The next 4Runner...my rant
- Thread starter WaterMan
- Start date
wazzuFreddo
New member
spud72 said:
Yes it is.
I'm not worried about what the 4runner is like until the 2017 models come out. I should be ready for a new one around then
My wish list... most of these things, frankly, should be on the current generation.
1. Decent stereo options at realistic prices. There should be an option of hard drive MP3 player, a decent display and bluetooth should also be included. Why the heck do Scions have better stereos than most 4runners???? (However, this is where car manufacturers make a ton of profit so I don't see much changing very soon)
2. Auto up/down controls for all windows. That would cost Toyota what? 20 cents? And put some damn lights in the switches, Toyota.
3. Useable cup holders. With all that extra space in the center console from moving the 4wd switch to the dash why in god's name did designers decide to cram the cupholders up against the storage cubby? You not only have to reach for a cup but you cannot put bottles in them (too tall) and cannot use the cubby. Dumb dumb dumb. And why do we need a ciggie lighter right next to the driver seat? What a total waste of an opportunity. It's the worst-designed center console I've ever seen.
4. I REALLY hope the ventilation controls are scrapped in the next edition. They're just silly and there's a reason knobs became standard in cars... it take far less time and concentration to turn a few knobs than hit 5 buttons to change a basic setting. Not only that but the controls look rediculous IMO and I'm close to losing it with that dumb-ass recirculation feature that is apparently controlled by a retarded ECU.
5. And while it's at it, Toyota should redesign the instrument panel... actually put some useful gauges there (why do I need to know what gear I'm in?), lose the silver plastic and cheap plastic cover and use a bit of LED lighting instead of the 1950s-era orange glow.
6. Lose the hood scoop on the SE. The vehicle has bad enough visibility as it is without having to peer over a pointless lump in the hood.
7. Oh and on the subject of visibility please do something with those front mirrors. Between the annoying front pillars and the giant front mirrors there's an enormous blind spot that bugs the hell out of me. Reshape the front mirrors to open up a gap between them and the pillar in the driver's line of sight.
8. More interior storage. It's OK currently but there are too many uselessly-small storage spaces. The center dash cubby, the silly boxes in the rear cargo area... give us a space large enough to actually stash something useful.
9. A compass. IMO every vehicle should have one. So useful and so easy. And don't make it part of some overpriced electromasturbatory rearview mirror option either. Just a plain old analogue compass will do.
1. Decent stereo options at realistic prices. There should be an option of hard drive MP3 player, a decent display and bluetooth should also be included. Why the heck do Scions have better stereos than most 4runners???? (However, this is where car manufacturers make a ton of profit so I don't see much changing very soon)
2. Auto up/down controls for all windows. That would cost Toyota what? 20 cents? And put some damn lights in the switches, Toyota.
3. Useable cup holders. With all that extra space in the center console from moving the 4wd switch to the dash why in god's name did designers decide to cram the cupholders up against the storage cubby? You not only have to reach for a cup but you cannot put bottles in them (too tall) and cannot use the cubby. Dumb dumb dumb. And why do we need a ciggie lighter right next to the driver seat? What a total waste of an opportunity. It's the worst-designed center console I've ever seen.
4. I REALLY hope the ventilation controls are scrapped in the next edition. They're just silly and there's a reason knobs became standard in cars... it take far less time and concentration to turn a few knobs than hit 5 buttons to change a basic setting. Not only that but the controls look rediculous IMO and I'm close to losing it with that dumb-ass recirculation feature that is apparently controlled by a retarded ECU.
5. And while it's at it, Toyota should redesign the instrument panel... actually put some useful gauges there (why do I need to know what gear I'm in?), lose the silver plastic and cheap plastic cover and use a bit of LED lighting instead of the 1950s-era orange glow.
6. Lose the hood scoop on the SE. The vehicle has bad enough visibility as it is without having to peer over a pointless lump in the hood.
7. Oh and on the subject of visibility please do something with those front mirrors. Between the annoying front pillars and the giant front mirrors there's an enormous blind spot that bugs the hell out of me. Reshape the front mirrors to open up a gap between them and the pillar in the driver's line of sight.
8. More interior storage. It's OK currently but there are too many uselessly-small storage spaces. The center dash cubby, the silly boxes in the rear cargo area... give us a space large enough to actually stash something useful.
9. A compass. IMO every vehicle should have one. So useful and so easy. And don't make it part of some overpriced electromasturbatory rearview mirror option either. Just a plain old analogue compass will do.
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
2. Auto up/down controls for all windows. That would cost Toyota what? 20 cents? And put some damn lights in the switches, Toyota.
Could cost a bit more with the lights and mulitply that by how many 4Runners are manufactured per year and that's Toyota's cost which would be passed onto the buyers.
Really when you look at it you can get a better equipped new 4Runner for less today than what my '99 cost back in '98 brand new.
6. Lose the hood scoop on the SE. The vehicle has bad enough visibility as it is without having to peer over a pointless lump in the hood
Do you work for Car&Driver? They are made fun of for that same comment around here.
The scoop sells and Toyota knows that hence a scoop even on the RAV4.
My suggestion is don't like it don't buy it.
Could cost a bit more with the lights and mulitply that by how many 4Runners are manufactured per year and that's Toyota's cost which would be passed onto the buyers.
Really when you look at it you can get a better equipped new 4Runner for less today than what my '99 cost back in '98 brand new.
6. Lose the hood scoop on the SE. The vehicle has bad enough visibility as it is without having to peer over a pointless lump in the hood
Do you work for Car&Driver? They are made fun of for that same comment around here.
The scoop sells and Toyota knows that hence a scoop even on the RAV4.
My suggestion is don't like it don't buy it.
RonMAIDEN said:2. Auto up/down controls for all windows. That would cost Toyota what? 20 cents? And put some damn lights in the switches, Toyota.
Could cost a bit more with the lights and mulitply that by how many 4Runners are manufactured per year and that's Toyota's cost which would be passed onto the buyers.
Really when you look at it you can get a better equipped new 4Runner for less today than what my '99 cost back in '98 brand new.
6. Lose the hood scoop on the SE. The vehicle has bad enough visibility as it is without having to peer over a pointless lump in the hood
Do you work for Car&Driver? They are made fun of for that same comment around here.
The scoop sells and Toyota knows that hence a scoop even on the RAV4.
My suggestion is don't like it don't buy it.
Ya man, I read the Car and Driver suv comparison and they flat-out said they would have given the 4Runner 1st place if it wasn't for the hood scoop! I was like, WTF!!
swimmer2361
New member
Yeah I was reading that Car and Drive also, that was a few years back. I remember they gave the VW a better rating!! On the next gen 4runner I would like to see a TRD package for the SR5, I think spelling out "sport edition 4wd" is wayyyyyy to long. I would also like a TRD sticker 
RonMAIDEN said:2. Auto up/down controls for all windows. That would cost Toyota what? 20 cents? And put some damn lights in the switches, Toyota.
Could cost a bit more with the lights and mulitply that by how many 4Runners are manufactured per year and that's Toyota's cost which would be passed onto the buyers.
Really when you look at it you can get a better equipped new 4Runner for less today than what my '99 cost back in '98 brand new.
6. Lose the hood scoop on the SE. The vehicle has bad enough visibility as it is without having to peer over a pointless lump in the hood
Do you work for Car&Driver? They are made fun of for that same comment around here.
The scoop sells and Toyota knows that hence a scoop even on the RAV4.
My suggestion is don't like it don't buy it.
Well thanks for the suggestion. My post was supposed to be in jest much like this thread. Obviously I wouldn't have bought the thing if I was that bothered but I am kinda surprised by some of the lack of fairly basic equipment in a $30K truck. The window switches are probably pretty cheap individually. They would add, what, $50 to the price of the vehicle, if that?
The scoop? Sorry, I still think it looks retarded and makes it harder than it already is to judge where the front of the vehicle is. Not a problem for mall parking but annoying for street parking here in SF. However, I wasn't about to shell out for the limited just so I could get XREAS.
dingo
New member
pipspeak said:
I have no problems with SF parallel parking and the scoop. It doesn't block that much of the view, come on now. You don't even have to peer over it, you just use what you see from the tip of the scoop and go with that. It's pretty easy to judge the distance. Just something you learn over time. I really don't notice the difference perception wise when I hop back and forth between our SR5 and Sport too.
I do see your point though about the A pillars and mirrors. I have no problem with the driver's side, but the passenger side can block out your entire view of a person about to step off the corner.
wolfgang
New member
Bring back standard transmission - 6 speeds forward would be great (7 better). If no standard then how about paddle shifters on the steering wheel? How about lids on the big door pockets? And a security light that can be seen from a distance say on top of dash or on rear view mirror.
Seriously. Go drive a weeinie Prius for cryin' out loud.
