General Questions for Current Owners - Likes/Dislikes?

I bought a '10 Limited and am coming from a 2005 CR-V SE. This is my second SUV (if you can call the CR-V one) but first 4Runner.

I love this truck, and any/all of dislikes are minor gripes. I don't think you can have a vehicle without having a few...

Gripes:
* Rear wiper doesn't travel as far to the driver's side as it does the passenger's side - leaves a pretty good chunk of the driver's side untouched and vision obscured.
* XM song titles and Artist names don't scroll on the factory Nav unit - you get the text that fits on the screen and that's it. Many song names/artist names are truncated.
* Factory Nav unit won't stay on the Audio screen - it jumps back to the map or other display. When a new song comes on XM you have to hit "audio" to see what the title/artist is.
* Factory Nav is mediocre when it comes to routing/destination selection/general use. Might not be a fair comparison to a dedicated Garmin built by a company that does nothing but GPS.
* No options when it comes to wheels - you're stuck with the 20" wheels unless you want to pay the dealer a small mint for a wheel that theoretically costs them less. You can trade with someone who wants the 20's but it's a bit of a PITA.
* Very little closed storage space in the back (speaking only for models w/ the third row - I don't have the tray). It would be nice to have some recessed/covered storage space for jumper cables, hitch parts, etc instead of having them roll around in the cargo area (the JBL "subwoofer" takes up the cubby behind the RR wheel)
* The screen covering the multi-purpose display above the radio doesn't behave well with polarized sunglasses. If you're wearing them part of it can't be read (unless of course you turn your head sideways!)
* Lights/Wiper stems are a little obscured by the steering wheel (not an issue once you're used to them).
* Rear-view mirror gives a pretty small view although it does a good job of blocking your forward view (lots of looking under/around it!)
* Location of Window controls & door lock buttons; they get wet if you open the window and take some getting used to. Would be much better if located on the door armrest
* Rear AC is more of an afterthought - no control over fan speed and the output is VERY weak.
* Location of sunroof controls in upper console - they're VERY close to the SOS button and not very visible from the driver's seat.
* The 13 plastic tabs on the cowling that covers the radiator area under the hood - I HATE those damned tabs in general and would much rather have it secured with some type of screw or latch. Guess you can't get away from the plastic tabs/connectors - they're pervasive in the auto industry.
* Customizable features/settings require dealer assistance. If they're just software choices let the user make the choice themselves on demand! Same thing for registration of new TPMS sensors.
* Toyota's inability to provide the combination of options that you actually want - you can only choose from what the regional group of dealers has deemed "popular." You can custom build their cars on the website with individual accessories but can't actually buy one that way. SE Toyota's chosen offerings leave a lot to be desired.

Likes (loves!):
* I'm coming from a long line of V4's - the V6 hauls butt! Tons of power when getting on to the interstate, great passing power.
* Instrument cluster - very legible day or night and provides wealth of information.
* ECO light & ability to leave NAV unit on minute-by-minute MPG average. I've got a very heavy foot and these things help me keep it under control whether they be gimmics or not. I'd probably get 12mpg city if it weren't for the visual reminders!
* Cargo space - lots of it and easily accessible with the back window design.
* Smart Key system - I love not having to fish the keys out of my pocket to lock or unlock things; also less to carry on the key chain.
* Multiple 12V and AC power outlets in front & back
* Off-road capabilities & full-time 4wd. This is my first vehicle with actual off-road capability and it's friggin AWESOME
* Quiet interior (so far) - very little road and engine noise
* iPod/USB port in the glove compartment - wonderful place to put the iPod & keeps it charged for trips to the gym
* Headroom/legroom/etc - it's a very roomy interior
* Handles very well in corners - much more stable than I've experienced in the past with smaller vehicles

I'm extremely happy with the purchase
 
Hey ArcticEd you can change the screen settings NOT to automatically revert back to the nav screen. Is in the settings just make sure you hit save and not just ok.
 
!4,000 miles...8 months...

Dislikes:

-Crappy rear springs...a few hundred pounds causes it to sag pretty bad

-Junky plastic inside, I never had a vehicle with more scuffs and scratches and I like to consider myself "careful" with these type of things

-Junky carpeting..you you would think a vehicle of this caliper would have not just an average grade of carpeting, but at least a step up. My carpeting in the rear is starting to "pill"..and I've vacumed it maybe 7-8 times. My front mats are shot, and the ones I bought from Sears are twice as nice for 1/2 price

-Right out of the gate crappy tires..you think that Toyota's flagship "trail" version would have come with something a bit beefier than asshat car tires

-okay...rant over:bash:

Now...what I really like!

-Power is good, love the gas mileage

-Love all the AC/DC plugs

-Love the interior control layout

-Love all the storage nooks and crannys

-Love the truck feel..this will improve once I get the LT tires on

-Will love towing with it once the airbags are installed

-Love the exterior stying and color...never get tired of looking at it

Love all the mods that everyone has done, and I love the forum...a great bunch of guys and gals, with tons of ambitions to make their trucks a little different and always better:trophy:
 
right on with calling out the soft springs, Titanpat. just completed my Toyota feedback survey yesterday and included that in my critique too.

the Trail should really come stock with beefier coils, Bilsteins, and AT tires for a decent, credible OEM package.
 
Summary of Stuff....

Thank you everyone for your feedback. I found out today that the 96 will be totaled. :cry: Now to deal with the aftermath...

I went through and created a summary table. I eliminated comments that are features that are not available on the 2010s such as a V8, a power lift gate, etc. To simplify things a bit I tried to group as much as possible. (Obviously this isn't a perfect end all list...but it is a start.) For the most part this list gives a nice barometer of what people like/dislike about the new 5th gens.

A few surprises...no real negative feedback about the cargo tray and most people felt the button locations were intuitive. Handling is no surprise. It is a 4runner after all. The exterior stuff like plastic tabs instead of screws, trim, did surprise me a bit. The interior comments seemed to be about an even split. Another surprise is the lack of good lighting in the cargo area. Have to check that one out more closely at the dealer. Though it would be easy enough to add some additional LED lighting back there. The NAV seemed about mixed...what I would expect with any factory NAV...nothing seems to be as good as a Garmin but the factory NAV gets the job done. Another surprise for me is no one complaining about a lack of power (aside from the TSB not being applied yet). Pretty good for the V6 and the gearing. Though I still prefer my power/torque curves on my V8. Another surprise for me is that 3 people mentioned the rear wiper wasn't sufficient. Not a deal breaker but definitely something to look at more closely. The rear coils are no real surprise...they have gotten softer with every gen to make the mall crawlers happy. That is something that could be easily fixed with custom coils or a different suspension. I am sure there are and will be some nice kits that work with and w/o the KDSS.

Thanks again!
 

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I'm sorry about your 4Runner.

At this point, if you can hold off until the 2011MY hits the website, you might have better options on the new model or better negotiating power on a 2010 on the lot.

The cargo light is an easy fix, as the headliner is pretty simple to work with without pulling it all down and you have another light to tap into less than two feet away.

The rear wiper works fine, it's just short, comes down from the top, and only has a ~75 degree arc; but it clears the window enough to see what is behind you.

Based on the mods to your '96, the stock suspension & tires would have been the first things you changed anyway, so it doesn't really matter what comes stock, does it? I love the KDSS because it's not something that gets replaced with an upgraded suspension, like XREAS, and it's totally passive.

Will you miss your V8? That depends on how you drive, really. If you tow a 6000 lb boat...yes. If you like to gun it from stop light to stop light... yes. If you think 8 cylinders makes your penis bigger... yes. Otherwise, you're probably won't notice much difference.

I'd suggest getting a TE, but I'm biased. :hatsoff:
 
right on with calling out the soft springs, Titanpat. just completed my Toyota feedback survey yesterday and included that in my critique too.
the Trail should really come stock with beefier coils, Bilsteins, and AT tires for a decent, credible OEM package.

One thing to note, one reason softer springs are a benfit is in rocky or really rough terrain, the wheels can articulate better and maintain contact with the ground. You would really like a progressive spring that is soft through initial travel, but get progressively stiffer as it approaches "bottom out". I haven't taken mine to that extreme.....yet, but I'm think that is what Toyota had in mind with the TE suspension!
I too noted that the front dips much more on my TE that on my old 05 Limited. HOWEVER, the TE handles/corners a 1000 times better. And the tires...Yuk!
 
One thing to note, one reason softer springs are a benfit is in rocky or really rough terrain, the wheels can articulate better and maintain contact with the ground. You would really like a progressive spring that is soft through initial travel, but get progressively stiffer as it approaches "bottom out". I haven't taken mine to that extreme.....yet, but I'm think that is what Toyota had in mind with the TE suspension!
I too noted that the front dips much more on my TE that on my old 05 Limited. HOWEVER, the TE handles/corners a 1000 times better. And the tires...Yuk!
absolutely. and that may in fact be exactly what Toyota had in mind with the stock rear coils. however, the first time I loaded up the cargo area for a trip, the sag was absolutely laughable for a new vehicle.

on that note: i understand a full OME kit should be available sometime this autumn.
 
Save the $2500 that you would put toward a built-in Nav for a good suspension lift or new tires/wheels. Unless you must for some psychological reason have the nav be built-in. I got a TomTom XXL for $130 (including free current map) and it is good enough for me. Probably not as good as a Garmin, but out of principle I will not spend $300 for the unit and then another $100 just for a city map (w/o topo, which is an additional $100). The non-upgraded speakers sound really good, IMO, as long as party mode is on. I haven't been able to compare them with the JBL's, but the non-JBL's leave nothing to be desired. Plentiful bass. And it blasts out & through the rear door in case you like to show off.

Add that to the likes: great sound system, even without the $2500 upgrade. Oh yeah, and being able to sleep in the back is +++!

I have said this before, but I can't understand why anybody would get a 4Runner if they are just going to be driving in town, except that they look smooth. There are much better city-only vehicles (maybe a Tahoe even :D). But off-roading is where this ride shines. Which is why I don't understand why anybody would get anything other than a TE (they look better, too), unless you have a woman that needs the lux or you do like Harper ($$$). No offense to the existing SR5's or Limited's out there. Rear locker is priceless and peace of mind on a difficult trail.
 
I have said this before, but I can't understand why anybody would get a 4Runner if they are just going to be driving in town, except that they look smooth. There are much better city-only vehicles (maybe a Tahoe even :D). But off-roading is where this ride shines. Which is why I don't understand why anybody would get anything other than a TE (they look better, too), unless you have a woman that needs the lux or you do like Harper ($$$). No offense to the existing SR5's or Limited's out there. Rear locker is priceless and peace of mind on a difficult trail.

That's an open ended argument that can be turned on you. Why buy a 2010 4Runner TE when you can build a much better off-roader by rebuilding an older model? People do what they want, there are many roads through life.
 
That's an open ended argument that can be turned on you. Why buy a 2010 4Runner TE when you can build a much better off-roader by rebuilding an older model? People do what they want, there are many roads through life.

Because it also makes for a comfortable daily and long-distance driver, comes fairly capable as-is without significant re-work for average off-roading, and should hopefully prove to be more mechanically reliable (hopefully to 300k miles). Breaking down on a trail would not be fun. Also, I don't have a garage to rebuild and store an older model, which was the real kicker. Versatility and reliability were king for me. I wanted it to be my butt to break the driver's seat in :D I still don't see the point of getting a truck-based SUV if you are only going to be driving on paved roads. I will admit that a tricked-out street-style 5th gen, be it Limited or SR5 does look great.

I see your point, though. To each their own :D Pardon the digression...
 
The only thing that kept me from a trail is that a white exterior wasn't available. My wife demanded white, so an SR5 w/ all options is what we ended up with.

I'm very happy with it, though. It is surprisingly good at everything I throw at it. Head up into the mountains for a camping trip? Awesome. Heading to the beach for a week w/ my brother and his fiancee? Awesome. Driving out to get a fancy dinner w/ the wifey? Awesome. I think you get my drift. :)
 
I have said this before, but I can't understand why anybody would get a 4Runner if they are just going to be driving in town, except that they look smooth. There are much better city-only vehicles (maybe a Tahoe even :D). But off-roading is where this ride shines. Which is why I don't understand why anybody would get anything other than a TE (they look better, too), unless you have a woman that needs the lux or you do like Harper ($$$). No offense to the existing SR5's or Limited's out there. Rear locker is priceless and peace of mind on a difficult trail.

I am one of those guys you don't understand. When I was younger, I had a lot of fun off roading in my Blazer. Now, I just don't have the time, nor interest to off-road. I had a 2003 4x4 4Runner that I didn't engage once. Our family frequently goes camping, snowboarding and mountain biking enough to justify an SUV for our needs. We looked at the Highlander, but it just wasn't for us. While your needs are centered around off-roading capabilities, you can't deny the 4Runner has the practicality and sturdiness of a daily use vehicle. I have been a long time fan of the 4runner, a satisfied owner and very happy with the 5th generation. Just because you feel the 4Runner is an excellent off-road vehicle (which it is) doesn't mean it can't fulfill the needs of others. I have learned a lot and enjoy reading about the mods and expeditions of others on this forum. Some people do things with and to their vehicle I do not understand, but that is what makes this forum, and country a great place.

Next time you don't understand something, don't bash. First seek to understand and you just might learn something.:thumb3:

Just my 2 cents
 
That's an open ended argument that can be turned on you. Why buy a 2010 4Runner TE when you can build a much better off-roader by rebuilding an older model? People do what they want, there are many roads through life.

Yep! The fewer people buying a TE, the better! :cheers:
 
Invoice on the Nav is about $1200. About $1400 MSRP.

Garmin, TomTom, etc will at some point lock up on you and become a brick. Most do. Hopefully not when you are in the middle of nowhere. Factory Nav has never locked up on me or anyone I know on any vehicle. You have to weigh the importance of that, plus you get better resale.
 

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