PA 4Runner
New member
5 sp auto tranny for the V6
&
Steering wheel mounted cruise control buttons
&
Steering wheel mounted cruise control buttons
Suggested improvements on the 2005 4runner?
- Thread starter arouth
- Start date
sharp4runr
New member
PA 4Runner said:
I like the cruise control on the steering column. It can be accessed while keeping both hands on the wheel. The more buttons that are added to the steering makes it too complicated IMO.
PA 4Runner
New member
:dunno:sharp4runr said:
To each his own. I have no problems keeping my hands on the wheel of my Accord that has them.
I like and prefer the cruise control on the steering wheel. It seems kinda weird that my 4Runner has the audio controls on the wheel and a row of blanked out buttons on the other side of the wheel from them. What the hell are they for?
bluewolf
New member
rhlitt said:
Don't you have the pull-strap on the inside right corner? Just pull it down to get ahold of the hatch, doesn't seem to be a problem for either me or my 5' 8" 120 lb wife.
What might be convenient, though, would be a better handle on the outside of the hatch (ala Jeep Cherokee) or at least some designated spot to push on when closing the hatch. My wife pushes on the licence plate 'cause she doesn't want fingerprints on the paint.
Mark86
Super Moderator
PA 4Runner said::dunno:
To each his own. I have no problems keeping my hands on the wheel of my Accord that has them.
I like and prefer the cruise control on the steering wheel. It seems kinda weird that my 4Runner has the audio controls on the wheel and a row of blanked out buttons on the other side of the wheel from them. What the hell are they for?
PA 4Runner, Toyota and Lexus use the same steering wheel. The only differences are the emblems, Lexus wheel has a wood trim, and Lexus puts a voice button or something on the right side. I am not sure if it was one button or two buttons on the right, but there were definitely button(s) there. The audio controls are the same and the stick on the steering column for the cruise control are the same.
Last edited:
I'd like to see the following on the '05 models:
1) Offer a taupe colored interior in the Sport Edition (the dark interior shows lint, dust and dog hair too easily) or at least offer some other colors in addition to the stone/charcoal.
2) Offer the NAV system as an option on all three trim levels (even offroaders in an SR5 or SE could appreciate some guidance here and there).
3) Re-design the seats to be more comfortable (ie. older 4Runner sport seats). My '97 Runner's Sport seats are some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in....the new Runner seats aren't even close.
4) Offer HID headlights as an option.
That's all for now....
Drivie
1) Offer a taupe colored interior in the Sport Edition (the dark interior shows lint, dust and dog hair too easily) or at least offer some other colors in addition to the stone/charcoal.
2) Offer the NAV system as an option on all three trim levels (even offroaders in an SR5 or SE could appreciate some guidance here and there).
3) Re-design the seats to be more comfortable (ie. older 4Runner sport seats). My '97 Runner's Sport seats are some of the most comfortable seats I've ever sat in....the new Runner seats aren't even close.
4) Offer HID headlights as an option.
That's all for now....
Drivie
nathannookie
New member
toybox said:
People have replied to that one before, saying just turn it down, but I've had mute buttons before, and I love them. Nice and quick.
Speaking of quick, I find the Volume UP / DOWN buttons on the steering wheel to be a little slow to respond. It would be nice if they acted a little faster.
techjockey
New member
I want some practical things...
1) More head room when you have a sunroof.
2) The Double Decker Cargo shelf needs to be easily removable and also not act as a dumping ramp when you open the back door.
1) More head room when you have a sunroof.
2) The Double Decker Cargo shelf needs to be easily removable and also not act as a dumping ramp when you open the back door.
clin9383
Member
Mark86 said:Jim, your improvements all sound great but #2 will never happen. It is illegal in NJ, where I live, to have any of the front windows tinted. You are allowed to tint up to the rear windows. I think it would look cooler, but I know it is illegal in some states. I wish I could understand why!
you aren't allowed to tint windows that dark mainly for the safety of police officers...when they pull someone over, then want to be able to see into your cabin with the flashlight even with the window rolled up. i have no idea why you woulnd't roll down the window after you see the lights, but apparently police officers have been shot due to not being able to see inside the vehicle.
bluewolf
New member
drivie said:
I'm confused as to why Toyota has these weird limitations anyway. I wanted the Sport for it's options, but my wife and I also prefered the dorado gold peal color with the taupe interior. Why does Toyota exclude the gold pearl and deep blue colors from the sport edition line? Why can't a person add the XREAS suspension to an SR5?
SteveM
New member
Agree with you there bluewolf, why the strange limitations.
Along those same lines, the pre-configured option packages are annoying. I want to be able to get any option a la carte, but all Toyota offers is pre-selected packages so you either end up with stuff you don't want or you go short some features.
Toyota won't listen if you want to special order a configuration either.
One feature I'd like to see in newer models is better rear seat ventilation. On hot days, it seems the front seat passengers are freezing before the backseaters quit complaining about the heat.
Along those same lines, the pre-configured option packages are annoying. I want to be able to get any option a la carte, but all Toyota offers is pre-selected packages so you either end up with stuff you don't want or you go short some features.
Toyota won't listen if you want to special order a configuration either.
One feature I'd like to see in newer models is better rear seat ventilation. On hot days, it seems the front seat passengers are freezing before the backseaters quit complaining about the heat.
boston_kevin
New member
why can't you get what you want?
Toyota (along with all other dealers) has been packaging options and colors for a long time. This will never change. Some things are deemed as luxuries and so to get them, you either outsource (3rd party for leather, stereo, etc) or you pony up the money for the higher-end models. GMC does this with their SUVs, Ford with the exporers, even Jeep does this with their base wrangler.
Colors and interiors are meant to project an image. Sport models are meant to accessorize well with the image of "Sports" (offroading, driving fast, stopping fast...) Best example of this is Ferrari... You could only get 2 colors for a long time (red or black), now I think you get a choice of 5. That's for a$90,000 car!
In this case, Toyota marketing team decided which colors/options would be the most appealing to the generation they wanted to sell the sport models to, and focused on those. You can special order any combination of options (available per model) you want, just be prepared to wait.
What I don't get about Toyota is that they have special options/packages for the gulf coast area (SR5 with leather for example). Both are heading to this country, why make a separate case for those southern states???
Toyota (along with all other dealers) has been packaging options and colors for a long time. This will never change. Some things are deemed as luxuries and so to get them, you either outsource (3rd party for leather, stereo, etc) or you pony up the money for the higher-end models. GMC does this with their SUVs, Ford with the exporers, even Jeep does this with their base wrangler.
Colors and interiors are meant to project an image. Sport models are meant to accessorize well with the image of "Sports" (offroading, driving fast, stopping fast...) Best example of this is Ferrari... You could only get 2 colors for a long time (red or black), now I think you get a choice of 5. That's for a$90,000 car!
In this case, Toyota marketing team decided which colors/options would be the most appealing to the generation they wanted to sell the sport models to, and focused on those. You can special order any combination of options (available per model) you want, just be prepared to wait.
What I don't get about Toyota is that they have special options/packages for the gulf coast area (SR5 with leather for example). Both are heading to this country, why make a separate case for those southern states???
boston_kevin
New member
special orders
Talk to a couple of dealers outside of So Cal. I talked with about 10 dealers up here in New England, and finally found one that would order one for me. Then went back to the local dealer and asked if they really wanted to lose the business... He said they would special order one for me, just let them know when.
They don't like to do it, because there is some extra paper work involved, but they also don't have to have the vehicle sitting idle on their lot counting against their inventory.
Talk to a couple of dealers outside of So Cal. I talked with about 10 dealers up here in New England, and finally found one that would order one for me. Then went back to the local dealer and asked if they really wanted to lose the business... He said they would special order one for me, just let them know when.
They don't like to do it, because there is some extra paper work involved, but they also don't have to have the vehicle sitting idle on their lot counting against their inventory.
SteveM
New member
Well, in SoCal, I suspect there's two factors working against us.
1. They sell enough vehicles that they don't have to worry if you don't buy.
2. They don't want to end up with an oddly configured vehicle they can't sell.
When I was selecting a dealer to order my BMW from, I had one tell me they would not order any 3 series without sunroof and automatic tranny because it would be "unsellable" if I backed out of the deal. I took my business elsewhere!
1. They sell enough vehicles that they don't have to worry if you don't buy.
2. They don't want to end up with an oddly configured vehicle they can't sell.
When I was selecting a dealer to order my BMW from, I had one tell me they would not order any 3 series without sunroof and automatic tranny because it would be "unsellable" if I backed out of the deal. I took my business elsewhere!
