4Funnr
New member
For those who've seen my posts, I bought a Trail Edition back in October and then got socked with the infamous delays etc. Then I had to move to California. There are other threads filled with my whining if anyone wants details.
The short story is I flew in to ATL from California on a red-eye this morning, finalized the loan paperwork in ATL after I got off the plane, then drove up to TN to pick up my new 2010 4runner Trail.
First Magnetic Gray Metallic Trail Edition in North America.
Some interesting things I've noticed:
(1) My Magnetic Gray Metallic is the only Trail Edition I've seen yet that has a color-keyed hood scoop. All the others I've seen have the black hood scoop like the rest of the non-color keyed Trail parts.
(2) The black front bumper and rear bumper don't seem to be the same 'flat black' as on the other Trail Editions. Maybe it was just the lighting but it looked more like a bronzed black. Subtle but very cool.
(3) I initially wanted the Classic Silver Trail Edition because I think the color contrast with the non-keyed arches and bumpers makes the Classic Silver truck look very rugged. Well, there is less contrast on mine because the color is Magnetic Gray but at the same time it looks a lot more refined and less "cheap" and toy-like compared to the Silver. I'm actually glad I got "stuck" with the Gray.
(4) My dealership didn't drill a front plate in to the bumper. MAJOR WIN FOR THE DEALER. I can't tell you how much I hate when they do that.
(5) They didn't put any dealer stickers on it. Or rather, they removed it instantly when I said I didn't want it. SCORE ANOTHER WIN for the dealer.
(6) My Trail Edition had a light silver double pin stripe running down the side of the truck just below the sill. I thought I would hate the pin striping. Surprise, I was wrong. As much as I hate pin striping usually, I LOVE the look on mine, maybe it just matches my color well.
(7) I got Bridgestones and not the crummy Dunflops.
REGARDING DESIGN IN GENERAL:
Only a few design quirks that have caught my attention so far,
(1) The rear window wiper doesn't sweep all the way to the left behind the driver's field of vision. It's the most important part to wipe clean! WTF?
(2) The seat pans are short. I'm 6'3" and there is a lot of room from the back of my knees to the front of the seat cushions. I wish they were a little larger.
(3) The shift knob is egregiously large.
(4) The "sport fabric" on the Trail may be durable and easy to clean, but it feels rough and a little cheap.
The plus sides of design that I've noticed:
(1) Contrary to what others have said, I didn't notice much engine noise.
(2) Handling is SUPREME! The speed sensitive steering works terrifically.
(3) Fuel efficiency is top notch. I was getting about 22-23 mpg on the highway for the 180 miles I just put on it. The downside is that the gas pedal is mushy. It has several inches of play that don't really cause the tach to rise or the tranny to shift. I didn't stand on the gas (going to break in first) but it seems like it has a good match of power and mushy. I'm a conservation biologist so MPG matters to me. But I wanted a truck to get me out into the field where I do my research. I expect in sport shift mode or when standing on the gas, it will be pretty quick. Also, I test drove a few Mercedes SUVs last month and they were pathetically mush compared to the 2010 4runner. The Xterra was a little more responsive but has class failing fuel efficiency.
(4) The brakes are terrific. It was pouring rain all day in the Southeast and the brakes were consistently predictable and grippy. Very good brakes!
(5) Very smooth ride. I was expecting a truck-like ride, especially from the Trail, and especially compared to my parents' fully loaded Tahoe. Nope. I prefer the 4runners ride by miles!!! No where near as blocky as the Xterra either!
(6) The Trial Edition is hella tall. I'm 6'3" and I basically stand straight out of the vehicle when I get in and out. It's weird to get used to.
(7) Complete fuel tank shielding underbody.
Anyway, I didn't have my damn camera when I picked it up and then I drove it home in the pouring rain and now it's dark out. I'll post pics in the next couple of days.
The short story is I flew in to ATL from California on a red-eye this morning, finalized the loan paperwork in ATL after I got off the plane, then drove up to TN to pick up my new 2010 4runner Trail.
First Magnetic Gray Metallic Trail Edition in North America.
Some interesting things I've noticed:
(1) My Magnetic Gray Metallic is the only Trail Edition I've seen yet that has a color-keyed hood scoop. All the others I've seen have the black hood scoop like the rest of the non-color keyed Trail parts.
(2) The black front bumper and rear bumper don't seem to be the same 'flat black' as on the other Trail Editions. Maybe it was just the lighting but it looked more like a bronzed black. Subtle but very cool.
(3) I initially wanted the Classic Silver Trail Edition because I think the color contrast with the non-keyed arches and bumpers makes the Classic Silver truck look very rugged. Well, there is less contrast on mine because the color is Magnetic Gray but at the same time it looks a lot more refined and less "cheap" and toy-like compared to the Silver. I'm actually glad I got "stuck" with the Gray.
(4) My dealership didn't drill a front plate in to the bumper. MAJOR WIN FOR THE DEALER. I can't tell you how much I hate when they do that.
(5) They didn't put any dealer stickers on it. Or rather, they removed it instantly when I said I didn't want it. SCORE ANOTHER WIN for the dealer.
(6) My Trail Edition had a light silver double pin stripe running down the side of the truck just below the sill. I thought I would hate the pin striping. Surprise, I was wrong. As much as I hate pin striping usually, I LOVE the look on mine, maybe it just matches my color well.
(7) I got Bridgestones and not the crummy Dunflops.
REGARDING DESIGN IN GENERAL:
Only a few design quirks that have caught my attention so far,
(1) The rear window wiper doesn't sweep all the way to the left behind the driver's field of vision. It's the most important part to wipe clean! WTF?
(2) The seat pans are short. I'm 6'3" and there is a lot of room from the back of my knees to the front of the seat cushions. I wish they were a little larger.
(3) The shift knob is egregiously large.
(4) The "sport fabric" on the Trail may be durable and easy to clean, but it feels rough and a little cheap.
The plus sides of design that I've noticed:
(1) Contrary to what others have said, I didn't notice much engine noise.
(2) Handling is SUPREME! The speed sensitive steering works terrifically.
(3) Fuel efficiency is top notch. I was getting about 22-23 mpg on the highway for the 180 miles I just put on it. The downside is that the gas pedal is mushy. It has several inches of play that don't really cause the tach to rise or the tranny to shift. I didn't stand on the gas (going to break in first) but it seems like it has a good match of power and mushy. I'm a conservation biologist so MPG matters to me. But I wanted a truck to get me out into the field where I do my research. I expect in sport shift mode or when standing on the gas, it will be pretty quick. Also, I test drove a few Mercedes SUVs last month and they were pathetically mush compared to the 2010 4runner. The Xterra was a little more responsive but has class failing fuel efficiency.
(4) The brakes are terrific. It was pouring rain all day in the Southeast and the brakes were consistently predictable and grippy. Very good brakes!
(5) Very smooth ride. I was expecting a truck-like ride, especially from the Trail, and especially compared to my parents' fully loaded Tahoe. Nope. I prefer the 4runners ride by miles!!! No where near as blocky as the Xterra either!
(6) The Trial Edition is hella tall. I'm 6'3" and I basically stand straight out of the vehicle when I get in and out. It's weird to get used to.
(7) Complete fuel tank shielding underbody.
Anyway, I didn't have my damn camera when I picked it up and then I drove it home in the pouring rain and now it's dark out. I'll post pics in the next couple of days.
