Foreign Affairs: Troller T4, Brazil

I think going from your '95 stick shift 4Runner to a Renegade would quite unequivocally be the single biggest leap downwards in reliability/durability that anyone's ever made. Now, considering the Toyota's 21 year age of course age related wear will require attention, but seriously, I cannot fathom making that trade.

@gtem "I think going from your ’95 stick shift 4Runner to a Renegade would quite unequivocally be the single biggest leap downwards in reliability/durability that anyone’s ever made." You're making an assumption based on no valid data. Granted the two vehicles are quite different in many ways (the 4-Runner is notably larger) but the Renegade is proving itself capable for what it is. Reliability needs time to become established.

@Vulpine Re: reliability We have valid data that FCA quality is in the dumps, the 9 speed transmission has a plethora of issues. Re: durability You seriously think a Fiat unibody crossover is at all comparably durable to a BOF SUV that literally borrows its fully boxed frame and drivetrain from a Hilux? This generation of 4Runner (Hilux Surf globally) also makes quite a few cameos in Afghanistan where it is a local warlord favorite, and has even been used by our own special forces: linkhttp://www.brian894x4.com/images/Mil4runner1.jpg

@gtem "We have valid data that FCA quality is in the dumps, the 9 speed transmission has a plethora of issues." -- What we had was a variety of people who didn't give the transmission time to program itself to their driving habits; the same was true for the Cherokee when it first came out and we don't hear a lot of people complaining about that one any more. Simply put, it's different and people driving them for the first time don't understand that difference, so they think they've got a problem. "You seriously think a Fiat unibody crossover is at all comparably durable to a BOF SUV that literally borrows its fully boxed frame and drivetrain from a Hilux?" -- I'm not comparing a Fiat unibody crossover to a Hilux. Compact SUVs are all on their way to being unibody beasts, whether you like it or not. The simple fact that the 4Runner is BoF means it's far bigger than the Jeep Renegade just as the Jeep Wrangler is far bigger than the Renegade. The Renegade is far more capable than any other "space frame" SUV on the market outside of Jeep's own larger models on soft roads (and some 'no road' locations) and that locking tri-diff design is part of the reason why. Yes, it will be a little harsh when locking and unlocking due to the dog-tooth design of the clutches. As far as real capability, it has managed to surprise owners who currently own a fleet of modified Wranglers as to where it can go... though they also acknowledge its limitations which seem more due to its relatively low horsepower than to any 4x4 gearing limitations.

@gtemnykh. After I made the comment I googled the vehicle because I've been thinking a lot along those lines lately. My left knee has suddenly remembered it belongs to an old man (72yo). I'm not thinking along those lines now. Troublesome 9 speed automatic was the kicker. Was really thinking to replace the Nissan Cube with it before my CVT becomes troublesome. Now my thoughts have pretty much gone along the "devil you know" line. How long can a 4Runner last. Possibly longer than an old guy's driving career.

@gtem FCA is currently killin it with 4/10 worst car spots on the Consumer Reports list! Yay! https://www.yahoo.com/autos/consumer-reports-names-worst-vehicles-182900152.html

If it doesn't have a 2-door version, bball, a lot of people won't even consider it. Four doors means it's an Explorer, not a Bronco. Remember, the Explorer was effectively an offshoot from the small Bronco II which was based on a short wheelbase Ranger chassis. Two doors represents 'sporty' as in SPORT utility vehicle; four doors represents 'utility' as in sport UTILTY vehicle.