I need your opinion

[flownosaj]

I'm currently in Texas with the military and my wife and I are looking at switching to Colorado or Washington next year. I'm really impressed with the new '03 4-Runner 4WD and would like to get one, but here's my problems I need help with.

1) I don't do any towing and I don't "need" a V8. What's everyone's opinion of the 4WD on the always on V8 vs the variable 6 and any power (engine/tranny) differences?

2) I test drove a sport with the X-reas suspension and a limited with normal suspension. The X-reas seemed a little harder, not bad, but firmer than the regular with just a bit more "giggle". Since I was with the salesman I couldn't push it too hard. I did give it hell around one corner and the X felt great....couldn't do much more than that. Is the X-reas worth it for on road driving over 90% of my time or does it have drawbacks?

3) The body cladding issue... Neither my wife nor I like the gray body clading and unfortunately the only colors we've seen here are the titanium and white and the cladding looks bad on both in my opinion. I'd like to see it on the pacific blue, galactic gray and stratosphere but we won't see it here for a little while longer.

The SR5 and Sport have pretty much all the options I want and can afford, but the Limited looks so much nicer with the color keyed clading. I'm not in any hurry to buy and I'm willing to wait if Toyota finaly decides to give the SR5 and Sport the color keyed clading as well. I'd hate to spend an extra 5 large just because of fenders.
Does anyone have anything other than rumors on what's planed for these two in the next six months.

4) Since I'm not in a hurry and might just wait untill summer anyways, does anyone know if the '04's will address any of this year's "short-commings." The cladding is an issue; more illumination on things like the home-link and window butons, the odd running boards and the lack of a lighted vanity mirror. These are the only obvious things I could find lacking on the '03.

Finaly, and this is going to sound stupid of me, but would the 4WD 4-Runner be overkill if I'm just going light off road just a few times a year and occasionaly use it as my personal snowplow to get me to the hospital at 5am or would I be better off just getting a *light* AWD SUV with a locking diff. I've always made due with my car or van and the only 4WD is my govt issued Hummer (that they won't let me take home )


Sorry for the long post, but let me know what you guys think. I like the Limited but just don't have the cash. I'd like to keep it under 32K and an optioned SR5 or Sport fits the bill nicely.

-jason

 

[Thai]

Flow,

1. It is up to you. The 4wd system in the V6-models is quite nice...i have it on my '02 4Runner. It is more economical because you can use 2wd mode most of the time (save fuel)...or you can leave it in 4wd all the time and get the same benefit as the full-time system in the V8-models.

Now, however, in the V8-model, you also get the really nice 5-speed automatic transmission, with a real strong first-gear ratio (great for off-roading and towing)! The V6 comes with a standard 4-speed auto. Remember also that the V6 is UNproven...it is an all-aluminum engine, which helps make it lightweight, but does it mean it is ???less durable??? in a truck??? The V8 has an iron-block...and it is a proven engine.

2. X-REAS shocks are MONOTUBE, HIGH-PRESSURE shocks. The standard shocks are twin-tube, low-pressure shocks. Monotubes are more efficient, more durable in off-roading (much less foaming), and last a very long time! In fact, the XREAS should last the life of your vehicle.

The bad thing about monotubes (high-pressure) is that it does provide a firmer ride, as you noticed. There should be no floating with monotubes. The twin-tubes are not as durable (do NOT last a lifetime), but does provide a more compliant (softer, more comfortable) ride.

Monotubes do come in different pressure settings, which would determine how firm the ride is (along with valve settings). I have BILSTEINS on my 4Runner, which has a very high pressure setting (the highest i think). The ride in my 4Runner is firm, but it is great in off-roading (less chance of bottoming out & less pitching). However, in my 4Runner, you do pay some price over broken concrete on the highway.

3. I hear that the SR5 will have BODY-COLORED cladding (same as on Limited models) by early next year...it will be a $300 option. Therefore, this may solve your problem.

4. Cladding is being solved as we speak. I am sure that the '04 model will have some MINOR improvements (like the little things you talked about). I doubt if there will be any major changes.

Lighted-vanity mirrors will NOT likely be seen on SR5 models anytime soon...it has always been reserved for Limited models.

Home-link buttons are NOT likely going to be lighted either.

5. Just those few occasions you mentioned should be enough reasons to get a 4wd model...what would you do without one??

AWD with locking diff...hmm, that sounds like the Honda Pilot/Acura MDX combo. Well, you should look at the COMPARISON section and read up on my posts.

AWD SUVs are always an option...and good ones. It is your pick. None of the AWD SUVs can do any major off-roading...they are, at best, for very light off-roading (including MDX/Pilot).

It is REALLY hard to beat a FULL-TIME 4wd system in snow or off-roading...it is PRO-active in slippery conditions. AWD systems are RE-active...and depending on their programming, their reaction time may be slow, which may too late and lead to an accident.

Hope this helps....

 

[hiluxsurf]

Well said Thai

As far as body cladding..i have galactic gray..and wont even notice a big deal as far as cladding looking bad....

and as always down the road you can get after market stuff to solve it if it really bothers you....

V8 is worth every penny....
when you floor the pedal make sure you dont have those beaded seat stuff..your back will have a complete copy of your beaded seat covers...

you feel really pushed back to your seat...way cool...

i spoke with toyota..they will be addding vanity mirrors to sr-5s and sports edition by April...owners will be notified by mail and its free to install..

one weird problem is the tow hitch..bcs receiver wont fit to the tow hitch..

Dealer tried many receivers none of them fits...So they offered to get the reciver filed down by a hitch shop free of charge...did not accept the offer yet...

one annoying thing is the window controls being hidden down...and also gas lid is next to the hood release...
silly and confusing design....

other then i love my v8 sport edition_

 

[Darren]

You may not have needed 4WD in Texas, but if you end up moving here or to Washington, I guarantee you'll eventually want 4WD. If you love roads with a view, you'll need it! Practically everyone I've seen from other boards with 2WD Runners are re-thinking and regretting their decisions. My suggestion is to do it right the first time. It's much easier to live with yourself later.

 

[vaccarjm]

Thai,

As you already know im in talks with my local paint shop to have my cladding painted. Its finally scheduled to get painted jan 5th. Do you think that the color matched fender for the sr5 will be the same smooth fender as on the limited or will it be the exact same one we see on the sr5 now just painted?

I really like the fender on the limited. I just wish i knew for a fact that if its possible to replace my sr5 fenders with the limited fenders. Seems like it could but not so sure.

 

[flownosaj]

Thanks for the advice guys

If my car can hold out another few months and most of Ft. Hood isn't activated, I'm looking at the V8 4X4. As to the sport or limited, only my wife and my budget can decide that . The Limited is calling to me but the Sport has all I "really" need and the X-reas just sounds cool.

How much above invoice did you guys get yours? Edmund's TMV is placing it above 3K and just shy of sticker in my opinion. If I can get them down to 1-1.5K above, the Limited may be closer to my grasp. I got my wife's '02 Passat this time last year for $850 above invoice and I *hope* I can get a Runner for around the same markup percentage or lower.

If the Sport and SR5 get the upgrades we're talking about within the next few months, I'll probably just get the sport and save the cash. I don't need leather and the divider rack in the rear, but it would be nice

Thanks guys

 

[Thai]

Vaccarjm, i would wait till you get a better picture of the "optional" cladding...it doesn't hurt to wait. I just don't trust aftermarket paint jobs...unless you're spending a bunch of $$$$.

Thanks.

 

[bclements3]

LIghted-vanity mirrors not standard?

Flow,

Lighted-vanity mirrors will NOT likely be seen on SR5 models anytime soon...it has always been reserved for Limited models.

I recently purchased an sr5 here in Northen California which came with lighted-vanity mirrors. I'm looking at the optional equipment list now on the sticker, and I don't see it as an option so it appears that it came standard. Is it possible some models came without them and some did? Perhaps some sort of manufacturing flaw...


-Bill

 

[mtnrunner]

Jason,

I live in the CO mountains and commute to Denver daily. I've had the i-force V8 in my tundra since '99 and in my Sequoia since 2002 and I just ordered my 04 LTD with V8 and Nav.

I had the 96 V6 3.2L 4-runner, it couldn't pass its own ass in the mountains. Had to get rid of it. The Sequoia makes the V8 feel like a V6 compared to the Tundra. Probably a combination of the extra weight and emissions controls. Even though the new V6 is much improved I'd still go with the V8 in the mountains, nothing is more tiring in a ride then listening to your engine over rev going uphill.

As for 4X4; IMHO not getting it is simply throwing the baby out with the bath water with a vehicle of this design.

Finally, I regret not getting the LTD on my Sequoia compared to the 2000 LTD Tundra. I loaded the Seq up with all options but only saved about 6% of the price compared to the LTD. The 04 LTD 4-runner with Nav may be overkill but, Hey! you live once!