I don't know how to say this......

Well I bought today my 2003 4Runner SR5 V6 Sports Edition. Well bought is a big word because the price are not out yet but I have reserved the very first Silver V6 that my dealer ordered and supposed to get delivery in mid-december. I was the first one to enquiry for the V6 version. They already pre-sold a Limited.

I will be able to bail out if the price is not right and if I do not want the truck because it turns out not to be to my taste. They will simply sell it to another on on the list or put it in the showroom for a while.

I have seen today updated facts sheet about the 2003. The sport Edition is loaded with features. Awesome really.

One important thing: It doesn't seem like this truck will be a great off-roading rig like the 2nd gen and early 3rd gen. But I'm not into off-roading that much myself. I like the truck and Toyota in general that's all.

Now lets all hope that it turns out nicer in person than on the pic I posted. If it turns out as ugly I'mgoing for a Pilot.... So let's pray !!!

World

 

Good luck on your purchace.
Maybe it will be a lot nicer when you see it and take delivery of it.
I know it has a lot of new features on it.

If and when you take delivery, we expect a lot of pics posted here

 

Thanks Corey for the good words !!!

I was sure you would freak that someone fell for this truck. But the look has grown on me a bit since I first saw the pic in the magazine.

Pictures can be deceiving. Here's a shot I took of my current Runner when I just got it. I hated so much this specific picture I always thought the 4Runner looked bad from this perspective.

Usually things I hate first are things I love the most and the longest !!!! Hope it will be the case this time.

I will post pics of my new truck right as soon as I get it... but December is very far away.

 

world_traveler .....I would buy one also if I could afford the payments.....Looks alone do not sell me....I think once you drive it and feel the power....you will like it. From what it sounds like it is going to be a heck of a vehicle....good luck and hope the price is right....I am thinkin 35k? what does everyone else think?

 

Bad news. If I understand the situation right, the V-6s won't start appearing until 90 days after October 15th. I hope for your sake I'm wrong cuz that puts you into January.

BTW, don't worry. It's still definitely a truck. Plusher, but still a truck.

 

I know about the delay. Its fine I don't want/need a V8.

Expected delivery of my truck between Dec 15 and Jan 15 :cry:

But that's fine. I ride a very fine rig now (99 SR5 V6).

 

World, if it has a Toyota emblem on it, you will most certainly like it, I am sure of that. I would be very interested in getting one, but I don't have the money at all? Do you have any idea of what it will run? Just wondering. :fireman:

 

Well im not sure that you'll necessarily like it but it will definitely be a very very very reliable automobile. kudos!

 

just curious world, why dont you want the v8??

 

Clin

I don't want a V8 because gas is very expensive here in Canada and I only haul a 2500lbs boat anyway. V6 is more than enough in my case.....

And as well money is a concern.... I'm very lucky to be able to afford a SR5 V6 Sport in the first place but I cannot go much further money wise (kids, house, etc)

But one day.....

 

The info I have specifies 91 octane in both engines, so both engines require premium. I hope it's a misprint or at least something they can re-engineer, ala 2002 Odyssey.

 

Premium gasoline will be a bummer but not a show stopper.

If you buy such a truck it should mean you have money to buy the gas to put in it. That's why I don't buy a V8... no extra cash for the V8 and no money to put premium gas for a V8

 

That was my point. As of current info, BOTH engines REQUIRE premium.

 

That is what I meant also. It will be bad enough to put Premium in a V6. My current 4Runner is quite a gas guzzler already. Hope things won't be much worse.

In the Honda/Acura lineup the Pilot and MDX use the same engine and the Pilot does not require Premium and the MDX does. I hope the same thing will occur between the GX470-Limited and the scaled-down SR5 V6.

The specs sheets I have seen had rough edges and some occurences of Cut & Paste errors. My salesman confirmed again yesterday that the Sept 10 meeting is about the new 4Runner and that he should get complete and final specs. He might not still get pricing info yet. Toyota might decide to tweak the numbers 'til the very end and that should be mid-October when they get their 1st Limited.

I decided to go with the 2003 Runner anyway despite all the missing info because all my research boiled down to the 2003 4Runner and the 2003 Honda Pilot. I am not considering any other 4X4... simple question of taste/budget. The Pilot was more expensive here (the 2003 4Runner can be 2000$ more expensive than the 2002 4Runner and I will still be on top) and made me feel 10 years older (smooth boring ride, style (or lack of)) Too conservative for me. Despite the odd looks of the pictures I still think that the 2003 4Runner packs a truck look, it is sporty and could be massive (for its category). And its Toyota.........

 

Absolutely no doubt in my mind you made the right decision. The Pilot won't hold a candle to the 4Runner.

 

I'm willing to bet this is going to be a very nice capable rig off road too.

I did not care for it at first when I saw the pics from Paul, but the more I learn about it, it sounds like Toyota is not going to let us down.

Just wait until they come out with the super charger for the 4.0 V6, and the V8.
It's going to be faster I bet than the 3.4s.
Even with the bigger body, it can't weigh that much more than the current 3rd gens.

Corey

 

You might be right Corey but I'm worried of ground clearance. Even well equipped the 4Runner does not come with running boards. So it might be easier to climb into hinting that it might be lower but only slightly (The Pilot is at 8" and comes with no running boards).

The Sport edition I bought comes with the New X-Reas suspsension. I wonder what it is all about. I tried to find info on the net about it but I could only find Japanese documents. Maybe it compensates for lack of clearance somehow.

See this link:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/cus...wer/power.html

17" wheels also and a 65% profile. I wonder if that is good for off-roading.

It seems to have all the off-roading transmission bells and whistle (locking diff, etc).

Cargo area is smaller a bit. Odd considering that the truck is bigger.

Lots of torque for a V6.

The article in the magazine I picked up mentionned 4025 pounds for the lower-end truck and 4400 for the V8. Reasonable.


It will be a great boat puller in my case !!

 

From what the guy I spoke too on the phone who drove both of the Runners in Paul's pics, he said you can lower the Runner up & down.

I'm not up on how it works, but I believe the Lexus has the same setup?
Corey
PS, I bet is has to do with this suspension setup.
http://motioncars.com/autobuzz/artic...ndcruiser.html

 

can you say 4runner w/ hydraulics!?

 

hehe, something like that. Its a little slower than you might think There are a bunch of cars coming out with it. The audi allroad for instance...