Retired and Ordering 2023 would like your thoughts

[RobS10]

i was all about the roll down hatch when i first got my 4runner too but then realized i was sucking in exhaust fumes while open..

Haven't noticed exhaust smell, but it's also handy for items too long for inside or when we want to set something inside without opening the hatch (if bikes are on the bike rack or something has rolled up or groceries are leaning against the bottom of the hatch from inside)

 

[FoxtrotRomeo]

Lexus GX?

 

[DAW89446]

i was all about the roll down hatch when i first got my 4runner too but then realized i was sucking in exhaust fumes while open..

On nice spring and autumn days, I roll down the back window. But only on pavement and with all other door glass down. It’s actually quite pleasant, calm and fairly quiet that way. And I’ve not smelled exhaust because there’s enough air coming in and flowing through out the back.

 

[MickeyR]

this is what you need.

I actually sold new 4Runners 40 years ago when you could do that to them.
Was hoping Toyota would give us guys that started them a discount on the 2023 Anniversary unit. But none yet and we would have to talk about the stripes coming off. Otherwise a nice 4Runner.

 

[MickeyR]

Opinions are like *******s: everyone has one.

Go for the reliability. Get the SR5. If you have a dog, then cloth seats. Japanese leather sucks and does not last.

Really down now to the SR5 and TRD Off-Road and both i would add leather and seat heaters. We have used Katzkin (Tuscany) Leather W/Seat Heaters for 30+ years at the dealership. That is what my TRD Tacoma had and 122k miles not showing any problems. With Standard Poodles all the time.
Also getting the steel console safe put in.

 

[IslandJim]

Just sold 2014 Tacoma TRD OFF ROAD 4x4 (122k miles). Hope to get new 4Runner on next allocation this Friday. Will buy off allocation so i can control added extras.
I had a LIMITED on order and never set up. I am now happy about this as i really don’t want the big radio system with navigation (do not want nav at all). The X system isn’t important to me as at 74 hope to put 100k on it and normally the X system will not.
I put lots of highway miles between Texas & Florida (I-10) so ride is important.
Never impressed with factory nav and have good gps.
Must have 4x4, don’t use it but always valued it.
Looking between:
SR5 - would add leather&heater to it.
SR5 Premium
TRD OFF-ROAD
TRD SPORT
Any thoughts please.
46 years with Toyota and sold the first 4Runners introduced. But no way would buy ANNIVERSARY model not knowing if strips are removable. Without stripes cool unit.

Recommend getting a 4Runner with KDSS, it will make a noticeable difference in Body roll in turns and emergency maneuvers (changing lanes quickly). Sold my last 4runner because of the color and made sure to get KDSS this time. Its great. If KDSS is only available on the Off-Road, then get the Off-Road.

Others have suggested a Sienna or Highlander, don't do it. The 4Runner and Lexus are totally made in Japan and come with the dependable reliability you are talking about. If you keep the tires stock size and are a conservative driver you will get the gas milage advertised by Toyota on those trips from Texas to Florida.

Would also suggest you get the rear sliding cargo tray if you can, keeps from scratching up the rear bumper when loading heavy items. Also keeps the rear floor flat, level with the second-row seats folded down.

There is a great forum here also for support. Quite of few good peeps on here that quickly respond and can help point you in the right direction for help.

Your right, the nav is pretty much useless and always use my phone anyways, google is much better.

Good luck with your purchase, just retired myself and am hoping this will be my final vehicle. Not putting as much miles as you will be though, many peeps have posted their 4Runners getting 300,000 miles and more. Hope you can find what you like. You never know, the stripes might grow on you. Don't like pinstriping myself, makes waxing more difficult.

 

[MickeyR]

From one senior to another, in short I love my ‘18 SR5.

After years of reliable service and hard off roading, I gave my grandson my ‘02 Tacoma TRD 4x4 and got my ‘18 SR5. It does have factory NAV and 3rd row. I’ve just turned over 50,000 miles on it.

A lot of people complain about the ride, noise and handling of the T4R. I find it perfectly fine. Maybe it’s because, like you, we’ve grown up on cars and trucks of the past that someone today would think are abusive and torturous. I’ve had late model (and early ‘60s) Cadillacs and Lexus, but I think my T4R is quiet, rides well and has a quality feel. A friend with a noise level app on his phone measured the interior sound levels on my SR5 and declared it pretty quiet at 70 mph. Any modern vehicle, even a new Jeep Wrangler would put my rough riding, hard shifting, noisy 1970 Ford F-250 4x4 with no power anything, no AC, rubber floors and no padding anywhere, to shame. But I loved that truck and had a lot of fun with it. It taught me all my 4x4 skills.

I live in a rural, isolated area where 4WD gets used a lot in mud, ice and snow; on both dirt and paved two-lane roads. Mountains, canyons and wide open valleys. In all seasons. I use my T4R on my property like a tractor, a pickup (with my utility trailer) and it never complains. I’ve scratched the heck out of it on tight trails that are narrower than the 4Runner. It’s silver but in winter it’s mud ball brown. Makes no sense to wash it, as it would be mud ball brown before I make the nearest paved road. The back liftgate is perpetually dusty in summer.

I think the SR5 Premium is the best value of the T4R line for most, IF you are dead set on a T4R. Based upon your post, there are nice AWD alternatives.

I don’t know about the 2023 models; but in 2018 when I researched all models, it seemed to me that all of them had the same basic specs, tires, shocks, ground clearance as the SR5 except the TRD Pro. I loved my Tacoma TRD, but I’ve just gotten too old and beat up to go out and beat myself up more for recreation, so the TRD Off Road or Pro wasn’t a value to me due to their considerably higher costs. But I did want a body on frame SUV, and I wanted another Toyota.

For me I think I made the best choice for my needs and desires. And I expect it and my 2012 Subaru Outback Premium will be my last vehicle purchases before I end my driving years.

Sir with 40+ years in the dealership with Toyota the number of customers/friends who i sold the second and sometimes third “LAST VEHICLE “ is great. Please drop me a note when you buy that next one.
YOU ARE SO RIGHT in what is expected of a body on frame vehicle. For 25 years i never had a demo for over 5000 miles. Would have drove 4Runners but they would last two days in demo and gone. Just never the production for lots of inventory.

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Really down now to the SR5 and TRD Off-Road and both i would add leather and seat heaters. We have used Katzkin (Tuscany) Leather W/Seat Heaters for 30+ years at the dealership. That is what my TRD Tacoma had and 122k miles not showing any problems. With Standard Poodles all the time.
Also getting the steel console safe put in.

I added aftermarket seat heaters to the cloth seats in our SR5 for $85 DIY and they work great.

 

[MickeyR]

Recommend getting a 4Runner with KDSS, it will make a noticeable difference in Body roll in turns and emergency maneuvers (changing lanes quickly). Sold my last 4runner because of the color and made sure to get KDSS this time. Its great. If KDSS is only available on the Off-Road, then get the Off-Road.

Others have suggested a Sienna or Highlander, don't do it. The 4Runner and Lexus are totally made in Japan and come with the dependable reliability you are talking about. If you keep the tires stock size and are a conservative driver you will get the gas milage advertised by Toyota on those trips from Texas to Florida.

Would also suggest you get the rear sliding cargo tray if you can, keeps from scratching up the rear bumper when loading heavy items. Also keeps the rear floor flat, level with the second-row seats folded down.

There is a great forum here also for support. Quite of few good peeps on here that quickly respond and can help point you in the right direction for help.

Your right, the nav is pretty much useless and always use my phone anyways, google is much better.

Good luck with your purchase, just retired myself and am hoping this will be my final vehicle. Not putting as much miles as you will be though, many peeps have posted their 4Runners getting 300,000 miles and more. Hope you can find what you like. You never know, the stripes might grow on you. Don't like pinstriping myself, makes waxing more difficult.

IslandJim thank you for the message.
I want the slider but GST Gulf States Toyota just doesn’t order them at all it seems. They didn’t when i was working and has not started. But i would like it if it was available.
I’m at the other end of Florida in the Destin area from you.

 

[MickeyR]

I added aftermarket seat heaters to the cloth seats in our SR5 for $85 DIY and they work great.

Wow! That is more than 5x’s less than I’m paying. Great deal.

 

[Mark4runnar]

open the sun roof....?

 

[MickeyR]

From one senior to another, in short I love my ‘18 SR5.

After years of reliable service and hard off roading, I gave my grandson my ‘02 Tacoma TRD 4x4 and got my ‘18 SR5. It does have factory NAV and 3rd row. I’ve just turned over 50,000 miles on it.

A lot of people complain about the ride, noise and handling of the T4R. I find it perfectly fine. Maybe it’s because, like you, we’ve grown up on cars and trucks of the past that someone today would think are abusive and torturous. I’ve had late model (and early ‘60s) Cadillacs and Lexus, but I think my T4R is quiet, rides well and has a quality feel. A friend with a noise level app on his phone measured the interior sound levels on my SR5 and declared it pretty quiet at 70 mph. Any modern vehicle, even a new Jeep Wrangler would put my rough riding, hard shifting, noisy 1970 Ford F-250 4x4 with no power anything, no AC, rubber floors and no padding anywhere, to shame. But I loved that truck and had a lot of fun with it. It taught me all my 4x4 skills.

I live in a rural, isolated area where 4WD gets used a lot in mud, ice and snow; on both dirt and paved two-lane roads. Mountains, canyons and wide open valleys. In all seasons. I use my T4R on my property like a tractor, a pickup (with my utility trailer) and it never complains. I’ve scratched the heck out of it on tight trails that are narrower than the 4Runner. It’s silver but in winter it’s mud ball brown. Makes no sense to wash it, as it would be mud ball brown before I make the nearest paved road. The back liftgate is perpetually dusty in summer.

I think the SR5 Premium is the best value of the T4R line for most, IF you are dead set on a T4R. Based upon your post, there are nice AWD alternatives.

I don’t know about the 2023 models; but in 2018 when I researched all models, it seemed to me that all of them had the same basic specs, tires, shocks, ground clearance as the SR5 except the TRD Pro. I loved my Tacoma TRD, but I’ve just gotten too old and beat up to go out and beat myself up more for recreation, so the TRD Off Road or Pro wasn’t a value to me due to their considerably higher costs. But I did want a body on frame SUV, and I wanted another Toyota.

For me I think I made the best choice for my needs and desires. And I expect it and my 2012 Subaru Outback Premium will be my last vehicle purchases before I end my driving years.

This is a very good watch on 4Runner and plant

ENGINEER EXPLAINS WHY TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS BEST QUALITY IN THE WORLD // STILL BUILT IN JAPAN AT TAHARA - YouTube

 

[CutthroatSlam]

Wow! That is more than 5x’s less than I’m paying. Great deal.

Search for a thread here on installing them.

 

[RobS10]

On nice spring and autumn days, I roll down the back window. But only on pavement and with all other door glass down. It’s actually quite pleasant, calm and fairly quiet that way. And I’ve not smelled exhaust because there’s enough air coming in and flowing through out the back.

Agree. I almost always have the driver's window down at the same time (at speeds less than 40mph) and thing it creates airflow from front to back that prevents the rear window from sucking in exhaust. I have noticed an odd smell at certain higher speeds with only the sunroof and rear window open, so it must create some kind of suction that 1jzgte mentioned.
LOL on the pavement only! We have 17 miles of dirt road to get into our cabin and the red dust would totally destroy the interior if we left the rear window open! As it is, the dust is able to leak around the inside weather stripping along the top edge of the glass, leaving a red film on the black rubber.

 

[RobS10]

IslandJim thank you for the message.
I want the slider but GST Gulf States Toyota just doesn’t order them at all it seems. They didn’t when i was working and has not started. But i would like it if it was available.
I’m at the other end of Florida in the Destin area from you.

I tried like heck to get the sliding cargo deck on ours, but like you said, some areas just don't get them in their allotments (one dealer said in two years, he had seen ONE, and was on a Trail Special Edition).
Check your local For Sale boards for people selling them as some people don't want them as they jack your floor height up a few inches.
This is a lousy time to buy a new vehicle. Most of the add-ons Toyota shows on their website for "building" a new 4Runner are just pipe dreams in the age of Supply Line Shortages.

 

[DAW89446]

LOL on the pavement only! We have 17 miles of dirt road to get into our cabin and the red dust would totally destroy the interior if we left the rear window open! As it is, the dust is able to leak around the inside weather stripping along the top edge of the glass, leaving a red film on the black rubber.

Yes, very true. I live on a dirt road with some miles to reach pavement. Though I am not picky about the exterior, I am fussy about the interior of my vehicles and do clean them regularly.

When I drag my driveways and perimeter fences, I use a length of railroad rail behind the T4R, which creates a lot of dust. I do this with the windows up, AC in recirc mode. I still get considerable dust inside, it helps to use my air compressor to blow it out of the upholstery, nooks and crannies. I recently shampooed the interior for the first time, which really got a lot of ingrained dust.

 

[Charles Bronson]

This is a very good watch on 4Runner and plant

ENGINEER EXPLAINS WHY TOYOTA 4RUNNER HAS BEST QUALITY IN THE WORLD // STILL BUILT IN JAPAN AT TAHARA - YouTube

I agree him that the primary reason the 4Runner is so reliable is because not much as changed in 13 freaking years :crazy:

As for assembly, it really doesn't matter where a vehicle is assembled anymore. The way the parts go together is all in the engineering of the part itself. Cars now are like Legos and are better for it. Most come apart and go back together quite nicely. I can have 4runner door card entirely off in 3 minutes. I can have the rear floor carpet, foam panels, trim, and back seat out in 10 minutes and stripped to just the carpet and/or bare metal floor. I can have the rear bumper cover off in 5 minutes and a taillight out in 2 minutes. These trucks are incredibly simple by today's standards. They hardly have any noise insulation/suppressing materials either and is probably why they are fairly loud on the highway.

There is no craftsman assembly needed for these trucks at all. My 13 y/o daughter and my 17 y/o son installed new speakers on my wife's 2020 4Runner after I showed them how to get a door card off. They didn't scratch or break anything and it was like no one was there after they were done.

 

[Pedro367]

People actually use their factory nav?

 

[Charles Bronson]

Opinions are like *******s: everyone has one.

Go for the reliability. Get the SR5. If you have a dog, then cloth seats. Japanese leather sucks and does not last.

Most 5th gen 4Runners have SofTex. That stuff is vinyl and is bulletproof. Short of literally stabbing it with a sharp object, it's not tearing. I don't see how it could "wear" either given that it's pure vinyl.

Cloth seating surfaces are only good for track/race cars where you don't want to be sliding around. Otherwise, fabric seating surfaces are the devil because liquids soak into them and can get trapped, pet hair gets stuck in it, they get stained, it wears, fades, etc.

 

[Charles Bronson]

People actually use their factory nav?

We only use it to see upcoming street names when needed.