Well, as almost all car related stories go with me, nothing is ever easy. On the day we met up to take a look at the car, we got a call from the owner telling us to turn back and go home. He was stuck at the gas station after filling up the car and said it wouldn’t start; the owner felt bad and didn’t want to sell us a car that had problems. Being that we were already five minutes away from where he was, we asked to see the car anyways. There was probably also a really good chance we can get the car for almost next to nothing. Upon arriving I told my buddy it was a good sign that he was kind enough to let us know about the issues. This means that though the car has obvious problems, at the least the seller seemed honest about it, a key factor when buying anything used from anybody; an advice that you will see I myself forget in a later article.

By the time we arrived at the gas station, the owner was able to get the car started again and we all took it turns for a test drive. The engine has a little over 200k miles and noticeably needed a tune up, the transmission flush, but despite the issue relating to the car not starting up, everything else seemed to be fine. It was actually really strong and well kept considering the mileage. To top it off, the owner had a master binder of maintenance receipts dating back from the first owner. This is like the car enthusiast equivalent to finding a second pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Seeing how transparent everything was, my friend insisted in purchasing the car and was able to knock off a little more than 30% of the asking price due to the unknown issues. The only stipulation we had was that the current owner is to keep the car at his garage until the next week. I figured it should have a tune-up as we try to debunk the problem at my place in the South Bay before Josean makes the 30-mile trek back to the Valley.

Now here’s where the real adventure happens. The following week Josean showed up to my place with the necessary parts for a quick tune up. We met the guy at his work and brought upon us the good news that he drove the car there and it worked fine. He handed over the keys and we got in our respective cars. The MR2 fired right up. As we left the parking lot it started raining. We presumed that it would make the three-mile trip back to my place with no issues. Just as we were two main streets away from my place, it started to rain harder as we were stopped at a red light. Once it turned green, I shifted into first gear and accelerated only to see Josean in his newly owned MR2 in my rear view mirror getting smaller and smaller. It died.

As I quickly realized what happened, I parked my car and helped him push the car to the closest lot nearby a baseball park. Since the both of us didn’t have AAA and the car was still too far to push it back to my place, I suggested that we take a chance and try the doing the tune-up in the parking lot while it rains. It was a crazy idea but at the same time we figured since we had the parts with us, why not roll the dice and see if it works. I quickly grabbed my toolbox and an umbrella from my place and we went right to work as soon as I drove back. The rain shifted and started to pour heavily as Josean and I started wrenching on his new car. We spent a total of two hours working in the rain swapping out the spark plugs, spark plug wires, and distributor. The trickiest piece of the puzzle was getting the distributor lined up since it was halfway down the bottom of the block; that alone took an hour. Eventually all was in place, we greased down, dried up, and he got in his car. The key turned and the engine cranked immediately into life. The all mighty MR2 lives!

We quickly packed everything up and made our way to my place. Ironically it stopped raining once we left the parking lot. All the joy in the world was felt. The car finally made it up my driveway only to idle oddly rough…and die. This time around it didn’t even start. Well, at least we tried and sometimes you got to know when to throw in the towel. I got in contact with my local mechanic and had him order us a tow truck to his shop.

The week after that, we learned that the timing was off on the distributor and the reason why it died afterwards was due to an electrical issue somewhere in the fuse box. Fair enough. Since this debacle, Josean has been daily driving the MR2 with no issues and at the end of it all; the amount spent on the parts, towing, and shop repairs was still under the original asking price of the car. A rough win but a win nonetheless.

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Currently, I’m a family-less man, but I do have a girlfriend and a dog so I figured it a suitable pairing to test the efforts of a brand that’s typically known for their midsize cars. In all honesty, Toyota had gone slightly soft in the design department for a number of years and it was a mindset that had carried through until now. The Highlander immediately rewrote what I knew as a Toyota. It features practicality, an array of tech options, and a strong engine to match its smart looks. Simply stated, I was impressed.

Though no family adventures took place during the week long loan, plenty of family-esque activities had been planned. As a holiday weekend unfolded, several outings with friends became an effort at capturing the typical expectations of the traditional buyer. Upon entry, most passengers were impressed by the heated and cooled leather seats, a stylish center console featuring a wide array of media options as well as the overall comfort found in the cabin. I immediately became the weekend chauffeur. I wasn’t complaining. The fully adjustable passenger seats and quality audio certainly strengthened everyone’s argument. It’s easy to passively drive anything when occupied by conversation during a busy weekend, so I was looking forward to the chance of spending a few days commuting to work.

This is a brand that’s no stranger to off-road prowess and cues can be seen in the Highlander. Featuring locking differentials, hill descent control and various terrain settings, it’s capable of getting you where you want to go. Unsurprisingly, moving people between various locations is its primary purpose. The surprise was how quickly it was able to move. Not that larger SUVs can’t put down sporty acceleration (note the ridiculously quick Range Rover SVR), it’s just not commonly expected from Toyota. But, again, I wasn’t complaining. The V6 engine delivered a deep punch and a lengthy rev range making for swift city driving. However, this didn’t bode well for gas mileage. Over the course of a week, I only managed a notch over 18 mpg. This figure was helped by a brief stint on the highway, but factory figures aren’t much better anyway.

Every year technology continues to improve and the way a vehicle drives is becoming far more than just engine feel. Between downtown trips for food to congested commutes after work, the driver aides were features I quickly accepted. It’s one of those scenarios where the usefulness isn’t acknowledged until you discover it yourself. Overall, this was proving to be a fully competent and capable SUV targeted at younger families.

As for this being a dog friendly SUV, it’s a mark against the Highlander in this category. It may be a small complaint from my experience, but the third row of seats doesn’t fold flat. As a result, it creates an uneven, slightly canted floor causing a dog kennel to rock about when driving. On a few occasions, there were close calls that an unhappy puppy would be heard. Fortunately, the trips to and from the bark park were a success. Now, if you’ve chosen children over animals, it can also be assumed that the third row wouldn’t make for a complaint-free family trip for those past the age of six. Nevertheless, this isn’t a reason to discount this vehicle as the same knee-to-chest experience can be found in all SUVs offering third rows.

Initially, I was expecting an average looking SUV pushing average performance while providing average comfort and niceties. At the end of the week, I was left with a new found interest in Toyota, and in the Highlander suddenly being a viable choice as a next vehicle, on the condition that the pet situation is sorted. In a crowded market, this is one worth considering. It has the looks, the power, and modern amenities most would expect in a mid-range vehicle placing the Highlander a notch above the rest.

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Now, calm down you Jeep fanatics.  This has nothing against the Grand Cherokee or Wrangler in terms of performance, and these two rides are honestly amazing, but there are few vehicles out there that combine the ruggedness and class that they both have into one ride.  I know the Grand Cherokee can hit the trails, but how often do you really see it on the trail, and honestly, I would cringe with taking it offroad like that.  Other vehicles do come to mind as having various levels of the two combined, but in the end, the 4Runner really stands out as the king, and deservedly so.

Hitting the trials this last fall with the 2014 Toyota 4Runner while on a bachelor party was the best way to really jump into the mix.  This wasn’t the typical bachelor party of course, and involved a 4am wake up, driving to the mountains, and climbing (well, attempting) a 14er.  I wont get into details on the climb, but will say that at 12,500 feet, I know the 4runner would have kept going while a few of us could not.  Something about lack of oxygen, strength, and the wrong food that morning.  But that is neither here nor there.  The vehicle itself performed fantastically as we decided to go exploring around the mountain afterwards, finding little trails and abandoned mining roads to take us to see the amazing fall colors of Colorado.  Climbing over rocky paths and fording some streams in a packed ride, all while having the comfort and conveniences that Toyota has set the standard on, made the journey a bit posh.  And I’m okay with that.

The posh part hits big.  That night was date night for me, and though I did not have time to hit up the car wash before picking her up (plus, it’s Colorado and washing any car makes it rain), I wasn’t concerned.  With a comfrtable ride and the modern conveniences of heated and cooled seats, along with the killer music, I wasn’t worried about how the car looked outside.  It’s rugged for a reason, trail made and driven, all while hitting the better points inside.

Size wise, I am surprised to how big the 4Runner has gotten, remembering back to the first and second generations that seemed big then but small now.  I can’t make a decision on if I am a fan of the increase, but overall, it seems to work in today’s on-the-go world.  The 4Runner is, at the core, an SUV.  It’s not trying to be a car, doesn’t focus on speed or handling like other SUVs on the market, and has that basic feel to it that shows you from the start what you as a driver are getting into.  Inside, the space for individuals was ample enough to warrant a road trip, with enough storage in the back for just about everything we needed and more.

I really can’t say enough about this ride, but it all seems to focus on the one simple concept that this SUV is still an SUV, and it doesn’t try to fancy itself up with unnecessary design or elements.  Its pointed design and combination of creature comforts and smart elements shows that while there are others on the road that can compete, the Toyota 4rfunner is going with the gut and keeping to the plan and showing that it leads from the front.

The post There’s A Reason The 4Runner Is King appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

But it’s time for that to change, and change has started to happen in the form of the pickup.  Yes, you read that right; the pickup truck is changing this sad outlook.  The domestic brands have been developing luxury lined trucks for the past few years, lined with leather and big wheels, chrome all over, and opulent power.  Designed to make a statement and dent in the pocketbook, these trucks left the common man staring at the windshield of their minivan as they watched these beasts of the road roll away.  But now Toyota has jumped onto this change, and they have brought the 2014 Toyota Tundra 1794 Edition.  And I had a week with it in place of my regular ride, and I learned that even my perception of the pickup truck needed to change.

Let’s get this strait.  This is no minivan replacement.  This isn’t even an SUV replacement for that matter.   Both are full encapsulated rides designed to keep everything on the inside with plenty of glass all around for honor role stickers and stick figure families.  The Tundra definitely is not that (and shame on you if you put a hideous topper on a truck).  Instead, it’s better.  This is a man hauling, cargo carrying, camping trip leading, date night, family ride.  Yes, I said it; this thing deserves to be in your garage.

You can try all you want to pull up to the nicest restaurant in town in your little minivan with the stick figure stickers on the back window, but no matter what, it will not impress or turn heads in the way you want.  No, you want to make a presence, to let it be known your ride is the one that does everything.  Pull up in front of a 4 Seasons with a dirty minivan, and the valets will scoff; pull up in a mud-caked Tundra, and they will all grin and be jealous.  And really, do you need that 3rd row to be carrying around Junior’s friends?  Not with the Tundra.  Three grown men can fit in the back row comfortably with enough legroom to for a big dog to lay down in front of them, so this will ensure the back of your seat isn’t kicked by muddy cleats by the neighbor’s kid.

So what makes this ride different than any other truck, especially the other luxury lined brands that are out there?  Heading into the cabin, the leather and suede seating stand out for sure, along with the updated dash and enhance MMI system.  Not always being a fan of the Toyota MMI, I will say the improvements in the new Tundra have helped bring them to the modern era of head unit display.  The Western-themed interior is definitely a nod to the King Ranch from Ford, but not overdone like its competitor.  Boasting unique 20-inch alloy wheels, a huge moon-roof, dual zone AC, heated and cooled seats, enough chrome trim for a Vegas show, and a slew of other great parking and driving aids, the Tundra 1794 stands out from the rest of the Toyota trucks.  And standing out is a big deal.  With Nissan and Toyota having entered the full size pickup market, the designs have been a bit blurred, and the trucks often get lost in the fog of the parking lot.

The power is there as well with the 5.7L V-8 under the hood, pushing the ride forward to 60 in a quick manner.  Will it be winning any races?  Probably not, but that’s not why you buy this truck.  It’s a smooth ride though, almost too comfortable to be a pickup, but still has the attitude to get whatever job done.  It eats fuel as most similarly appointed pickups do, but being a mindful driver will keep the MPGs in the higher teens.

Often segregated to the local Home Depot, this is the first time I could say that this Tundra deserves to be shown off strait from the factory, be it while on the trails camping, hauling wood home for the newest home project, digging trenches in mud pits, or taking the lady out.  It truly stands out and looks good doing it all.  This is your new daily driver, family getter, road trip taking, sports gear hauling, muddy trail conquering, date night going pickup truck.

So why would you replace the minivan with the Tundra 1794 over any other luxury-lined pickup?  That’s simple.  This is no Lexus of pickups, not a truck you fear getting dirty or hauling the kids around.  It’s comfortable, durable, and a straightforward truck.  The luxury items are not overwhelming as we see in other brands, and it perform at the same level of capacity of all the big -box SUVs on the market while bringing the masculinity and functionality back to the driveway.  It’s a very well thought out balance of luxury, utility, and intelligence, and priced below the competition.  Yes, we as a society are not owning as many vehicles these days, but honestly, you won’t need more than the Toyota Tundra 1794.

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