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Comments
The appearance package is available in 5 different colors, but white is not one of them! (Titanium, Galactic Gray, Black, Dorado Gold, Stratosphere Mica).
I actually inquired about the warranty, and the dealer assured that I would receive the standard Toyota new-car warranty: 36/36,000 5/60,000.
Any other thoughts?
Steve, Host
Keep in mind that while you may be getting the 4Runner at below US Invoice, it is now considered a used auto and your ability to re sell the vehicle and get fair market value may be impacted as it is a non US Market vehicle. They buy them at a substantial discount vs US because of the exchange rate of CDN vs US currency.(they are still likely making a few grand or more). It sounds like a decent deal but it may not be if Toyota stops honoring warranties as noted above. Another thing to consider is the CDN LTD 4Runners come loaded. When I did a price comparison and broke down the dealer cost vs CDN MSRP, it looked like they were making about 5-7K. Go check Toyota Canada's website and see what their "Access Price" is for the LTD. Convert the MSRP to US. Still easily a few thousand under US base LTD minus the air suspension and X Reas.. There is a cost to the importing dealership to convert the speedo etc to make it US Spec..When I was in the market, I was able to find dealers that were willing to go $500 over invoice on a US 4Runner. Keep looking. I'd go with the US market 4Runner over the CDN one anyday especially if I lived a fair distance from the CDN border/CDN Toyota dealership..
So, check to make sure that what you're purchasing is not a used vehicle which has a title with someone else's name on it. Also, if it was originally titled more than 6 months ago, you're losing the time on the warranty from that inital "in-service" date to the time you purchase it. If it wasn't 6 mos or longer ago, then you're losing ALL of the factory warranty.
Ken
Thanks for all the replies.
I am in the market for a LTD V6 4X4, and this one cauht my eye since it was the right color, loaded package, and well under invoice.
Everything was kind of fishy at first. the window sticker was a "used-car" type, which stated "As-is/no warranty". I continued to show interest being that the price seemed like a steal for the V8. Apparently this particular model has been on the lot for close to 3 months. I asked about the warranty, and the dealer had said that it would come with the standard new-car warranty. He also mentioned that since it is not an US model, it WOULD NOT be eligible for the "Lemon Law".
They added however that if anything major were to happen, they would replace the vehicle free of cost"-This seemed like BS.
Well given all the facts, I will definitely pass on this deal. Thanks for the feedback. I knew this deal sounded too good to be true!!!
Steve, Host
Has anyone contacted Toyota customer service? The dealer?
Toyota should make the appearance package available for all. This is a newly issued vehicle that has undergone a major change within months of its release. Unless Toyota addresses this issue, they will be doing an injustice to their customers.
Let me know your thoughts when you pull up aside an SR5 with the appearance package.
$2000 for the limited cladding. Another $1000 to have it all painted.
So much for my great mechanic skills.
Observations:
1) when demonstrating the vehicle, the salesman told me that the center diff could only be locked when in 4LO. Is this the case? I vaguely remember reading something to the contrary.
2) After replacing the Subaru sedan that was in my garage with the new 4Runner, I'm amazed with how much smaller my garage got! I've driven compact sedans all my life, and this thing seems big to me....
3) Wow this is a smooth vehicle. Quiet seamless power, smooth ride on-road.
As for pricing, after having done my research and looked and called both dealer lots and online stores, it is possible (around here at least) to get the Limited at invoice (invoice being Edmunds/KBB/etc. optioned invoice plus the TDA - dealer advertising fee, about $800 here) plus the somewhat high doc fee. Actually, I paid approx invoice + $300, no doc fee, and other dealers would do invoice + $300 doc fee, so the bottom line was the same in the end. Seems to me the best way to price out the vehicle is to find out exactly what they'll charge for the doc fee before settling on a price - or include the doc fee in the price - it seems it can make a big difference.
2.It appears that the computer Mpg rating is a bit high. Is that the norm?
3.WB what exactly is your 4runner doing when the ABS light comes on?
What you can't do is finance through Toyota Financial Service and you can't get a genuine Toyota extended warranty.
Don't have time to type the whole thing, but basically states if you have the odor, check for codes.
States that the problem could go away by trying a different fuel source.
I'll try to find a cut and paste version.
Steve
I traded in my 1994 4-runner with 120k miles. With the reputation of the 8, I hope to get at least that far without any major problems with this new one.
I am extremely impressed with the new 4 runner and its capabilities. Absolutely the best 4wd system. After test driving 11 different makes I decided the 4 runner more closely met my needs. My biggest problem was deciding on which model of 4 runner ??
Just sharing my personal opinions and why I selected my vehicle. First,it had to be 4wd. (I personally would never buy this type of vehicle with 2wd.) Next, V-6 vs V-8. Drove and liked both. V-8 approx $750 more. Insignificant. Gas mileage difference, 1-2 mpg, insignificant. Probably easier to run reg vs prem in V-8 due to compression differences. V-6, new engine. V-8, tested and bullet-proof. V-6 has 4spd automatic transmission. V8 has 5 spd auto trans. I chose V-8.
The engines are close enough that I suspect the informed buyer will choose based on the respective differences in the 4wd systems. Both excellent. With the v8 you get fulltime 4wd with lo capabilities and center diff locking capabilities in 4high or 4 low. With the v6 you get the ability to run in 2wd which you cannot do with the v8 system. Many serious off-roading enthusiasts may prefer the flexibility of the system that comes with the v6.
Next X-reas. I had read about it and wanted it. Standard on Sport, opt on Ltd, not available on SR5. Drove with X-reas and without. Frankly, I could tell the difference but it was not extreme.(Any of the 4runners don't roll and toss like a Tahoe or an Expedition. I worried about the "new technology". I would have gotten x-reas if I could have found on vehicle I liked otherwise.
Now the all important "cosmetics". I liked the LTD., but it had a lot of things I personally did not like ( cargo-system, self-dimming mirror, silver roof rack). I wanted a black vehicle. If I had wanted silver I would have purchased the Ltd ( roof rack is silver). Liked interior on the sport, but did not like cladding and could not get appearance pkg. The appearance pkg in the sr5 allows you to get the LTD look for approx $300. Also you can get a black roof rack and black running boards ( instead of silver). Also you can order the wheels you want, 16 or 17, in aluminum.)
Well, IMHO , the 4 runner is a great vehicle. The fun is selecting the model that fits your personal tastes. Hope this helps someone decide.
bigorange30 "Jeep Grand Cherokee vs '03 Toyota 4Runner" Feb 28, 2003 8:25pm
Lease Trading
and this may help too:
Answers to Three Tough Leasing Questions
Good luck!
Steve, Host
- Virtually all the capability in the high-end Audi quattro systems are now available in the 4Runner.
- Same with safety devices (brakes, curtain airbags, VSC, etc.)
- For urban commuting (I consider the fuel cost to be the price of safety), the better view of the road and problems ahead can't be beat.
- Although the best AWD cars have incredible traction, they don't have the ground clearance for deep snow (or the ridges made by snowplows at exit ramps, etc.). Obviously, you can't even think of taking them off road.
- Reliability/cost of repair - 7/100 extended warranty for the Audi was 3 time the cost of one for the 4Runner.
This site was really helpful in making my decision, thanks for your posts.
All the ones around here are 4WD, and it seems, to me at least, kinda pointless to have this vehicle without.
Took it for a drive up US36 to Estes Park, then down US34 to Loveland. This route goes from 5000 feet, US36 peaks at over 9000 feet, Estes is about 7700 feet, and US34 goes back down to 5000 feet. Both roads are quite twisty. The V8 made getting up the hills effortless. With the X-REAS, this vehicle felt almost sporty in the turns. I was impressed on that account.
The one thing that doesn't feel as good as I'd like is the brakes. They're a bit spongy, and not confidence inspiring when you feel like "Is my 4400 lb SUV really gonna be able to stop?". I think yes, it will stop, but the brake feel doesn't let you KNOW that.
Observed MPG (not trip computer, this is calculated) in mixed driving, including the trip to the mountains, is 17.5mpg. Trip computer told me 19.0 after that trip plus some time on the Interstate, so it probably went up after the computed MPG.
I purchased a 2003 Titanium Sport Edition V-8 in late December. I love most things about the truck after 2000 miles, with one or two exceptions. The weather seal on the trailing edge of the back doors is ineffective at keeping mud, sand and small gravel outside. The (1/4 inch) gap between the doors and the body is directly in front of the rear tires. Sizeable accumulations of slop collect between the paired weather stripping on the inside edges of the doors and must be hosed out at the car wash with doors opened. The mud also drains down from the interior door jam area onto the running boards. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed this problem. I looked at three 2003s at the local dealer lot and noticed considerable variations in the width of the fenderwell door gap (presumably a function of door alignment at the factory).
The rear tires also throw slop onto the rear portion of the running boards, which then gets tracked into the vehicle by the kids. The old 4Runner integral running board/door design seems to have been a better arrangement for keeping the mud in the fenderwells. The running boards just might have to go.
I called Toyota customer service today to inquire about dealer installation of the appearance package for those of us that didn't know the option would be available a month after we purchased. I was told there was no plan for retrofitting. I'm disappointed -- no mad!
I have the V8 Titanium Sport that I now have a little over 2K miles on. I bought mine in late DEC also.
Just think, we now have the highly prized, extremely valuable, very rare, saught by collectors of vintage vehicles, the 2003 gray cladding, V-8 Sport 4Runners.
Thanks
-Jared
Bah, humbug!
Seriously, it does look a lot better with it, from the pics I've seen. Personally, I do like the other extras the Limited has, though. Dealers around here are just starting to get SR5's with the appearance package in, at least they said when I picked up my Limited.
There have been quite a few mileage posts in the forum, maybe you could search on them? Though most of the ones I've seen are for the V8. Seems like the range for those that I've seen are within the EPA estimates. My personal mileage is. Dunno about the V6, though.
What kind of mileage do you get with your JGC, and what engine does it have?
It's more of an annoyance than a major gripe since I'm very happy with the car overall. But if anyone figures out a way to prevent this interior collection of mud and crud I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks,
morry1@adelphia.net
I am going to have my dealer check it when I take it in for service. I also want them to make my door lock alarm much louder. It sounds like tweety bird now. I am so embarrassed in parking lots when I lock it, "tweet" or unlock all the doors "tweet tweet tweet"
As for my Jeep GC, it has a straight 6 and I get about 20mpg on the road below 65mph and 18mpg at 75.
I seem to remember some discussion about the appearance being a port-installed option, but I'm not looking back right now. Anyone know if this is the case, and why it might not show up on their website yet?
Seeing the V8 mileages, I would imagine that a V6 4Runner would probably be similar in mileage to your JGC for highway driving.
I personally don't value the looks of the truck enough to care whether or not it has the cladding, but from a durability/strength/long-term-looks standpoint, I am interested.
Thanks ahead for any insight,
-Jared
Thanks,
morry1@adelphia.net
I love my cladding :>)
Only 6 in the Chicago Region, 9 in Cincinatti Region.
Contact me direct and I can try to help.
To trb2, look at the KBB website, for more detailed info on option packages. IMO, better site for reviewing options than Edmunds.
IMO, the gray cladding is a much better choice for serious off-roading, hence the reason only choice on the Sport model. To many the painted look is better on the Limited for "street use". You have a choice on the SR5.
Just my opinions. Thanks
I am really frustrated by the ambiguity of the manual regarding octane...it says you need a minimun of 87 but recommends premium for 'increased performance';;...what the heck does that really mean? In my experience vehicles are usually meant to operate with just one grade of fuel.
Question: What "performance" is increased exactly, and also, will using 87 decrease in any way the life span of my engine? I really want to get it right so I can enjoy this truck for many years...
Thanks
Most modern engines are adaptive, in that they can detect when low-octane fuel is causing knocking in the combustion chamber and adjust the ignition timing to compensate. Of course, this timing change reduces power output and cuts miles per gallon as well.
I've tried 87, 89 and 93 octane fuel in our '03 V8 and haven't really noticed a difference, but our weather here in Michigan has been so cold that it's really hard to draw any conclusions. I've settled down to running 89 octane regularly as a compromise. I tow a 4,000# trailer, and plan to use 93 when I tow, as I did with our '98 V6.
Since Toyota says 87 is OK, I don't have any concerns about it doing any damage to the engine.
-Karl, '03 Limited V8 4WD