Probably time to replace my '03

[Jayhawk5G]

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.

It sounds like you want the MB.

 

[M1911]

It sounds like you want the MB.

I think I do. I love driving Mrs. M1911's C-class.

The question, though, is whether I will regret it. It certainly won't have Toyota/Lexus reliability. The question is, is it reliable enough?

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I think I do. I love driving Mrs. M1911's C-class.

The question, though, is whether I will regret it. It certainly won't have Toyota/Lexus reliability. The question is, is it reliable enough?

You know the reliability won't be the same as the 2003 4Runner, so the bigger question than is it reliable enough is how long do you plan on owning it? I can't imagine even an extended warranty will get you anywhere close to how long you have owned your 4Runner (if you bought it new.)

If you are fine with dumping it for something else once the warranty is up, then you'll probably be fine. Perhaps consider a lease and see how you like it?

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I just looked in the Consumers Reports magazine. The issue I have is for 2013 not 2014. I do not know if they changed anything on the ML or not. The ML has reliability as below average, satisfaction above average and owner cost way below average.
It also has a comment that 1st year reliability is below average. They state the ML is very refined but some controls are overly complicated.

The 4runner they list as reliability way above average, satisfaction average, owner cost slightly below average.

Neither is vehicle is recommended.

 

[M1911]

I just looked in the Consumers Reports magazine. The issue I have is for 2013 not 2014. I do not know if they changed anything on the ML or not. The ML has reliability as below average, satisfaction above average and owner cost way below average.
It also has a comment that 1st year reliability is below average. They state the ML is very refined but some controls are overly complicated.

The 4runner they list as reliability way above average, satisfaction average, owner cost slightly below average.

Neither is vehicle is recommended.

They don't like the 4Runner because they don't like body-on-frame, offroad vehicles. For the average soccer mom, they are correct. The average soccer mom is better served by a crossover.

Their rating on the ML is again based on their bias. They prefer the RX350 to the ML350. And for the average soccer mom, they are again right. But I do take mine offroad, so the RX is a no go.

Yes, Mercedes Command is complicated. It will take some time to learn it. ML reliability is below average, no doubt. No, I won't keep it 10 years. 7 years, maybe, with extended warranty.

2014 Mercedes reliability is far better than it was in 2000. Back then it was the pits.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

They don't like the 4Runner because they don't like body-on-frame, offroad vehicles. For the average soccer mom, they are correct. The average soccer mom is better served by a crossover.

Their rating on the ML is again based on their bias. They prefer the RX350 to the ML350. And for the average soccer mom, they are again right. But I do take mine offroad, so the RX is a no go.

Yes, Mercedes Command is complicated. It will take some time to learn it. ML reliability is below average, no doubt. No, I won't keep it 10 years. 7 years, maybe, with extended warranty.

2014 Mercedes reliability is far better than it was in 2000. Back then it was the pits.

Sounds like you have found your new vehicle. Let us know how you like it when you get it.

 

[M1911]

Just got a call from the independent garage that I use. Yet another frozen caliper on my 4Runner. Sigh.

 

[M1911]

Sounds like you have found your new vehicle. Let us know how you like it when you get it.

I'm going to do some test drives this weekend and think about it some more.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Just got a call from the independent garage that I use. Yet another frozen caliper on my 4Runner. Sigh.

I had my 03 4runner 11 years and never had a frozen caliper. Probably living in the dry desert with little rain and no snow helps that problem.

 

[Dylan]

All other things aside, the GX is fairly similar to the 4Runner as far as capabilities go. It would be sweet if Toyota ever threw the 5.7L into a runner though. One can dream.

 

[M1911]

I had my 03 4runner 11 years and never had a frozen caliper. Probably living in the dry desert with little rain and no snow helps that problem.

I live in the Northeast. I've replaced both front calipers at least twice before, and rears at least once.