Thoughts on my new 2010 SR5

[hiker_jon]

Hi,

Just got my new SR5. I had 254k miles on my 1998 4 runner 4cyl 4x4 manual. It was a great car, but is no longer reliable enough. The many years of pounding on bad dirt roads have taken their toll.

I have some concerns about my new vehicle which I would like to get some feedback on. (Sorry for the long post.)

I am not interested in off-roading for it's own sake, but do need to use it on very bad roads in California, Nevada, and Baja California. Not as serious as the Rubicon (I hate to go on recreational 4WD trails because all the traffic of extreme vehicles with big tires ruins the road), but nonetheless I love to camp in difficult to get to places.

I like the ride and power (since I was used to having no power whatsoever) in my new SR5, but have some worries about going on bad roads with it (which I haven't yet).

First worry is the weight. This vehicle is 600+ lbs more than my 1998. This can't be so good for going up a steep hill, or driving in sand, or having to jack it up for some reason like changing one of the big (to me) 17" tires. The jack that comes with the car seems to be the same as my 1998's jack, and that was marginal for the lesser weight.

I also worry mileage will be poor in hilly country and in city driving. No matter how advanced the engine is, it is not going to repeal the laws of physics. I'll bet the brakes will wear out in no time; my brakes lasted 220k miles on my 1998.

Another worry is the automatic. I am used to putting it in 4L and just crawling along to get out of a bad situation. With the manual transmission you really can feel the power in the low gear. With the auto I hardly feel that it is in 4L; it seems to go pretty fast.

My attitude may be a little different than most others on this forum: I got the SR5 with the fewest options I could. I have no need or interest in a moonroof, or bluetooth, or Sirius radio or built-in nav system, etc. The base model is well equipped for me. It has a pretty useless roof rack, floor mats, and cargo cover, but that is all. It seems to have less cargo space than my 1998.

It is very nice to drive, a nice change from my 1998 although a tad boat-like.

Jon

 

[IceNomad]

I like the ride and power (since I was used to having no power whatsoever) in my new SR5, but have some worries about going on bad roads with it (which I haven't yet).

What do you mean by bad road? it has factory skid plates(better than nothing), soft shocks and decent ground clearance. If you remove your front spoiler, which is worthless, you will add an additional 3inches to the approach angle. the TE does not have the air spoiler that the SR5 has. Also, stock tires are not that horrible. Stock tires handled decent in the snow and mud when I had them

First worry is the weight. This vehicle is 600+ lbs more than my 1998. This can't be so good for going up a steep hill, or driving in sand, or having to jack it up for some reason like changing one of the big (to me) 17" tires. The jack that comes with the car seems to be the same as my 1998's jack, and that was marginal for the lesser weight.

Deflate the tires to lower psi when driving off-road for better traction. Also, if you are going to use the stock jack off road, carry some trimmed 2x4s or 2x6s for base support. I tested out the stock jack stand and it is easy to use and lifts the vehicle without any problem. Toyota would not put a jack in a car that does not work...

I also worry mileage will be poor in hilly country and in city driving. No matter how advanced the engine is, it is not going to repeal the laws of physics. I'll bet the brakes will wear out in no time; my brakes lasted 220k miles on my 1998.

Take it easy on the gas going up hill, coast on the downhill. 220k miles sounds like a lot. Maybe 150k from reading past discussions about them. Plus again, depends where you drive, how you drive and what you tow.

Another worry is the automatic. I am used to putting it in 4L and just crawling along to get out of a bad situation. With the manual transmission you really can feel the power in the low gear. With the auto I hardly feel that it is in 4L; it seems to go pretty fast.

Use the sport shifter to manually control what gear you are in. Granted its not the same as a manual, but it sure beats a pure automatic without the sport shift option.

 

[LongBallLarry]

I have no need or interest in a moonroof, or bluetooth, or Sirius radio or built-in nav system, etc. The base model is well equipped for me. It has a pretty useless roof rack, floor mats, and cargo cover,
Jon

I'm surprised you have an internet connection, much less a computer.

 

[Vanuatoo]

Hi,
Another worry is the automatic. I am used to putting it in 4L and just crawling along to get out of a bad situation. With the manual transmission you really can feel the power in the low gear. With the auto I hardly feel that it is in 4L; it seems to go pretty fast.
Jon

If It's in D 4L won't slow it down. You have to manually put it in 1st gear to really feel the 4L advantage.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

Thanks for addressing your concerns Jon - but honestly, most of your concerns have nothing to do with the fact that you are in a 2010 T4R SR5. Those things would be an issue with any vehicle you own regardless. As I was reading your post it seems like everything arises from the area you live in, and any automatic SUV would be affected the same way.

4Runner Specific:
-Don't sweat the jack, Toyota engineers wouldn't have supplied it with our vehicles if it couldn't lift the weight.

-Put it in sport mode and toggle down to 1st in 4L as other's have stated.

Question: Did you test drive this vehicle? Did you buy it simply because you were coming from another 4Runner that treated you well?

 

[hiker_jon]

Question: Did you test drive this vehicle? Did you buy it simply because you were coming from another 4Runner that treated you well?

Hi,
Thanks to all for the shifting advice.
I did test drive the vehicle, but of course that involved driving for a few minutes on a freeway. I did indeed buy it because of how well my previous 4runner worked. What better recommendation is there? Reviews reflect the biases of the reviewer, which can be hard to untangle.

What were my other options? A Grand Cherokee? No thanks.