Getting another 4 Runner

C

Chance

New member
Hello fellow 4Runners,
Currently I have a 2003 V8 LTD. My lease is up in a few months so I thought I would start my search again for a new 4 Runner. I think overall the 4 Runner was the best bang for the buck. My other options were MB ML500, Range Rover Sport, etc... I felt I never had a problem with my current Runner and I think overall saving anywhere from 10K to 20K was my best option.

This is my soon to be new setup. Had a hard time finding this,but I located a 2006 4 Runner SE V8. This car is fully loaded, and I won't go into all the options, but my main concern was to get as an option was a NAV and Rear Entertainment unit.

Now here are my questions, hopefully someone can answer.
How is the NAV unit? I have on in my MB E500 and I it OK. Wish it was touch screen. The one in the 4 Runner is touch screen :-)

How is the BlueTooth? Works well?

How is the Rear Camera? I saw the Lexus one and i pretty cool.

Anyone have the Rear DVD Entertainment unit? Is it good? Where are the screens? I haven't seen the car, that is why I am asking.
Is the sound only come out in the wireless headphones?

Want to get the Siruis radio, not sure if it is worth it?

Have the V8 changed since the 2003 model?

I think the lights have changed from what I saw. Should I upgrade to HID?

There are probably more questions. Any feedback will truly welcomed and appreciated.

Final piece of info. The car was a corp car and has about 4K miles.
Car is Silver, not my first choice, but this was the only car I can find that had the NAV, and Rear Ent. system

I think I worked out a good deal. I think the car listed over 41K and I got a lease of $509 not including tax for 36 months.
No money down just inception fees and taxes up front.

Thanks for reading.

Kenny
 
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Sirius radio is way cool. You will spend sooo much time flicking around all the content you'll have a blast. If you can get it, do so.
 
Chance said:

Anyone have the Rear DVD Entertainment unit? Is it good? Where are the screens? I haven't seen the car, that is why I am asking.
Is the sound only come out in the wireless headphones?
Click to expand...
Toyota does not offer a rear DVD system for the 4Runner. So it must be an aftermarket model.



Have the V8 changed since the 2003 model?
Click to expand...
Yes.
 
Toyota nav is excellent! Had a 3rd Gen Nav in a 2004 Lexus RX 330, and it's very easy to use. It had the rear camera, which is awesome! The 4Runner is using the 4th Gen Nav, which includes some software improvements and Bluetooth. I didn't get it in the 4Runner, though, because my trade-in experience has been that nav makes only a marginal difference in the trade-in value. Dollar-wise, you're better off buying an aftermarket model you can use in another car. But the factory nav is really nice.

The Bluetooth is really quirky. From what I've read, it works OK with most Bluetooth phones except some Verizon models. Verizon has the phone manufacturers disable some features so they can nickle-and-dime you to death for things that you should be able to do for free with a PC cable, such as downloading photos. Toyota regularly puts out a TSB for compatible phone models, so check with your dealer.

Rear-Seat DVD is a factory option in 2006. Never seen it in a 4Runner.

The V8 changed in 2005. Same displacement, but it got VVT-i and some other tweaks to put out a bit more torque and horsepower.
 
With gas prices rising, why not consider a crossover SUV (RAV4, Highlander, RX350, etc.)?? If i did not off-road, then i would get one of the crossovers for all-weather travel.

My opinion.
 
Chance said:
Hello fellow 4Runners,
Currently I have a 2003 V8 LTD. My lease is up in a few months so I thought I would start my search again for a new 4 Runner. I think overall the 4 Runner was the best bang for the buck. My other options were MB ML500, Range Rover Sport, etc... I felt I never had a problem with my current Runner and I think overall saving anywhere from 10K to 20K was my best option.

This is my soon to be new setup. Had a hard time finding this,but I located a 2006 4 Runner SE V8. This car is fully loaded, and I won't go into all the options, but my main concern was to get as an option was a NAV and Rear Entertainment unit.

Now here are my questions, hopefully someone can answer.
How is the NAV unit? I have on in my MB E500 and I it OK. Wish it was touch screen. The one in the 4 Runner is touch screen :-)

How is the BlueTooth? Works well?

How is the Rear Camera? I saw the Lexus one and i pretty cool.

Anyone have the Rear DVD Entertainment unit? Is it good? Where are the screens? I haven't seen the car, that is why I am asking.
Is the sound only come out in the wireless headphones?

Want to get the Siruis radio, not sure if it is worth it?

Have the V8 changed since the 2003 model?

I think the lights have changed from what I saw. Should I upgrade to HID?

There are probably more questions. Any feedback will truly welcomed and appreciated.

Final piece of info. The car was a corp car and has about 4K miles.
Car is Silver, not my first choice, but this was the only car I can find that had the NAV, and Rear Ent. system

I think I worked out a good deal. I think the car listed over 41K and I got a lease of $509 not including tax for 36 months.
No money down just inception fees and taxes up front.

Thanks for reading.

Kenny
Click to expand...

Nav is great, the 2006 is just as good as the pre-2005, if not better. The buttons are amber so it matches the dash. There are few more settings vs. my '04 Camry one. Nav also works very fast and responds very fast. I noticed the touch screen on the '06 is more sensitive than the '04 (just a touch will change the radio station preset whereas the '04 you have to keep your finger on there longer). Voice recognition works pretty good, but IMO it's much easier to press buttons to change functions than to press the voice key on the steering wheel and speak a command.

I'm using a Treo650 and the Bluetooth works great, connects automatically everytime I turn the key. The Treo doesn't allow me to transfer my entire phonebook to the nav though. Doesn't bother me, because I dial from the Treo. When you're moving, the nav will only allow you to dial speed programmed numbers. You don't get a dialpad to dial 7-digits manually while moving. Audio quality is pretty good, only comes through the driver's door. Mic's located on the sunglass holder.

Rear camera is in real time video. But I still find myself looking over my shoulder utilizing the cargo mirrors and my side mirrors. The camera is good when you're backing up to an object and want to know how close it is to your bumper. The camera lens is a wide angle lens, so the image is distorted.

Rear DVD screen is located on the ceiling. I believe the screen is 9". Search for Matoolie's thread, he has it on his '06 Sport. I think you can get audio through the car's speakers as well. You can play DVD video on the nav screen in Park.

Don't have experience with satellite radio.

The V8 since 2005 has gotten VVT-i and both HP and torque have increased over its non VVT-i counterpart.

The headlights changed from reflector to projector, but they are still halogens. You can get decent to good results with an HID kit. See T4Runner06's thread in accessories for his HID install on a '06.

Good luck.
 
Re: Re: Getting another 4 Runner

Uneek,

Thanks for the reply back. After reading all your comments and seeing the DVD on the ceiling mount got me totally amp.

I only wish I could have gotten a different color. Not that I don't like silver, but from what I read it is the most common color.
Would have like to have to gotten black or Shadow Mica.

I will post pics once I get the car this Friday hopefully.

Looking into getting the HID mod eventually.

Thanks again,

Kenny
 
Chance,

Congrats on being a 4Runner again. :) I love every bit of this truck and to do it all over again, it'll be another 4Runner.

No problem at all. Glad to offer some advice to a fellow member. Another plus of having the rear DVD is there are inputs for external video and audio source. I wouldn't have mind having the rear DVD in my truck to watch on the nav, but I don't have kids yet and my friends are old enough to carry a conversation. ;):

Don't worry about it being silver, it's a fantasic color. I originally wanted a black one, but the difficulty in maintaining a black car was going to be too much work for me. I didn't really care that silver is the most popular color and it's the third silver Toyota in the family. It hides dirt and scratches well.

I know how the wait can be agonizing at times, waited about three months to get mine. I hope you'll get it on Friday, if not sooner.

I'm also planning on getting HIDs from Xenon Depot after I get a bullbar, hitch and hitchstep. See T4Runner06's writeup. I also plan on getting 4300k, it puts out the most light and brightness.
 
Well, looks like i am not getting another 4 Runner. Somehow the dealership had it locked up with another dealership and that dealership sold it from me.

They tried to sell me another 4 Runner limited which was the exact one I have now except for the NAV and I just couldn't do it.
I was the same color and all the options I have now except for the NAV.

I really had my mind set for the SE with Nav and Read DVD player.

I guess I either wait for a 2007 or I think I like the new upcoming Acura RDX.

Thanks all.

Kenny
 
Try using the fact that you really want one with Nav to get them to drop the price on the one without. Then buy the nav from OEMValue or someplace like that and install it.. You will save money on the Runner, and the Nav system.
 
sketch1 said:
Try using the fact that you really want one with Nav to get them to drop the price on the one without. Then buy the nav from OEMValue or someplace like that and install it.. You will save money on the Runner, and the Nav system.
Click to expand...

We were working on a good deal, but I decided I was fed up and just wait it out for a new model or something else.

Thanks

:mad:
 
Thai said:
Have you looked at the Lexus RX350??
Click to expand...

Hi Thai,

I like the Lexus 350, but the problem is I see so many of them on the road. I think the 4 Runner SE is less common than any other 4 Runner on the road.

HAve you checked out the Acura RDX?

Thanks

Kenny
 
Chance said:
Hi Thai,

I like the Lexus 350, but the problem is I see so many of them on the road. I think the 4 Runner SE is less common than any other 4 Runner on the road.

HAve you checked out the Acura RDX?

Thanks

Kenny
Click to expand...

Yeah, i have seen photos and preliminary specs. Two bad things about Acura:

1. Honda does not make good reliable transmissions.
2. I am not a big fan of turbos...IMHO, turbos (or any force induction) decrease engine durability. And since i do off-road, i do not like the peaky nature of turbos.
 
Thai said:
Yeah, i have seen photos and preliminary specs. Two bad things about Acura:

1. Honda does not make good reliable transmissions.
2. I am not a big fan of turbos...IMHO, turbos (or any force induction) decrease engine durability. And since i do off-road, i do not like the peaky nature of turbos.
Click to expand...

I will keep that in mind.
Regarding tubos, I know the Supra's have no problem with turbos and engine. First hand experience :D
 
Thai said:
Have you looked at the Lexus RX350??
Click to expand...

Hi Thai,

Well I gave in and took your advice I picked up instead of a RX350 went with a RX400h. Hopefully the hybrid will save me some gas and I read so far, the car will be awesome.

Kenny
 
Chance said:
Hi Thai,

Well I gave in and took your advice I picked up instead of a RX350 went with a RX400h. Hopefully the hybrid will save me some gas and I read so far, the car will be awesome.

Kenny
Click to expand...

Congrats on getting the RX400h. I looked at the RX330 back in '03 before I got the Camry instead (they wouldn't budge on price). If I got the RX back then, I probably wouldn't have the 4R now. But who knows, maybe I'll be rocking an IS.

BTW, the 400h will save you some gas, but it's designed and engineered from a performance standpoint over fuel economy. I've driven the 400h before and it's blast to drive. Enjoy your new ride. :)
 
Honda/Acura also fail miserably in the transmission department.


Congrats on the RX400h, such a beautiful vehicle. I had a hard time contemplating between the RX and 4Runner also. In the end, I decided for my age the 4Runner was better suited for me... maybe next time around I'll be rockin an RX :D
 
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