I showed up late, as I only wanted to see quality, climate control, as well as ease of entry/egress.
It was also raining, and I didn't want to soak a new car just to fuck with it. As a result, I simply looked at the closest vehicle with the salesman; a 4Runner Limited. This is obviously not the immediate choice for someone who wants to use the vehicle off-pavement... Or is it the foundation of something better?
It's hard to tell, because figuring out options and possibilities in regard to Toyota vehicles only falls short of Ram trucks.
I was shocked to find out that the Limited model; the vehicle they market to an average SUV buyer that will never take the vehicle off-pavement, was the only model available with a torque-biasing, all wheel drive, locking central differential. It's a Torsen T3 arrangement that locks; not identical internally, but essentially the same operation theory as a TruTrac or Quaife unit.
This is superior to part-time four wheel drive; certainly in snow and sand. Why, then, is it not fitted to the TRD Pro?
Would it be a more clever move to buy the TRD Pro, or buy the Limited, get the added luxury as well as the superior differential, and remove the body kit? I'm still not sure if the Limited is available with other off-pavement options (excluding things that can be easily changed, like suspension height and tires). The 4Runner is available with a lot of tech, but it's spread out among the model line.
It's kind of like going into a pizza joint, and finding out that if you want crushed red peppers to sprinkle on top, you MUST order a 15" pineapple Pizza, and if you go for pepperoni, you're stuck with salt. Make the wrong order, and they just leave you with no crust.
What the fuck is the deal with this? What are your opinions? Does anyone know just how swappable Toyota packages and options are, or how easy it would be to swap fascia?
I'm going to have to buy something a little more modern sooner or later, and I just want something that'll freeze my face off in the summer, keep my ass cool, doesn't require personal maintenance when something goes wrong, and ride the occasional trail and perhaps hit the beach; that's IF I get a truck/SUV at all.
Right now, it's all up in the air. I've checked out everything from the Power Wagon to the Fiat 124 Abarth (not fucking bad at all, but rather useless in everyday life) and Honda Clarity (that thing is fucking comfortable as hell). As much as I consider the D5 to be sold at a fair price, I've really no interest in spending nearly eighty grand on a vehicle I'm primarily buying to be a relaxed daily driver and, if I do go 4WD, something capable enough for the occasional rock garden, easy to find off-the-rack mods, and just damned decent on beaches. I don't need that much vehicle.
At some point, I'll want to head south again. I'm not worried about the durability of Toyota vehicles, though I wonder how that sliding rear glass would handle washboards... It's still nice enough as a feature to enjoy until the regulator breaks, though. :rofl:
Top ten points going toward the 4Runner: All related to ease of fucking use and build quality. Not too much stupidity in there. I was able to locate and operate everything in seconds, and upon second attempt, didn't even need to look at most of the controls.
Not bad. So, what the fuck is going on with that differential only being fitted to the mall crawler?
Cheers,
Kennith
It was also raining, and I didn't want to soak a new car just to fuck with it. As a result, I simply looked at the closest vehicle with the salesman; a 4Runner Limited. This is obviously not the immediate choice for someone who wants to use the vehicle off-pavement... Or is it the foundation of something better?
It's hard to tell, because figuring out options and possibilities in regard to Toyota vehicles only falls short of Ram trucks.
I was shocked to find out that the Limited model; the vehicle they market to an average SUV buyer that will never take the vehicle off-pavement, was the only model available with a torque-biasing, all wheel drive, locking central differential. It's a Torsen T3 arrangement that locks; not identical internally, but essentially the same operation theory as a TruTrac or Quaife unit.
This is superior to part-time four wheel drive; certainly in snow and sand. Why, then, is it not fitted to the TRD Pro?
Would it be a more clever move to buy the TRD Pro, or buy the Limited, get the added luxury as well as the superior differential, and remove the body kit? I'm still not sure if the Limited is available with other off-pavement options (excluding things that can be easily changed, like suspension height and tires). The 4Runner is available with a lot of tech, but it's spread out among the model line.
It's kind of like going into a pizza joint, and finding out that if you want crushed red peppers to sprinkle on top, you MUST order a 15" pineapple Pizza, and if you go for pepperoni, you're stuck with salt. Make the wrong order, and they just leave you with no crust.
What the fuck is the deal with this? What are your opinions? Does anyone know just how swappable Toyota packages and options are, or how easy it would be to swap fascia?
I'm going to have to buy something a little more modern sooner or later, and I just want something that'll freeze my face off in the summer, keep my ass cool, doesn't require personal maintenance when something goes wrong, and ride the occasional trail and perhaps hit the beach; that's IF I get a truck/SUV at all.
Right now, it's all up in the air. I've checked out everything from the Power Wagon to the Fiat 124 Abarth (not fucking bad at all, but rather useless in everyday life) and Honda Clarity (that thing is fucking comfortable as hell). As much as I consider the D5 to be sold at a fair price, I've really no interest in spending nearly eighty grand on a vehicle I'm primarily buying to be a relaxed daily driver and, if I do go 4WD, something capable enough for the occasional rock garden, easy to find off-the-rack mods, and just damned decent on beaches. I don't need that much vehicle.
At some point, I'll want to head south again. I'm not worried about the durability of Toyota vehicles, though I wonder how that sliding rear glass would handle washboards... It's still nice enough as a feature to enjoy until the regulator breaks, though. :rofl:
Top ten points going toward the 4Runner: All related to ease of fucking use and build quality. Not too much stupidity in there. I was able to locate and operate everything in seconds, and upon second attempt, didn't even need to look at most of the controls.
Not bad. So, what the fuck is going on with that differential only being fitted to the mall crawler?
Cheers,
Kennith
