Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
--------------------------------------------------
#1045 of 1352 2003 4 Runner by buzzlight Jan 18, 2002 (05:56 pm)
The 2003 4 Runner will be a complete re-design and it will be out in March. You will not find this info on their web site, as they still have 2002s to sell. Toyota, also, wants to release the 4 runner before the Honda Pilot comes out. I don't think that the Highlander has been as successful as Toyota had hoped. Also, expect Toyota to keep prices down on the 4 runner to compete with the new Honda.
--------------------------------------------------
#1134 of 1352 Re: The New 4 Runner by buzzlight Jan 31, 2002 (04:28 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.
--------------------------------------------------
#1268 of 1352 Cliffy...Where's the Apology. by buzzlight Feb 26, 2002 (06:01 pm)
Cliffy, I expect to see a written apology when the 2003 4 Runners arrive next month.
--------------------------------------------------
#1269 of 1352 BUZZ by cliffy1 Feb 26, 2002 (06:10 pm)
Apologize for what? Sharing the information I have? What are you going to do when they don't arrive in March?
>Also, will the V-8 be standard or an option?
>can you secretly grab a photo of the new 4 Runner
I realize that many in here are interested in the new 4Runner, and so am I. But to tell the truth, there isn't much interest by others in the company. New types of vehicles (like the Matrix) or new plant openings (like Alabama & Baja California) are more the rage. I don't have, and can't seem to get, any pricing or option information. Cliffy will be able to provide that better than me, since he's at a dealership.
My personal interest is in the 3rd seat and V-8. The V-8 will definitely be available. Standard? My guess is that it will be standard in the Limited and optional in the SR5.
A photo? I was in a presentation for the remodeled Camry last year, and there was a really nice shot of it. I asked for and received a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, which I immeditately went through. Guess what; the nice photo had been removed. I tried to get them to let me check out the 4Runner video I saw, but no deal. Only certain people have physical access to photos and videos. I'm not one of them; they just let me watch them - strictly hands off.
>WOULD YOU SAY THAT THE NEW TRUCK IS BIGGER THAN THE CURRENT MODEL?
Personally, I'd like to see it have a longer wheelbase, and if they go with the 3rd seat I'd think they would have to. But as I said before, I don't have any statistics. If I can find out anything I'll post it, but it's difficult to get info on vehicles made in Japan.
Last week I happened to be talking to a contact at one of the ports on the West coast. (Ports are where the cars arrive when they come from overseas.) I asked this person if they could tell me if any new model 4Runners were coming in March or April. The response was that they aren't even making them yet, let alone shipping. The schedule in my previous post is the information they provided to me, which I passed along in this forum.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
Hang in there Cliffy. Even if Buzz happens to be correct, which I strongly doubt, you still rock.
By the way Cliffy, how did the whole anchor mishap turn out? Are you back to full speed?
However, the fact remains that the information exchange has only amounted to unsubstantiated speculation. And when pushed, Buzz resorts to attacks and never, not once, has backed up the comments with facts or sources.
About when the 2003 comes in, I have checked the Southeast inventory and quite a few 2002's are coming on March 24. That would at least suggest, no new model in early April. In fact it may still be a ways off.
It has been my experience in life, when people are absolutely sure about something, they usually aren't. And when people give you what they know and realize it their may be variables, listen to them. "cliffy1" has given quite a few dates and then says it is wrong, Toyota has made it a later date. I don't think, Cliffy would be upset if they come in next week. So, my best guess, it is still awhile. Still if I was in the market, I would wait for the new ones and if I wanted the older model, I would buy now. If you get near the end of the model year, their are less choices of the older models.
Bottom line, I were in the market, I would probably wait, not only is the new 4Runner coming out but quite a few other models are coming. Just my 2 cents worth.
Thanks!
tidester
Host
SUVs
Don't believe that happens?
Now, I only notice it if I am on my feet all day. Its not enough to keep me from many days of fishing this year so don't feel too bad for me.
When the 2003 comes out, we will probably have a waiting list of customers willing to pay MSRP for several months. If this thing is as good as I suspect, we'll have a repeat of '96 when it took nearly two years for the price to drop to $2000 over invoice. We in the dealerships can't wait for the new ones to arrive. Wishful thinking will not accelerate this process though.
Thanks in advance.
MIKEinTN
One thing I will suggest you do is to go back and read the post by Rward99. The terms he uses (build out etc.) are correct. It sounds to me like he is reading the official build out schedule which includes production start on the 2003. I've seen these documents before, but never on a model that was due for this level of change. I believe it is authentic. If it is, you will see the 2003 by late summer to early fall.
"#1329 of 1381 2003 4Runner..... by rward99 Mar 06, 2002 (10:27 am)
2002 Buildout - June
New vehicle build starts - July
Vehicles to US dealerships - August
Available to purchase - September "
You said you heard unofficially this Fall and now I have to agree with you, "rward99" is giving some exact info. Given that a lot of 2002 4Runners are ordered in the next few weeks and you and "reward99" are close, I would say that would be my best guess as well. Of course we all know things can change. Keep up the good work.
I remember last year, Toyota had both the Highlander and the new Rav4 at the NY Auto Show, well before either had hit the streets.
Bob
The Highlander may have been a true preview at that show, however.
-ss4
From following this board I would place total faith in what rward (and cliffy) has said. The info he has access to seems right on.
I still think they will show up at time of the annual dealer meeting....September 8-10
Bob
Bob
http://detnews.com/2002/autoshowguide/0201/11/-388652.htm
The picture of the new Lexus GX470 does look an a lot like a slightly larger 4Runner.
It looks pretty good and while I am not privy to any info, I'd bet the new 4Runner will look a lot like it. I think shawnandt's analogy of Acura unveiling the MDX before the Honda Pilot being similar to Lexus unveiling the GX470 before the new 4Runner makes a lot of sense.
One thing is for sure, the car business is always interesting.
http://www.wawawoum.com/images/japon/lexus/index.htm
vr, shawnandt
http://www.velocityjrnl.com/cgi-bin/wi.cgi?i=4469
http://www.infomotori.com/news/a_29_IT_860_3.asp
I wish the 3rd row seats folded into the floor like the MDX, the new Pilot, the new Explorer and new Expedition. This is a MUCH better solution than what Lexus has offers.
I know Toyota, Mitsubishi and others have offered this fold-up seat solution for "years." Well, I will agree... it is an "old" solution.
Bob
The fold up third row seats don't look that great. I am not an unbiased observer, but I think the fold down third row in my Acura MDX are much more useful.
Still, a nice improvement of the current 4Runner.
Unless there's a tire hanging on the rear door (which there isn't on the Lexus), a rear door makes no sense. And, because it's Japanese, it opens to the curb, not the street—exactly the wrong way for us folks here in America. Plus, you don't get any weather protection like you do with a hatch—and it could be difficult to open if you're parallel parked, with someone on your rear bumper.
These are DUMB decisions on Lexus's part. I hope the 4Runner offers a rear hatch, and fold-into-the-floor 3rd seating.
Bob
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards