Probably time to replace my '03

[M1911]

It looks like the time is nearing for me to replace my '03 V8 Limited. I bought it new and have put 150k miles on it. The body and drivetrain are in good shape but the frame is rusting through. I will be seeing whether Toyota will help me with that. But one way or another, it's nearing time for something new.

I do take it offroad, but only on the beach which isn't all that challenging. So now I'm in a quandary about what to get.

There is always the '15 4Runner Limited (I'm partial to the center diff). But I'm not keen on the V6, the transmission needs more than 5 gears, and it doesn't get much better mileage than my V8.

At a higher price point, there is the Lexus GX460. Definitely offroad capable. A fair bit of toys. Nice V8 and 6-speed transmission. Mileage will likely be the same as my '03. Better dealership experience. But I hate the barn door and I'm not keen on the spindle grill.

And now I'm smoking crack -- ML350 with offroad package. It will be more than capable enough for the beach, but probably better onroad manners than the 4Runner or GX. I have a long stop-and-go commute, so the radar cruise and brake hold would be awesome. The dealer is less than a mile away and we have had great service for Mrs. M1911s c-class. On the other hand, I wouldn't keep an ML a month past the necessary extended warranty. Mileage would likely be several mpg better than my V8 and performance would be better as well. Price would be similar to a loaded GX.

Time to do some test drives this weekend.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

So...Mercedes it is?

 

[Intruder]

In almost 4 years of driving the V6 I've never felt it needed another gear, and I owned a 6 speed manual TSX before the 4Runner. That was a car that needed 6 gears and a clutch to take full advantage of the power plant - the 5 speed auto version was boring as hell.

 

[philsey]

Land Crusher? You know, as long as you're up in the "stupid price" area.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I traded my 03 V8 on a 14 Limited in May. Mine was always in Arizona and had zero rust. I will probably never get over losing the low end torque of the V8, once moving it is comparable in performance. I miss the V8 most when you want to accelerate from lower speeds to pass a minivan or other normal vehicle in the other lane. I was used to pushing the gas pedal 1/4"on the vehicle and accelerating right by with little effort. On my 14 I notice in the same conditions it acts like it really does not want any part of this and if I push the gas harder without making it downshift I can not even accelerate as hard as the minivan that was not even trying. More gears would definitely help. It is sad when my 11 year old 4runner felt more refined and smoother than my new one. My 14 gas mileage is almost the same as my 03 was when stock with the 03 being slightly better in the same conditions. I am still very happy with the new 4runner. I do not really have the option of a Lexus because the nearest dealer is 3 hours away. I have test drove them before and it corrects most of the issues I have. I even like the barndoor back door. I would not buy a Mercedes because I do not trust them and again no dealer close. I think you would like the new 4runner if you do not go test drive it thinking it will be as smooth running, as quiet as refined as some of its completion. If you do not intend to ever use it much for off road there are probably better choices including the Highlander. I bought the Limited because like you I love the center diff and wanted the options like auto climate, headlights, memory seats etc. It is not the perfect vehicle but close enough for me. I tend to keep my vehicles a long time and prefer Toyota reliability. 1engineer, I know you will not agree with me on this at all.

 

[chmura]

Sounds like you need a Lexus GX460. Low mileage 2012 GX460's can be had for $40k.

 

[philsey]

... On my 14 I notice in the same conditions it acts like it really does not want any part of this and if I push the gas harder without making it downshift I can not even accelerate ...

Here's what I finally learned about the 4R Mission Control computer. It's NOT how far you press the go pedal, it's how fast you press it. If you ease it down 1", it just goes ugh -- but if you push it quickly that same 1", it'll downshift and react much mo bettah.

There's not a damned thing wrong with this engine. You just gotta learn how to get its attention. Floor it hard once, at any speed, and report back.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Here's what I finally learned about the 4R Mission Control computer. It's NOT how far you press the go pedal, it's how fast you press it. If you ease it down 1", it just goes ugh -- but if you push it quickly that same 1", it'll downshift and react much mo bettah.

There's not a damned thing wrong with this engine. You just gotta learn how to get its attention. Floor it hard once, at any speed, and report back.

Not sure I completely agree with this. I have a very steep driveway. At times I stop at the bottom to pick up my mail. On my 03 I would take off and could get the tires to squeak a little taking off even with all wheel drive. On my 14 the first couple times I took off I looked down to see if the emergency brake was still on, it was not. It does not matter if I floor the gas pedal quickly or not. As I stated the engine runs fine once the rpms get up a little. Not trying to make any enemies here just telling my experience. I think people that live in flat parts of the country would be more than happy with the engine. I also feel that a slightly higher stall speed in the torque convertor would really wake it up.

 

[Asta]

Not sure I completely agree with this. I have a very steep driveway. At times I stop at the bottom to pick up my mail. On my 03 I would take off and could get the tires to squeak a little taking off even with all wheel drive. On my 14 the first couple times I took off I looked down to see if the emergency brake was still on, it was not. It does not matter if I floor the gas pedal quickly or not. As I stated the engine runs fine once the rpms get up a little. Not trying to make any enemies here just telling my experience. I think people that live in flat parts of the country would be more than happy with the engine. I also feel that a slightly higher stall speed in the torque convertor would really wake it up.

I can squeak the tires on my 11 with no problem on my friends steep driveway.... I might just have a led foot though :lookout:

 

[sickk21]

I don't know why you'd consider the ML over the Grand Cherokee? My sister has a '14 GC Overland with about 22k miles on it and I really like it and so does she and we use to have a '12 Overland that we miss.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I can squeak the tires on my 11 with no problem on my friends steep driveway.... I might just have a led foot though :lookout:

2 wheel drive or 4 wheel drive engaged? My Limited is full time 4x4.

 

[Taco04]

driving the V6 I've never felt it needed another gear

I have to agree I drove over the Rocky mountains last week fully loaded plus boxes on the roof rack killing any aerodynamics. I was honestly impressed how well it performed at altitude it may not be a beast but it did a lot better than I expected.

 

[Marcocopuffs]

Here's what I finally learned about the 4R Mission Control computer. It's NOT how far you press the go pedal, it's how fast you press it. If you ease it down 1", it just goes ugh -- but if you push it quickly that same 1", it'll downshift and react much mo bettah.

There's not a damned thing wrong with this engine. You just gotta learn how to get its attention. Floor it hard once, at any speed, and report back.

Or use the downshift on the gear selector!

 

[Antman]

I don't know why you'd consider the ML over the Grand Cherokee? My sister has a '14 GC Overland with about 22k miles on it and I really like it and so does she and we use to have a '12 Overland that we miss.

Report back at 50k...or less.hwell:

 

[M1911]

So...Mercedes it is?

Dunno yet.

Land Crusher? You know, as long as you're up in the "stupid price" area.

That's too stupid a price, unfortunately. I can get a new GX460 or LX350 for $55-65k, depending upon options. A Land Crusher is $80k. And while I would like a little extra room, I park in Cambridge, MA where the parking garages are tight, so bigger isn't necessarily better.

 

[M1911]

I don't know why you'd consider the ML over the Grand Cherokee? My sister has a '14 GC Overland with about 22k miles on it and I really like it and so does she and we use to have a '12 Overland that we miss.

The Grand Cherokee is somewhat smaller. The 4Runner, GX, and ML all have about 80 cf of cargo space behind the front seats. JGC is about 68. When the Mrs. and I go on vacation, we already fill up the back of the 4Runner and a cartop cargo carrier as well.

Also, the GC reliability rating is just horrid. The ML isn't great, but it is better than the GC and the Mercedes dealer experience is far better than the local Jeep dealer. Also, the comparison reviews that I've read have said that the GC just isn't as refined to drive as the ML.

 

[NoDak]

you should ask lolrax, he converted from a 4runner to a gx460. he has the same handle on the lexus club forums.

edit : forgot to add, those forums are not the greatest compared to here. randomly there is a good post but most just whine about the minor stuff a lot more than over here.

there is one thread where someone was getting input on deciding on a 4runner or gx over there also.

 

[Threev8s]

I thought I'd give my input since I have an '03 v8 as well and a new Limited. I test drove a new GX460 right before we bought my wife’s ’14 Limited. I was seriously looking forward to it since I had high hopes for the v8 and got the wife’s buy-in for the upcharge. As much as I wanted to like it, I just didn’t. The v8 is nothing like the 4.7 from the 4th gen and everything else that Toyota put it in. If I am not mistaken, the engine in the GX460 was designed for the Lexus LS460, not trucks. It does not have the effortless acceleration of my ’03 v8 SE or the previous gen GX470. Along with that, you just feel disconnected from the road and there is no fun factor. I am not knocking it because it is still an excellent vehicle that I would be happy to have, but it’s a completely different animal. Taking price out of the equation, I would still take a 4Runner LE over a similarly equipped GX460, in spite of the fact that a v8 is a huge priority for me. Having said that, as long as I like to keep vehicles and as much as I love reliability, I’d take the GX460 in a heartbeat over just about anything else that is in the realm, especially the ML.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

That's too stupid a price, unfortunately. I can get a new GX460 or LX350 for $55-65k, depending upon options. A Land Crusher is $80k. And while I would like a little extra room, I park in Cambridge, MA where the parking garages are tight, so bigger isn't necessarily better.

I was going to suggest LandCruiser as well, they are smaller than the Seqouia... and slightly larger than the 4Runner.

If that's completely off the table, then GX460...

Edit:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seqouia - Wheel base, 122.0 in
Length, 205.1 in
Height, 77.0 in in
Width, 79.9 in

200 Series - Wheel base, 112.2 in
Length, 194.9 in
Height, 74.0 in
Width, 77.6 in

2014 4Runner - Wheel base, 109.8
Length, 191.3 in
Height, 71.5 in
Width, 75.8 in

 

[M1911]

As I posted previously, the Land Cruiser's size on the outside is a bit of an issue. Unfortunately, that size doesn't result in much more interior capacity, due to the space-robbing third row. I suppose I could take those out.

The other drawbacks are the cost and the fuel economy. I'm not a big fan of my '03s 15 mpg average on my commute. I expect that the Land Cruiser would be down closer to 12-13 mpg and that would get old quickly.

I do love the Land Cruiser, but I don't think I want to pay for it.