Trail premium vs the Limited with respect...

[phillyd2]

For cornering and pure on pavement performance the Limited X system will be your best option. Drive both and see the difference.

But if I was buying only a pavement driver I'm not so sure it would be the truck like driving 4Runner as there are many other more civilized options out there. Off road is a different story.

 

[PNTRDPROO]

I don't get the push start personally. To many injuries turning a key or something?

The appeal (at least for me) is not the fact that it has a button to start it... But rather because it has that button, it therefore has a proximity key which means I dont even need to take my key out of my pocket to open the vehicle. And you can leave the vehicle running, get out (with the key in your pocket) and lock the door and walk away if you wanted (to run into that restaurant and pick up your order or to drop off your dry cleaning, etc.) and the heat and/or a/c would still be on keeping the vehicle's interior either warm or cool depending on the season.

 

[cjacob316]

The appeal (at least for me) is not the fact that it has a button to start it... But rather because it has that button, it therefore has a proximity key which means I dont even need to take my key out of my pocket to open the vehicle. And you can leave the vehicle running, get out (with the key in your pocket) and lock the door and walk away if you wanted (to run into that restaurant and pick up your order or to drop off your dry cleaning, etc.) and the heat and/or a/c would still be on keeping the vehicle's interior either warm or cool depending on the season.

so if the battery on your key fob dies, or the programming gets screwed up, your car is useless?

 

[CatskillsRunner]

The appeal (at least for me) is not the fact that it has a button to start it... But rather because it has that button, it therefore has a proximity key which means I dont even need to take my key out of my pocket to open the vehicle. And you can leave the vehicle running, get out (with the key in your pocket) and lock the door and walk away if you wanted (to run into that restaurant and pick up your order or to drop off your dry cleaning, etc.) and the heat and/or a/c would still be on keeping the vehicle's interior either warm or cool depending on the season.

Has this changed in the last few years? Because 2 cars ago I had a 2010 Prius that would not allow you to lock it if it was still running.

I found the fobs annoying. I never knew where the damn things were.

 

[PNTRDPROO]

Has this changed in the last few years? Because 2 cars ago I had a 2010 Prius that would not allow you to lock it if it was still running.

I found the fobs annoying. I never knew where the damn things were.

Im not entirely sure how the Toyota system works. I guess I am speaking generally about proximity key systems.

My Nissan works the way I described.

 

[enforcersu]

so if the battery on your key fob dies, or the programming gets screwed up, your car is useless?

If the battery on the fob dies, then I can still hold the fob next to the power button on the car and start it without issue. I then just have to get the watch battery replacement to replace the battery.

If the programming gets screwed up (I have no idea how this would happen, and somehow it simultaneously happened on both of my key fobs), then the car would be as useless as if I broke the key off in the ignition (which is probably more likely than somehow all the programming in the car going haywire causing it not to recognize either of my key fobs).

The convenience factor of push button start is great. If I have my hands full of stuff, I don't have to rustle around looking for a key to unlock my car, the proximity unlock has been great when I'm hauling loads of stuff and approaching my locked car to suddenly have it be unlocked.

Same situation for push button start, that I can just get in my car and go, and not need to find my keys. Again not necessary, but a great nice to have.

 

[cjacob316]

If the battery on the fob dies, then I can still hold the fob next to the power button on the car and start it without issue. I then just have to get the watch battery replacement to replace the battery.

If the programming gets screwed up (I have no idea how this would happen, and somehow it simultaneously happened on both of my key fobs), then the car would be as useless as if I broke the key off in the ignition (which is probably more likely than somehow all the programming in the car going haywire causing it not to recognize either of my key fobs).

The convenience factor of push button start is great. If I have my hands full of stuff, I don't have to rustle around looking for a key to unlock my car, the proximity unlock has been great when I'm hauling loads of stuff and approaching my locked car to suddenly have it be unlocked.

Same situation for push button start, that I can just get in my car and go, and not need to find my keys. Again not necessary, but a great nice to have.

My wife's previous car had the key fobs mess up, and it was costly to reprogram, but it only controlled locks so we opted to not fix it. She also got one wet and it messed it up. It happens. I'll be honest, I have had a situation where the key was in the opposite pocket of my free hand so I had to move stuff around, but I still had to have a free hand to open the door. I can see the convenience to it, but not that big a deal in my mind.

 

[LandCruiser]

I'm just genuinely curious how being and MD makes any damn difference as to what kind of 4Runner you'd buy...

And does it matter if you're a subspecialist?

 

[Jhalko]

Can also roll down rear window by pressung button outside with the fob in pocket. Great when camping and tossing stuff in the back. Or for those at the mall with your shopping bags. :reddance:

 

[Jhalko]

I'm just genuinely curious how being and MD makes any damn difference as to what kind of 4Runner you'd buy...

And does it matter if you're a subspecialist?

I'm an expert on every coffee place within 5 miles of my house so yeah in a snow storm and a bad caffeine craving having local expertise can be important!!!

:bowl:

 

[enforcersu]

My wife's previous car had the key fobs mess up, and it was costly to reprogram, but it only controlled locks so we opted to not fix it. She also got one wet and it messed it up. It happens. I'll be honest, I have had a situation where the key was in the opposite pocket of my free hand so I had to move stuff around, but I still had to have a free hand to open the door. I can see the convenience to it, but not that big a deal in my mind.

Fair enough. We've had my wife's car with a push start since '09 and have had no issues with it, which I suppose is why I'm happy enough with them. I just really dig the convenience factor, and was quite happy to get it in my new 4Runner (I'd really wished my previous Tacoma had the option)

 

[Bruin1md]

the only big different between a GX and a 4Runner :

GX = v8 + FT 4WD + crawl + kdss in one package

4Runner = v6 and one setup below :

1. FT 4WD & xreas
2. 4wd + kdss + crawl


and a slightly used GX with low mileage and within 1-2 years old will run you about the same price as a new LE.

avg mpg will be around 12-13 from what I hear and you have to use premium gas if I remember correctly.

your post nails it -- in terms of differences between the two.

The lexus premium gas and worse mileage makes it tough sell in some ways.
And what you said is exactly what I found-- that a 2 year old used luxury version of the GX (which is comparing apples to apples with LTE 4runner) can be had for about the same price as a new LTE.

In response to Formidable's post, you're right-- The GX is still worth driving to compare. And yes, brand new the Luxury GX is right around $60K, which I don't want to pay.
The other thing is that there is no Lexus dealership here in Lafayette, with the closest dealer an hour away for servicing. That's a major inconvenience I think.

 

[NoDak]

your post nails it -- in terms of differences between the two.

The lexus premium gas and worse mileage makes it tough sell in some ways.
And what you said is exactly what I found-- that a 2 year old used luxury version of the GX (which is comparing apples to apples with LTE 4runner) can be had for about the same price as a new LTE.

In response to Formidable's post, you're right-- The GX is still worth driving to compare. And yes, brand new the Luxury GX is right around $60K, which I don't want to pay.
The other thing is that there is no Lexus dealership here in Lafayette, with the closest dealer an hour away for servicing. That's a major inconvenience I think.

and to add, if you get an extended lexus warranty from lexus financial, if you need any warranty work done, it has to be taken to a lexus dealer. no exceptions.

now they will let a Toyota dealer fix some minor things but it will be completely up to lexus financial to make that call.

in my case the nearest lexus dealer is 560 miles away, that was the deal breaker for me. I don't have the luxury of spending 3 days of vacation everytime I need to go get my vehicle after a warranty job.

I called lexus financial directly and talked to them about getting extended warranty work done and that was the above in a nutshell.

I was cross shopping a new lexus GS350 awd and a used lexus gx460 but ended up with a 4runner due to that very issue.

 

[Formidable]

I'm just genuinely curious how being and MD makes any damn difference as to what kind of 4Runner you'd buy...

And does it matter if you're a subspecialist?

The OP had a specific question for which he got a direct answer.

What we can't stand in our profession are individuals that flounder/ dance around a diagnosis and or treatment plan and waste others time. Commit to a decision and move on.

Interpret this post as much as you want. I will choose whether or not to waste my time, (and yours) by responding to it.

 

[cjacob316]

I'm just genuinely curious how being and MD makes any damn difference as to what kind of 4Runner you'd buy...

And does it matter if you're a subspecialist?

Just making sure you knew they were talking about being doctors, not being from Maryland. Sarcasm does not translate when there is no tone of voice. I think it was more of a solidarity thing. Like "trust a fellow doctor" kind of thing.

Along the lines of the Lexus, I wouldn't mind owning one but once you get to that price range, my eyes would be set on a Land Cruiser.

 

[Bruin1md]

and to add, if you get an extended lexus warranty from lexus financial, if you need any warranty work done, it has to be taken to a lexus dealer. no exceptions.

now they will let a Toyota dealer fix some minor things but it will be completely up to lexus financial to make that call.

in my case the nearest lexus dealer is 560 miles away, that was the deal breaker for me. I don't have the luxury of spending 3 days of vacation everytime I need to go get my vehicle after a warranty job.

I called lexus financial directly and talked to them about getting extended warranty work done and that was the above in a nutshell.

I was cross shopping a new lexus GS350 awd and a used lexus gx460 but ended up with a 4runner due to that very issue.

That's why I'm leaning towards the 4runner as well......and my friend who previously had a lexus and now has the 4runner told me the same thing -- that lexus threatens to nullify the warranty if you take it to a toyota dealership.

And on a superficial note, the lexus still looks like a snooty soccer mom car and the 4runner doesn't. I should still probably drive a GX just to compare

 

[Bruin1md]

Just making sure you knew they were talking about being doctors, not being from Maryland. Sarcasm does not translate when there is no tone of voice. I think it was more of a solidarity thing. Like "trust a fellow doctor" kind of thing.

Along the lines of the Lexus, I wouldn't mind owning one but once you get to that price range, my eyes would be set on a Land Cruiser.

I would never buy the lexus new ......one of my partners had a GX and she loved it, but it seems too soccer mom looking.
The land cruiser is pretty amazing but I just don't need it.

 

[bimrunner]

I would never buy the lexus new ......one of my partners had a GX and she loved it, but it seems too soccer mom looking.
The land cruiser is pretty amazing but I just don't need it.

I drove a GX and I just couldn't see myself driving it. Honestly I have as much into my LE as a new fully outfitted GX and nobody has ever accused me of driving a soccer mom mobile! Best of luck and I think you will make the right decision for yourself if you drive each one and envision yourself driving it for the next 5-10 years. Honestly if I was buying a pavement princess I'd go for the orange/red TRDPro just because it is so unique right off the lot! The LE will feel better on the road though.

 

[Donkey]

Louisiana native, I've seen regular city streets that would rate as 3-7 on a 10 point trail scale, spent years driving to and from our farm outside of Lafayette. The 4Runner is a great choice, perhaps I'm getting soft but ventilated seats would be my sole requirement if I ever moved back home - any model will handle the roads just fine but the limited is the only model available with ventilated seats. 17 inch wheels would give you more tire.

Body roll will be tremendous compared to anything from BMW, the trade off being a more comfortable ride and no more dented/cracked wheels or blown out summer tires. Good luck with your search!

 

[Bruin1md]

I drove a GX and I just couldn't see myself driving it. Honestly I have as much into my LE as a new fully outfitted GX and nobody has ever accused me of driving a soccer mom mobile! Best of luck and I think you will make the right decision for yourself if you drive each one and envision yourself driving it for the next 5-10 years. Honestly if I was buying a pavement princess I'd go for the orange/red TRDPro just because it is so unique right off the lot! The LE will feel better on the road though.

I've thought seriously about the TRD pro.....it looks just incredible and I've heard it's pretty well behaved on the pavement, but it lacks the push button start, ventilated leather seats, parking sensors of the LTE. But since my off roading will be a minimum relative to my pavement driving, I will also risk looking like a total tool driving a TRD pro.....lol.

Your 4runner looks awesome btw.....you should post more pics.