know how to drive and prefer the old school way of wheeling as opposed to pushing a button and letting the computer do everything for me. 2)It has alot of overly complicated / unnecessary systems like traction control, vehicle skid control, hill-start assist, and downhill assist control. ![]() My experience with Toyota vehicles has been really good, I also really appreciate the wide range of aftermarket support for them after being essentially on my own with the 2001 Vitara.Ĭons: 1)It's only available as an automatic. It is available with 7 seats the 3rd row models are not that easy to find though, and the seats don't fold flat into the floor, they hang off to the sides and take up space there. It comes with traction control and other electronic goodies I don't really care about. Pros: It has either a punchy v6 or a v8, both reliable engines as far as anyone knows. The 4runner looks best for my requirements. After doing a bit of research I'm not too keen on the Jeep, I've basically ruled it out, mainly due to poor build quality and poor fuel mileage. Right now I'm looking at the following 3 options: 1999-2006 Suzuki XL7, 2003-2009 Toyota 4Runner, 2006-2010 Jeep Commander. A 5 passenger SUV is really only good for 2 adults and 2 kids in car seats, so I think we would probably outgrow that pretty quickly and then need to upsize again. Seems overkill to go for a 7-passenger right away, right? But I feel it's easier to justify spending money on lifts, tires, winch bumpers, etc for a vehicle if you plan to keep it for a long time (thinking next 10 years possibly). Due to a growing family situation (back then I was single, now I'm married and have our first child on the way), I'm looking for a 7 passenger 4wd SUV that has off-road capability similar to or slightly less than the Tacoma. But I have always missed the nimble, fun size and weight of the Suzukis, and also the ability to haul passengers comfortably, as the xtracab is barely adequate for toddlers let alone adults. The Taco especially has served me very well and even after wheeling it moderately hard for the last 6 years it hasn't cost me much to run at all. I still have the Tacoma right now and also have an 1989 FJ62 but am planning on selling both in the near future. Anyways, after getting sick of wrenching on my rig all the time due to a poorly designed suspension lift and lack of aftermarket support, I sold the Vitara and switched to a 2004 Tacoma xtracab. I ended up frustrated with the Vitara after numerous blown struts, a cracked front diff housing, and then 4 or 5 blown CV axles after replacing the diff with a steel V6 one. A little background info: I used to frequent the Zukiworld forums between 7 and 10 years ago when I owned a great little 1997 4door Sidekick and later a 2001 4door Vitara. ![]() I'm posting this on a Suzuki forum and a Toyota forum to try and average out the biases.
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