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Still though, now that Toyota has put more engine under the hood, is perceived to have higher reliability and proven resale value than the other options out there, I'm sure this design violation will not be enough to keep the new 4runner from being in scarce supply.
I don't like the black plastic on the Sport, it looks cheap, sort of Exploder look. I want the Sport with the color keyed, but most likely the only way you get that is Ltd or SR5???
I saved all 37 pics and sent them to the office and other places for safe keeping. Let the Toyo folks get a grip. Some people may not like the new look some may, some may want the 3rd Gen with a huge discount, me I don't care for the seats.
To all the Toyota Sales folks has anyone actually sat in one? I mean is there better overall height inside and are the seats better. Do they actually reach the tops of a normal persons shoulders?
Thanks and does anyone know where the PDF is?
For sure! And thanks for understanding.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Why, oh why, would they put plastic on this thing?
md2002: I thought the only ways to get it were ltd, sport, or SR5...there isn't a base model is there? There certainly isn't for '02.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
hahahahahahahaha
Logistics and marketing aren't talking (very dilbertish situation)
Could someone PLEASE e-mail me pics of the interior, heck send me all the pics if possible.
Click on my name, and my e-mail address should show up.
. . . please Cliffy, tell us that there is a way out from the plastic siding on the 2003 SR5s and Sports we all saw pictured here a few days ago - is there any hope in waiting until the 15th at this point?
Ohhh, how I long for the old days when Pat ran the board and folks like TILER et al. were all posting the dreams that made many of us wait: "However, I read this at autonews.com: With many automakers going carlike, Toyota will make sure the 4Runner stays trucky. A redesign comes in the mid-2002 calendar year as the lead vehicle off the new Tacoma platform."
Trucky? What the "heck" [pardon my french], you ignored the Tacoma's heritage and one-of-a-kind image and gave us a 4Ravlander that the snooty Lexus owners on my block will laugh at . . . especially if I paid 39K for the same thing that they got in there GX470.
Toyota: without more, from first to worst.
All models, even lowliest 2WD V-6 get automatic climate control, which to me is a sign of where the focus of this new gen is headed. They also all get the downhill assist for crawling down, and hill holder for going up steep hills.
They expect to sell 45% 2WD - this has GOT to be higher percentage than on 3rd gen, right?? Also, there are no more 15" rims on any model or trim, 16" is standard, and of course you can now get 17" if you want them. The air suspension is only an option on V-8 ltd.
They claim they want to keep its offroad heritage intact, but to me this part just sounds like a bunch of PR hype to avert 4Runner savaging Highlander sales just when they were doing so well.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
Even though the ground clearance has gone from 11" to 9.1", it appears as though the rocker height is very close to the 3rd gen. I don't worry about scuffing the shields underneath, but I do worry about the rockers! And since I like the SR5, or the Sport Edition (only if I can swap those ugly wheels for the 5-spokes) with the cladding, and with all the incredible new travel in the suspension, all I need to do is slap some BFG All-Terrain T/A KO 265/70 R-17s on those 5-spoke wheels for slightly more rubber, and I'm good to go!
Therefore, unless Toyota officially states, "MINIMUM running ground clearance" (as it does in Land Cruiser brochure), do NOT trust the ground clearance ratings!
Lexus states the minimum ground clearance. I think the GX470 is 8.3". I cannot see how the new '03 4Runner can be any different...9.1" from rocker panel?? I guess we have to wait....
On another note, i think the new 4Runner looks nice and seems capable enough. I think it is the best in it's class. I think the Limited model is more user-friendly and looks better than the GX470.
VW discussion....
Isn't the VW Touareg going to be badged as a Porsche also? I would freak if I saw a VW/Porsche on the logging trails up North. I'll make sure I have my tow strap.
tbcreative... I have... oops.. had a blazer ZR2.
IMO the reason Toyota is so secretive about the next generation 4-runner is because they have been stung in the past with trying to sell the older models. Toyota has been the leader in launching redesigned car/trucks at the same price as the old model. Who wants to buy the old version if the new one is the same price? Although the new 4-runner isn't going to be the same price as the old... Toyota is just following SOP.
Gadgets galore... the wife's VW has the driver side back-up mirror. I though it was a nice touch at first, but who uses their drivers side mirror to parallel park? Does the new 4-runner have the back-up mirror on the drivers or passengers side?
If you live in the Wash., DC area, Motorweek will repeat the episode on thurs. at 8:30 on channel 22 (PBS).
If you don't intend to take the vehicle off road get the highlander or the limited 4R.
deloid
Isn't the VW Touareg going to be badged as a Porsche also? I would freak if I saw a VW/Porsche on the logging trails up North. I'll make sure I have my tow strap. >>
Porsche's Cayanne is a very close relative, for sure. The VW version is said to be geared more for the off-road crowd, and will offer an optional off-road package for those who want more off-road capability.
I'm wondering if today's new releases on the 4Runner is more a result of all the news leaks (the cat's out of the bag, so we might as well 'fess up...), or that the releases were actually scheduled for today?
Bob
The problem with the cladding, like the Avalanche, is the damn square wheel openings. Tires are round! Upgrading the tire size to even huge 20" doesn't solve the problem of that it looks like the vehicle is riding on stilts. That, and the fact the cladding is so thick...looks to be a healthy 6" in spots, plus with the "rivets" look of that makes the flares on the Nissan Frontier look overdone. GM is making the Avalanche without cladding an option mid year...I bet that there a lot of takers for that.
Also, was disappointed to read that the rear seat leg room and door openings are smaller! Not good. That is a step backwards, and why a lot of people have skipped the Pathfinder.
See a previous post that list the dimensions.
Bob
b. wheelbase >4.5" 109.8"
c. ft leg room >2" 44"
d. rr leg room >1.5" 3.25"
e. headroom >.5" 39.7"ft, 39.1"rr
f. pass-pass width >2" 30"
g. shoulder room >4.5" 58"ft, 57.2rr
h. hip room >5.25" 55.3"ft & rr
i. track >2.5" 62"
j. overal width >3" 73.8"
The redesigned 4Runner sport-utility will lead Toyota's truck advertising.
The division has teamed with the Outdoor Life Network and ABC TV to promote the sport-utility in a program called "Global Extremes: Mt. Everest-4Runners of Adventure."
Adventure competitions starting Oct. 26 will determine four winners who each receive a 4Runner and get to climb Mount Everest in May, weather depending. It will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first person to climb the mountain. The commercial, which stars Mount Everest's first climber, Sir Edmund Hillary, breaks Oct. 25.
"This is a monumental vehicle launch. We need to re-establish its credentials," Sturm said.
He expects to sell 80,000 4Runners this year and 100,000 next year.
The 4Runner also will have a big presence in the TV show, "Push, Nevada," which premiered Tuesday, Sept. 17. The mystery program also is a contest to find the show's missing money. Key characters drive Toyota vehicles.
Toyota continues to position the 4Runner as a rugged, off-road vehicle, while the Highlander is the sport-utility for the city"
http://thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5349&sid=181&n=157
Second, I've got just a little more on the cladding...
Sure, on the Limited it looks okay. It matches the paint color and it's pretty smooth. However, I think the indentations in the cladding on the SR5 and Sport models are useless and ugly. On Nissan's Frontier, I believe the cladding indentations are meant to mimic screws (who knows ... are they fastened with 3M tape anyway?). On the new 4Runner, the indentations are rectangular and just plain look weird. I agree that getting the black cladding on a black SR5 or Sport 4Runner will look better than any other color, but that's partly because you are imitating the Limited's single-color look, and also because the indentations get "lost" in all that black.
Maybe it'll look better in person or maybe the 2004 4Runner will sport different cladding. I know the Limited is supposed to look like the best of the line to warrant the price, but sheesh IMO it's almost like you get punished for buying the SR5/Sport.
JP
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
And think, just yesterday there was a picture embargo...
Bob
I didn't even see that coming! We'll have to coordinate with the writers a little better.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
JP
2003 Land Rover Discovery = 8.3-8.5"
2002 Toyota Land Cruiser = 9.8"
Mercedes G500 = 8.3-8.5"
Nissan Pathfinder/QX4 = 8.3"
Mitsubishi Montero = 8.7"
Jeep Grand Cherokee = 8.5-9.0" (depending on suspension)
2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon = 9.5"
2003 Range Rover = 8.8-11" (at center of vehicle only)
2002 Acura MDX = 6.5-8.0" (at center of vehicle only; 6.5" at control arms)
2003 Lexus GX470 = 8.3"
2002 GMC Envoy = 8.0"
Hummer H1 = 16" (!!!)
Hummer H2 = 10"
Thus, 9.8" is easily still class-leading, and only 1 or 2 SUVs in ANY class have more ground clearance. When you factor in the excellent approach/departure angles of 3rd gen 4Runner (36/28 degrees), you have a class-leader for sure.
Toyota seems to have measured ground clearance in the front and ignored the rear differential. Likewise, Toyota has been a bit tricky about how they measure interior volume. In fact, they were almost sued by Ford for their figures on the Sequoia because they pretended the back seat didn't exist. It is possible that they are just now giving an accurate measurement for this volume.
Its just a theory right now. I'm going to take a tape measurer to it when it comes in.
agreed about the interior. it looks like it belongs in a lexus! and u r right about the current generation looking better. to me even the old sequoia looks better than this new 4runner...
I think most people will be turned off, when it's against a light color, which will make the cladding stand out.
Bob