My Carvana experience. Goodbye i-force-max

[xp0nex]

I have been bummed about the small cargo space in my hybrid since the first time I tried putting my mountain bike inside. Also the underwhelming mpg. I dont really care about the extra power either, I am used to slow cars.

I wasn't willing to take a big hit selling it but I got a quote from Carvana

I purchased my everest trd off road in December for 52,000+ttl

I sold it yesterday to Carvana for 57,400 lol. 3750 miles on the odometer.

I do not understand how they came up with that number but I will take it.

Now I am shopping for a non hybrid trd off road. I might have to compromise on color, I am having a hard time finding another Everest in my area.

I’ve read plenty of comments saying that losing around 5 inches of cargo height isn’t a real issue, but it really comes down to your use case. In my situation, traveling with small children means packing is practically a full relocation. That vertical space is critical and without it, I can’t bring everything my family needs. Anyone who has traveled with kids understands how quickly that space disappears.

Sponsored

 

[get.outside.75]

I’ve read plenty of comments saying that losing around 5 inches of cargo height isn’t a real issue, but it really comes down to your use case. In my situation, traveling with small children means packing is practically a full relocation. That vertical space is critical and without it, I can’t bring everything my family needs. Anyone who has traveled with kids understands how quickly that space disappears.

I have a $100 hitch mount cargo carrier solves that any vacation packing problems. I have 4 large dogs so i have zero cargo space in the back if I am taking them to the beach for a week. Two large bins, big cooler and a smaller bin tied down with ratchet straps. Not a perfect solution for everyday needs or putting a bike inside, but certainly works for occasional vacation use if heart is set on the hybrid. Biggest limitation on that is not being able to take both the bikes and the cargo (and I am not spending $$$ for a roof mount cargo holder to use a couple times a year)

 

[Kickin716]

Must be a regional thing. For the hell of it I put my 25 Sport Premium w/7k miles into Carvana and got $46,800. It was $58k and got her for $54k

 

[spyder40]

In Indiana also have to consider the sales tax difference. 7% on the trade in difference vs 7% on the entire amount.

My only beef is the way the back seats fold up. Should have kept the same way as 5th gen

 

[Maximus4R]

The is wild. They hit me having to review it and came back at like $50k on my hybrid limited. Granted it had like 16k miles but still.

 

[xp0nex]

I have a $100 hitch mount cargo carrier solves that any vacation packing problems. I have 4 large dogs so i have zero cargo space in the back if I am taking them to the beach for a week. Two large bins, big cooler and a smaller bin tied down with ratchet straps. Not a perfect solution for everyday needs or putting a bike inside, but certainly works for occasional vacation use if heart is set on the hybrid. Biggest limitation on that is not being able to take both the bikes and the cargo (and I am not spending $$$ for a roof mount cargo holder to use a couple times a year)

Like I mentioned, it really depends on how you use your vehicle. I don’t go into the woods or head out on mountain adventures. My trips are almost always to other cities with my family. The hitch‑mounted cargo solutions might work well for some people, but they’re not for me. That’s just extra stuff sitting out in the rain and getting blasted with road grime. Sure, you can pack everything into totes, but then I’m stuck figuring out what to do with all of it once I get to my destination which is usually a hotel. Now I’ve got a bulky hitch carrier sticking out into the parking lot and blocking the path cars need to use to get in and out of their spots.

 

[get.outside.75]

Like I mentioned, it really depends on how you use your vehicle. I don’t go into the woods or head out on mountain adventures. My trips are almost always to other cities with my family. The hitch‑mounted cargo solutions might work well for some people, but they’re not for me. That’s just extra stuff sitting out in the rain and getting blasted with road grime. Sure, you can pack everything into totes, but then I’m stuck figuring out what to do with all of it once I get to my destination which is usually a hotel. Now I’ve got a bulky hitch carrier sticking out into the parking lot and blocking the path cars need to use to get in and out of their spots.

I was just throwing out a use case scenario to how I get around reduced/no cargo area. For me, super easy, super cheap, fits 99% of my scenarios (camping, beach, taking everyone to in-laws).

 

[xp0nex]

I was just throwing out a use case scenario to how I get around reduced/no cargo area. For me, super easy, super cheap, fits 99% of my scenarios (camping, beach, taking everyone to in-laws).

I totally get it, and I actually would’ve loved to go hybrid. But for my use case, the non‑hybrid just made the most sense. If I ever feel like I need more power, I can always do engine mods and add a tune down the road.

 

[jcash25]

I'm going to start an argument, I really don't want to be that guy, but I need to correct the statement you made (that I've bolded).

I want to start with the "basically no MPG gain" comment.

“[The motor(electric)] is fundamentally designed to really support that part of the torque ramp and power ramp where you know the turbos are coming up to speed,” said Sheldon Brown, chief engineer for the Tacoma. “It helps us with our peak torque and then of course, when our turbo efficiency starts to fall off, it can come back in and assist.”

"Because of the small battery, the Tacoma Hybrid doesn’t have a dedicated EV mode. It can drive around on pure electricity at the ECU’s discretion, briefly, at low speeds, and the system can shut off the engine for coasting on the highway. Fuel economy isn’t the priority either. Compared with their gas-only equivalents, hybrid Tacomas get around 2 mpg more in the city, 1 mpg more on the highway, and 1 mpg more combined. Really, this is about performance."

“We didn’t follow the path of just a hybrid system that focuses on fuel economy,” Moritsu explained. “So powerful, torquey, agile, maneuverability, and performance, those were the priorities. And we were able to balance that with the environmental performance of the vehicle as well. That was the biggest challenge for development.”

Anyone who dismisses the Hybrid powertrain because of basically no MPG gain doesn't understand the point of the system, period. Dismiss it for taking up cargo area, or possibly an expensive repair out of the warranty period, but don't dismiss it for something it was never primarily designed to provide.

And as for the "just a little more power" comment...where in the world of automobile HP and TQ discussions are an additional 148 lb ft of TQ "just a little more?" It's almost half again as much (46% increase) as the non hybrid powertrain. Torque is what you feel when you drive. As a two time previous 4Runner owner, power, or lack thereof, was my single biggest complaint, and Toyota knocked it out of the park with the new IForce Max system we have. It's not a race car, I understand that, but come on...saying the hybrid has just a little more power is just unfair.

OP just misses those extra 4" of headspace in cargo area to store his bicycle...bc no one makes bicycle racks for 4runners.

 

[jcash25]

I’ve read plenty of comments saying that losing around 5 inches of cargo height isn’t a real issue, but it really comes down to your use case. In my situation, traveling with small children means packing is practically a full relocation. That vertical space is critical and without it, I can’t bring everything my family needs. Anyone who has traveled with kids understands how quickly that space disappears.

If you have two kids in a carseat you need a bigger ride and not a 4runner period.

 

[4funner]

OP just misses those extra 4" of headspace in cargo area to store his bicycle...bc no one makes bicycle racks for 4runners.
[/QUOTE]
Lol, I have bike racks but when I take my expensive bikes to ride after work I dont want it sitting out all day. You probably dont understand if your not into biking. If you leave a $7k mountain bike on the back of your car there is a decent chance it wont be there when you come back.

Not everyone has the same priorities in a vehicle. I admit the power is impressive on the hybrid, but for me it isn't worth it. The cargo space of the hybrid with the battery is basically the size of a Rav4.

 

[get.outside.75]

Lol, I have bike racks but when I take my expensive bikes to ride after work I dont want it sitting out all day. You probably dont understand if you’re not into biking. If you leave a $7k mountain bike on the back of your car there is a decent chance it wont be there when you come back.

Not everyone has the same priorities in a vehicle. I admit the power is impressive on the hybrid, but for me it isn't worth it. The cargo space of the hybrid with the battery is basically the size of a Rav4.

how are you not able to fit a bike in the back? I can fit mine in without even putting the back seat down.

 

[4funner]

how are you not able to fit a bike in the back? I can fit mine in without even putting the back seat down.

This is how I had to do it in the hybrid. Handlebar height wouldnt clear the back hatch. With a couple more inches of clearance I can fit my bike and the girlfriends bike side by side and still have room for cargo.

Sponsored