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world_traveler; Should we start calling the 4runner the Runny?
; )
Mackabee
[Of course, we all know only V8 4WD Limiteds will be available at first, with other models/V6s coming 90 days later (~January). The focus below is on major appearance differences and options substantially affecting same. Also, if I have missed an option or two or assumed something that is not true, please correct.]
SR5:
- Two-tone paint jobs only; main color on body, with gray metallic bumpers, fender flares, body cladding, and license plate garnish [not sure what color grille and door handles will be; probably gray as well].
- Black Running Boards [required option; installed at factory].
- Black Roof Rack [required option; installed at factory].
- Color-Keyed rear spoiler [required option; installed at factory].
- 16" wheels [per TVO listing, nothing is coming equipped with 17" wheel option].
- Sunroof option available on some models.
- no X-REAS Suspension or Leather Package available.
Sport Edition:
- Two-tone paint jobs only; main color on body and non-functional hood scoop, with gray metallic bumpers, fender flares, and body cladding.
- Silver painted grille, door handles, and rear license plate "garnish" (my favorite feature! ;>)
- Black Running Boards [required option; installed at factory] [N.B.: Matching silver running boards are not available option.].
- Silver Roof Rack [required option; installed at factory].
- Color-Keyed rear spoiler [required option; installed at factory].
- Color-Keyed Heated Power Outside Mirrors [required option; installed at factory].
- 17" Wheels [standard per Sport package].
- Sunroof [required option; installed at factory].
- X-REAS Suspension [standard per Sport package].
- Fog Lamps [standard per Sport package].
- Higher-quality Seat Fabric [standard per Sport package].
- No Leather Package available.
Limited:
- Semi-monochromatic paint jobs only (with the exception of silver and gold exterior colors); main color on body, cladding, grille, door handles, rear license plate garnish, fender flares, power outside heated mirrors, and portions of the front and rear bumpers (see caveat for silver and gold exterior colors).
- Silver painted bumper "accents/stripes" [with the exception of silver and gold exterior colors, where they will appear monochromatic]
- Silver Illuminated Running Boards [required option; installed at factory] [N.B.: Matching gold running boards are not available for gold exterior color.].
- Silver Roof Rack [required option; installed at factory] [N.B.: Matching gold roof racks are not available for gold exterior color.].
- Color-Keyed rear spoiler [required option; installed at factory].
- 17" Wheels [standard per Limited trim].
- Sunroof [required option; installed at factory].
- Fog Lamps [standard per Limited trim].
- Daytime Running Lights [required option; installed at factory].
- Leather power seats and interior [standard per Limited trim].
- No X-REAS Suspension option available without 3-6 month factory order.
- ?No Air Suspension available option available without 3-6 month factory order?
Wow, you really can see some of the hits and misses when you lay it all out here, e.g., only 16" wheels on all the SR5s, minivan rear spoilers on ALL the base SR5 AND Sport Editions (. . . like Intmed99 will need the aerodynamics of that when he goes boulder bashing). Also, for better or worse, Toyota really strived to distinguish each trim level as individual through its factory installed options, etc.
So, some real disappointments here (couldn't have easily got that X-REAS on my Black Limited anyway), but this is to be expected in the first year of a new run. Although the brochures may seem great, especially with these misleading build-your-own websites around, the descriptions above are the real choices. Like the 3rd Gen, as the years go by, more of these options will be available on the lower models. For example, leather seats, 17" wheels, monochrome coloring, 3rd-row seats (for those who seem to really want it - not me, at least not yet) . . . all of this will become more readily available when shipped. Look at the last year of the 3rd Gen and there was little difference (other than paint job) between the way Toyota was equipping the SR5s (leather package, 17" wheels, etc.) and the Limiteds.
I think I am going to wait a few years for my dream Runner (which I WILL get someday, I owe that to myself) and pick up something else in the meantime for the next 5 to 7 years.
With GX, you also get the beautiful wood, the excellent Mark Levinson system, and ALL-AUTO windows. Just a thought
That's what I'm preparing to do.
Either
a Pilot EX 2003 black
or
a Pathfinder 2003 LE "pewter"
FYI, our district representative will be here on Wednesday morning (I think it is morning) with one for us to look over. That is only one day before they are released anyway, but if any of you are in the DC area, drop by for a look.
You guys should just be demoted and sent to the Pilot/Pathfinder posts.
Cliffy: I am test driving LE again this weekend (with wife this time) and hopefully buying an '02 or '03 the next weekend before our big road trip South on the 17th . . . when they arrive, just shoot us a post here on the board and I will give it an in person look if I can get away from work. I love the new interior and engine choices, but so many photos, so many angles, so many chrome accents . . . I don't think there is any hope with how Japan set these up on the outside. [But, I am supposed to be patient and optomistic right????]
4Runnerpilot: Agreed. Pathfinder restyled in 2001 with no dramatic changes on the outside. Old news all the way. 4Runner said that's not a good approach, we can show the market one better and give it the look it really "wants." Yes, like you, I am waiting to assess the V8/V6 situation . . . just probably 5-7 more years longer than you.
I agree that the Pathfinder styling is old but the 2003 LE is classy with its 17" wheels. Despite the fact that it will be ugraded next year I'm sure the current styling will be nice for a while (like the 3rd gen style). There will always be people to like this type of style.
Now lets talk about the 4th gen styling. Yeah if your into Santa Fe/Tribute type of styling or if like your car to blend with the rest, if you like to have people think your a driving a GM Trailblazer, if you have stocks invested in the plastic industry, if you don't mind having a 30k SUV with the looks of an entry-level SUV than you will have a very nice new SUV.
Obviously the look will grow, people adapt. But I think it will take a couple of revisions before they get it right (e.g. I much prefer the 4Runner 99 nose than the 98 flat nose.)
Like mjohnr99 I think I'll wait for a revision or two before making a move.
One mistak I've made that mjohnr99 did not make: mention what I would buy instead. I do not want to turn this discussion a brand bashing. I'll buy what I think is best for me no matter what people say anyway....
I'm sorry to be harsh and negative but you guys cannot imagine how, in fact, I'm disapointed of how turned things have turned. I wished I could afford a Limited, the color-keyed bumbers don't fix everything about the styling but they help a bit. A bummer: the GX470 won't be available in Canada. It is very very nice (but probably more expensive than the Limited anyway)
Mind having a beer in the Nissan forum bar ????
[I am also considering buying a used pickup to wait yet ANOTHER year until the '04s . . . aargh! . . . but hey, in the meantime, I wouldn't have to sell and TTWO should hit 40 by then!]
Peace out.
I do wish they came in a black to match the metal when I get one in black, but unfortunately they're all the same charcoal color with metallic flakes. I am curious about the changes Toyota will make for the 2004s, and hope they add the X-REAS as an option on the SR5, since I don't like the silver accents or wheels on the Sport Edition. I wouldn't mind if they improved the look of the cladding, though, by at least offering it in black or matching it to each body color.
Let's compare...HP
2003 4runner-------> 245 V6
2003 pathfinder----> 240(auto) 250(manual)
2003 4runner-------> 235 V8
2004 Pathfinder-----> 300+V8
Doesn't the cladding look huge in person ?
In a way I don't mind that the cladding/fender is huge, my only beef is that it does not come color-keyed with the rest of the vehicle (unless you buy an exensive Limited). Making things worst is that instead of choosing nice color combinations they picked variations of charcoal..., from a distance I'm sure it looks like unpainted plastic.
I think it makes the car look like you've picked the entry model and was to scrooge to buy the 1000$ option of having the cladding painted.....
Sport model: TBcreative you are making me freak even more: in your posts you mention that the worst model is the Silver Sports. Ouch, from the pics I thought that was the "least bad" combination and this is what I have a deposit at my dealer for. Now I really wonder what color I would pick. Sometimes I think that some spirit/ghost is trying to keep me away from this vehicle.
Yeah, the '03 4Runner has 245 HP AND 283 TORQUE. What does your '03 Pathfinder have?? Geez again!
So what if the '03 4Runner looks similar to Sequoia...it has a DIFFERENT frame!
All of Nissan and Infiniti V6 vehicles use the SAME freaking engine...just different tuning here and there. Geez, how many variation can you have with one 3.5L V6?? Nissan is out to break a record i am sure! AND this 3.5L V6 is the same engine as the old 3.0L V6 (for more than a decade) but just blown bigger.
Bottom line: why do you think the '03 Pathfinder costs LESS than a '02 3rd gen 4Runner??? Hint: it is not because Nissan is overly generous.
But, TB - you seem to be going forward despite your reservations in Post 3118 about appearance/SR5 options. These are almost the same gripes I have, e.g., the cladding not matching the black body, etc. Given price, I guess the model for me would have originally been the Sport (to get the X-REAS, 17" wheels, etc.) - but, with a two-tone paint to begin and the non-functional hood scoop (that I was hoping would be functional this year or removed), I could not then handle all the silver accents everywhere and agree that the rims don't look as good as the SR5. I then said screw-it, I'll sell everything I own and pay the 39K and get the all Black Limited . . . only to confirm from recent spec sheets that it was not the Black look of my dreams . . . the very first blue rear spy-shot that set a riot on all the boards was NOT a prototype . . . the spoiler and the skunk-stripes on the Limited were the real deal, plus silver boards and racks to match. So, last week, we settled on the base SR5, keep our stock, save $$, figuring the only negative was the cladding which could grow on us. The racks and boards would be black, no garnishes or stripes anywhere, new V6 engine - all for a better value than what I would have had to pay for a supercharged 3rd Gen . . . we were almost good to go!
But, then Cliffy just confirmed the worst: not only are they limiting the inventory to 16" wheels (probably only this year, to help individualize the ugly sport), they are putting on a spoiler???????? and doing it in Japan!!! On the base model???? Of course, first year out they want the same look on the streets to help the vehicle launch branding of all the trim levels, plus tie it in with the Highlander and Sequoia . . . but come on TOYOTA . . . this was the mighty 4RUNNER!!!! We don't want to look like that Station Utility Vehicle/Car or SoccerDad Truck (at least not yet, the Sequoia without the spoiler is an awesome giant Beast of a Runner!)
So TB, how are you getting over this? You are a better loyalist than me. Have you read the reviews of the Sequoia debut? They all were great except for one aspect: the spoiler. I think one review caled it "hideous" and another called it "a rhinoplasty gone bad." So, why do it to EVERY trim level Runner? Cliffy, I don't know how that look could ever grow on anyone in the 4Runner's target market? Why could it not have been a port install?? A 4 month factory order (with no guarantees . . . you know how those go) is a non-starter.
Maybe, I just need to accept this new look and start blending in with the rest of the pseudo-SUVs on the market . . . help me out TB . . . tell me something that you saw in person that I did not see in that first spyshot and every other one to date. [The 3rd Gen guys over on all the other 4x4 forums are really bustin' up over this design cue and have all agreed to wait a few years . . .]
Other options:
Borla Performance exhaust
DVD
Lighted color keyed running boards
tubular running boards
Enkei Alloy wheels
electrochromic mirror with compass
etc.
I personally like the look. Looks are a subjective issue. The fact is though, it is functional, especially for off-roaders and those who like to keep the back window open while driving.
TB, you've seen it, you like the look along with Cliffy? [I may have wierd tastes I guess . . .]
"Then again, any dealership in the country can add aftermarket leather as well. Its the same thing."
When I purchased my 2000 Camry, the dealer told me the aftermarket leather option was the same as the Toyota option. Not true! Much to my dismay, upon delivery, I discovered that the aftermarket option did not have steering wheel and shifter leather covering, both of which were included in the Toyota option.
Bottom line: 4runner charges more money because they know people can be fooled easily.
2003 4Runner Limited for 35k is one heck of a buy. It's incredible! All information I got so far lists 3Runner base at 26k for SR5 and 37k for Limited. Are you getting the V6 or V8?
Everyone:
Has anyone seen numbers like jcat's?
The pricing on the Limited almost seems too good to be true. I just hope "jcat" is not a reincarnation of "buzzlight"
(like all the personalized fishing references, Cliffy? )
Steve
Host
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I am apologizing in advance if my previous comment is untrue. Do not take it personally.
Believe it or not, I actually think he could be correct. I spoke to a guy who was at the dealer meeting last month where they claimed that an SR5, V8 4WD with proper equipment could be had under $30K. I remain skeptical of that but if that assertion is true, then $35,500 could be real for the Limited. We have less than one week to know for sure.
http://www.arctictrucks.com/template2.asp?PageID=95
$35.5K is a terrifically fair price to pay and amazing since the best I could do on the eve of September 30th on a close-out, 258 HP supercharged '02 SR5 was $31,300 (before T/T/T) - a no go.
Toyota, if true, way to go! Anyone who first gets MSRP (because that is what we'll pay in this case) base pricing and option pricing on the new Limiteds, please post ASAP!!!
Cliffy, every time I see your name in a post, my ankle twinges just a little bit :-). Why are you here this weekend anyway? - deer season just opened here.
Steve
Host
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