Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see May lease deals!
Options
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
I assume that the leather was added as an option and installed by an after-market upholstery place.
Does anyone have any experience with this? Is there any downside? How much should it cost? Warranty issues? What about the airbags embedded in the seats?
the remote control for opening the tailgate widow?
Bought last week 2003 sports edition v-6 4 runner
everything works fine except I can not open the tailgate window using the last button on the key less remote. I can open it from the dashboard control but manual says it can also be opened 3 feet away using the remote. Anybody have an answer? Toyota service scheduled my car for a check-up February 8 yet and if there is some simple answer that I haven't figured out, I will appreciate any solution. thanks
hope this helps.
Ken
holding the button down for more than 10 seconds
and all i get is a beeping sound from inside the car.
Ken
They won't install it in models equipped with side air bags due to legality issues.
First the DAC. We read the manual and shifted into 4WD Low and put the transmission into low. I crept to the edge of the hole. It took a huge amount of will power to keep my foot off the brake. Its scared the heck out of me. The system took over and did exactly what it was supposed to do. It was a slow, controlled descent with the ABS clicking in. AWESOME!
Next, I drove half way up the hill and stopped. With it in 4WD high, I took my foot off the brake but didn't hit the gas. As I started to roll backwards, I heard the VSC buzzer go off and the ABS engaged. It was not enough to stop me completely but was plenty to give me time to hit the gas. Again, very cool.
After the first attempt, we tried it again. Same result going down, but this time I left it in the low gear range on the way back up. Again, I stopped. The angle was VERY steep and all we could see were clouds. I took my foot off the brake. Nothing. No movement at all. No ABS or anything. At idle, with the transfer case in low, there was enough torque from the V8 to hold our position. Wow.
Oh yeah... don't tell the owners of our little training session.
I am trying to make a purchase decision on an '03 4Runner and was leaning toward the Sport model over the SR5 primarily because of the rave reviews of the X-REAS suspension. But, the reliability and maintainence was a concern to me because of the complexity of the system (hoses/fluid/gas chambers). Your experience is a real life example of the type of failure I was worried about.
Apparently the failure was difficult to diagnose if it took 3 trips to the dealer to find it. Could you feel anything in the handling of the truck that indicated that a failure had occured? Were there any fluid leaks visible to give a clue that there was a problem ?
Sorry about all the questions but I have found very little real data about this system.
Thanks for any additional comments.
The only reason that I say it this way is that I have a customer that just purchased an MR2 Spyder from me and was looking into snow tires for it. (imagine that for Buffalo, NY) Snow tires are available for the front wheels as they are the same size they have been since 2000. The rears are a new size as of this year, however, so there are no snows available for those wheels as of yet because the Spyder is the only vehicle on the road that uses that particular size wheel and tire.
So my point is that for the first year or so, pricing may be a bit high compared to conventional alternatives, but as more of them are produced, the pricing should be less.
Ken
The new Range Rover also has cross-linking shocks...but laterally linked over the same axle, instead of diagonally like in the 4Runner.
There are no aftermarket cross-linking shocks that i know of.
Cross-linking shocks are only good if the vehicle is designed for it.
frozen window is out. It is now 75 degrees here. Next, the beeping sound is not due to the doors being open. It beeps after I press the remote
to open the window. Ken is right, the remote is sending a signal and the beep indicates that the car is receiving the signal. What I did next was to go back to the car, re-read the manual and tried using the key from the tailgate. It would not open either way clockwise or counterclockwise turn.
Important ADVISE for those who may encounter the same problem, after re-reading the manual, there was a page that instructs on how to operate the window from the dashboard controller.
The manual instructs user to re-set the back window opener by hitting the down arrow halfway
and then hitting the up arrow. Surprise, the window now operates on a one touch mode where before i needed to depress the down/up buttons continously. I tried the remote and it now works
I tried the key from the outside and it now works.
I am so grateful to all of your suggestions. It has saved me a needless trip to the dealership.
During the test drive I did notice a clunk in the front end which they promtly fixed. The system performed even without the fluid, but it did make noise (clunking). I'm upset at the dealer because I told them it sounded like the shock(s). They assured me that it was a loose piece of trim work and scheduled me to come in and let the trim shop fix it. Finally, they said that it was the shocks and ordered them. BTW, I am a reliability engineer for a large company and we see this type of thing in our products (or a vendors) from time to time. It's called infant mortality. Seems morbid but that's what it's called. Anyway, I expect to have problems, but it's HOW Toyota deals with them that bothers me. Some notes on X-REAS: It's fantastic system that was originally developed by Yamaha and used on the Supra. It is very reliable, but once in a while a bad seal can find it's way in to a production piece. I wouldn't worry too much about it's reliability. It is a highly effective and simple system. All SUVs will eventually carry a similar system to improve stability.
Be a good opportunity to add bun warmers too!
And if worse came to worse, you could always drag the pieces down to the upholstery shop for fixing.
Steve, Host
I do know he's still working there ... he avoided me like the plague when I stopped in yesterday to thank the woman who helped get everything fixed.
Now I just have to figure out which seven CDs to keep in the system. <g>
Stay safe!
Now I am seeing Sport and SR5 models on the lot that do not have the extension feature and may not have the secondary vison for the front.
Does anyone know the story on these differences ?
Thanks
Hope this helps.
Ken
How rare is the Pacific Blue? What are my best options for getting it in that color without incurring too much extra cost (more than a few hundred)? Or is my best option to get over that color and look for something else?
I really like the extension feature but it almost looks like a random selection process where some have it and others do not. Maybe they had to substitute a different visor due to supply problems in early production.
Maybe the visors without the extension slide across as you described and accomplish the same thing. I consider the flexibility of the longer visor with the second front element to be a valuable safety feature.
Thanks again for the input.
-If MSRPs on special order 03 4runner packages can be dealt? and/or are there any additional costs associated with this route? Expected duration of turn-around after placing an order?
-Can JBL Synthesis be installed by the dealer "aftermarket". If so, are they charging high $.
-Will the (AP) Appearance package be available on the Sport models?
-What type of tires are being equipped on the LTD V6s/V8s
Special ordering (as in build ordering, not ordering from another dealership) can be dealt below MSRP. I personally did a build order on a 4runner from Carson Toyota in Carson, Ca. I was offered $1000 over invoice quote for the car, of which no other dealer would beat (it seems that this is the minimum from the roughly 10 dealers that would even DO a build order). Just so you know, I went through the internet managers at each of these dealers.
There are no additional costs with going this route, unless you consider paying $1000 over invoice an additional cost (some dealers have offered me $500 over invoice for the stock on their lot). You WILL have to pay a down payment of $1000, which I was told is a requirement of Toyota to do build orders, but of course you'll get this back.
As far as turnaround goes, you are looking at 4 to 5 months! I'm completely fine with 4 months, so I did it with no hesitation. I suppose they wait to make special build orders until after they already make the stock that goes to dealers (which I guess ends around April).
The only issues you will have is finding a dealer that will do one for you (if you leave near Cali, then I gave you the best one), and deciding each individual option you want on the car (now that your are getting a special order, you aren't required to order in packages). Oh, and you have to order before April, or you will be waiting until an '04 gets built!
As far as your other questions are concerned, I have no bloody clue, but I'm sure they will get answered soon.
-Jared
considering that 1)there is only an $800 difference in pricing, 2)mileage consumption is only a 2 gallon difference 3)V8 engines are better than v6 in terms of performance 3)resale value of v8 is much more. What do you guys think?
The EPA estimates are 2MPG apart, yes, so not a huge difference. Resale value will obviously be better, but I don't know by how much.
To me, the performance gain and better driveline components worth it for 2MPG and $800, but it may not be for everyone.
I did talk to my salesman again today, and he said he may be able to divert one here that's Pacific Blue, I'm assuming at no extra charge - I e-mailed him to verify. The other option is to wait until all the dealers get their next allocation (maybe arrive in 6 weeks, but he'll know what he's getting pretty soon) and try and grab a Pacific Blue one then. Waiting a few weeks for the right color isn't a problem for me - paying more for it is.
editors are saying that the v8 is not necessary because the v6 delivers more than enough power.
i have not tested the v8 and just bought the v6 after comparing it with my old 96 nissan pathfinder with 167 hp
The dealership I've been visiting had a V6 limited in Pacific Blue, but alas, I yearn for the V8.
Anyone have 0-60 times for the V6? I'm curious.
For me it was a no brainer, the V8 is really nice, makes it the best driving SUV IMHO. Although the v6 wasn't available when I got my runner, I did drive one when they came out and still prefer the V8.
V8 = 7.5 sec
I don't remember the source, but am pretty sure these numbers are accurate. They are both very good times for a heavy SUV, but the torque of the V8 is going to make it feel more powerful.
As for resale on each engine, it probably depends on the price of gasoline. If gas is $3.00 a gallon, the v6 might bring a premium over the v8. Although if gas is $3.00 a gallon, all 4Runners and other SUVs are gonna take a price hit.
Everyone has different needs. I, unlike many, saw many V8s but waited until I could get my hands on a V6...
What I didn't like was the way the traction control retarded the engine power when accelerating hard out of a tight corner. I still don't understand why the system is this intrusive. Any thoughts?
On a separate note, unless I was stretching my budget to the breaking point, I wouldn't even consider non-XREAS equipped 4-runner. Even with the recently mentioned problems, it is just that impressive.
My problem is that one of the dealers is the dealer that I test drove the car at, in October, when they first came out. I had no further contact with that salesman since that time, and never expected that dealer to be in the running since it was a very small dealership. However, the internet sales manager gave me a good quote and people have recommended this dealer. I later found out that they have a separate internet sales organization that deals in volume. So my question is, should I go back to the original salesman and give him the opportunity to sell the car since he set up the test drive? If he can't match the internet price, do I buy it at that dealership through the internet sales department; or do I just say its not worth the problems that this might cause, and stop feeling guilty, and buy it from the other dealership? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
The V6 and V8 are very close to each other in terms of performance. Each has its advantages and disadvantages over the other.
I got the V8 myself, because I plan on using it for towing. If that weren't a factor for me, then I'd consider it a toss-up between the two engines.
Don't lose any sleep over your decision. No matter what your "friends" say, you bought an awesome SUV!
1. I have been quoted a price of 500$ over invoice. Is it a good price? I have heard that some dealers might be offering incentives (0% APR or 1500 off invoice!?!?).
2. I haven't driven one with XREAS yet, but have heard good things about it. I am opting for it because my primary concern is safety, and the previous 4runners have had below average rollover ratings. Does anyone what the crash ratings are for 2003 models? Does XREAS add more stability, thereby reducing chances of a rollover?
3. The rear spoiler - is it there mostly for cosmetics or does it serve any other purpose besides that?
4. Can anyone comment on the 6CD changer? Are the CD changes smooth and quick?
5. I want to order one with DVD entertainment system. Does anyone have invoice and MSRP for that option? I know Toyota is not shipping with those now, but they are not shipping Ltd V6 either. So I am willing to wait till they start shipping V6, and hopefully by that time, they'll also be shipping with the DVD system. The dealer says it will be sometime around Oct.
Thanks in advance,
Samir
The legroom in the 4Runner (along with most vehicles in this class) could be improved - 6'6" and all of the vehicles I test drove (4Runner, Envoy, Explorer and Pathfinder) have what I consider the minimum amount of leg room. Headroom in all of these vehicles is also an issue - forget having a sunroof - I couldn't sit up straight in any of vehicle with a sunroof - my head actually touched the roof.
I wish Toyota would consider putting power seats in the SR5 and Sport - it's makes a big difference for us tall folks!
I got it as part of an option package, or I wouldn't have it. Don't get the double decker cargo system either.
The X-reas is definite requirement.
see http://www.rockcrawler.com/reviews/toyota/4runner_2003/torque_cur- ves.gif
Where is the V6 curve? Did I missed it? I only see a v8 HP and Torgue curve with your link.
Thanks,
SV
As for the question about the rollover rating of the 4Runner. Just so that you're aware, the "testing" the NHTSA does is totally static. They take measurments of the weight, distribution of that weight, height, etc. Then using a set of numbers, determine it's "rollover resistance". This does not take into account suspension, tire sizes, steering set-up, or stability control systems the vehicle has. What the test amounts to is setting a vehicle on a tipping table and measuring the angle at which it will roll over onto its side. So, like most test results from any organization, use it as it is designed to. It is a guideline, not a rule and does not necessarily give information about likelyhood of real-world rollover likelyhood.
Ken