Rookie 4Runner Owner- need advice please

[Kenny Powers]

Hello everyone from Scottsdale AZ!

Bought a 2014 4Runner 4wd premium last week, and I love the thing! I've been reading these forums and have learned a lot! I had a few quick questions that I didn't quite see captured when I did some searches on the forum.

1. Do you guys find the invisable bra a worthy investment? I bought Nautical Blue and I'm afraid it's gonna show all the chips and crap. I have a quote for $775 which includes the headlights. I don't want to spend the dough- especially after surviving the dealership process.... I'm kind of negotiater out... I did get te guy to throw in some free areas, and he seems pretty firm on the rest. His company is highly rated and reviews and does all the fancy cars in the area.


2. What accesories do you guys love and can't live without? I ordered a superbumper bc no one knows how to drive here and I really want to protect my dream car (and first ever new car).

3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then regarding your 4Runner?

4. Somewhere in my paperwork I read you can't use window cleaner on the rear windows so you don't harm the defroster? Can this be possible? You can't clean your windows?



Thanks so much for your time and expertise- they are greatly appreciated.

 

[1engineer]

Hello everyone from Scottsdale AZ!

Bought a 2014 4Runner 4wd premium last week, and I love the thing! I've been reading these forums and have learned a lot! I had a few quick questions that I didn't quite see captured when I did some searches on the forum.

1. Do you guys find the invisable bra a worthy investment? I bought Nautical Blue and I'm afraid it's gonna show all the chips and crap. I have a quote for $775 which includes the headlights. I don't want to spend the dough- especially after surviving the dealership process.... I'm kind of negotiater out... I did get te guy to throw in some free areas, and he seems pretty firm on the rest. His company is highly rated and reviews and does all the fancy cars in the area.


2. What accesories do you guys love and can't live without? I ordered a superbumper bc no one knows how to drive here and I really want to protect my dream car (and first ever new car).

3. What do you know now that you wish you knew then regarding your 4Runner?

4. Somewhere in my paperwork I read you can't use window cleaner on the rear windows so you don't harm the defroster? Can this be possible? You can't clean your windows?



Thanks so much for your time and expertise- they are greatly appreciated.

1. Some do, some don't. If your vehicle is going to be a pavement princess and the toughest trips are to the mall then you are probably the kind of guy who cares about rock chips. I don't and just touch them up every now and then.

2. Any accessories you personally can't live without is what you should get. For example: One guy who lives off road might think a long travel kit is a necessity. You might think window tint is a necessity. Get my drift?

3. There is nothing that I know now that I did not know then about 4Runners or vehicles in general.

4. Let me give you a quick tip here: Get two clean microfiber rags, preferably fairly new. Wet one with nice clean water. Keep the other dry. Wring most of the water out of the wet one. Proceed to wipe your windows with the damp rag followed immediately by drying with the dry rag. Works like a charm, no streaking and no special chemicals. I have been cleaning windows like that for the past 20 years and I clean my home windows like that as well. Works on mirrors too. For inside car window cleaning you need nothing else.

Hope this helps.

 

[Eagle]

3. There is nothing that I know now that I did not know then

1E was born fully informed.

 

[Plano26]

:welcome: Kenny! Yup 1E summed it up! If your plans are to take it off-road; let me know and maybe we can go on a run or two...I can show you some fun easy to moderate runs, even some that can get you the AZ Pin-striping! :driving:

 

[THEDK]

Shop around. Clearbra should be half that price.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Thanks for the info- I appreciate it. I'm behind the curve and trying to catch up on all this stuff.

In theory if I take great care of my car- it should last me 200,000 - 300,000?

 

[GSPRunner]

Shop around. Clearbra should be half that price.

Depends on the film they are using. Around here that is a good price for a full kit using good(3m) film. There are a lot of cheaper crap films out there.

OP, I have 3m clear bra and I love it. Just remember, it's not invisible, it's transparent so you will still see it on the car. If you do a lot of highway driving, I recommend it.

 

[Kenny Powers]

Depends on the film they are using. Around here that is a good price for a full kit using good(3m) film. There are a lot of cheaper crap films out there.

OP, I have 3m clear bra and I love it. Just remember, it's not invisible, it's transparent so you will still see it on the car. If you do a lot of highway driving, I recommend it.

Thanks! I do a ton of highway driving and plan on keeping this ride for at least ten years- so I want to do my best to keep it in top shape.

The price I was quoted was to include front and rear bumpers, fenders, a portion of the hood, headlights, mirror and door guards. For an additional $300 he can do the entire hood. I'm hopeful that since it's somewhat of a taller vehicle- the majority of rocks will find their way to the protected areas- hopefully the rocks agree with my plan.
I'm fine with it not being invisible- seems like the lessor of two evils.

 

[Kenny Powers]

:welcome: Kenny! Yup 1E summed it up! If your plans are to take it off-road; let me know and maybe we can go on a run or two...I can show you some fun easy to moderate runs, even some that can get you the AZ Pin-striping! :driving:

thanks Plano! I primarily will be driving roads with occasional trips to flagstaff in the winter.