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I know you posted that before, for someone else. I was going to have the service department do it.
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Mackabee
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Mackabee
I have an 03 LTD V8 and live in North Carolina. I didn't notice the smell at all until a few months ago. Its defiantly there now, not overpowering but annoying. A couple of questions for those who know the world of gasoline...
1) Does sulfur content change per season? I got my 'runner in Oct and didn't notice the smell until Jan/Feb. I haven't changed driving style or gas stations (frequent the same one)
2) Doesn't sulfur (unburnt) harm the cat convertor over time?
3) Has anyone received any concrete data from the different gas companies as to their allowable sulfur (in states other then Calif). Are some better then others?
4) Anyone know if the law in NC requiring sulfur to be reduced by Jan 04 is still going to happen or did the petro lobby get it deferred?
5) Anyone in Atlanta having the smell? I heard that they have reduced sulfur gas in Atl.
Sorry for all the questions but hopefully this will help everyone with a stinky 'runner.
Thanks - J
My burning question is, how the heck do I care for the cladding?? What do I do to ensure that it lasts the life of this vehicle?? Any particular products known to clean and protect?
My lease is about up and I've ordered a 4-Runner Sport. My only real "gripe" about the DII is the tires. With the ACE system, and on all 2003 SE and HSE models, they come with 18" LOW profile tires only; there is NO option. I do a lot of off roading in the summer and, believe me, rock crawling is no place for low profile tires. There are also a lot of highway complaints that potholes blow the tire out because they pinch so easily. I have communicated with Land Rover about the tires and their reasoning is that most owners do not go off road and the low profile tires are better suited for the highway. Fine; but what about those of us who do go off road? It seems kind of silly to build such a highly capable off road vehicle and then fit it with an unsuitable tire. Kind of like putting ballerina slippers on Hulk Hogan. The only solution is to buy 16" rims ($1500) for which you can get suitable tires, there being no decent off road tires in the 18" low profile size; just ask Michelin, Firestone, Perelli, etc. I did.
The other reason I'm switching is that ever since Ford bought Land Rover, the focus seem to be moving toward building better soccer mom transportation rather than continuing the Land Rover heritage of being one of the best, if not the best, in off road capability. The flagship Range Rover went unibody this year, as well as made other changes such as rack and pinion steering, and Discovery, I'm told, will soon follow. Toyota, on the other hand, is not only maintaining 4-Runner off road capability, but is improving it (more rigid LADDER frame construction, locking center differential, a 17" tire that is off road worthy, etc.) It also seems to me that Toyota takes customer complaints seriously and acts quickly to rectify them (appearance package made standard). Land Rover, on the other hand, had done nothing about the low profile tire complaints (see LR posts) stating only that it is a marketing decision. In fact, when I told my dealer that I was considering buying 16" rims, they told me it could void the warranty and that they would not mount them. Reasoning was that the ACE system (similar purpose to x-res on Toyota)has been tested with the 18" low profile tires only and any other tire is considered not suitable. By the way, for the moment, the base SD still comes with 16" rims.
Well, that's my 2 cents. For the moment I'm hoping the Sport I ordered does not come equipped with the odor--it does seem to be a regional gas related problem that is short lived--as when off road, I like to smell the roses, not smelly exhaust fumes.
Like Jaredmsd, I too want a V-6 4X4 Sport with no options. I suspect I will have to special order it. Should I wait until June to get the reduced pricing or will I get that price if I order at April 30 for a July delivery.
By the way, great interaction on this board with excellent information. Thanks.
design for the newest Range Rover was already in place before Ford
bought it, because it would have cost them even more to start the design
process over again and the new Range Rover would have been delayed many
years. So thank BMW for their decisions on the unibody design. Why do
you think there are so many BMW parts in the new Range Rover (the engine
for one)? Because, as I said, it would have cost Ford a fortune to
change the design, so they just left a lot of it in. Not really an
important point, I just thought the same, that Ford ruined it, only to
learn later that it was BMW.
bmw323is:
Indeed running boards suck offroad, so they should NOT be standard on
the "Sport" model.
I'm glad someone shares my feelings about paying thousands for options
that aren't needed in what I consider a fairly 'fully loaded' truck with
its standard equipment. I didn't even get floor mats because I knew I
was going to replace them with weathertech's.
Considering your thought about the pricing and ordering date:
I ordered my truck through Carson Toyota in Carson, Ca through the
suggestion of a few dealers on here when asked about build orders. My
deal was a certain amount
over invoice (in my case $1000) at delivery time. So, even though I was
quoted invoice at the time, I was told that if pricing changed, my
deal changed (which now is a good thing), so maybe you could assume
the same would happen with you.
One reason why you wouldn't want to wait until June to order is
that I think build ordering stops on the '03 models by then. I think I was
told that they will take '04 build orders in June or July, but of course
those vehicles wouldn't be delivered until much later. In fact, when I
ordered in Feb. I think I was told that the May timeframe was the latest
that they will make build orders on '03's.
Hope that helped.
-Jared
I purchased the Consumers report new car report and found out exactly what the LMTD is or should be worth. As it is I am paying more on top of that is the dealer hold back for $714.00..I don't feel there should be any hidden fees. It should be loaded and no extra add-on correct? Some one please give me feedback so I can feel better about this.
I would love to hear some stories.
Also the color is Stratosphere Mica... So if they don't make paint, who is going to match that color?
Doc fees vary by dealer, and tend to be non-negotiable themselves (although you might have better luck negotating a price INCLUDING doc fee, then comparing between dealers). Most of the ones around here charge $250-$300. Unfortunately, if you've already negotiated a price - it may be hard to do anything about the doc fee, depending on what you've signed and what agreement you have in place already. This should have been discussed before a price was agreed upon.
I ended up going through carsdirect.com, and their dealer partner here in the Denver area happened to charge NO doc fee, which I thought was pretty cool. I paid for the vehicle and tax (and that's it) at the time of sale. Registration and Title are paid separately in Colorado.
If the doc fee is small, say, $100 or less, I probably wouldn't worry about it. Otherwise it depends on where you are in the process - you may have a hard time changing it.
I guess my point is, just pay the little fee and enjoy the 4runner. Ya'll make this waaayyy more complicated then it needs to be.
High doc fees are just another profit center for the dealer.
Here's what edmunds.com says:
What You Should Pay:
"Reasonable documentation fee ($50 is reasonable; $250 is not)"
link
Steve, Host
In addition to that I have nothing to do with how your local Toyota Dealer operates. I'm sorry they are that way. Don't take their mistakes out on me. Here everyone that WANTS a price today gets one, And if it isn't agreeable, we don't expect people to do business here. We are doing somthing right though, we're the states volume leader!!!! You don't get there by having a "bad rep" or by Ticking people off frequently with no resolve.
I can tell you that there is a disconnect between the CU/Edmunds price and what the dealer will call invoice. The difference being the advertising, holdback and fees. The real question is how much can you cut into this. My experience so far is "not too much". Just work your best deal and be happy that you got the truck you wanted. Now if I could just do the same.
BTW, if you're close to Deleware and pass on the truck, please let me know. BTW, the best price for your rig here w/o xreas or nav and sticker of 38.9 is 35.3. Are you getting a similar deal?
Hey, I'm outta here. Have a great Easter weekend for those of that persuation. God bless America and protect the troops.
Jared, I asked the dealer about a Sport with no options and a V6. Said I would definately have to order it. Instead he found an SR5 with only about $350 of options (besides the wheels) and I can deal with that. Thanks for your advice, but perhaps I won't have to order one after all.
The reverse lights are not very bright. Is there a brighter bulb and if so, where do I get them?
Has anyone tried to put the junior size kleenex box in the holder in the center console? It doesn't quite fit. What size works?
Is the little radiator in front of the main one the transmission cooler?
I'm sure there will be more questions as I drive it more. In the meantime, thanks for everybodys help.
Morry
JD
I took my Titanium Silver with splendid gray cladding in for an oil change yesterday. I noticed that the Service Dept. did not use the "tweety bird" door open / close sound to locate vehicles for service. They hit the panic button for a few healthy beeps. Not the tweet tweet.
Also I pointed out that the receiver is not 2 ", but something smaller. The parts guy ordered me a new receiver. There was a parts notice he showed me.
My 4Runner was up on the rack a good 1/2 hour. I have the V-8, and someone posted that getting the filter off was time consuming. I saw this first hand yesterday.
I wonder if the reverse lights not being/looking bright is because of the tinted windows. Did you actually look at them from outside the vehicle? I've noticed at night that the tinting on the privacy glass is fairly dark.
The tow hitch isn't exactly 2 inches? Is that because of the other problem noted, that there were some metal spurs inside it? I hope that wouldn't thwart my plan to get a Colorado Avalanche hitch plug....
thanks
Steve, Host
I know it was mentioned here before, but for those planning to buy/recently bought... check your tire pressure when you take delivery. I believe they overinflate the tires for shipping reasons. Mine were all 45+ PSI. Better ride after this was corrected.
Gotta go drive my new truck!
As to the kleenex box, I found the exact size at Wall Mart.
As to the hitch receiver for several posters, I just took a file to the inside of the receiver a little to knock out the burrs & smooth it up & it slides in & out now with no problems.
LOVE my 4Runner!
It works with wireless headphones that you purchase from the parts dept.
My kids love it. They can listen to CDs when I am listening to talk radio, news, traffic, etc.
I live in Phoenix, Arizona, the truck capital of the world. You either own a truck here or you face ridicule. It is so difficult to find trucks, especially Toyota in BLACK--my favorite color. I only buy BLACK.
All this business about BLACK being hard to maintain is rediculous! I can't figure out if this belief is something that people learn at a young age passed down from indoctinated parents or what? Where does this idea come from. My BLACK trucks get washed every 3-4 weeks, are driven everyday and look great and sparkle like only BLACK can. People that have other color trucks complement mine and want to know what I put on it to make it shine. ANSWER: NOTHING--Black shines--it is the best looking color!
Another weird concept prevelant in Arizona is that you should not buy a BLACK vehicle b/c it is too hot! Again, where do people get this from?? Can someone educate me please.
I am contemplating going to California to get a BLACK 4-runner soon b/c Toyota ships so few BLACKS to Arizona and many to California. Guess what: BLACK is very popular in Califonia and the first to sell. Imagine that. Amazing folks!
More insanity: I call the Toyota Dealer in Palm Springs California--(for those not familiar--a VERY hot desert city--same as Phoenix--110 to 115 all summer). I tell Fleet that I am from Phoenix just 250 miles away and I can't find BLACK--do you have BLACK? Gentlemen states: Sure, whatever model you want--part of their regular allotment.
I wonder if all those California BLACK 4-runner buyers realize that if they drive their Truck to ARIZONA--they will first get immediately dirty because it is BLACK and then burn up like a space shuttle re-entering the atmosphere?
Steve, Host