V8 Limited
This is my first post to the board. I bought a V8 Limited about 4 weeks ago. It has Nav, side curtain air bags, air suspension, 2WD, and it is Galactic Gray.
This is the most quiet vehicle I have ever had, including a 2001 MB E320. Solid feel, drinks gas, comfortable seats, smooth, drinks gas, firm ride, intuitive NAV. Did I say drinks gas? However, I still love the vehicle. If it is anything like my 3rd gen 4runner, I will have many peaceful days. Never had a major repair in seven years.
The Sulphur smell is there when I step down (did it only after the break in), but guess what...it is also in my wife's Pilot which is also about 4 weeks old, though to a lesser extent.
Yes there is an ongoing Honda Pilot vs. Toyota 4Runner feud in the house, but with these vehicles it is a pleasure and it is in good spirit. I like driving both of them as well. I drive the Pilot on weekends to try to balance out the miles.
To get back to the smell, I have always smelled it in cars with sophisticated emission control systems (like the eighties Volvos with Lamdasond). The 4runner and Pilot both have the 3 stage (or 3 something) catalytic conversion system, so I am not surprised that they both have the smell. As far as driving with the rear window down, I never did it in seven years of driving the 3rd gen 4 runner. Too much noise, heat, and fumes.
I hear a quick squeal (almost a long chirp) on starting the engine sometimes, but I am not sure if it is a slipping belt. It has no correlation with engine temperature. The tech said there is a TSB out on it but there is no solution as yet. This might be BS. I know about the V6 but never heard anything for the V8. Quite frankly, the manual mentions several noises that are normal due to various components doing self tests on startup. This might be one of them. It could even be the CD in the NAV head unit. I need to check this out more.
I have a few questions:
1. Can I get a CD changer that fits in the glove box and connects to the NAV? (Not the FM modulation type from Bestbuy, etc.) The dealer said the CD changer is in dash only. I do not believe him.
2. Is there a chance at improving the 10 speaker JBL? The 10 speaker seemed tinny when I compared it the Pilot. The Pilot has robust base. However, I must be getting used to the tinny 4runner stereo because it is sounding good nowadays, even better than the Pilot's. It took some peculiar tuning to accomplish this though.
3. This is not a question. One morning, in a bid to check the squeal, I started the engine shut it off started it, shut it off, started it, and the self leveling light flashed for a while (continued for about a mile of driving) to indicate malfunction. I shut off the car at a light and restarted to reset the system, and the flashing never came back again. The air compressor charges at startup so I guess I freaked out some software for a while there or over heated it as the manual warns against doing.
Last thing I want to mention: I Zaino'd both cars. This is the best thing anyone can do for a car before the paint begins to get chipped. The MBs are vulnerable to paint chipping on the front. Mine did not suffer this. The only thing I did was Zaino it before I started highway driving. I do not believe the Zaino is some hard shell protector. Maybe it just provided some durability that should have been in the MB finish in the first place. Are there any paint experts to shed some light?
In my opinion, this is one of the best SUVs money can buy. Only the Land Cruiser and the LX470 can top it. I base my statement on many considerations, including projected reliability and initial build quality. Incidentally, I think the 4runner is more quiet and smoother than the GX470, at least the GX that I test drove. I do not like the Sequoia's interior.
I might take some pictures and post, but it is a standard 4runner.
