Instrument Cluster - Decisions, Decisions

[SQ.MD]

y0

I am considering purchasing the new 2010 4runner but I would like to hear what you guys think of a dilemma I am facing. Was the difference in instrument clusters between the SR5 and the limited/trail version a factor for any of ya'll? I mean, we are talking about something that is directly in front of you 24/7 while in the car.

I am aware of the other major differences between the models but I haven't seen this particular difference discussed therefore I thought I would light the match.

Begin
eace:

 

[snow&surf]

Optitron......nuff said

 

[BFLAN]

y0

I am considering purchasing the new 2010 4runner but I would like to hear what you guys think of a dilemma I am facing. Was the difference in instrument clusters between the SR5 and the limited/trail version a factor for any of ya'll? I mean, we are talking about something that is directly in front of you 24/7 while in the car.

I am aware of the other major differences between the models but I haven't seen this particular difference discussed therefore I thought I would light the match.

Begin
eace:

The Optitron gauges are sweet. I loved them, however weighing the costs between getting them and not I opted to buy the SR5. You can always probably add the guages at a later date buying from a junkyard out of a wrecked Limited or Trail. I dont know for sure that they will fit, but chances are they are a direct drop in plug and play.

Just a thought!

 

[desertred]

^^ +1

I initially liked the Optitron gauges, but not enough to justify the extra cost. However, now I think I actually like the orange lit display of the SR5 gauges over the Optitron. If only I could have gotten the SR5 gauge cluster with the navigation and auto climate control center console. Then I would have been a very happy camper.

 

[adoihcj]

I also like the Optitron's, but couldn't afford the Limited. If you look at my previous posts, I was initially dissapointed to not get the Optitron's. But to be honest, the amber gauges have really grown on me. I agree that the instrument panel is extremely important but I guarantee you will not be dissapointed with the SR5 cluster.

The Optitron's are still sweet though!

 

[westwind77]

Honestly, I think my SR5 ones are fine, and I actually like them. All depends how much you are willing to spend for 'pretty lights' and what options you are looking for in the 4R. If you want leather your choice is the SR5 (36k sticker) or Limited (42k sticker), so are they worth 6k to you??? (yes you get other goodies with the limited but you are focused on the lights ) Now the difference in the SR5 & TE can be just as high, all depends what options you want in each one.

I think you need to price out each 4R edition with what options you want, then look at the different bottom line numbers and say to yourself, are the 'pretty lights' worth this much.

Are there any other options you are looking for as a 'must have'? Then that will narrow down your edition.

 

[SQ.MD]

Honestly, I think my SR5 ones are fine, and I actually like them. All depends how much you are willing to spend for 'pretty lights' and what options you are looking for in the 4R. If you want leather your choice is the SR5 (36k sticker) or Limited (42k sticker), so are they worth 6k to you??? (yes you get other goodies with the limited but you are focused on the lights ) Now the difference in the SR5 & TE can be just as high, all depends what options you want in each one.

I think you need to price out each 4R edition with what options you want, then look at the different bottom line numbers and say to yourself, are the 'pretty lights' worth this much.

Are there any other options you are looking for as a 'must have'? Then that will narrow down your edition.

I like the whole getting the optitron from a totaled 4runner idea (thanks BFLAN). However since I reside in Houston (HTOWN!!!) and do not do intense 4 wheeling by any means, the trail is pretty excessive for me. In regards to the Limited, I am a recent post-grad and at the tender age of 22 can't afford to spend the extra G's. So I suppose that is me saying the SR5 is my best choice. I already know what I want and am currently testing the waters. Premium package, convenience package, backup cam, etc. (pretty similar to Westwind77 - minus the rear sliding deck).
fftopic:
Interestingly, what I found best is to purchase the car from Kansas. I was quoted 37grand for a SR5 4WD in Houston, whereas Eddy's Toyota (in Wichita, Kansas) quoted me approx. 33grand.

Well all in due time. Thanks for all the input guys. :banana:

__________________
2008 Camry SE V6 Mag Gray with Black leather (daily)
1997 Toyota 4runner oldschool green with yakima rack n lights (my camping rig.)

 

[agjake01]

Picking up my Mag Gray 4WD SR5 from Eddy's tomorrow. They're driving 250 miles to meet me halfway. Paid $33,700 ($2700 under MSRP) Got the Premium, Conv, Backup Cam, Cross Bars etc.. They also got me out the door at 2.95% for 60 mo.

I spoke to a BUNCH of dealers and nobody could beat their price or APR. I will say, they are trading for these vehicles so I went through about 4 different ones that they said they could get before they were actually able to get the vehicle.. all good other than that. If you consider buying, talk to Jerome and tell him Jake sent you.

Jake

 

[SeattleMike]

y0

I am considering purchasing the new 2010 4runner but I would like to hear what you guys think of a dilemma I am facing. Was the difference in instrument clusters between the SR5 and the limited/trail version a factor for any of ya'll? I mean, we are talking about something that is directly in front of you 24/7 while in the car.

I am aware of the other major differences between the models but I haven't seen this particular difference discussed therefore I thought I would light the match.

Begin
eace:

Take a test drive at night and see for yourself which is better. I prefer the upgrade

 

[SQ.MD]

Take a test drive at night and see for yourself which is better. I prefer the upgrade

Man no kidding, the optitron is amazing at night. I had to go back to the dealership to check it out because, believe it or not, I have yet to see a 2010 4runner on the streets of Houston. Therefore could never catch a glimpse of the interior at night on any of em'. It is interesting how I have yet to see one on the road though.....maybe some sort of Houstonian anti-toyota conspiracy :wtf:

but yeah, thanks for all the suggestions guys!

__________________
2008 Camry SE V6 Mag Gray with Black leather (daily)
1997 Toyota 4runner oldschool green with yakima rack n lights (my camping rig.)

 

[historyteacher]

I've only seen a couple

Man no kidding, the optitron is amazing at night. I had to go back to the dealership to check it out because, believe it or not, I have yet to see a 2010 4runner on the streets of Houston. Therefore could never catch a glimpse of the interior at night on any of em'. It is interesting how I have yet to see one on the road though.....maybe some sort of Houstonian anti-toyota conspiracy :wtf:

but yeah, thanks for all the suggestions guys!

I've only seen 2 in Houston. One while driving out to Schulenburg (white SR5) and the other while down near St. Thomas University (silver Limited).
I'm hoping it stays that way so if I get one I won't see them all over the place like I do with the older generation ones. But I'm weird like that.

 

[bradj]

Man no kidding, the optitron is amazing at night. I had to go back to the dealership to check it out because, believe it or not, I have yet to see a 2010 4runner on the streets of Houston. Therefore could never catch a glimpse of the interior at night on any of em'. It is interesting how I have yet to see one on the road though.....maybe some sort of Houstonian anti-toyota conspiracy :wtf:

but yeah, thanks for all the suggestions guys!

__________________
2008 Camry SE V6 Mag Gray with Black leather (daily)
1997 Toyota 4runner oldschool green with yakima rack n lights (my camping rig.)

I didn't know the guages were different lol but I love the amber color in my sr5.

I've broken the no 2010 4runner code in Houston and drove there from Austin a couple of weekends ago.

 

[SQ.MD]

I didn't know the guages were different lol but I love the amber color in my sr5.

I've broken the no 2010 4runner code in Houston and drove there from Austin a couple of weekends ago.

man I wish I could live in Austin, Houston is too flat. But that is interesting Hist.Teach., I have yet to see one. Well, to be fair, I was in N.Z. & Aus. from December to February so I haven't seen my share of road time as you have :driving:

 

[historyteacher]

man I wish I could live in Austin, Houston is too flat. But that is interesting Hist.Teach., I have yet to see one. Well, to be fair, I was in N.Z. & Aus. from December to February so I haven't seen my share of road time as you have :driving:

This was actually just in the past week. I haven't been to a dealer to see how much stock they have. I'm worried that if I go to a dealer I might come home with a new car which I'm not ready for just yet. :crybaby:
It was tough waiting for my work to get done at the Subaru dealer on Friday as the Outback is the other thing I'm looking at. I have a feeling I'll eventually see fewer Outbacks around town than new 4Runners.

 

[jgedmond]

Man no kidding, the optitron is amazing at night. I had to go back to the dealership to check it out because, believe it or not, I have yet to see a 2010 4runner on the streets of Houston. Therefore could never catch a glimpse of the interior at night on any of em'. It is interesting how I have yet to see one on the road though.....maybe some sort of Houstonian anti-toyota conspiracy :wtf:

but yeah, thanks for all the suggestions guys!

__________________
2008 Camry SE V6 Mag Gray with Black leather (daily)
1997 Toyota 4runner oldschool green with yakima rack n lights (my camping rig.)

I'm driving a 2010 Mag Gray TE in NW Houston and have seen maybe 2 - 3 other 2010's. Apparently most go to other parts of the region. Never saw a TE on a lot in Houston until they brought one in for me!

 

[T4RunnerTay]

I have to agree with the above posters who have said how much they love the Amber/Orange illumination in the SR5, I was happily impressed when I turned mine on for the first time last night. I think it's a great color plus they are plenty bright and vibrant with enough style to not look cheap.

(this is coming from a fellow early 20s student . . . I couldn't rationalize the extra $ for the Limited. Law school debt + this economy = SR5 )

 

[chimyz]

To be honest, until I read this thread and did some online research, I didn't even know there was a choice in instrument cluster. I don't even know which one I got, but I'm assuming its the non Optitron one because it's orange.

Now that I've looked at the options, I prefer the orange colouring of what I have over the others. Orange and Red are very easy on the eyes when driving as they don't take away from the view of the road ahead. I have always found that white, blue or green really stand out, while orange and red are more subdued. I think there was even a study once about the colours and that orange and red don't make your eyes as tired.

All in all, I rarely look at my speedo, odo or tach. Useless info if you ask me. Not only is the speedo off, but the tach is too small to get an accurate reading. I have always found it best to drive according to other conditions...flow of traffic, weather, other drivers. The world around my vehicle gives me a better indication of what speeds I need to be doing. About the only thing I do happen to look at from time to time is my fuel gauge...just to make sure I don't run out.

Oh yeah, one other thing: I turned that silly Eco mode off the second day. When my father taught me how to drive some 20+ years ago, he was very concious on fuel mileage and instilled certain failproof methods...this Eco mode is really gimicky.

Here is the other reason I don't look at my gauges:

Scangauge

This gives realtime data of everything you need to know regarding mileage, speed, air temp, altitude, horsepower, tach reading, Distance to empty, etc. Not only that, it can compensate for larger tires. Programable for pretty much any vehicle that has an OBD outlet. Also, it is way more precise than the info the vehicle provides.

 

[westwind77]

To be honest, until I read this thread and did some online research, I didn't even know there was a choice in instrument cluster. I don't even know which one I got, but I'm assuming its the non Optitron one because it's orange.

Actually you HAVE the Optitron :boink:

 

[SQ.MD]

To be honest, until I read this thread and did some online research, I didn't even know there was a choice in instrument cluster. I don't even know which one I got, but I'm assuming its the non Optitron one because it's orange.

Now that I've looked at the options, I prefer the orange colouring of what I have over the others. Orange and Red are very easy on the eyes when driving as they don't take away from the view of the road ahead. I have always found that white, blue or green really stand out, while orange and red are more subdued. I think there was even a study once about the colours and that orange and red don't make your eyes as tired.

All in all, I rarely look at my speedo, odo or tach. Useless info if you ask me. Not only is the speedo off, but the tach is too small to get an accurate reading. I have always found it best to drive according to other conditions...flow of traffic, weather, other drivers. The world around my vehicle gives me a better indication of what speeds I need to be doing. About the only thing I do happen to look at from time to time is my fuel gauge...just to make sure I don't run out.

Oh yeah, one other thing: I turned that silly Eco mode off the second day. When my father taught me how to drive some 20+ years ago, he was very concious on fuel mileage and instilled certain failproof methods...this Eco mode is really gimicky.

Here is the other reason I don't look at my gauges:

Scangauge

This gives realtime data of everything you need to know regarding mileage, speed, air temp, altitude, horsepower, tach reading, Distance to empty, etc. Not only that, it can compensate for larger tires. Programable for pretty much any vehicle that has an OBD outlet. Also, it is way more precise than the info the vehicle provides.

...huh? you said you prefer the "orange colouring of what I have"...but your picture leads me to believe that you have the optitron?

 

[chimyz]

Ok, now I'm really confused?!? I thought the optitron was blue? Does someone have a picture of the standard non-Optitron so I can compare to mine? I obviously didn't see the difference the other day when I was searching online.