I really want a new 4runner but the MPG

Better yet another 7k and you can get the gx5p0 and have to buy premium fuel

 

You have to weigh out miles per gallon versus smiles per gallon.

Honestly, they're an awful choice for commuting. If the fuel economy is a deal breaker, look elsewhere.

On the other hand, I spend almost that much on fuel, and I don't even use mine for work. Totally worth it, if you just really enjoy driving it.

 

That's definitely not an Xterra that's even remotely stock.

 

We SAS'd it. Here's the original.

 

Fun fact: A loaded 10 foot box van from Uhaul with a V-8 gets the exact same mileage on the interstate at 65-70mph, as my 4runner with lift and 285s. Actually, that’s not true, the box van was actually a smidge better.

This was on the same day/same drive (I was in the box van following 4runner home).

 

Every time I see people suggest having a commuter only car I have to ask- have you calculated the extra costs of :

-purchasing a second car
- insuring a second car
- registering a second car
- property tax for a second car
- maintenance for a second car

Unless your commute is REALLY long and you somehow got the DD for free I don’t see how this is cheaper than the extra gas.

 

Seems the OP has multi vehicles already.

 

I do, i have not spent a dime on repairs with the corolla just oil, brakes filters.

 

Because they are becoming a thing of the past.

 

Honda killed the CR-V for me with that 1.5L turbo engine. Time will tell how long that last.

 

Get a used from a few years ago. Frugal, Cheap, reliable, comfortable and will have most of the modern creature comforts.
Though I have absolutely no aversion to small capacity turbo engines. Infact I would rather have one of those than this aging gutless V6 if I was buying new.

 

True - but there is a nuance to what I was trying to say that maybe I didn't make clear.


If you are a car guy, and want to buy a 4Runner to build into a trail/camping/etc rig and keep it for a long time... or alternatively you are talking some kind of classic that you want to keep a long time. But you don't want to put tons of commuting miles on it and you want something more comfortable and enjoyable to commute in. And you don't mind doing oil changes and tire rotations and other regular maintenance on two vehicles.And you have the space for a third,fourth car without having to do the driveway shuffle every time you run to the store. And you will put enough miles on both to keep them from developing lack of use problems (flat spotting tires, dead batteries, dried out oil seals, etc).

Then yes, go for it. Buy a car for commuting.


But we also see people who want something like the 4Runner for family hauling and plan to just trade it in another 5 years like every other car. And just want to save some money in gas for a long commute. For this user, buying a second "fuel efficient" car for commuting is false economy as all the overhead of the second vehicle is going to far exceed the incremental cost of some more gas to commute in the 4R.

 

Worth a repost from @Singleminded

 

There was a V6 CR-V? I have my doubts about a 1.5L turbo going to 240k without issue or burning oil.

We had a 2010 CR-V it got around 25 MPG. Thought it was better than my corolla but wifey didn't like it.

 

You need to drive a old corolla then, it feels every single dip in the road and forget about passing anything going up hill. I get stuck behind tractor trailers going up a long hill and can not go around them going 45MPH unless i red line the engine.

The 4runner compared to my corolla has power to pass, rides great yes it rides like a truck will last forever.

 

We agree, but I’d tell the person there is a better vehicle for family hauling, but 4runners are awesome.

 

In that case buy three and put two in storage.

 

Gas mileage does suck, but luckily I have a take home car, so I’ve only been putting about 6k a year on my 4Runner.

 

No, all CRVs were 4 cylinder. I was referring to if I was to buy a new car today,I am perfectly fine with a 4 Cylinder turbo than what I have in my 4runner.

 

Was sorta in the same boat, my drive is about 1.5 hours daily in traffic, purchased a 24 VW GTI, pretty good gas mileage and was a hoot to drive, but alas I missed the off road abilities.

Said F it and picked up a new 4runner, I’ve been milking the skinny pedal and try to keep the eco light on while hitting the gas. Digital display says I’m getting 18.5 to 19 daily. I can live with that and love driving the boat on the road : )

 

I've not heard of property tax on a car before...

 

Yeah, some states have that. Fortunately not here.

 

VA charges it lots of states do.........$4 per $100 of the assessed value of car.
VA also has a MPG tax or HUF The highway use fee.........the better your MPG the more you pay.

The annual HUF for all electric vehicles is $123.98

That is why i hate how toyota is shoving batteries into everything and no option without like the camry.

 

When I lived in Indiana the price of your annual license plate was determined by the value of your vehicle. The last set of plates I bought when I lived there was almost $300. That was over 25 years ago. I can't imagine what they cost now unless they've changed it!

 

It depends on your state. I looked it up and it seems that 27 states have some form of vehicle tax.

• Some tax vehicles annually as a personal property or excise tax.
• Some pretend not to tax vehicles but hide the tax in your annual registration fee (if that costs hundreds or thousands then there is a tax in there).
• Some states don't tax at all.

In my case MA taxes vehicles in an annual excise tax that's paid to the city/town. Its calculated on a special rapid depreciation schedule where you pay something like 2.5% of purchase price in the year you buy the car and it rapidly ramps down to a floor of 0.25% (i.e. about $50-100) and then stays flat. Registration (plates) cost $60 every 2 years paid to the state.

 

I get the desire for better mileage, it makes sense. But, when you break down the numbers, it's not nearly as big of a swing unless you drive a ridiculous amount of miles. For example:

12,000 miles a year:

4Runner @ 20MPG = 600 gallons annually

RAV4 or whatever else @ 30MPG = 400 gallons annually

Even if gas were $5 per gallon, that's a total difference of $1,000 per year or $83 per month.

I guess each needs to decide individually if the 4Runner's capability/reliability/etc. is worth the monthly delta.

 

At 2 1/2 hours per day as stated in the OP, it's probably about double that, or slightly more.

 

So, you're saying I should've paid attention to the OP's situation and the fact that they already own a 4Runner?

 

Shoulda kept the GTI and just bought a 5K beater XJ for off-road use. More capability for a fraction of the cost.

 

At least your analysis was consistent with your stated assumptions and easily scalable to the appropriate answer.

Although I mostly stuck to my Outback for commuting (a little over 2 hours/day), I like the greater visibility from my perch in the 4R and didn't mind the extra fuel now and then. Fortunately, my commuting days were over a few months later.