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Comments
http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cars/msg0122241726983.html?2- - 8789
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The $500 is not a "rebate" in the way it is normally presented. It is money that the dealer gets from the manufacturer. It also expires at close of business tonight.
I have not gone off road, so I will leave that input to the experts but here are my
pluses, gimmicks and improvements that could be made to this vehicle:
Pluses:
The V8 power, handling, steering feel are incredible. I am loving this awd. These pluses far out weigh the niggling complaints to follow. I am coming out of a '98 which was a part-time 4wd. The awd really adds confidence. The wife always felt like she was driving a truck in the '98, no longer. After a five hour drive, you are a lot more rested, if that makes sense.
The wider body adds some good space up front and for the middle passengers.
I am really high on the rear air suspension. The '98 sagged alot with a heavy rear load. The rear air suspension does a great job compensating for that. Looking forward to trying a trip with a trailer soon. The nav system is also first rate. The new rear seat fold-down was done well. The telescoping steering well improves driving position a ton. I like the info center.
Gimmicks:
- the rear seat trash bag holder
- the rear shelf(really eats up some good space)
- dual climate control
Improvements that could be made, no particular order:
- Satellite radio option
- voltmeter and oil pressure gauges needed.
- easier access to the oil filter
- lighted window controls
- a 12 volt cig lighter adapter in the dash not the console where you have to open a hinged compartent
- needs a hand emergency brake, not the foot one.
- need a neutral position available for the transfer case switch.
- brakes are a hair spongy.
- needs a mute button for the steering wheel audio controls.
- needs an idiot buzz for when you leave your lights on in the non-auto position.
- (don't cringe intermed), the cup holders are too big in front and not deep enough, maybe just a poor design. If you have three people in the rear, there are no cup holders since you can't fold out the arm rest.
- color selection could be better.
- mpg's: 17 highway, 13 city. will improve, I'm sure.
- someone nailed the trailer hitch assembly when they said it looked like it was welded in a high school shop class.
- did someone say third row seat(OPTION).
- and the previously mentioned shifter design.
...my four cents. Overall, a massive improvement from a '98.
"You all may have a problem but when you road tested and it smelled to you and your family why did you buy it? Or are you saying it was ok and smelled later?"
"Again if it smelled when you bought it you should not of took it.How could it not smell on your road tests whitch probably was more than one 4 runner, it should have been 3 or 4 to be sure it was ok and the one you bought shoul have been tested the most."
The point I was making is that just because a person took possession of a new vehicle that had an odor coming from the exhaust, does not mean that they were wrong for doing that. You said that if the exhaust had an odor they should not of took it. What I'm saying is that sometimes new cars have an exhaust odor but it does not mean that there's a problem because often the odor goes away after break in. If it doesn't then obviously there is a problem. But it is not apparent on a test drive if the odor is a problem or a temporary condition.
I left my lights on all day once (I think they DID go off after some time though?). It was raining and I needed more than just the DTRL on...it's the law in La...
Also if white / taupe leather would have been avail in the limited would probably have gone with it instead of the dorado gold...although I get many compliments on the color.
OH, and it's a V6 ...NO SULPHUR SMELL...just in case anyone was courious.
LOVED MY 93...LOVE MY 03 !
And for anyone who wants a third row seat, and is willing to pony up for a limited 4Runner: you can get the GX470 with the third seat, right? And it goes for a little more than a loaded limited V-8.
2014 Mini Cooper (stick shift of course), 2016 Camry hybrid, 2009 Outback Sport 5-spd (keeping the stick alive)
The engineer who designed that little console box with the 12V cigarette lighter receptacle, under a lid, should be given his pink slip. "Clear out your desk, Kinji"
The brakes on my V-8 Sport are not at all spongy. They are excellent. I did brake them in properly. Traffic was very accommodating. I have not to really had to get on them yet. I have over 3700 miles and I have yet to use the anti lock feature, or the VSC, not even in the snow.
I am extremely satisfied with this vehicle.
I filled up in all of the following states: Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. No where along the trip did I notice any sort of bad smell eminating from the vehicle.
I computed the gas mileage for every fillup on the trip. It varied between 14.88 and 17.31. Generally, the faster I went the worse the mileage. The tanks that gave me around 15 mpg were generally done at 80mph, whereas the 17mpg tanks were doing between 60 and 70. Guess if you want to save gas, slow down. Total average for the trip was 15.75mpg. The trip computer said 17.2. Guess it felt more optimistic. I don't imagine the coefficient of drag on the new 4Runner is all that good, so going faster you end up pushing a lot of air around, reducing mileage. Anyone know what the CD is for this vehicle?
With 15/19 EPA ratings, this isn't terribly surprising to me. Taking my 19/27 EPA Audi A4 on road trips, I generally got about 3mpg or so less than the highway EPA rating. It's definitely a thirsty vehicle, but I expected it, so I can't complain too loudly.
So far, both my wife and I love this vehicle. Very comfortable for the road trip with 2 of us, and handled the luggage well. It was powerful, and even moderately fun to drive for a vehicle of this type.
My complaints are minor. Here's some of them:
I could have used a slightly larger (30+) gallon fuel tank. Sure it's going to eat through the gas, but at least you can limit the number of times you stop with a larger tank.
I couldn't quite find a good spot to rest my left arm during long periods of driving. Maybe I need to telescope the wheel closer. My shoulder got sore.
The 'MODE' button on the steering wheel mounted audio should cycle through 'off' as one of the modes, rather than just "AM/FM/CD/Tape" as it would be nice to actually shut it off from here.
Locate the 115V AC power outlet in a more convenient place. It's a pain in the butt down there in the middle of the center console. It's a cool feature, though.
The smell problem definitely falls within the lemon law.
1) Contact your local consumer affairs department. File a complaint.
2) Contact your local Attorney General. File a complaint.
3) Contact NHTSA. File a safety complaint. Public number 1.888.327.4236
It seems that most of the issues with the sulphur smell have been with the V8. ( Since the V6 was a late release perhaps there just are not as many out there.)
My point and/or question: if the V8 has been around for awhile and this problem has not surfaced in other similar vehicles, wouldn't that argue for a computer setting or a different catalytic converter or different exhaust system.
Comments ?
My 4Runner smells like a beautiful spring meadow full of flowers and bunnies.
GX470 people complain about the smell.
"And for anyone who wants a third row seat, and is willing to pony up for a limited 4Runner: you can get the GX470 with the third seat, right? And it goes for a little more than a loaded limited V-8."
Since they are not really discounting the GX its about $12,000 more for a vehicle equipped like a 4Runner Limited.
The "mode" button on the steering wheel does turn the stereo off and on. To turn it off, just hold the button down for about a second and a half (if you just push the mode button it will cycle to the next mode—you have to hold it down to get it to turn off without changing the mode). This also works fine as a mute button. Tap the mode button it when the stereo is off and the system turns back on at the same point it was when turned off.
The headlights on my LTD turn off automatically after a certain period when left on after parking (you might have to take the key out and exit the vehicle--not sure). You can leave the light switch turned “on” all the time if you want.
I have no sulphur smell after 10,700 miles.
This vehicle is one of the best, if not THE best, I have ever owned. It rides and handles great--especially for a 4WD truck. It tows great. My wife and I both love it. So even though I have a list of dislikes I still think it is an outstanding vehicle.
DISLIKES/SUGGESTED IMPROVEMENTS
Gas mileage should be better
Cruise control loses its memory below about 25 mph (I HATE that—have to take my eyes off the road for too long to get it reset exactly where I want it—it should retain its memory even when stopped)
Glass seems to pit too easily
The in-the-way rear shelf needs to be deleted, or at least make it removable
No XM Satellite Radio option—at least give us a jack in the back to plug it in
This truck should have Michelin Cross Terrain tires
No windshield wiper de-icer
No low tire warning system—even my Sienna had one, and it worked
Needs volt and oil gauges
Need one of the 12 volt outlets to stay live when vehicle is turned off
More interesting colors would be nice
Fix the hitch problems
HID lights would be nice
Could use a larger rear storage space (subwoofer takes this space in JBL equipped vehicles)
Needs memory seats (OK, maybe I should buy the Lexus)
I would prefer DRLs to use headlights, not parking lights
LIKES
As stated above, ride and comfort are exceptional
Wonderful torque and acceleration
Drives very nice-XREAS suspension is great!
Very comfortable on long trips
Dual climate control works well (my wife likes it hotter than me)
Cup holders are usable and plentiful
Cruise control stalk, and most other controls, very well designed
Console, front cubby holes are nice
Personally, I like the shifter, except that it is too easy to accidentally shift out of overdrive
Rear air suspension works great for towing
I prefer NO 3rd seat
VSC really works--my 18 year old can't do donuts in it, even on snow (may even be a bit too intrusive, but I like it that way for my family)
Guess they're not selling as well as the monochromatic ones.
Ooops.
My one complaint, and I'm guessing this is probably the tires, is they induce a slight wobble in the vehicle on grooved pavement. It's a little disconcerting. I'm guessing the tread is catching the grooves somehow. It doesn't happen on smooth pavement.
Is this true? I thought you could remove the shelf, but I have yet to see one in person. Dealer didn't have a limited. That would be a big minus as we plan on putting our pups back there.
thanks,
delguy
Personally, I don't find the shelf obtrusive. You can put it up when you want to use it, but it does fold down flat on the cargo area if you don't want to use it. About all it does is eat up maybe 1 inch of vertical cargo space at the bottom when it's in the down position. I don't see where it would really get in the way unless there's something that would just fit if it only had 1 inch more top-to-bottom space. In that case I'd think you'd probably have more problems getting it through the rear gate, though.
As for the net, I've found it useful, but I only have it strung to the attachments on one side of the cargo area. It's wrapped around the box I keep all my road emergency gear (flashlight, jumper cables, etc.) in to keep it from sliding around the back of the vehicle.
Tires - My dealer was kind enough to actually switch the Bridgestones off my car and replace them with the CTs for me. IMHO a much better tire.I also put them on my '96 runner.
Shelf - Laid it flat, covered it with a homemade liner and blanket and 260lbs. of dogs. No longer a problem and something never to be used by me.
Net - Basically, did the same thing as vodgut and then put it to use across the back when I need to keep grocery bags from tipping over.
Instead of the silly shelf, I wish Toyota had furnished us with a snap-in snap-out dog barrier (like the roller cover snaps in)--now that would have been useful (of course, I suppose there may be some people who don't carry their dogs in the back!)
Wet dogs in the back of a 4 Runner would get my attention.
Regards - Neil
Regards - Neil
In general, you can get better pricing if you can buy one out of inventory. That is a guideline and not a rule. In smaller markets (like Roanoke), they know they can't possibly stock enough inventory to satisfy everybody's needs. They employ a fair number of local retired folks to do dealer exchanges. Its pretty common.
I would suggest working with them on a price. If you can get something you are comfortable with, buy it. If not, then plan your road trip.
Good luck -