Advice on options

[noserider]

Guys

I need help on some option info. The 05 SR5 v8 4wd has a few things I did not really want but have no choice in if I get this vehicle. Please advise on the following and if they are worth having.

1) Rear view mirrow that dims the lights reflecting off it

2) Back up sensors

3) bug guard

thanks

Ron

 

[sharp4runr]

1) Members who have it are thrilled about it. I've never had it in any of my vehicles so I couldn't say.

2) Its a nice feature to have but I'd rather have a rear facing camera.

3) Personal preference really. Some like it, some don't. I wouldn't put it on my truck because it makes washing and waxing kind of a PITA.

 

[Thai]

MUST have: backup sensors...as long as they are the integrated-into-bumper type.

I am a big fan of these parking sensors...helps a lot in tight spaces, especially when you have a big SUV.

If you have extra $$, then get the auto-dimming rearview mirror. It's not a biggie because you can always tint your windows darker.

Bug guard is not really needed, unless you just want one.

 

[noserider]

Thai

Could you expound on the "built in to the bumper back up sensors". I'm not familiar with any of the different types. What questions do I need to ask. The vehicle is not local.

thanks

 

[abin]

NAV

My Dad's car has Navigation system, Auto Dimming, Backup camera, and Sonar.

Auto Dimming, which is doing pretty good. Surprisely, his driver side mirror came with auto dimming as well. Better than any aftermarket since you have two instead of one.

Backup sensor or Sonar, great feature. Better than the backup camera IMO. I would rely on turning my head back and with my ear hearing the beep from Sonar for distance.

Navigation system is great. A lot better than any aftermarket products. You can even watch movie WHEN YOU PLACE HAND BRAKE ON.

Can't comment on bug guard. What is that for?

 

[frankvh]

I presume the bug guard is what's also known as a hood deflector. I have one - I like it. My previous truck did not have one, and the front edge of the hood ended up with lots of little stone chips & the like. So we put a hood deflector on the new truck.

 

[loner]

Since you asked
1) Rear view mirrow that dims the lights reflecting off it
I've never liked these. Sitting up high in an SUV, rarely do the lights of the car behind me glare enough to bother me. If they do, I just flip the little lever underneath the mirror. Happens about twice a year. The auto-dimming mirrors make me feel like I'm looking through a fog. My advice is you should develop your own opinion on these by driving a car with the electrochromic mirrors at night.

2) Back up sensors
No experience with these.

3) bug guard
Some of these are ugly, and some are not. Some are hard to clean under, and some are not. If you like the looks, and if you can easily get your hand between it and the body, go for it. I had a low-profile Lund Avenger on my Tacoma and it did a good job of protecting the front of the hood from chips. I could scrub bugs off it and not have to worry about scratching the paint. It did absolutely nothing for the windshield, although I didn't expect it would.

 

[snap315]

Okay, since you asked...

(1) Auto Dimming Mirror:
An awesome feature that doesn't take anything away from the vehicle or driving pleasure.

(2) Backup Sensor:
I can't really comment on this since it's not a Toyota feature. Any good Backup sensor/system is a nice thing to have in an SUV. Mine has the NAV w/ Backup Camera and it's GREAT.

(3) Bug Guard:
This depends on if it's the Toyota one or an aftermarket version. IMHO almost any metal aftermarket version is better than the plastic Toyota one.

Good luck on whatever options you decide on. I would try to get a picture or better description of what is on the vehicle before I would purchase it sight unseen.

 

[Mark86]

1) I would never buy a car without it! This is one great feature! I highly recommend driving a 4Runner with an auto-dimming mirror at night just to see what it is all about.

2) Not a factory option but a good feature to have. It is very useful if you do a lot of parallel parking. Did the dealer install this system and what brand is it?

3) I don't recommend it. My parents truck and my truck have it and both were replaced already (mine after 3,000 miles). Whenever I opened the hood, it would fall on my head because of the rubber boots melting.

 

[beeper]

All of those options are great.I wish I had them all. The mirror is fantastic..the best of them all,eliminates glare which really bothers me.Had the back up radar on my last American car,its good too especially if you let your othe half drive your truck. It only takes one misjugement to scratch the painted bumpers and it a couple of hundred to fix.
I have the bug protector too...it was on the truck at delivery and I like it...saves the paint inthat area. Would have bought all those options in aheart beat if I could have. Just my 2c.

 

[Solice]

1) Awesome option. I had it in my Alero (don't laugh) and I loved it. Once I got my rear window tinted to 20% it was a little harder to see out the back once it dimmed (word?) but I still loved it. I'm planning on getting one for the Runner here shortly.

2) I've never personally had them but I know a few people that have it on their mini vans and they swear by it. I've never heard anything bad about them anyway.

3) As far as the bug guard it depends who you ask. Like everyone else said you either like how it looks or not. I have the Toyota one and I can say that I have very few stone chips on my hood, but I don't know if it's because of the deflector or not. I liked how it looked when I got it but now I think I'm bored with it. It makes washing/waxing the front of the hood a major pain. Also, the rubber grommet on the right hand side melted or busted so everytime I lift the hood it falls and smacks into the hood if I forget to hold it.

I would have taken it off already but Toyota puts 4 black pieces of tape on the actual hood where the brackets are, I guess to protect it from scratching incase it would fall? So, I'm afraid to take the tape off because I don't want to mess up the paint, and it's in 4 very noticable areas if it would get messed up.