Re-Intro, really buying one this time, Q's

[[DT]]

Howdy Folks!

I actually registered back in 2004 but was unable to re-generate my password (I suspect anti-spam apps at Bellsouth blocking this systems email). I used my private business email this time.

So, let's see - here's my intro from back in 2004:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5201

(So for the record [DT] == DT04R)

We wound up buying a BMW X5 4.4i - I really loved it. Very sporty, reasonably capable offroad (light beach duty / foul weather), decent tow capacity.

Well, we're pretty much done with BMW - this was our 3rd one, we've been a loyal customer, but between the poor CS, ridiculous prices for routine maintenance (that includes plenty of condescension, like I don't have a clue about costs...) and the logistics of the dealer location we're going to trade it in.

I was considering another "high line" type SUV, maybe a GL Merc, etc., but really we're just not into that anymore. Our lifestyle here at the beach is more laid back. We've kind of gotten away from spending ton extra on brand cachet. Spending another $55K-60K just seems silly for a tow/utility vehicle.

I'm a long time fan of Toyota so this was a pretty natural direction for me to go. I kind of considered the Sequoia with the 5.7 V8 - it's a BEAST, but we have one child (5 month old) with no plans for another, and the Wifey would rather have something a little smaller I think.

So I'm 99.9% sure when we get our X5 back and can get to our local Toyota dealer we're going to buy a new T4R. Woot. The amazing thing is a loaded one is a good solid $20K less than some of the other replacements I was considering and it's 10X more capable offroad and will probably have 1/10th the issues!

The extra savings means having some fun too - I'm thinking at least some Enkei Deep 6's in 20"

I was impressed with the 7K towing capacity too - that should be plenty for our needs.

My must-have's:

- V8
- AWD
- X-REAS
- Leather
- Nav

I really dig on the new white being offered on the Urban Commander Death Machine model, but I hear so-so things about the Tom-Tom based nav and some of the material choices for seats, etc.?

I actually love the hood on the sport model but I guess leather is not an option? That's one of the new things the wifey really wanted. I guess it could be added after-the-fact, or ordered special with the car?

I wish the V8 was a little more stout (most of the sub 5L V8's in other SUV are over 300HP) and that it had a 6-speed auto for a little improved MPG, but those aren't deal breakers.

Oh yeah, thought of one more question: since we're pretty close anyway, should be wait till the 09's come out? We're not interested in that trail model I read about here - any other potential and interesting options that might come up?

 

[toto]

Welcome back!

Leather seats are not a factory option on the Sport Edition; the factory only puts leather in the Limited. Toyota's distributor in the southeast region (South East Toyota, or SET) will put in aftermarket leather seats in a Sport, so you can order it that way through a dealer. I'm sure most dealers can point you in the direction of an aftermarket company. I'm sure that the aftermarket people have thought of this, but be aware that the side airbags deploy from the seat bolsters, so you can't have anything interfere with that.

You described a fully-loaded Limited (V8, all V8's are full-time 4WD, X-REAS, Nav), so you can probably find what you want in a factory configuration, although it will take a little work to find. Your dealer can get on the computer and start hunting around.

I still haven't seen anything big for 2009; the new model overhaul is assumed to be slated for the 2010 model year.

 

[jongolds]

I was just looking at the same thing. Pricing on the V8 limited was so close to Lexus that we ended up with that instead. I like the increased headroom but wish it had the 4Runner's tailgate adn extra 500lbs of towing capacity (and 87 octane fuel).

 

[[DT]]

Welcome back!

Leather seats are not a factory option on the Sport Edition; the factory only puts leather in the Limited. Toyota's distributor in the southeast region (South East Toyota, or SET) will put in aftermarket leather seats in a Sport, so you can order it that way through a dealer.

I still haven't seen anything big for 2009; the new model overhaul is assumed to be slated for the 2010 model year.

Thanks!

Hmm, I'd probably stick to just regular OEM configurations, so it looks like we will likely stick with a Limited. I can at least add the rear spoiler in one of the option bundles (and maybe keep an eye out for a Sport Ed. hood for sale later).

I was just looking at the same thing. Pricing on the V8 limited was so close to Lexus that we ended up with that instead. I like the increased headroom but wish it had the 4Runner's tailgate adn extra 500lbs of towing capacity (and 87 octane fuel).

I kind of like the looks of the 4R better (I think it looks a little stouter, maybe because of the lower roofline?), but from a functional standpoint the swingout (vs. up) style tailgates are a big bother.

I thought a super loaded Limited (with JBL-Nav/X-R/Sunroof) was ~$43K and the GX with a few matching options was ~$52K (the Nav option is very pricey since it comes with the ML based audio upgrade). That's approaching $10K.

I know the Lexus ownership experience is just about unequaled though - I had a GS and the very few trips to the dealer were just outstanding! I even added the OEM rear wing and had an issue and the way it was handled still tops any other dealer response since I've owned cars.

 

[jongolds]

I found the same numbers for MSRP but local Lexus dealers were willing to sell in the mid $40's where the 4Runner was going to be in the high $30s. Both included NAV and their respective top of the line stereos. I wasn't really interested in either option. You can buy a really nice Garmin for a couple hundred bucks and use it in whatever car you want and the incremental difference in the stereo is lost on me. I mostly listen to sports radio.

I couldn't agree more about the tailgate. It's killing me.

 

[[DT]]

I found the same numbers for MSRP but local Lexus dealers were willing to sell in the mid $40's where the 4Runner was going to be in the high $30s. Both included NAV and their respective top of the line stereos. I wasn't really interested in either option. You can buy a really nice Garmin for a couple hundred bucks and use it in whatever car you want and the incremental difference in the stereo is lost on me. I mostly listen to sports radio.

I couldn't agree more about the tailgate. It's killing me.

Oh wow, I didn't realize how the potential final price after the wheeling~n~ dealing worked out! I might have to at least talk to the Lexus folks. I did see a nice CPO '08 7K miles for $42K and while the color wasn't for us, it at least gave me a little perspective on that as an alternative too.

Yeah, very true about the nav - heck my Tilt/8525 has a pretty solid GPS that works with GMaps, Live Search and even Garmin based apps.