Advice on buying a new 4RUNNER

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Hey guys, long time lurker.
Getting ready to look into buying a new 4Runner. Little bit of history. I have been wanting one 4 ever. In the last 6 years I have had 2 Pathfinders. I have wanted to buy a 4Runner, but each time ended up buying a Pathfinder due to price. 3 years ago I leased a 08. I intended to buy a 4runner but the guy at our Toyota dealership was disinterested and would not give me any potential #'s on a car w/o signing a agreement. Anyway, I went to Nissan and they hooked me up right away, got me numbers to look at, etc... My Pathfinders have been good cars, but lets face it they are not a 4Runner.

I am 6 months from ending my lease. I am wanting a TE. To be honest I like all the TE colors. #1 would be the Gray. I don't really need the Navigation package. I have a few questions.

1. How is the backup camera monitor that is located in the mirror. Is the picture very good/big. Does it work well. Currently have backup monitor in Pathfinder.

2. Is the standard radio system that horrible in the TE versus the JBl w/the Nav package?

3. Are the standard tires that bad as long as I am not rock crawling? It will see alot of deep snow, some offroading, fields, etc... but unlikely rocks where I live.

4. How are the seats in the TE? I have read some posts that say the seats are terribly hard and uncomfortable?

5. Read about the issues w/first gear w/tranny, I understand this is fixable at the dealership?

6. Any early concerns about reliability? From what I have read 4Runners are bullet proof. My generation of Pathfinders are currently having problems w/radiator fluid mixing w/tranny fluid and killing the transmission. I am looking to buy a 4Runner for the long haul. Like 10 years.

7. I really like the TE. To me it just looks better w/the black trim. I don't like the chrome. I also like the wheels. I honestly don't need all of the 4wd capability it has, but who wouldnt want it. Any reason I should think really hard about a SR5 besides maybe less $$$ or leather?

I am coming off a lease and the guy at Toyota sounds interested in taking the car. He tells me the Pathfinders along w/4Runners are often worth more than the lease end value. My Pathy is under mileage by around 5,000 and is loaded in immaculate condition. He made it sound like I could get some extra $ out of it.
I also asked what kind of play there was in the price. He said he generally has around $3500 to deal with off the sticker price. I was rather suprised and appreciated his honesty. Completely different experience than the last time I was at this car dealer. There are no TE's on the lot, so they would have to find me one, but sounds like he has some nearby.

Anyway any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. Please no flaming, I know not everyone will care about my questions, but anyone who has helpful advice please let me know. I have been reading this forum for a few years and know that you guys know your stuff.

THANKS

 

[Quentin]

The only thing wrong with the standard tires for what it sounds like you'll do is that they don't look all that great. I have the standard Duelers on my SR5 and they've done fine for light offroading.

Standard radio is plenty adequate. It has some solid bass and the quality over bluetooth streaming is quite good.

Backup camera is great. I LOVE having it, particularly since I'm used to parking small hatches. It makes parking the 4Runner easier than cars that are much smaller.

The transmission lag issues were on early build vehicles. I doubt you'd find one on the lot that still didn't have the fix.

Reliability wise, I figure it will be quite good. The engine is new, but there don't seem to be any chronic issues at the moment.

Can't help on the lease issue. I've bought all of my cars.

 

[Egstyle]

LUVDA4RUNNER, first of all, excellent screen name. Secondly, in regards to the TE for which I can personally vouch, no worries on any of your concerns, for me at least. Backup camera works well for me and the stock system w/o JBL does the job for me. Plenty of bass and it rocks out the rear gate! Standard tires should not be trusted in mud or slick rocks. Probably OK in everything else.

I didn't get the nav, but did get KDSS, and haven't regretted it since. I would recommend reading the thread about owner dislikes, probably a few weeks old now. Those will be the things to be aware of and prepared for should you decide to make the purchase. None of the things that you listed were high on the list of dislikes that I recall.

 

[LUVDA4RUNNER]

Curious if you guys think I should hold out a month or 2 for the 2011 edition? I hear the TE is going to get a leather wrapped steering wheel. Unsure if I will get less of a deal on 2011 model vs 2010. The guy said he had some bargaining room, basically what most people are saying on this board. Unsure if that changes if I wait for a 2011.

If you could explain, how does the rearview camera in the rearview mirror work? Is it a small picture withing the entire camera or does it take up the entire rearview mirror?

Thanks everyone for your replies! Very helpful.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Curious if you guys think I should hold out a month or 2 for the 2011 edition? I hear the TE is going to get a leather wrapped steering wheel. Unsure if I will get less of a deal on 2011 model vs 2010. The guy said he had some bargaining room, basically what most people are saying on this board. Unsure if that changes if I wait for a 2011.

If you could explain, how does the rearview camera in the rearview mirror work? Is it a small picture withing the entire camera or does it take up the entire rearview mirror?

Thanks everyone for your replies! Very helpful.

It's a little square that only takes up about half the mirror.

 

[luv2eat]

4Runner newbie's take

I'm a newbie so I'll put in my .02. I purchased a '10 4Runner SR5 4x4 about a week ago. The options I got were: Convenience Pkg (sunroof and extra power outlets), Backup Camera, Power Sport Seats, Upgraded Stereo (basically the stock stereo with Bluetooth-sounds really good, IMO), Third Row Seats (good enough for kids; oaky for short hauls for average sized adults), and dealer installed Westin Running Boards (I really like these running boards). Sticker price was around $36,700; paid $33,000 + TTL. I had a heck of time finding this vehicle with these options in SoCal and there aren't too many 4x4 models to choose from down here. I recommend doing your homework online and calling around. When I found this vehicle, I called and named my price. Fortunately, alot of the dealers around here are hurting for business so I got it my way. The biggest issue for me was locating the vehicle with my specific options and color. Check out this website for pricing: cars.overstock.com.

I really like this truck. It can use a little more low end torque (I can always use more power in any car/truck) but it's good enough. I really like the rugged looks inside and out, and I love the versatility of this vehicle. It rides nicely on the road and handles well for a heavy high riding truck; I can't wait for ski season! It's smooth and very quiet.

It's not as luxurious as some SUVs out there but I think it's a very "manly" SUV that is also practical for daily use. I wanted something more rugged and dependable than your average SUV. We already have a luxury SUV with all the bells and whistles (Mercedes GL450), so this was a good change. I personally prefer my 4Runner over the GL, except for the power.

The seats are comfortable and the backup camera is useful. Although the screen size is small, I like the fact that it's on the rear view mirror. As for the stereo, I think it rocks! I've owned/own cars with premium stereos with multiple subwoofers and twitters and this one seems to sound really good-lots of bass for not having a dedicated subwoofer(s), and the ipod and xm radio sound crisp and clear, IMO.

My biggest complaint is the 4WD system. I like the fact that it's a part-time 4WD. What I don't like is the limitation in the 4WD mode. Toyota took the cheap road on this one. It does not have a locking differential in the 4WD mode. I won't go into details. If you want to know more, do a search on this topic and you'll find plenty of info.

Now, I'm working on getting this truck the way I want it. So far I got the front 2 windows tinted, replaced the ugly mast antenna with a stubby Craven antenna, and put on a chrome exhaust tip. My next project is to put on mud guards, a bug relfector, and sunroof wind deflector.

 

[fxoffroad]

I am coming off a lease and the guy at Toyota sounds interested in taking the car. He tells me the Pathfinders along w/4Runners are often worth more than the lease end value. My Pathy is under mileage by around 5,000 and is loaded in immaculate condition. He made it sound like I could get some extra $ out of it.
I also asked what kind of play there was in the price. He said he generally has around $3500 to deal with off the sticker price. I was rather suprised and appreciated his honesty. Completely different experience than the last time I was at this car dealer. There are no TE's on the lot, so they would have to find me one, but sounds like he has some nearby.

I really dig that the salesman said about $3500 off the sticker, but they might be tempering (balancing) that your potential trade. I'd be all over that - trying to make a deal solely on the 4Runner - tell 'em you'll deal with the trade later.

Toyota leases suck, so if you're considering leasing (like I did), think again - no lease support from Toyota, crazy spendy (a Lexus is almost the same $$$), lease origination fees... blah-blah-blah.

I'd suggest getting your lease payoff and see if its worth selling it yourself. IMO I'd be trying to sell the Pathfinder outright (then payoff the balance of the lease - which is essentially like a car loan). There's a very good chance you'll come out with some cash. My previous vehicle was leased and dumped it about 4 months before the lease ended and I came out ahead.

Good luck. Whichever 4Runner you purchase, I'm sure you'll be extremely happy with it.

 

[453030]

I have had my Mag Grey Trail for 8 days now.

Specific to some of your points...

- I find the seats very comfortable and supportive. My back and shoulders can be problematic, especially early in the day, and I have been able to dial in the seat to where I don't fidget around while driving. Over the 14 weeks I waited for my Trail I was in and out of about 8 different cars, and never got a seat to be so comfortable. If you like a plush and cushy feel then these might not suit you.

- Mine was manufactured in July so I assumed any necessary updates had already been completed. Mine has no lag (although I have not been overly aggressive on the accelerator just yet) and exhibits none of the lurch symptoms I have read about.

- The reason I had to order was to get the Nav unit which I wanted. I could not even read the stock stereo display while driving. But I think it sounded OK for most people.

Toyota leases suck,[/B] so if you're considering leasing (like I did), think again - no lease support from Toyota, crazy spendy (a Lexus is almost the same $$$), lease origination fees... blah-blah-blah.

FX is not exaggerating on this at all. Prior to ordering I ran lease numbers for comparison at several dealers, and for whatever reason, the lowest number I was quoted was only $100 or so less than my co-worker is paying for his 2010 Lexus GX, and his truck stickered for 12k more.