? for 2003/2004 4WD V-8 Sport Owners

[raider]

I am very heavily leaning towards purchasing a black 2004 4-Runner Sport Edition with 4WD and V-8 engine. The options I want to add are side and curtain air bags, as well as the auto-dimming electrochromic rearview mirror with compass. The accessories that I want to add are the hood protector, all weather mats and cargo mat.

I would appreciate any comments about any of the potential options or accessories based on any experience anyone has had.
Also, if there are any other options or accessories that you have found particularly satisfying, please let me know.

Is the fact that the 4wd with the V-8 is full-time 4wd of any concern? I seem to remember reading some post about an issue of the wear caused by the full-time 4wd as opposed to the part-time 4wd with V-6.

My 1998 Explorer Sport has about 158,000 miles on it and is about dead. I'm concerned that although I'm ready to trade now, I may have difficulty finding the vehicle I want because it is so late in the model year. When I'm spending around $30,000.00, I want to get exactly the vehicle I desire, rather than just getting one of a lot that will save me the most money. I, do, have some hope that a large Nashville dealership be able to get me what I want. Obviously, I have no problem with getting the vehicle I want through a dealer trade. However, if that doesn't work, I wonder if I should just try to order a 2005.

The problem with that is my Sport engine is really in bad shape,
including a knock. My mechanic liked the idea of me getting rid of it by the end of July. I guess I could trade it in real soon and get a real cheap economy class rental car to tie me over while waiting on a 2005 order.

 

[kullenberg]

I ordered a V8 Sport 4WD with side curtain airbags, back in Feb - it was delivered in Apr. That was the only option, as I didn't want a sunroof. Some dealers will tell you this is impossible to get, however my order went thru very smooth. Most of the other options you desribe can be obtained in the after market - cheaper. My guess, at this point you would have to order a 2005 model. As to the full time 4wd, it's the same drive train that's under the current Land Cruiser, and the durabilty of that thing has never been in question. I now have 8500 miles on the vehicle, after a cross country trip (NC to Ca, and return) and averaged 18.5 MPG (calculated), and it's as tight and smooth as the day I picked it up, with no problems.

 

[Faeylyn]

I have always had difficulty finding exactly what I want in a car from the ones available on the dealer's lot. Not just from Toyota either. I purchased my 2004 V8 Sport at Longo Toyota - supposidly the largest in the U.S. - and they had surprisingly few options. If you are willing to wait for a dealer trade or for a custom order, you can obviously get exactly what you want. You might not be able to negotiate as good of a deal as if you took one off the lot though.

I got the Toyota all-weather mats and an Xtreme Catch-all cargo liner and like both very much.

I also wanted the mirror you describe, but didn't want to special order a 4Runner just for that.

Regardless of a 2004 or 2005, I'm sure you'll be happy with your purchase.

 

[Mark86]

I think you may have a problem finding the exact vehicle that you want. I was looking for my 03 last September, and my selection was very limited. I know that Sports equipped with side impact airbags are going to be very hard to find. I am pretty sure that the dealer would have to order that straight from the factory. They usually don't ship them with that option.That is the story that my dealer told me when I was looking for that option.

The electrochromatic rearview mirror can be added after you buy the truck. My sport didn't have one. You may have a hard time finding one on the lot already equipped with one. I ran into a little problem with that though. Salesman told me that I can add in the Toyota rearview mirror, but I got a notice in the mail that the part ordered is not compatible with my model. I ended up getting my mirror from brandsport and it almost the same thing. The only difference between mine and the ones that come standard on the Limited is mine has a temperature display. I highly recommend that option because it is great for nightime driving.

I can't tell you about the hood protector because I don't have that. The all weather mats are great. I got the light grey ones to match my interior. I have the cargo mat too. I don't think that is necessary because I have the double deck cargo and I always keep it down. If you don't have that, it is good to have. Another option that I think you should look into is the homelink. This is a must if you have garage doors. I also have the sport bumper. It looks good but doesn't give much protection.

If you can't get exactly what you want, try getting the dealer to go down on the price for a model that is on their lot. I originally wanted a V8 SR5 in Pacific Blue with side airbags, but they couldn't find one. They offered me a silver sport for the same price as an SR5. That is because they had 3 on the lot. Since the 2004 are being phased out, the dealers are anxious to get rid of them. You definitely shoudl try bargaining with them. Good luck!

 

[Vortec4800]

When I got my sport they told me I couldn't get it in a V6 at all, only the V8. I got all the airbags though, that was very important to me. The 5 speed is nice, and although part time 4WD would be nice at times the full time is great. I would not worry about it wearing out anytime soon, that wouldn't be very Toyota now would it?

 

[raider]

Homelink question

I guess I had ignored the homelink option. What exactly does it do?

Thanks.

 

[raider]

Airbags

I definitely want the side and curtain airbags. So that may make it difficult to find what I want off the lot or even in a dealer trade.

 

[Mark86]

Re: Homelink question

I guess I had ignored the homelink option. What exactly does it do?

Thanks.

You have three buttons that you can program to either open/close your garage doors, turn on or off your lights in your house if you have X10 switches or open/close a gate to your house. It leaves you with many options. I personally use all three buttons for my three garage doors.

 

[raider]

Thanks Mark86

Thanks for the information on the home link.