Ryd

Hi All,

Just wondering if someone's bought a 2002 lately and how much did you pay? Why 2002 v. the all-new 2003?

My 3rd gen. is doing fine, but I'm feeling some tranny slippage when I come to a stop, or when I'm leaving a stop. I have the auto of course with 97k. Should I check this out, or just get the tranny flushed, and see if it dies on me? I really love my 3rd gen, and I'm starting to get the mod fever, but I don't want to plug $$$ into it for fun if it's gonna cost me $$$ just to keep it reliable... know what I mean?

Thanks,
Ryd

ManyMods

Ryd -
Personally, I don't care for the '03 styling, as much as I would like a little bit more interior room in what I have. I think the blind spot mirrors they had to stick on the rear hatch pilars on the '03 are so-o-o lame. I bought two '02's this year (one for my son) because I really like the 3rd Gen styling. Right now you can count on getting a good deal on the '02's. I paid tissue. Why did I buy the '02 model? I like the 3rd Gen 4R's so much that I thought I would get the last of the breed, trick it up and keep it.

About your tranny slippage, how often have you been changing the tranny fluid and cleaning the filter screen? I change my fluid about every 20k miles along with cleaning the screen. If you are not maintaining the tranny on a regular basis, you can surely expect to have a slippage problem.

Ryd

Peter,

Good call on the loaded '02. Did you own another 3rd gen. before, or did you just wait patiently until the end of the model run to drop the hammer? I agree with you on the styling issues, and the interior room. Any other new 3rd geners like to chime in?

I thought the interval for tranny fluid changes was 30k? I'm probably overdue. Would a tranny flush be a good idea at this point. I'm kinda paranoid after reading about a transmission going bad after an overdue fluid change. Would a flush fix the problem?

ManyMods

I have a '99 Ltd, identical to the '02, that I am afraid to say I like better than this new one ... so far.

The interval for servicing the tranny is about 30k, but I do it more often, just as I do the engine oil and filter and the fuel filter. I also change other fluids like brake fluid, anti-freeze, etc. I figure it is cheap insurance. The problem with either the tranny transfusion style service or the pan dump is that you either don't get the screen clean (there is no filter in a Toyota) or you don't drain all the fluid because there is something like 8 quarts (?) that you can't drain up in the torque converter area. I'd have to check my FSM to be more accurate and I am not a transmission specialist.

Ryd

I've received mailers with coupons for a transimission flush. Is that different from a drain? I suppose the only way to find out is to call and ask... but either way, I guess the screen doesn't get clean. With the addition of a transmission oil cooler, an ATF filter could be added. This would be the more effective route.

Why do you prefer your '99 to your '02? Is the new one acting up? Do tell...

2002 SportEdition

I bought my 02 Sport in August last year for a very good deal, I paid 5000 bucks less than the dealer sticker. I'm glad that I picked the 02 instead of the 03, I fall in love with it everyday.

About the tranny fluid, I only have about 4500 miles on it so it will take me a while before I change the fluid.

ManyMods

Ryd, you have two PM's

Those coupons you are getting, are they from the Toyota dealer?
During the flush the pan does not get dropped so the screen cannot be cleaned. When you drop the pan the mechanic will also want to replace the gasket set. Make sure they wash out the pan in solvent.

I like the '99 because it feels like it has more pep than the '02 and it gets a lot better mileage. I am hoping that the mileage improves as I get some mileage on the '02. I just turned 4K and I am getting 15.5 around town and about 18.5 on the highway. The '99 gets 18.7 around town and 22 on the highway. The '99 feels a little bit rougher than the '02 but that might change in time. The '99 has the locker and the '02 has skid control. The '02 has the 6-CD changer which is nice, but on my son's car it is already giving him problems with #3 position skipping.

Acting up? The new one has the fricking SC and TRD exhaust on it so I would say it is acting up. My wife wouldn't let me touch the '99 so that one is not acting up ... makes sense to her.

If I had it to do over again I would have ONLY installed the Addco bars and left it at that. I can't even use the deckplate mod or a high flow filter on this new one without inducing a lean condition. Grrrr.

Oh well, the plugs and thermostat will go in next week and then life will be wonderful and I will be getting 30 mpg, no pre-ignition and an additional 18.5 HP ... Right!

2002 SportEdition

May I ask why the '99 has a better gas milage than the '02? Did you mean the '99 with 4 cylinders compare to the '02 with V6? I got the same gas milage as you said 15.5-16 for city and about 17-18 for hwy.

Same thing about wife making comments about supercharger and exhause. Someday i'll convince her.

martin

I bought my 2002 in August of last year and paid $1500 below invoice. I personally don't mind the 03's but wouldn't trade my 02 for one. Toyota does a failry good job of minimizing the pains associated with a "new" design vehicle but I would wait for the 2004 to make sure the bugs are gone.

Martin

ManyMods

2002SportEdition ...

I hate this anonymity thing :alien:

The '99 ... No-o-o-o, it's the same darn engine as the '02. Could the dual cat configuration make that much of a difference?

My mileage was poor-er even before the Supercharger. If you are sans SC and getting the same mileage as I am getting then I don't feel so bad ... yes I do.