Thinking of trading in '01 Lexus RX300 for '05 T4R Limited

[RLiu818]

After driving my mom's RX300 for a few years, I can honestly say that I really dislike it. It handles poorly, has a horrible turn radius, and it actually seems overpowered, or at least the engine doesnt seem suitable for a car that handles so poorly and can't seem to stick to the ground.

My mom and I are thinking of trading it in for a 4Runner. I started snowboarding last year and I want a car that can handle the icy/wet/snowy roads. My dad has a land cruiser, which is really a dream car. But its 13 MPG city is just not a suitable daily driver for me or my mom.

The car we have in mind is a White 2005 optioned out 4x4 Limited w/ Navigation. MSRP $40,000.

We have navigation on our lexus now and its just so useful so we are opting to get it again for our next car.


Feel free to post your comments or suggestions.

 

[ziffer]

Do you want V8 or V6 (4runner) ?

 

[Noloc]

If you want to retain the Lexus badge go with the GX470. If you don't care about that the 4Runner is definintely the way to go. I love my 4Runner and wouldn't trade it in for almost anything.

 

[RLiu818]

Do you want V8 or V6 (4runner) ?

oops i forgot to mention that.

V6 for its fuel efficiency and more practical for my uses since i wont be towing or racing.

 

[RLiu818]

If you want to retain the Lexus badge go with the GX470. If you don't care about that the 4Runner is definintely the way to go. I love my 4Runner and wouldn't trade it in for almost anything.

i dont care about retaining the lexus badge, plus both my mom and I think the GX looks hideous compared to the 4runner.

 

[ziffer]

I don't do any towing or racing but i got a V8 because i love the extra torque and proven engine. My dad has V6 limited, i don't see big difference in gas between our cars maybe 10-15$ a month difference but that's nothing compared to the extra torque u get with V8. i drive mostly in the city.

anyways, 4runner is a great car and i love it. I wouldn't trade it in even for a X5 4.6....

 

[RLiu818]

I don't do any towing or racing but i got a V8 because i love the extra torque and proven engine. My dad has V6 limited, i don't see big difference in gas between our cars maybe 10-15$ a month difference but that's nothing compared to the extra torque u get with V8. i drive mostly in the city.

anyways, 4runner is a great car and i love it. I wouldn't trade it in even for a X5 4.6....

well my dad already has a Land Cruiser and since his lease is up he's gonna get an Lexus LX.

 

[bulldog-yota]

Get the new 05 Runner with the upgraded V8. It seems you like a bit of power and the new V8 should really haul while retaining the great low end torque. I think you will be sorry if you go with the V6 when the new V8 is availible.

 

[Biff]

But its 13 MPG city is just not a suitable daily driver for me or my mom. [/B]

You know you won't get but slightly better MPG from your runner. Avg. is 16-20mpg:sobbing: I get 15 but thats because of the SC.

 

[rando]

I know others are having slight better success with their MPG than I. Maybe the new V8 will do better. I'm getting ~12-15 on mine and 15 is on an open flat highway driving a constant speed (albeit a bit fast ) . Around town it's just horrendous.

 

[khaug]

It appears that Nav isn't available on V6 trucks - see the thread re this in the forum.

I second the V8. It's smooth, silent and reasonably economical for such a nice powertrain.

 

[EDGE]

I can't seem to find it but I think Threxx posted a thread comparing the RX330 to the Limited 4Runner, I would like to read that if anyone can find it cause I can't.

The RX is an OK vehicle but I always thought it handled like a lifted camry, hopefully this new RX400h will have better handling characteristics for the added power

 

[boston_kevin]

Nav and a V6

Yes. Nav is available with a V6 (this has been discussed in previous threads). You may end up having to special order the vehicle depending on the area of the country you are in if you want the V6 and Nav.

Gas Mileage varies with use, but my '04 V6 gets around 20 MPG (hand calculated) doing mostly highway (70MPH or less). I have never had any issues needing more power even with 5 people in the car and full gear. Gas mileage and throttle reponse should be better with the '05 5Spd Auto V6 because of lower gearing in the first 2 gears, and higher gearing in top gear. Baseline, if you are using this for mostly city driving, and you don't want to race at stoplights, get the V6. If you are mostly highway, want to get the jump at every light, or just like the feeling of the extra torque, get the V8. Either way, you can't go wrong.

 

[Loki]

I drove both the v8 and the v6 before buying my v6 4runner. The v6 is a very strong motor. I didn't notice any big difference in acceleration between the two except the v8 was a bit quieter. I'm guessing the biggest difference would be the towing capacity. The v6 had a few kinks to be worked out in it's first model year run but as with any toyota engine you should expect both the v8 and the v6 to be extremely reliable. In fact, I can't think of a single engine toyota ever built that was considered a 'dud' and the v6 should be no exception. I needed the better gas mileage so I couldn't justify the v8.

 

[<<<<]

V-6 here, enough torque for my foot. I still light up rear tires when not in 4-WD on dry pavement and i'm not carefull. Also oil changes are easy and painless with easy access to plug and filter (filter on the top of block). Good luck RLiu818

 

[EDGE]

V6 or V8, it's all about personel preference but if you think about it the 2 engines can run side by side until the wheels fall off