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Toyota 4Runner - 2003
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Comments
I'm a tough consumer but you can't bargain with a dealer that has only one or two cars on the lot (I wouldn't budge either if I were a dealer).
deloid
Anyway, I ended up pretty happy with my deal, but others apparently have done better. At least none of the dealers I talked to wanted a premium! Good luck with your search. You'd think prices will drop some as more vehicles come in.
Bob
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Mack
deloid
My two cents.
deloid
SV
I live in the land of gravel being used on the roads for traction in winter, and inconsiderate jerks who swing their doors into the vehicle parked next to them, so I like the plastic cladding. I like the new dash & gauges & controls - a refreshing change from the bland. (And my wife can't see the speedometer from the passenger seat so she can't tell how fast we're going...)
It is a great new machine.
John
1-Disgruntled existing 4Runner owner who want to upgrade
2-Excited new customers moving over from other brands (mainly JGC who was their prime target according to some Toyota folks I've talked to)
I imagine that it might feel the same way when your favorite musician or poet turns out commercial with crowd-pleasing pop songs that make the charts between Michael Bolton and Britney Spears......
To many of us, Toyota had a great product with the 3rd gen that only needed more power and an updated interior. That was simple.
They just bent to market pressure and created an urban toy that would sell well to the general market.
"Oh my gosh.. a speed bump... let's put this thing in 4WD if we want to make sure we can cross this thing and the next poodle of water... Hang on"
Unfortunate.
I do have one problem. I can't clear the garage door when I open the hatch. Is there any way to prevent the hatch from extending all the way?
SV
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
As for me, I wish they still offered the 5 speed MANUAL in the new 4Runners. Last year you could get that I think was '99 or so.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Who knows.
IN TITANIUM..EACH TIME ONE IS DELIVERED TO THE DEALERSHIP, THERE'S A PAINT FLAW ON
THE HOOD!! WE'VE WAITED FOR 4 OF THEM TO COME INTO
THE DEALER'S LOT AND EACH TIME THERE WAS SOMETHING
WRONG WITH THE PAINT..IT'S ONLY WITH THE TITANIUM.
OTHER DEALERS IN OUR AREA ARE HAVING THE SAME
PROBLEM!! THIS IS THE ONLY COLOR I PREFER, TOO!
HAS ANYONE ELSE NOTICED? IT'S PRETTY FRUSTRATING!
-Karl
Our truck arrived with no traction control defeat switch which the owner's manual says is supposed to be just to the right of the differential lock switch on the left side of the dash. The sales guy says they're all coming in this way (Ours is a Limited 4WD V8), and that the switch described in the manual is for another market.
Anyone have similar/different experiences?
-Karl
It does NOT have a TRAC OFF switch...this ONLY applies to 2wd models!!
Your traction control system is ALWAYS on...you can read more about it on my website (you know where to find it).
On 4wd models, you can ONLY turn off VSC by locking the center differential...i assume there is a switch for that.
Your salesman, like 99.99% of them, are not well-versed in the 4Runner.
I had the same problem with my hitch, it was too big on vertical as well. Here is where it gets even more interesting, the dealer ordered me a new one and it came in 4 days later. Guess what? It had the exact same problem. The dealer got quite desperate so we went and grab a hitch from a 4runner in the lot and it worked. Oh, the hitch they ordered for me didn't fit the other 4runners on the lot either.
I am not sure what is going on, but my guess is we will probably hear more about this issue as people actually try to use their hitch.
SV
Actually, my sales guy is very good - far and away the best I've dealt with. He just missed on this, and I'll forgive him that one gaffe!
Sovang, I think it's clear that Toyota got a bad batch of hitches, or at least drawbars. Looking at the hitch receiver, I'm not exactly crazy about the workmanship it displays either. The welding looks like some of the stuff I did in junior high school shop class - two pounds of bead and one ounce of penetration. I hope they know more than I do!
Regards,
-Karl
I am new to the board and looking at 2003 4runner 4WD -I am hearing Jan for V6 release ...any idea on the price and gas mileage difference between the two - V8 and V6 models? Also, it sounds as though they recommend premium fuel to obtain their estimates ..true? thanks in advance
I have talked with over 20 Toyota dealers in states in the Southeast and Midwest. I found that the dealers were willing to sell the 4WD SR5's at small profits over invoice minus holdback. They were not willing to discount the Limited's as much. I was only interested in the Limited because of the SR5 body cladding. The best price I could negotiate on a 4WD Limited with Sunroof, 6 Disc, Floor Mats, and cigarette lighter was $35,400. The sticker price was $38,946.
I ended up buying a 2003 4WD Ford Expedition instead of the 2003 4WD 4Runner. I got a loaded 4WD Expedition XLT for over $2,000 less than the highest price I was willing to pay on a 2003 4Runner Limited. (No Toyota dealer ever officially accepted my highest bid). Happy shopping!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The Sticker states 15-19 well I have squeezed out 15.7 just once and average 13.5-14.5 over combined highway and urban driving. Even with full highway the best I can hope for is 15-16 (if I put on cruise at 65MPH)
Anyone else doing better? I am calling Toyota to ask what is up with the poor MPG.
Doc
Although my family is happy for me, they can't truly appreciate what I am feeling like all of you can. I am so excited that I almost can't wait. After it comes in and I have driven it for a while, I'll let you all know my thoughts.
Happy and healthy holidays to all!
Lowest was 13.7
That is with a V8 4WD and 87 octane gas. Driving has been a mix of city and highway, but with more highway driving.
I will be switching to Mobil 1 synthetic oil in a few hundred miles. I hope that will increase the mpg slightly, but I doubt it will make much, if any, difference.
I find this mpg acceptable, but would really like to get closer to 20. I figure getting about 3 mpg higher would save me about $250/year (for 20,000 miles). Personally, I would be willing to trade a little horsepower/torque for a little better mileage--at least when I am not towing my trailer. Too bad they can't put in a switch to toggle between higher mpg and higher power!
Running premium and midgrade (can't tell a difference). I did put synthetic in it, no significant MPG difference but I am a firm believer it will be better for the engine in the long run.
BTW: Get to take bang my new 'runner around the mtns next week. Can't wait to see how it holds up compared to my old Disco on some trails...hope its muddy!
- J
Thanks!