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Comments
• Just about everything. Lot's of very well thought out details.
• It felt very tight, and well built (so what else is new?).
• I like the larger size. It's much closer now to my Explorer.
• It had very good power, and drove beautifully.
• Looks much better in person than in the pictures.
• I like the double-decker rear storage.
• Large cupholders, front and rear, as well as bottle holders in the doors.
• Auto up/down rear hatch window.
• Example I drove was contented just about the way I would order one (might(?) want the opt. 17" wheels, as they look great).
• Front and rear tow hooks, skid plates, full-size spare, 5K trailer hitch/wiring (off-road ready from the get-go!) all standard.
• 16/19 EPA mileage ratings for the V8, 17/20 for the V6.
• Best of all: Under $35K MSRP for V8, 5-speed auto, permanent full-time 4WD, moonroof, alloys, double-decker rear storage, 5K towing, & running boards.
Bad News:
• The windshield wiper control stalk is impossible to see, when I had the steering column adjusted to fit me.
• No vanity mirrors.
• I don't like the power window switches down low on the doors.
• The plug for the trailer hitch is too far under the vehicle for easy access.
• Only 1000 pound trailer limit, if your trailer doesn't have brakes.
• Green cruise control light goes on when you turn the cruise on, not *just* when it is actually engaged.
• Worst of all: a $4K ADM!
Bob
2002 53" wide; 36.5" hi; 44" deep; 49" widest point of hatch opening
2003 57" wide; 36" hi; 36" deep; 51" widest point of hatch opening
I drove a 03 SR5 4x4 this afternoon. I was very impressed, this will be my next car.
V8 was smooth and powerful, fit and finish was, well, Toyota, plus it was surprisingly quiet. Gray body panels didn't look that bad to me although I am going to get a limited.
One question I have is southeast toyota has this package that includes roadside assistance and 1 free oil change (a $69 value) for the low low price of $699. Really a joke. From your prior experience, is this going to be on all 03's for a while?
If so, any dealers in So. VA want my business
Bob
The power is unbelievably available and VERY quiet. I could barely hear it. Felt like I was driving a sports car, just up higher.
http://www.toyota.com/html/shop/vehicles/4runner/
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
BTW, the 2 have some nice options.
4x4 Limited starts at ~$36,000.
This one had the moonroof, the X-EAS shocks,
a convenience package, side air bags, rear spoiler, and the upgraded JBL system...don't think there are many more options that that.
Sticker was ~$40,000. Going to drive it Saturday.
Vehicle is noticeably larger with respect to rear seat leg room and rear cargo area.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
http://www.fitzgeraldautomall.com/
Bob
i.e. "profit", sometimes "excessive profit", "what the market will bear", "ripoff", etc., lol. Don't pay it. Unless you have to be first on your block :-)
Congrats Geckles! What was your ADM?
Steve
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SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Owe you an apology. Called and got two Sports in late last night. Checked them out. JBL stereo system is fantastic. Overall, its OK. Not earth shattering.
Russell Toyota in Catonsville MD, where I drove one last night, was adding an additional $4K to the MSRP for having the privilege of being the first on your block to own one.
The salesperson's logic was, people come in here and buy these things, and then immediately resell them on the Internet for profit. Ah, okay, you must also be selling the Brooklyn Bridge too...
Bob
MSRP with typical equipment is a bit over $34K for the SR5 4WD, just over $35K for the sport and $40K for the Limited sans navigation.
I can't get over the experience of driving this thing.
Went last night and saw the '03 - in limited form it looks quite nice, although an awful lot like the Montero Sport at the back - the taillights might be identical. It is clear the 4th gen is a lot wider than the previous. The 17" rims look nice - interesting that even with the bigger rims the wheel wells have a lot of space remaining.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I kind of like the "speckled black plastic" on the door frames - hard to scratch when you throw the door open too wide. Easier to clean too...breaks up the paint color to make the sides look smaller - of course some people may DISLIKE it for this very reason.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
$36,480 base
$725 JBL stereo, not sure which one (no nav)
$450 X-REAS
$900 MoonRoof
$225 Mats..must have been really nice mats
$699 Toyogard Plus(the "southern" undercoating)
$535 Destination
I was prepared to be disappointed and I was not. The quality build look is all there. I also like the dorado gold. The SR5 looked great in the titanium combo, not so much so in the galactic gray I thought. Cool feature as Bob mentioned, the self-closing rear hatch. The Limited had vanity mirrors, a sliding cover instead of the old hinged one. The stereo is absolutely awesome. The front seating area felt roomier, the rear seating about the same. I am 6'; no headroom problems. The storage seemed a shade smaller. When running, you cannot hear the motor, it's so quiet. I only took it for a two mile trip, but I think X-REAS is a must have option. Great power, compared to '98 I drive. Overall, I felt like you were sitting a shade lower than in the 3rd Gen.
The third row seating was really much ado about nothing, looking back. I can see how that seating would fill up the entire back and still be unuseful.
If they did before, they'll do it again.
There's nothing worse, IMO, that a dealer can do to ruin good customer relationships than to add ADMs. You can justify it all you want (since you work for a dealer), but one bad dealer (one who adds ADMs) can ruin it for all the other dealers. Car dealers have for years taken heat from disgruntled customers, and every time this happens, it adds fuel to the fire. Car dealers then wonder, as a group, why they continue to be so despised...
Bob
I think it's because most cars now have remote entry systems, as well as central locking systems, so (multiple) keyholes are becoming less important.
Bob
If I go the 2wd route is traction control available? Will acceleration be better with the 2wd vs. the full-time 4wd? Should I opt for the 4wd even if I never go off-road?
Thanks.
Another neat feature I liked was the needle on the speedometer. It has a fiber optic piece the is lit down the center of it. It also shines on the outside rim of the dial. Its pretty cool to have your speed actually lit up by it.
The NAV system was hard to use while driving, but extremely accurate. The high-end sound system is perfect.
My only complaint is the ride. Not that is was really rough, but the front end felt unsettled when crossing diagonal pavement seams. Very truck-like.
Also the correct msrp is $39,805 if you goto www.toyota.com and configure a 4RUNNER with the option package they list puts it there. Not bad.