Review of 2003 4Runner on AutoWeek

 

Damn.. according to them, the models that will be available in October will all have V8's. I'm sure they'll cost a ton. V6 won't be available until January.
I don't have to test drive the new one, I guess. I just hope they'll still have 02's with stuff I want, when I'm ready to buy.

 

I am sure the 02 models will still hang around for a bit. As soon as the new ones come out, I bet the prices on the 02s will even drop a bit more. I got mine a week and a half ago, so there are still plenty around

 

Let's hope this is squared away before release. I was always told "Never buy a car when the model has changed drastically the first year it comes out. In essence, you are the car companies Guinea Pig"

And lowering the clearance by 2" didn't compromise its off-road ability at all huh?

The only things that I like about it so far are the new engines and the revamped interior layout (minus the cargo space of course ... what were they thinking??? ).

However now that 2003 is fatter then its predecessors, I don't think the 4.0L is really going to feel much more powerful when compared to the stock 3.4L in a 3rd gen. In my opinion, the only real difference you will feel is with the 4.7L.

I know I have said this before, but I still think that Toyota has turned its only remaining TRUE Off-Road SUV into another fat wanna be car!

Let's hope the after market Off-Road Suspension and Armor Gurus can work some magic and put it back in the category it belongs in! But with a limit of 11" clearance it is highly unlikely unless some serious engineering is done or maunal hubs are used.

 

I dont know yet. I cant make up my mind until i drive one, but it sounds pretty good off road. I also like the fact that toyota realized that the 3rd gen limiteds were overpriced for the options. (Not to say i stil wouldn't buy one b/c thats what i have and i love it!) But they could have used a little more.(although the 99s and up did have a bit more)