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Dealer should be able to have leather installed in SR5/Sport but no heated seats and not with side air bag option. Dealer option.
X-REAS is supposed to control roll and pitch better. Not sure how this affects it off road. Sounds like something for better on road handling & ride. I have a feeling it might hamper off road handling because it might not let the suspension flex as much as it should. Not quite sure.
The heated seats (leather) only come on the Limited. Factory installed.
The dealer told me they could have leather put in on a SR5/Sport model. This would be a dealer option which they send out to have done. They could only install leather on the standard seats, not the seats with the side air bags in them.
No heated seats for SR5/Sport models.
Hope this clarifies thing better. Sorry.
Noise is sometimes a little subjective. You might check the window/door seals. Even bad alignment or the kind of tire you have can make a vehicle noisier.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
OUCHHHH, Cliffy, on the Toyota Epic. I've got one. I talked to the GUY IN CHARGE at Toyota Marine about it...he says they simply underestimated the loyalty of the ski crowd to their brand. That's the mistake. The product was and is terrific, great fit and finish, and the Lexus V8 is like silk. Even though they bailed, Toyota has a 10 year plan for parts and service. I guess I'll put it with my 8-track, Beta-max, 386, Legend and everything else I've owned that they don't make anymore. BTW, I gave $27,000.
Lastly, on the surge brakes. They work reasonably well under normal circumstances. Trying to back up even a slight inline is often impossible. There should be a mechanical lockout for reverse, or an electrical lockout. It senses the backup light circuit and locks out the sliding surge feature.
Thanks to all for the useful info on the 4Runner...you don't think Toyota will bail on this........
I live in the South East region and here they are bringing all 4x4 Sports in with Sunroof's. I am a pretty tall guy myself and understand your situation. I have seen some here w/ Sunroof's go for about 32K. You may be able to special order the vehicle just the way you want it, but that would take 90 to 120 days before you even got the vehicle because of the fact these vehicles are still built in Japan.
This past weekend, a friend of mine told me that I could install a rear locker on my 2002 2wd 4runner? Any truth behind this? What's the point in putting a locker on a 2wd?
I'm sure this vehicle will sell since most will prioritize reliability and value over aesthetics, but I can't see spending ~40K on a car that's looks this eccentric and gaudy.
Since I won't be in the market for a new vehicle until 2004, I think I'll start saving my pennies for a V-10 TDI diesel powered VW Touareg (515 lbs/ft torque!). Although expensive, this truck looks the part and will be just as capable, if not more so, in the mud and snow. Add to that a touch of class, ruggedness, and exclusiveness, and VW's got a sale.
Opinion - Redesign is ugly; not worth 40K = won't buy and will look elsewhere next year.
Like my current 4runner, wanted to like the new one - don't. Toyota disappointed.
It was an opinion piece, like many others on this board. Perhaps it's contrary to your own.
What's your point?
1.) Boy that 6 year old 4Runner still looks great, Toyota can build a quality product.
2.) The new 4Runner is wider and not quite as tall.
3.) In the front view shot, the engine compartment of the 97 is larger, while the grill on the 03 is quite noticeable.
So what is your opinion?
http://community.webshots.com/album/52229257rmrwxr
Bob
Boy these pictures sure do demonstrate one thing: the 3rd gen looked distinctive compared to other SUVs on the road, whereas the 4th gen blends - it is an "everyman" SUV.
I think Toyota felt that they were losing sales because of the unique styling and size of the Runner. The same way they build Buick Avalons, and took over that market, they are now attacking the American SUVs by building Chevy 4Runners.
I am sure the reliability and depreciation will be outstanding, just like Avalon, but the looks will not. Sadly, the offroad capability may not either.
Everyone who has test driven the new one and posted here has talked about the smooth ride and enormous quiet power of the 4th gen - that is what Toyota was going for - to make it more mainstream. Problem is, mainstream SUVs compromise their trucky qualities to cater to the soccer parents and the commuter executives.
Proof in the pudding - how many people have we seen post right here asking where that third row seat is?
You know what I would love to see? One of those test drive offroad courses like Land Rover has at all its dealerships!
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I think there are only 2 things negative that can be said about the new model - the body cladding is pretty ugly, and the ground clearance is not as great as the 3rd gen. As for the cladding, if you don't like it, either wait until they get rid of it, or get the Limited. You can't tell me that the black Limited posted above doesn't look great. It happens to be sitting next to a jacked-up 3rd gen with big tires, so that takes away from it a little, but I think this model will look great in 10 years, just like the older models. As for the reduced ground clearance, I think it's more than compensated for with the hill descent/incline systems, bigger engine, etc. that Toyota added.
When you look at what else is out there, I don't think there's another SUV that competes with the new 4Runner if you consider power, quality, price, and off-road worthiness. I'd rather see Toyota move a little more mainstream with the 4Runner than the alternative: they make it more hardcore, it doesn't sell well, and they get rid of the model altogether. Think about that for a while...
You can't compare the two rigs because the 3rd gen has some type of lift and looks funny because it seems like one of those rear helper spring lifts?
I drove the 2003 and I loved it,but, I agree, the cladding makes me almost want to keep what I have?
But, like everything else that Toyota has built, it will grow on me...
I think the 2003, while having some exterior styling quirks, appears to be more adequate off road, not less; especially for their target market. 100,000+ people are buying this vehicle annually. I use 4WD occasionally for vintage beer can dumping(collecting not littering); and pulling a boat out of the water. I am going to welcome the fulltime 4WD.
I would think the avid 4WD fan who seeks out extreme off roading, rock hill climbing/stream fjording, etc., would be better served with a manual FJ40 or a Jeep Wrangler/CJ modified to their needs...maybe the 2003 V8 4Runner even towing it?
Third row seating...it's going to be offered as an option on the same platform Lexus; it does not compromise the beloved fixed rear axle; why not offer it as an option on the Toyota? I don't think it's any less "trucky/manly" to have that.
At first I liked the idea. Now I'm not so sure. In all my years of stuffing luggage, etc. in the cargo area of my SUVs, not once did I wish for this feature.
The vertical space under the shelve is not huge, so I'm not sure large suitcases would fit under it, and, due to the 60(?) pound shelve limit, I don't think you would want to put heavy suitcase(s) on top of the shelve.
I would rather have seen an integrated dog/cargo guard instead.
Bob
Bob
1991 Ford Bronco. I wanted to go to a mid-size vehicle and was looking at the Chevy Trailblazer and the Explorer. I have a 19 foot runabout, weighs 3500lbs or so. I have always liked the 4runner, but was concerned about the 3.4 V6 lacking power, and, I have seen some 2002 and prior 4runners towing and the rear end droops quite a bit.
I happened upon a 2003 V8 model and enjoyed driving it. Smooth and quiet, plenty of power...
but that body cladding is ugly. The Limited (without the cladding) is really expensive. I am starting to think more about the 2002 model.
Any opinions on the 2002 model (I like the Sport version for instance) and tow capability?
If I only tow 5 or 6 times a year, would I be OK?
I don't want to be barely making it up hills while worrying about overheating the engine and trans. I also don't want to have the rear end dragging. Anyone have experience adding after market products to make the 2002 better at towing?
thanks!
Bob
would I need to add an oil and/or trans cooler?
Would I need to add a kit to the rear suspension?
As I said, I would rather have the V8 in the 03 version, but that cladding is a turn-off. thanks again.
You really need to think this one over. I know I would be kicking myself in the butt for not getting the 2003 model with either engine, when you start to tow up a steep incline with people and gear and it shifts down into second gear. Then you wonder how much damage you are doing to your vehicle.
I do not like the body cladding either. But, operation wise, it will help to prevent nicks, scratches, and dings from debris and other events.
You are going to spend a lot of hard earned cash. Get something you know you are going to be happy with or you will be miserable.
If you buy a pre 2002 4Runner, you can add the TRD supercharger. Cost is around $2800. Then for sure I would add the oil cooler.
I tow with a 96 T-100 SR5 Xtracab 4x4 with the 3.4 motor. The one boat weighs around 2500#. It pulls it OK in third gear on the auto tranny. But going up steep hills, loaded up, it will get down around 45-50, then jump down into second.
Food for thought!
OTOH, listen to dmetzger above - Toyo sure addressed his needs. Clearly, for moderate to heavy towing the 3rd gen left people wanting. So the new truck will meet his needs and a lot of other peoples' needs a lot better.
Bottom line: when I get to the point in 4 or 5 years that I will be buying a "new" used Toyota to go offroading, it probably won't be 4Runner, it will probably be a 4WD, V-6 double cab Tacoma, which will serve this need a lot better. Hopefully they don't mess that one up when they redo it next time.
Is it so terrible to celebrate the fact that the 2nd and 3rd gen Runners really stood out from the crowd, and that the 4th gen doesn't? By that, all I mean is that the earlier trucks were still unique even in the last year of their production (some would say, in negative ways! They were skinny and high off the ground, and didn't have an especially great on-pavement ride!). The 4th gen is a mainstreamer - for one or two years it will have the edge in power and techno gadgets, but then the market will overtake it once more, and this time it will have nothing left to make it unique until the next time Toyota redoes it.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
But I think maybe you mean to imply there is no way for me to know that offroad ability is reduced, and you are right about that, but the numbers are not encouraging - they are way off the 3rd gen numbers. And there is certainly no denying that it is wider than the previous ones. It is visually lower - all you have to do is go to the local dealer and look at two of them side by side, as I did. It is so much lower that if you look underneath you can see it without looking very hard, and this has me wondering how Toyota measured ground clearance on the 4th gen - was it by the same method as the previous trucks?
I would love to hear from someone who takes theirs off pavement and actually is brave enough to do so with their new '03...
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
I have a mental list of some of the great Japanese designs, and the 3rd generation 4Runner is at the top of the list. It is a great design that when your '98 4Runner is clean and people ask if you've gotten a new car. Two Japanese cars that make my list are the '89 Prelude, the '90 Legend, for example.
I'd be interested to hear your off-road impressions. Good luck finding a way to pull that off. Maybe drive to VA, and you and Cliffy disappear into the night with one.
I have the perfect vehicle for you: the LandCruiser FJ80 ('91-'97). No offense, I just see that vehicle suiting you well from what all you have said.
http://www.yotatech.com/showthread.php?s=6cee653d3b22c5456a98434f1b7a9b21&threadid=2498
It sounds to me like Toyota did a pretty good job with this one...
I can't imagine the '03 being lousy off-road. It is lower, but most people tend to lift their trucks for more serious off-roading anyway. Even just some nice BFG's a series taller on stock rims would do nicely.
That 1st gear in the V8 4WD drive is very torquey. 4Lo is impressive. I have a friend that bought one but I haven't talked her into going off-road yet. She's still breaking it in. Understandable. We tested the 4lo around the block just to get an idea of the extra low grunt. Very nice. Itching for dirt in that baby.
1. Incline of 42 degrees (90% grade).
2. Sideway of 41 degrees (87% grade).
Toyota Land Cruiser (TLC 100) can do an:
1. Incline of 45 degrees (100% grade).
2. Sideway of 45 degrees (100% grade).
Now, the new Prado (same as GX470 and '03 4Runner) can do an: (Note, this may be with the new V6, not the V8)
1. Incline of 32 degrees (62% grade).
2. No info on sideway grades.
Again, this is all derived information. But, this info is FACTS on the respective vehicles from Toyota websites in other countries. The website on the new Prado is:
http://motorshow.toyota-europe.com/showroom/land_cruiser/kce_1.html
Toyota Land Cruiser (TLC 100) can do an:
2. Sideway of 45 degrees (100% grade).
(a) is that with or without the engine running?
(b) is that with or without the driver?
(c) if (b) = "yes" then is the driver on the uphill side?
(d) if (c) = "yes" then is the drivers body extended out the window?
(e) if (c) = "no" then is the driver's leg extened out the door propping it up?
What exactly was your source?
Thanks.
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
Click on "off-road performance"
It's not particularly informative in terms of the details. Frankly, I'd not try a 45° incline under real world conditions!
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
It is really unfortunate that US-webpages are so UNinformative! Toyota.com is useless! Webpages in other countries have so much more information. It seems like Toyota assumes US customers have no idea what off-roading is!
tidester
Host
SUVs; Aftermarket & Accessories
"Dude, you rolled your rig". "Man, the web page said it was good up to 45%.. or was that 45°? I'm suing..."
Steve, Host
Well, I just got a new "Toyota Connections" in the mail and it had a article about the 4Runner. At the end of the article it said "But let Toyota Motor Corporation's chief engineer of the 4Runner, Junichi Furuyama, have the last word. "From the beginning, the goal of Toyota engineers was to develop on all-new 4Runner that would move from niche vehicle to core vehicle in the U.S. mid-size arena. In the process, we have have not only established a new benchmark in the mid-size SUV class, but the best all-around SUV on the market." "
Peter78 translation, don't compare the 4Runner to the old 4Runner, compare it to a Chevy or a Ford. Being too extreme is for a "niche" market.
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Note: If you get "Toyota Connections", it has a $20 coupon to go test drive a new Toyota. Might as well make it a 4Runner.
02 SR5 4 Runner Sport Edition. With leather, moonroof,towpackage,roof rack,hood deflector and it has 13,500 miles on it and it is Thundercloud Grey.
The dealer is offering $24,500 for a trade in, but that falls short of paying off the loan. Thought I might try to sell it privately for $27k but not sure how long that will take.
Anyone have any suggestions? I live in NY near New Paltz.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Mike