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Thanks for the input!
Vic
I find the 5 speed intriguing. Anyone care to speculate on whether that will make it's way into the Sequoia since it also has the V8? Any inside info or rumors?
In theory I would prefer a 4Runner with a third row, even though I have not seen one yet. I really like the new Explorer but I've taken a financial bath on one already, not looking to do it again. The Sequoia is bigger than we need, but it seems like the best option at this point. I just need to save some more money because I don't believe in the 5+ year, $500+ payment.
Anyone know about the new engine source? Is it a modified (insert toyota product here) engine or is it totally new? Any mileage estimates for either the V6 or V8?
Any word on upgraded safety features? I was hoping to see side impact airbags and/or a headliner curtain airbag.
Thanks in advance for any and all info.
Pricing - Very early, most likely will go up. But not too much as to crowd the Sequoia. We had a sheet with some info, but couldn't keep it.
Power Rear Window - unknown, hopefully won't go away.
Headroom - nothing specific, I'm sure it will be more. Check GX470 specs.
Limited V8 only - Yes
HID - was discussed, I think yes
Heated Seats - Std on Limited
JBL - all three upgrade stereos are JBL branded with 10 speakers. JBL engineers are involved in development of vehicle and speaker placement. All include rear seat audio with remote wireless headphone capability.
NAV - Included in top of line audio system, that system also has a back up camera.
Side Air Bags - Available on all models.
Hope that helps
.......and as far as that 3rd row option goes, I COULD CARE LESS!!!!!!....I'm Toyota's typical 4Runner demograpic - currently own a 2001 SR5 4WD - (in other words: I'm single, can afford the 4Runner, DO NOT WANT ANOTHER SOCCER-MOM WAGON THAT IS 77 INCHES WIDE - Acura MDX??? - I dread to think that I almost bought that WIDE-BODY TRAILER because of the excellent DVD Nav system - Even though I do understand that the new 4Runner will be SLIGHTLY bigger externally, I'm really happy that Toyota has not OVERSIZED this vehicle to please the BIGGER-IS-BETTER crowd who already have a dozen choices......after all the 4Runner's relatively tidy dimensions are what make it such a "FUN" vehicle to drive, manuver, park and have a ball on THE TRAILS
I can hardly wait........
as i recall, you were convinced (tho not very convincing) that the 4Runner would arrive by March --or was it april, could've been February. Oh well, i think we all knew you were making it up... what new humor?
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"#1134 of 1614 Re: The New 4 Runner by buzzlight Jan 31, 2002 (05:28 pm)
As I predicted, the next generation 4 Runner will not be based on the Lexus. The 2003 4 Runner WILL be release in March, as I have previously posted."
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"#1245 of 1614 2003 4 Runner by buzzlight Feb 21, 2002 (06:53 pm)
My sources confirm the late March delivery of the 2003 4 Runner. They have given me the impression that it will look significantly different. Third row seating is a definite option as is a V8"
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So what am I so wrong about? Hey, look at the bright side, at least you predicted a V8.
Mucho thanks for all the info. As a non-car industry guy the inside info you provide has been timely, accurate (unlike some folks), and much appreciated. You make this forum worth checking out regularly.
My last 4-Runner (1986 SR5-Turbo w/all the bells & whistles available) lasted for over 300,000 mi. and was a trade in for the 1995. You can tell I drive the hell out of these vehicles, but am a stickler for oil changes & maintanence schedules.
Cliffy, my dilemma is this new 2003 4-Runner w/V-8, etc. VS. the legendary Land Cruiser w/V-8, etc.
I thought I had this all figured out until the 4-Runner decided to go to the V-8. Now I'm at a crossroads because I need an SUV that will be able to tow a boat or my utility trailer thru all sorts of terrain from the flats of Florida to the Mountains in the Shennandoah.
I love the looks and feel of the Land Cruiser, but get a bad case of sticker shock every time I test drive one. The Sequoia is no option for me because I just plain don't like its looks, feel, and drive. Do you think the new 4-Runner w/V-8 will be able to handle all of my required towing? I wonder if this is what Toyota had in mind when they decided to go for a bigger engine in the 4-Runner?
Cliffy & Steve, please chime in and give me your opinions. I know the final choice will eventually be mine, but your imput would be greatly appreciated and informative. Thanks
So, I figure if I buy a unit with 100K and it can look like this one at 154K, then I have a few years of driving pleasure and reliability(right?) for a relatively low cost.
What kind of mileage due these 4runners usually reach before dieing?
thanks
http://www.outdoorwire.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=13;t=007384
(PS- For "jamesbass" the Lexus GX470 can tow 6,500 pounds according to Edmunds and I would guess the new 4Runner with a V8 will be the same.)
The down side is that you will use more energy to move the vehicle and therefore have less power to move the trailer. Given identical HP ratings, and identical weight trailers, the lighter weight tow vehicle will be faster and therefore, better in the hills. Its your call if the trade off is worth it.
To think that I looked at Jeep and Chevy SUVs and was very close to buying one. I thought that the Toyotas were too expensive. On a last minute whim I stopped by the Toyota dealership and found a good deal. This vehicle has to be the most solid and well built vehicle I have ever owned. I am very pleased with my 4runner, it could use more power but I also get 20mpg which is pretty good. I have always been a Chevy guy, my last truck had 207,000mi when it died and I still have a 3/4 ton beater for the heavy duty thrashing but I don't see myself ever going back to the Chevy/Ford/Dodge world of trucks. My girlfriend, parents and friends all have Toyota cars and trucks and I am glad to say that I have joined the ranks.
Bob
Cliffy, care to elaborate on the rumors you've heard?
Glzr2, do you mind revealing your source? Just wanna make sure it's not ol' Buzz.
I do have one concern; awhile back Cliffy referenced the '96 runner and the fact that it's pricing stayed at or above MSRP for a couple (or was it several) years. I hope this isn't the case this time around. I'm in the market now and I know this may be the price of admission to the 4-runner game, but I'm not sure I'll be able to bring myself to pay MSRP (certainly not over it).
How about it Cliffy? Care to venture a guess or give us your gut intuition?
If you can afford to buy the current Runner at MSRP or slightly below, and if the '03 is cheaper, you should be gold for buying the '03 at MSRP or slightly above MSRP. It's your mind set. Just think, you're getting more vehicle, paying less, even if it's at MSRP
As to the '03 Runner pricing, my District Manager didn't have any specific price data, but said it should come in about the same or a little less than the current model. I assume he meant the new V6 but a premium on the V8.
I have a 2002 4runner that I am considering putting in the TRD supercharger. What do they typically cost? How much is the installation cost? Anybody here with the supercharger that can comment on pros, cons?
Bryan
It was interesting to read about lighter vs. heavier vehicles w/identical horses.
Now that I've limited my choice down to two vehicles (Cruiser & 4Runner V8) the decision on which one suits all my needs comes down to a waiting game to see this new 2003 4runner. I'm just going to be chompin at the bit to test drive this baby and thoroughly check it out in a "severe" manner...sounds like fun!
My current 4Runner runs like a top and never misses a beat on my trips. It amazes me the reliability of these vehicles. I know the dilemma some of these guys are facing when hitting the showroom of all the various domestic dealerships. When brand new, all these vehicles look great. But you really need to see older models that have some miles on them to see how the overall perceived quality falls apart. Granted, quality in domestics have improved, but only after droves of people flocked to Toyota and other imports for quality and reliability reasons forced domestics in that direction. Toyota too, has improved, tweaked, and refined its already excellent vehicles. Toyota is a VERY competitive company.
If any of you gals & guys out there are sitting on fence post trying to decide which fantastic SUV to buy, I can give you a little experienced advice from a ordinary owner/driver...spend the few extra bucks and go Toyota. So far, I've converted two of my immediate family members and they are extremely satisfied. The other two members are still in domestics. One being my father who served aboard an aircraft carrier in WWII in the Pacific (saw plenty action) and just won't buy one for that reason alone...I understand.
Well, happy hour is over...looking forward to your posts.
Later Aligator, JB
I have been obsessing over the H2 since I first saw the concept 2 years ago, and still feel that's the ultimate SUV, but would feel pretty self-conscious driving it around. Then there's fitting it in my garage and the gas mileage... So, when I saw the GX and read about it, I thought, "here's the perfect all-around sport-utility, but it's too expensive." Then I found out the original rumors were false about this being the Lexus version of the Sequoia, and that this was actually the same platform as the new 4Runner! I have now been obsessing over finding spy pics of the redesign, but have only seen 2. Both were in Truckin', last month and now this month, although some bonehead is calling the latest shot the Toyota Prado, thinking this is yet another new SUV from Toyota. The editor over there needs to get on the stick, since they had an almost identical shot the month before, calling it the 2003 4Runner.
This latest spy shot is better, but I'm wondering if anyone has seen anything else yet, either on line or otherwise. I'm going nuts waiting to see what the 4Runner will look like, so someone please help an obsessive/compulsive nutcase!
Thanks for your help.
-TB
Thanks!
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The LandCruiser Prado (Lexus GX470 in America) and the new 4Runner have been developed as twin models on a new platform. The new 4Runner is the rounder vehicle, the Prado is a squarer version very much like the current Prado and already shown in the luxury trim Lexus GX470 version. From the spy shots it seems the new 4Runner has abandoned its pickup basis (just like the Explorer and GMT 360 SUVs) and will be very similar to the Prado in size and character, but with extensive sheet-metal differences (more than even the Trailblazer/Envoy). The new vehicles will be direct competitors with the Explorer/Aviator in North America and should be much bigger sellers than the 4Runner and LX470 (which remains for now, although no-one is buying it). The current Prado (the gen preceding the GX470) was developed from the current 4Runner, but is much more like the Isuzu Trooper or LandRover Discovery than the pickup-based 4Runner. This new generation seems to be slightly larger than the current Prado, and the hp figures quoted by Reliability may be accurate, similar to the 4.2l VVT I6 and 5.3l V8 in the GMT360 SUVs.
Thanks to Griffon for setting the record straight. I appreciate the info. The misinformation in Truckin' confused me, but I'm back on track and even more anxious to see what the new 4Runner will look like! New pics, anyone? Anyone...? -TB
1) is the 4wd system full time or part time or automatic?
2) is the ride very bouncy and truckish?
Thanks
The current 4Runner doesn't have leaf springs, so it does ride very nicely. I haven't taken one off-road, but from what I've read and the people I've talked to, I'm sure it handles great there as well. While that suspension is good, the '03 may also have a new adaptive height suspension like the GX, allowing for lowering for easy entry and exit, or raising when in 4Lo for off-roading, as well as load-leveling and dampening. You can read all about it at www.SUV.com, or at Lexus.com.
All indications are that the new 4Runner is well worth the wait!
Since I couldn't post any word with over 115 characters (lame), each on of these links had to be split up. So, in each URL, between the = and 2003 there's a space. Close that up after you past it into your browser address line. If you just click on the hyper-link, it will keep taking you to the same picture. Sorry, I didn't know any other way to do it, but it'll be worth it!
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/tbcreative67/vwp?.dir=/Automotive&.dnm= 2003_4RunnerPrado.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/tbcreative67/vwp?.dir=/Automotive&.dnm= 2003_GX470.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/tbcreative67/vwp?.dir=/Automotive&.dnm= 2003_4RunnerTSS.jpg&.src=ph&.view=t&.hires=t
Or, you can go to this forum, scroll down until you find my posting, and click on the links there:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic&f=9&t=000300
Enjoy!
Bob
Seems to me it will be a lot more expensive from the looks of it.
Prado on toyota jp website
Prado on toyota jp website
Prado on toyota jp website
don't know if this is the '03 4runner or not.