Test drove a SR5 today - what a POS

[PredBlue]

I'm not sure what threads like this actually accomplish. You rip on multiple aspects of the truck, calling it a piece of shit, then just get back to whining over no v8.

If there is even a fraction of a chance that Toyota researches what people say on websites like this, and that Toyota somehow/someway factors these comments into the designs/options/etc., then I say this type of thread is EXACTLY what we should be doing. As a former/current owner I've participated in a focus groups for Nissan and Honda over the years asking for input that was clearly being used for future vehicle design/marketing. If they care, I am guessing Toyota does too, so the more people say here (or directly to the company), the more likely that those comments get factored into their vehicles.

I also think the 5th gen is a decent step forward. I cant really go into the new v old 4x4 systems as I dont know much about mudding.
im not sayin, im just say, stop *****in
and yeah, im biased, i just bought a 5th gen:flipoff:
all in good fun

It is completely irrational to say that the "5th gen is a decent step forward" from the 4th Gen. If you don't believe it, check out the huge thread on how much has been deleted from the 4th gen to the 2010 model---at no cost savings to you.

Having said that, you say you bought a 5th gen. Congratulations. I hope you get 200K miles plus out of it with zero problems. That may sound sarcastic but I mean it sincerely. A group of us may prefer the 4th or 3rd gen or whatever over the 5th gen, but you shouldn't take it personally because I'm assuming that you wouldn't have bought it if you didn't think it met your needs. For all we know, you might be the exact target for marketing of the 2010 4Runner. As long as people don't criticize those who purchase teh 5th Gen (and I haven't seen any of that), then all of this should be 1's and 0's of data flowing across the interent and right of your back. You should feel zero regret and nobody should be criticizing those who bought the 5th gen and felt it was the right vehicle for them. Screw 'em or ignore them (or me), but we all feel pretty strongly about the redesign obviously.

Obviously Toyota isn't trying to grab the majority of the 4th gen owners and redirecting the 4Runner's focus of getting back to basics and actually making the 4Runner seem rugged once again and I just don't think the V8 fits the picture but do you really think it will be long before Toyota offers the V8 again? I bet by '12 model it will have the V8 but I'm betting by next year.

"...getting back to basics and actually making the 4Runner seem rugged once again...."

I think we all realize that back to basics is code word for decontenting and maintaining price which leads to higher profit margin per unit sold. It's only marketing smoke and mirrors to try and hide the fact that Toyota (and everybody else) got crushed and they have to make up the differences somehow. Will Toyota put a V-8 back in, get rid of the mast antenna, give us the Torsen back, etc.? Who knows. But if they do, does anybody doubt that all those items lost from the 4th Gen, if they are eventually put back on the 5th gen, they will all come with a price? How much extra are you willing to pay for the "stuff" to be put back on the 5th gen. Are we willing to pay Ltd. prices on a SR5 or TE just to get back to where we are from 2003-2009?


Early "Happy Thanksgiving" everybody.

 

[M1911]

Interior:

-WTF, why is the windshield so far in front of me? It requires me to lean even more forward at red lights.
-Headroom, what headroom? Although there might be more, the new seating position takes any of it and I still have about an inch between my dome and the ceiling.
-Plastic - OMG how cheap the interior is, the dash, door panels, everything is flat out plastic, its not even soft touch plastic, its like made in china plastic.

Driving:

-That stupid ECO light would piss me off.
-The V6 sounds like it belongs in a GM - I mean seriously Toyota? The V6 in the new RX seriously sounds better than this. It was downright noisy and the lack of power and torque under 2k rpm was definitely felt. The engine is far from refined and emits sounds far from that of the V8 or other V6's in toyotas lineup.

But besides that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

 

[4-Legged-Runner]

That is a part of your quote I have to disagree with. Trust me I am biased towards Toyota brand…. So for me it is especial hard to see that newer model has inferior power train (no V8 option), no Torsen deferential, no fulltime 4wd on all trim levels and use of cheaper materials...
When I looked at one @ Texas state fair I did not concentrated on dash or door materials, but I did get a feeling of the cheaper truck vs 4-th gen. … it was kind of like Honda “civic” feeling...
I understand that most people do not like change and a lot of negative comments come from just that “change”, but I think that in 5-th gen case there are actual steps back that Toyota took and that is what people are noticing.

My $.02

I could not agree more.

 

[M1911]

I think the 4runner has a lot going for it with most of the complaints being the lack of the V8 (doesn't bother the FJ guys and that's who I think the 4Runner's market is being aimed at ;FJ isn't going to be around forever) ,

The FJ Cruiser weighs 4300 lbs. The 2010 4Runner weighs 4800 lbs. That is a significant difference that hurts performance.

 

[pahns51]

If there is even a fraction of a chance that Toyota researches what people say on websites like this, and that Toyota somehow/someway factors these comments into the designs/options/etc., then I say this type of thread is EXACTLY what we should be doing. As a former/current owner I've participated in a focus groups for Nissan and Honda over the years asking for input that was clearly being used for future vehicle design/marketing. If they care, I am guessing Toyota does too, so the more people say here (or directly to the company), the more likely that those comments get factored into their vehicles.




It is completely irrational to say that the "5th gen is a decent step forward" from the 4th Gen. If you don't believe it, check out the huge thread on how much has been deleted from the 4th gen to the 2010 model---at no cost savings to you.

Having said that, you say you bought a 5th gen. Congratulations. I hope you get 200K miles plus out of it with zero problems. That may sound sarcastic but I mean it sincerely. A group of us may prefer the 4th or 3rd gen or whatever over the 5th gen, but you shouldn't take it personally because I'm assuming that you wouldn't have bought it if you didn't think it met your needs. For all we know, you might be the exact target for marketing of the 2010 4Runner. As long as people don't criticize those who purchase teh 5th Gen (and I haven't seen any of that), then all of this should be 1's and 0's of data flowing across the interent and right of your back. You should feel zero regret and nobody should be criticizing those who bought the 5th gen and felt it was the right vehicle for them. Screw 'em or ignore them (or me), but we all feel pretty strongly about the redesign obviously.



"...getting back to basics and actually making the 4Runner seem rugged once again...."

I think we all realize that back to basics is code word for decontenting and maintaining price which leads to higher profit margin per unit sold. It's only marketing smoke and mirrors to try and hide the fact that Toyota (and everybody else) got crushed and they have to make up the differences somehow. Will Toyota put a V-8 back in, get rid of the mast antenna, give us the Torsen back, etc.? Who knows. But if they do, does anybody doubt that all those items lost from the 4th Gen, if they are eventually put back on the 5th gen, they will all come with a price? How much extra are you willing to pay for the "stuff" to be put back on the 5th gen. Are we willing to pay Ltd. prices on a SR5 or TE just to get back to where we are from 2003-2009?


Early "Happy Thanksgiving" everybody.

Good points, The other day I went back to the dealer and looked at the 10 again. First time for me is always positive and have to go back several times to from a solid opinion. Now I'm comming from a base 2wd Tacoma which I love and it was only 14k back in late 08. I had a chance to get inside a look around a 41k TE. What struck me at first was how much the plastic parts resembled my Tacoma. The seats are rock hard and for me less comfy than the sport seat option in the SR5 I drove. I can't get use to the back end. As much as I want to like it I think it's just plain ugly. Certain colors, like white look better but black looks like crap. I also found it interesting that both Toyota dealers I visited had a ton of used(rentals) certified gen 4's on the lot. They want 28k for most of them and mileage ranges from the low to high 30's on most. I did see a V8 in the mix! I found a base SR5 open and looked around and found (IMO) the interior a better mix of materials, and if you don't need the extra room perhaps this could be a better option than a 10.

 

[Champ306]

I got to drive one the other night. Nice stuff. I have owned 3 fourth gens and one third gen. I liked it, even with the six. Yes I owned v8's. Three of them. And agree they are better and the torsen is dearly missed by me as I cannot afford a limited. But for what is available, it's a great rig. Solid ride and more room.

I like it. If you don't simply don't buy or just wait a few years as ya know a v8 will most likely sneek in.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The FJ Cruiser weighs 4300 lbs. The 2010 4Runner weighs 4800 lbs. That is a significant difference that hurts performance.

The weight might mean a little in acceleration difference but off road it means nothing.

 

[charlier180]

Has anyone else tried to build a 4Runner on the Toyota web site?? I live in the Northeast USA and tried to build a 2010 4Runner they way I would want one.

When I was building an SR5 with 4x4 I noticed that under "Step 2 Options" the Toyota Configurator lists two options. The power/slide moon rood with sunshade @ $1,965 or the premium package w/leather @ $3,640.
I find it VERY DISAPPOINTING that unless the configurator page is incorrect that Toyota is SHOVING one of these two options down the buyer's throat and FORCING them to buy one or the other option in order to get the SR5 with 4x4. :wtf:

When I purchased my 4th generation 4Runner Toyota did not force me to buy options that I did not want. That was one of the main reasons I purchased the 4Runner over it's competition on my short list as that time.

I sincerely hope that this situation is either an error with the configurator or this limitation will be eliminated in future 5th gen offerings. Given the economic climate, one would think that Toyota should not be forcing people to spend $2K or $3.6K on options they do not want or need in order to buy a 4Runner. Maybe someone can explain how forcing options like this on customers is "getting back to basics"???? Some might argue that this has nothing to do with "getting back to basics" and all about profit and the bottom line.

It would appear that the dropping of the V8 engine and the full time 4WD are not the only changes when it comes to the 5th gen 4Runner.

 

[nighthawk]

I think the 4runner has a lot going for it with most of the complaints being the lack of the V8 (doesn't bother the FJ guys and that's who I think the 4Runner's market is being aimed at ;FJ isn't going to be around forever)

If they were aiming at the FJ guys, then they would add a manual tranny into the mix. The one and only reason I would ever consider the FJ Cruiser is because it has a manual transmission. Unfortunately, I can't get over how it looks. Now the new 5th gen with manual, that would be sweet...and with the manual 4X4 selector and manual transmission, that would be going back to it's roots and I'd take out another loan to get it if it came like that.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

If they were aiming at the FJ guys, then they would add a manual tranny into the mix. The one and only reason I would ever consider the FJ Cruiser is because it has a manual transmission. Unfortunately, I can't get over how it looks. Now the new 5th gen with manual, that would be sweet...and with the manual 4X4 selector and manual transmission, that would be going back to it's roots and I'd take out another loan to get it if it came like that.

I think it's only a matter of time and will be a big deal if Toyota adds the manual by the time they discontinue the FJ.

 

[M1911]

The weight might mean a little in acceleration difference but off road it means nothing.

I agree it that it is not important offroad. How much of your driving is on road versus offroad?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

I agree it that it is not important offroad. How much of your driving is on road versus offroad?

Even on road the acceleration diffs are very minor in the 4th gens;the V8's advantage in in the towing dept. and a little better oomph when climbing steeper grades at highway speeds.

 

[4RBob]

Even on road the acceleration diffs are very minor in the 4th gens;the V8's advantage in in the towing dept. and a little better oomph when climbing steeper grades at highway speeds.

Have you driven a 5th gen yet? The 4.0L in the 4th gen feels much more powerful than the 5th gen's.

 

[RonMAIDEN]

Have you driven a 5th gen yet? The 4.0L in the 4th gen feels much more powerful than the 5th gen's.

No but I've driven an '07 V6 and a '08 V8 and the V8 definetly has a bit more grunt but overall in city driving there's litlte difference and the only difference I noticed on the hwy was the V8 didn't downshift as much on inclines.

I'm anxious to test drive a new one and see how it feels.

 

[4RBob]

No but I've driven an '07 V6 and a '08 V8 and the V8 definetly has a bit more grunt but overall in city driving there's litlte difference and the only difference I noticed on the hwy was the V8 didn't downshift as much on inclines.

I'm anxious to test drive a new one and see how it feels.

That is exactly my point. The 4th gen V6 feels much better than the 5th gen V6, despite the power ratings. I have an '03 V8 and I test drove several '06 V6's last summer, and my V8 was slightly "smoother", but I could easily live with the 4th gen V6. The 5th gen with the V6, I'm not so sure. I can't even imagine what the 4cyl is like. There should be no 4-cyl available. There should definitely be an available V8.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

That is exactly my point. The 4th gen V6 feels much better than the 5th gen V6, despite the power ratings. I have an '03 V8 and I test drove several '06 V6's last summer, and my V8 was slightly "smoother", but I could easily live with the 4th gen V6. The 5th gen with the V6, I'm not so sure. I can't even imagine what the 4cyl is like. There should be no 4-cyl available. There should definitely be an available V8.

That is exactly how I feel. I have a 03 V8 and the V6 4th gens seem fine. The 2010 is rough sounding and did not feel as powerfull.

 

[maclean216]

That is exactly how I feel. I have a 03 V8 and the V6 4th gens seem fine. The 2010 is rough sounding and did not feel as powerfull.

Isn't the 5th gen 500lbs heavier?

 

[RonMAIDEN]

The weight increase is about 300lbs.

 

[02SE]

I test drove an SR5, Limited, and Trail Edition yesterday. I wasn't impressed by the hard plastic dash, the cheap shifter, or the fact that at least to me, they felt heavy with the engine seeming a little overwhelmed by said weight.

My 3rd gen SR5, V6, W/rear diff lock, 5speed with slightly oversized tires feels like it has a better power-to-weight ratio. On paper it might not, but that's how it felt to me.

One thing I did like is the increased headroom. To me that's a big deal. The main reason I never got a 4th gen, was they had less headroom than my '97, and I was never comfortable in them.

It looks like I'll be keeping my '97 for at least another year, to see if there are any upgrades to the 4Runner that address my concerns in '11.

 

[dcon]

The weight increase is about 300lbs.

If you compare a 4th gen V6 4WD Limited to a 5th gen V6 4WD limited the weight difference is about 515lbs.