Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
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
They actually have a paragraph at the beginning of the reliability ratings explaining why a model might look reliable and still get the dreaded black x. It's because at least some of the trouble spot ratings are below what's normal for the average car for that model year. It's apparently a particular problem with the most recent model year.
The 4Runner V6 gets Toyota's only black x, while the V8 model is recommended. The potential trouble areas are rated the same, except for fuel (presumably that pulsation damper problem and recall they had a year ago) and paint/trim/rust. I can understand some trim grief because of the problems with the rain gutter trim, but that was an equal issue with the V8. This doesn't compute very well, but I can't make any more sense of the issue.
Conclusions: Put your thinking cap on and use it to warp your brain into *their* shape before you make use of these ratings. The reliability verdict is mostly an initial quality rating, with rather a hair trigger.
One thing they apparently don't do is to integrate reliability experience over several years, and give a heavy weight to history, as most of us seem to do. For example, they're still recommending the VW Passat as their top family sedan pick, though their own survey data indicates that the Passat models don't age very well. The Accord gets a prominent mention as second, and the Camry is 3rd if it's mentioned at all.
Well, it's better than having no data!
FROM NHTSA:
Make: TOYOTA
Model: 4 RUNNER
Year: 2003
Recall Number: 03V146000
Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V6 ENGINES, THE FUEL PULSATION DAMPER, LOCATED ON THE FUEL RAIL, MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED, CAUSING A DIAPHRAGM IN THE PULSATION DAMPER TO BE DAMAGED. IF THE DIAPHRAGM FAILS, FUEL MAY LEAK.
I plan on getting a motorcycle carrier that hooks into the trailer hitch, its not a trailer, it just hangs off the trailer hitch. My motocross is around 250 lbs and the carrier itself is about 50. Since this weight would lower the rear end, would the XReas system be constantly trying to balance the 2 rear corners?
The other reason i am debating between the sport and the base is that i am taller then average ( 6'4" ) and just cant fit into the darn vehicle with a moonroof. The salesman found a shop in town that specializes in modding vehicles and they can lower the seat for me but am hesitent about it.
Unlike Toyota USA, Toyota Canada will NOT custom order a 4Runner.
Thanks for you help.
As far as your height , I suggest a test drive to make sure that you are comfortable in what ever model you are lookin at.
I went for 2 test drives today. The first to a shop that can lower the seat by 1", then later for an extended drive in the V8 Sport.
I just dont fit into the darn thing with the moonroof and i dont think the lowering of the seat by 1" will do it considering the specs say that the moonroof takes away 1.7".
That really sucks cause there are MANY things in the sport package that i really would like, X-REAS topping that list.
DOH! I guess i have some thinking to do.
Thanks again for all your help!
If any of you reading this are from Toyota, PLEASE BARE IN MIND that Americans ( and Canadians like me ) are TALL and seem to be getting TALLER!!!
Sorry, had to vent.
We frown on intellectual nudity in the Town Hall! ;-)
Seriously, did you try tilting the seat a little further back? You can shave off a couple of inches when you do that but comfort and safety come first.
tidester, host
I haven’t yet test driven a 4runner without a moonroof, but last year I sat in an 03 base w/o moonroof and had sufficient headroom. Most dealers in the area don’t carry models without the moonroof so I have to do a little hunting to try one without.
tidester HOST, I played with the seat for about 10 minutes to get into the most comfortable position possible, but to have my head not hit the moonroof, well, lets just say I would be looking out the REAR window, not the FRONT window. L
kinda sucks, I have wanted a 4runner since I was in high school, at the time I COULD fit into them, but couldn’t afford them, now that I have a higher enough paying job to afford one, I cant fit into it! Figures!
The other concern for us tall folk is with the seat height and finding a way to get enough cushioning under the legs. For long journeys (eg. 8 hours +) I found a wedge shaped cushion works wonders. Others suggested an upholsterer to put extra padding into the seat.
Hope this helps,
Mark.
Cloth Advantages
-Cost less.
-Leather requires more cleaning and conditioning.
-New cloth seats are very tough compared to the cloth of years ago.
-More comfortable in hot/cold weather.
-Leather starts to show 'wear' sooner. Some people prefer the look of worn leather - I don't, I think it makes the interior look old.
10-15 years is a long time considering most people use there vehicles every day. But I'd still buy cloth.
Also just and interesting side note. Once last summer, a service person at my local Toyota dealer left three long blue ink marks on my front passenger seat. I cleaned one my self with dawn dish washing liquid. That stuff can clean just about anything. It took some scrubbing and didn't completely remove the mark. I left it alone after that and was going to search for a leather cleaner and ink remover. When I check the mark after a few days, it was completely gone with the two remaining marks almost totally faded away. I believe the sun faded the ink away. I'm not sure what that says for the quality of the leather, but where the marks were looks just like the rest of the seat.
Z-10 "Leather In A Bottle" is an "aromatic" leather conditioner that not only conditions and gently softens automotive leather, but also restores a "new car" leather aroma to leather interiors, and this aroma must be experienced to be believed. In addition, Z-10 is highly effective on interior VINYL, and is vastly better than Armor-All, etc. in this regard. Simply put, if you have a leather interior, get thee some Zaino Z-9 and Z-10, and you'll be amazed. You'll also love the aroma!
The 2003 and up seems like it has true leather, not PVC coated like previous 4Runners which could stand up to a beating. Never get this new stuff wet. It will ruin it. Kheinz, you seem reasonable. You give Zaino some validation to what I though was a multi-level marketing product. I am looking for a one application wax for the 4Runner. Not any show wax, just something that lasts...any suggestions? Previous long time Raindance user. Can't find it any more.
While the Zaino system is not a "one step" process, in my opinion you can still apply Zaino to your vehicle in a MINIMAL number of steps that won't be much more work than a one step process. To illustrate this point, I would suggest the following "minimalist" Zaino strategy. (Refer to Zaino's web site and their FAQ and "tips" for more information. It is highly recommended that you use clean, white, 100% cotton, made in the USA, Fieldcrest or Cannon towels, as described at Zaino's web site. Buy plenty of these towels, and use them only for your vehicle. do not use any type of fabric softener or dryer sheets when cleaning them.)
1) Place your vehicle in a clean and well-lit garage for the entire "minimalist" project, which should take only 2-3 hours;
2) In order to remove all previous waxes, polishes, surface contaminants, etc., wash the vehicle thoroughly using Dawn (Blue) dishwashing detergent. Rinse thoroughly (but don't dry), and then immediately wash the vehicle again, this time using Z-7 Car Wash. Now thoroughly towel dry the vehicle;
3) Optional but recommended: As you begin to apply the Zaino polish as described below, regularly spritz some Z-6 Gloss Enhancer Spray onto the polish applicator pad, and keep this pad moistened with Z-6 throughout the application of the polishes;
4) If your clearcoat has obvious swirl marks or fine scratches that you would like to remove or lessen, GENTLY apply (don't rub!) Z-5 admixed with ZFX, according to the label instructions. When dry, gently buff-off using clean towels. (If you don't have swirl marks or fine scratches, you can simply apply and remove Z-2 admixed with ZFX, according to the label instructions.) NOTE: The most common error made by those who are new to Zaino's polish system is applying an excessive amount of polish! Read the instructions carefully, and trust that only a thin and often nearly invisible film of polish/ZFX is required to do the job right! When you wipe-off the polish after a proper amount of drying time, a sure sign that you've applied just enough polish is how EFFORTLESSLY it will hand-buff off the vehicle's finish, leaving a deeply lusterous and smooth finish to the eyes and to the touch. If you decide that you want MORE of these products on your vehicle's finish, you should apply and wipe-off ADDITIONAL thin coats, rather than applying a heavy coat at any one application!
5) Assuming you've correctly applied and wiped-off the 1st coat of either Z-5/ZFX or Z-2/ZFX, you should be stunned and amazed by the results. At this point, if you don't wish to proceed with any additional coats of Zaino polish, then relax--you are done! On the other hand, if you've correctly applied and buffed off the polish as described above, you may become intoxicated with your initial results, and you may then become much more enthusiastic about applying additional thin coats of Zaino polish. And indeed, while a single coat of Zaino polish is far better than none, the results you'll see from additional coats will simply knock your socks off. I happen to prefer a first coat of Z-5, followed by 2 or 3 coats of
Z-2, but your tastes may vary. That said, I'll say again that a single coat of Zaino polish is better than none!
6) Whenever you wash your vehicle, use Z-16 Tire Gloss on your tires, exterior vinyl, etc. This product is superior to silicone based products, and it holds its shine well.
7) While the finish of a properly "Zaino'd" finish is amazingly protective and lusterous, there are a few requirements to keep your vehicle's finish looking this good. First, during the warmer months of the year, periodically hand-wash the vehicle using Z-7 car wash soap. Secondly, re-apply the Zaino polish(es) about every six months-- I prefer to do this every spring and fall. Thirdly, try to promptly remove any bird poop or tree sap that you might see on the finish, and try to park in areas where this stuff is less likely to fall on the vehicle.
While the above steps may initially seem like too much work, consider that you're already washing and polishing your vehicle every now and then, and you're probably also applying tire dressing every so often. Therefore, it shouldn't seem to be much more of a stretch to begin using Zaino products in place of the products you're currently using, and once you catch the Zaino bug, you might want to explore their other products, such as their leather cleaning and conditioning products.
and
Store Bought Waxes Part II (No Zaino Posts)
can keep you occupied for hours.
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
The fm modulator provides ok sound but not digital quality. Does anyone know if there are aux inputs in the Head Unit for a CD changer? If so, my JVC Sirius unit will allow the satellite signal to be input there.
If there are aux/changer inputs, how would I get behind the head unit to hook it up?