Cladding & the Dodo Bird

peter78

Super Moderator
If you like the plastic grey cladding, it looks like you better act fast. It looks to me both the SR5 and Sport are going to the Apperance Package. Peter78

--------------------------------------

New MEMO this morning to all dealers:


April 14, 2003


TO: All Toyota Dealers


SUBJECT: 2003 4Runner Mid-Year Price Announcement


While the all-new 4Runner is up 35% year over year
 
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Actually, I like how easy the cladding is to clean....although if it were available earlier I would have probably been convinced to get another color. The titanium looks a little plain to me without some contrast.

Now if I can only get the fog lamps. For the early models, they were factory install only, and I haven't seen any yet from the aftermarket places.
 
White?

It looks to me cladding will be a thing of the past. jharris2 you now have a rare, one of a kind 4Runner.:D

Now, I wonder if there will be a apperance package on the white models. I remember someone wanting to change their white model with grey cladding to a all white 4Runner. If I read that memo correctly, it looks like they are going to have all 4Runners with the apperance package, i.e. white included.:)
 
It will be interesting to see how it's handled.

Toyota could, for example, offer the appearance package as an add-on for all of us who were the early customers. Technically, there is no reason they couldn't, but it may not be justifiable or affordable. It may also be too expensive for us -- $370 as a port add-on was pretty cheap for all it included.

Of course, the port (Gulf States) could do it, too.

It will make my wife, happy, though, that our truck will be unique. She wanted a blue one because she sees so many white and silver ones!! ;)

By the pay, Peter -- that was your 100th post. Congrats! :D
 
Crap, that means I have no life at all! I am actually looking forward to reaching 1000 posts! THAT is sad in any book!:nerd:
 
Thai said:
Crap, that means I have no life at all! I am actually looking forward to reaching 1000 posts! THAT is sad in any book!:nerd:
Actually, Thai, we just figure you're in a class by yourself... :D
 
Clading

So anyone who bought a Limited got F$%ked!!! Thank You Toyota. I think this truck will be going back under Lemon Law. Its been in 4 times already for the Tentioner and rattles. They replaced the tentioner did a TSB on the seats ordered a rear seat belt and it still is not fixed... Should have kept my ML
 
Not sure why you think all the LTD buyers got screwed.... You have a nice 4Runner w/ almost every option I am sure. Simply because every other 4Runner will have the appearance package doesnt make your car worth any less.
 
Re: Clading

wreck111 said:
... Should have kept my ML

Ok, that comment was a low-blow! :p Wreck111, that was uncalled for! I have no more words to say...i am still in shocked from that statement! :sick:

Seriously, good luck in solving your 4Runner's problems. Maybe you can upgrade to the Land Cruiser...proven chassis. :cool:
 
I'm new to the board. Great board!
I was looking to purchase a 4Runner Sport within the next few days, but this new news about the cladding going away makes me want to wait until May.
Can someone post a link to where this info came from?
Not that I don't believe the post, but rather I can print it out and show it to the dealer from the source.

Thanks.
 
For the '03 4Runner, i just do not see a purpose of the running boards...other than dirtying your pants!:rolleyes: For me, i have to step OVER them when getting in and out of the '03 4Runner. Also, i like the look of the 4runner without running boards.
 
Thanks for the info....now I guess I have to play the waiting game to get the cheaper price w/ the appearance pk'g. standard.
I was so close to picking one up this weekend:mad:
 
Hey Baumer,
I was going to do the same and wait for the appearance package to arrive but decided instead to go ahead and buy a Sport V8 with the cladding.
Now that I've had it for a few days, I appreciate the cladding much more. I've also noticed that if you look at the side of the 4runner near the doors area, the cladding is the part that sticks out the furthest. I think the cladding will hold up much better should someone "accidentally" try to DING you. Plus it looks mahhvelous in Titanium. Just my opinion.
 
I understand the reason for the cladding (for offroading).
My use for the 4runner will be for towing, so I will have no need for the cladding, & I prefer the fenders and lower rocker panels be the same color as the car. Add to that the possibility of "free" running boards may be worth the 1-month wait.
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the cladding (I was real close to buying one) it's that I like the appearance package a little better.
But I hate having to wait!!!:mad: :mad:
 
Thai said:
For the '03 4Runner, i just do not see a purpose of the running boards...other than dirtying your pants!
Very simple -- wife wearing a skirt. Or so I learned with the F150.
 
I'm with ya on not liking the running boards, Thai. But on a positive note, it appears you will never get a door ding if you have them. They seem to stick out just a bit beyond the sheetmetal. Also, they help when loading the roof rack or washing the roof.
 
Being a 3rd generation owner, I have kept somewhat quiet on the cladding issue. I remember seeing pictures of the 4Runner months before the release and the reaction was the cladding was put on to not show the final production 4Runner, I mean who would put grey cladding on a 4Ruuner. Well it came out in and it even looked worse in person.

This weekend I saw ads showing a price of $22,995 and one had $2000 under invoice on all SR5 4Runners.

In my opinion Toyota wanted to sell more, a lot more then they have been. I know the economy is down, but dropping thousands under invoice on such a new vehicle and just on the SR5's, not the limited is not a good sign.

I for one did not like it and I'm glad Toyota changed. Heck, I might even consider a new one now. (Remember this is just my opinion:rolleyes: .)
 
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