nw_4Runner
New member
Hey guys –
I usually don’t do the forum posting (mostly because I don’t do a lot of mods, etc.), but am an avid lurker nonetheless. Found this site just after purchasing my 4Runner – a 2012 Limited (with partially useless nav and phone features!). I am not normally an SUV guy – my last two cars were a 911 and a mini, and my wife has an RX that works in a pinch – but I’d just sold my house, am now renting, and wanted to get out and do more things in the analog world while saving for the next place. That and I had a boner for the new styling since the 2010s came out.
I really wanted to get something slightly used/CPO, and could find a ton of SR5s, but that quickly went out the window when I found out AWD is only available on Limited trims. Since AWD was a must-have, I had to jump straight up to the Limited. And while I did find a few CPOs in the local area, most were priced within a thousand of what Costco pricing would offer for new. So new car it was.
Couple of random observations about the vehicle and buying experience ...
Buying:
Toyota must be doing okay, because for a body-on-frame vehicle that’s low volume, dealers do not seem too interested in moving them – was hard to get dealers to call me back, etc. Additionally, they didn’t seem to know much about the car – for example, when test driving I asked if the model mattered, ride-wise. They all said no, all 4Runners drive exactly the same. However, clearly this site and real world owners disagree – citing distinct differences between X-REAS, KDSS, and the SR5 setups.
Also, most didn’t know how to clearly explain the off-road buttons, what they did, how to use, let alone clearly demonstrate them. One salesman said, “I love the downhill assist feature, it’s my favorite feature of the car.” Then he couldn’t get it to work. Wasn’t till after I purchased (from another dealer) and read the manual did I realize why: he didn’t put it in 4L.
The dealer I bought from touted the wonders of Entune – but then realized the upgraded nav I bought didn’t have it. Only after trying to register the VIN several times (and failing), and then looking at the description on the build sheet very closely did he realize it said “without Entune.” Then he did the about face and told me it really isn’t that useful. Ah, dealers, living up to their soiled reputation.
Owning:
The 4Runner is exactly what I wanted… a complete zig from the zag of crossovers, extremely capable, a lot of room (without a ton of footprint overall), and plenty of style, nice luxury touches, and price-worthy features. I’m still getting used to the extreme dip I’m taking in gas mileage, but that was part of the package too.
It corners surprisingly well for something of its size, and if that’s X-REAS, then Toyota should offer on all models (as they should AWD). But on the flip side, acceleration can only be called adequate (compared to the zip of my past vehicles). I know they’ve purposely geared and tuned the accelerator for mileage, but I sure wish there was a “sport” setting that’d untune it for me. Guess I’ll have to just learn to smash throttle Hulk-style when I need that extra oomph.
I was ready to be infuriated by the lock-out of useful features in the nav unit – most notable the inability to dial from contacts and program nav while driving. However, my wife’s RX, which has essentially the same nav unit, has already taught me to just let it go. I will say, the 4Runner ergonomics are a lot more friendly than the RX too; it’s touchscreen, there’s a button for each mode and the dual climate control (all of which are handled via at least two clicks of the the mouse-thingy in the Lexus). Though apparently only Lexus owners get the super-crisp display (the 4Runner is pretty grainy in comparison).
Overall the interior is very nice, so I’m not sure why they get so beat up in reviews comparing to other $40K vehicles. Wonder if it’s the functionality over style they’ve gone with when designing. All I can say is I considered a few other $40K SUVs, and in each, all I could think is, “Man, this thing is going to be beat up in a few years!” The biggest downside I see on the interior is the lack of useful lighting. Makes packing and unpacking in the garage a pain. I also wish there were some more (read: any) useful hidden storage bins in the rear.
Regardless, wanted to post to say hi, and let you guys know you are, and this site is, amazing. I’m blown away by the wealth of information, how much you know and share with others, and how creative you are with mods, etc. Pretty cool stuff.
I’ll probably end up posting some more questions soon – I have a Lifetime Tent/Trailer combo coming, so am sure I’ll have plenty of questions for those with a lot of towing experience.
I usually don’t do the forum posting (mostly because I don’t do a lot of mods, etc.), but am an avid lurker nonetheless. Found this site just after purchasing my 4Runner – a 2012 Limited (with partially useless nav and phone features!). I am not normally an SUV guy – my last two cars were a 911 and a mini, and my wife has an RX that works in a pinch – but I’d just sold my house, am now renting, and wanted to get out and do more things in the analog world while saving for the next place. That and I had a boner for the new styling since the 2010s came out.
I really wanted to get something slightly used/CPO, and could find a ton of SR5s, but that quickly went out the window when I found out AWD is only available on Limited trims. Since AWD was a must-have, I had to jump straight up to the Limited. And while I did find a few CPOs in the local area, most were priced within a thousand of what Costco pricing would offer for new. So new car it was.
Couple of random observations about the vehicle and buying experience ...
Buying:
Toyota must be doing okay, because for a body-on-frame vehicle that’s low volume, dealers do not seem too interested in moving them – was hard to get dealers to call me back, etc. Additionally, they didn’t seem to know much about the car – for example, when test driving I asked if the model mattered, ride-wise. They all said no, all 4Runners drive exactly the same. However, clearly this site and real world owners disagree – citing distinct differences between X-REAS, KDSS, and the SR5 setups.
Also, most didn’t know how to clearly explain the off-road buttons, what they did, how to use, let alone clearly demonstrate them. One salesman said, “I love the downhill assist feature, it’s my favorite feature of the car.” Then he couldn’t get it to work. Wasn’t till after I purchased (from another dealer) and read the manual did I realize why: he didn’t put it in 4L.
The dealer I bought from touted the wonders of Entune – but then realized the upgraded nav I bought didn’t have it. Only after trying to register the VIN several times (and failing), and then looking at the description on the build sheet very closely did he realize it said “without Entune.” Then he did the about face and told me it really isn’t that useful. Ah, dealers, living up to their soiled reputation.
Owning:
The 4Runner is exactly what I wanted… a complete zig from the zag of crossovers, extremely capable, a lot of room (without a ton of footprint overall), and plenty of style, nice luxury touches, and price-worthy features. I’m still getting used to the extreme dip I’m taking in gas mileage, but that was part of the package too.
It corners surprisingly well for something of its size, and if that’s X-REAS, then Toyota should offer on all models (as they should AWD). But on the flip side, acceleration can only be called adequate (compared to the zip of my past vehicles). I know they’ve purposely geared and tuned the accelerator for mileage, but I sure wish there was a “sport” setting that’d untune it for me. Guess I’ll have to just learn to smash throttle Hulk-style when I need that extra oomph.
I was ready to be infuriated by the lock-out of useful features in the nav unit – most notable the inability to dial from contacts and program nav while driving. However, my wife’s RX, which has essentially the same nav unit, has already taught me to just let it go. I will say, the 4Runner ergonomics are a lot more friendly than the RX too; it’s touchscreen, there’s a button for each mode and the dual climate control (all of which are handled via at least two clicks of the the mouse-thingy in the Lexus). Though apparently only Lexus owners get the super-crisp display (the 4Runner is pretty grainy in comparison).
Overall the interior is very nice, so I’m not sure why they get so beat up in reviews comparing to other $40K vehicles. Wonder if it’s the functionality over style they’ve gone with when designing. All I can say is I considered a few other $40K SUVs, and in each, all I could think is, “Man, this thing is going to be beat up in a few years!” The biggest downside I see on the interior is the lack of useful lighting. Makes packing and unpacking in the garage a pain. I also wish there were some more (read: any) useful hidden storage bins in the rear.
Regardless, wanted to post to say hi, and let you guys know you are, and this site is, amazing. I’m blown away by the wealth of information, how much you know and share with others, and how creative you are with mods, etc. Pretty cool stuff.
I’ll probably end up posting some more questions soon – I have a Lifetime Tent/Trailer combo coming, so am sure I’ll have plenty of questions for those with a lot of towing experience.
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