Test drove 2023 limited, did not purchase.

I went the pre owned route as 1 year ago every dealer was adding 5-7000 over list on 4 runners. Yeah I still paid too much but I got a 2018 Limited with only 30,000 mile’s because it didn’t have any of the electronics most other vehicles have. I had a 2016 Nissan Murano Platinum and spent close to $4000 the last year or so repairing/replacing all those fancy niceties. If you are leasing I guess it doesn’t matter since most leases end before the warranty expires.

 

So, my phone connected to my F150 way faster than the 4runner BUT...my 2015 F150 did not have Android Auto. The 4runner system takes forever to boot up. Works pretty good once it finally gets started though...

 

phone connected -- apple car play or bluetooth?
I find it to be super quick, either way. Its usually within a few secs it starts playing whatever I was listening to before entering 4Runner. Mine is 2023 FWIW.

 

Just purchased a Off Road Premium and thankfully there was no dealer BS adjustments and they Tinted the windows for free

 

I'm looking at getting a wireless Carplay & Android device for my 2023 'cause I like keeping my phone in my pocket. I don't have experience with Android but maybe a device like this would work better with your phone.

Another option is to switch handheld devices, if you don't mind getting used to IOS.

BTW, I really like the ORP nannies. I'll be picking up another 2023 Tundra Limited with ORP in 4 weeks. The all-time 4WD is nice on the 4R Limited, but if you would also consider the ORP maybe you'll have more vehicles to choose from. Anyway, just don't buy over msrp. In my case, I paid msrp and was able to work with the dealer to take all the port-installed options ($4K+) off the buildsheet.

 

Actually, the last time I used a heated steering wheel was in Arizona, on April 10, driving down to Flagstaff after a week of backpacking in the Grand Canyon. Then a week later when I was coming back from New Mexico via 260 down off the Mogollon Rim. A lot of Forest Roads weren't open yet for the season.

 

People underestimate the desert. It gets cold a night in the winter. It can easily reach 1-2°C in Phoenix and below freezing in Flagstaff. So sure it’s not Canada or Siberia but definitely enough to justify a heated steering wheel. If it was easy to retrofit I’d definitely do it!

pics below are from a few months ago in flagstaff, az

 

Yeah, that's why my wife won't move to Flagstaff. She's done with shoveling snow.

Back on the original topic, I feel lucky to have found a dealer not too far away that was offering a great price on a vehicle already in transit that was very close to what I wanted. I'm disappointed in all the more local dealers, including two I've done business with before, who are charging outrageous markups. All I can think is that they got caught in a vicious cycle where their prices hurt sales, so they go less allocation, so they have to keep jacking up the prices to make their operating costs.

 

OP's chief complaint was the heated steering wheel did not get hot enough. I guess I am just happy to finally have a vehicle with one lol.

 

How are you liking the 3M Crystalline, my tint dealer talked me out of it as they said it is green in color and wouldn't match the factory tint on the rear windows...I worry that they just didn't want to install it and I know its more difficult to work with...

 

It wouldn't be that obvious. I only notice if I look against the white garage wall. I wonder the dealer talked you out of it because they are not certified 3M Crystalline installer? That's what my installer told me.

I don't want to say 3M Crystalline is amazing but compared to something like regular tint I can feel the difference with the heat on my arm driving. Also I think 3M Crystalline is very think when my windshield broke the tint hold the glass pieces. Also vs with regular tint I hit my tripod on the front window it took out a dot off the tint, a very tiny dot. So now I regret not doing 3M Crystalline on my new 4Runner.

 

Yeah, it could be warmer.

 

Off topic:
While not nearly as severe as Flagstaff the Carson Valley high desert @5,000 ft got an uncharacteristic 2’ of snow early January and many small unmelted storms after that have resulted in flooding due to the snow melt. My son and I went into the Pinenut Mountains yesterday for a 50 mile jaunt with our SxS and we’re unable to reach our target destination of Mt Siegel(9,000’), despite attempting several different routes because the some of trails were completely washed out. The trails were small rivers, some had 3ft ruts with water running pretty strong down them. Another 100yds up the trail from this pic it was even more washed out. A fully locked SxS can go where a 4R only dreams of.
Flooding in the high desert, strange concept for some.

 

Just an FYI on the post. We purchased from Avondale Toyota in AZ.. They received 3 Classic Silver Metallic Limited 4runners, no reservations. Sales manager "Maribel" hooked us up with MSRP pricing, all new Toyotas are MSRP. After our freeway test drive we signed on the dotted line. The sit down purchase took less than 20 minutes start to finish, one sales person works the entire process. Our 4runner is Classic Silver Metallic w/ Redwood Interior. Direct line to Maribel Johnson is 602-472-9757. A real pleasure working with Maribel, she may have just what you are looking for.

 

congratulations!

 

Limited trim was fine up until the 5th gen. Not only are the unique bumpers and body cladding hideous but they impede the approach and departure angles that makes an off-roader SUV like the 4Runner desirable in the first place. Then there are those goofy looking wheels.

The limited should have just been an interior package with the special Lexus-like exterior colours. Instead they tried to make the 4Runner a GX which it is not and just fails at replicating.

It's a bit baffling but not as baffling as when I learned they make 2WD 4Runners, or as they are affectionately known "2Runners". If you are spending the kind of bank to drive a body-on-frame dinosaur like the 4Runner in this day and age, and taking on the bad fuel economy because you value it over crappy crossovers why in god's name would you cheap out on the 4WD capability that the vehicle is literally named after and known for?

The target audience for the Limited and 2WD 4Runners are sort of missing the whole point but well I guess Toyota is catering to niches since they appear to be selling.

 

Yeah I think it can go either way. The latter model years do tend to have some of the wrinkles and issues ironed out but with a brand like Toyota that is less of a concern because their up-front engineering and torture tests are on another level completely from other manufacturers, save for maybe Honda.

On the other hand the early model years sometimes actually get the nicest or more expensive materials, components, and features and feel more higher end as the production looks to save costs in subsequent years by cheaping out in certain areas or deleting certain features according to what the bean counters decide to do.

Example is my previous 2021 ORP had a much higher resolution backup camera than my current 2022 ORP. Yes the 2022 has the multi-terrain monitor system that the 2021 didn't but the camera quality suffered a lot for it so it was not necessarily a straight up upgrade.

 

I mean honestly the only terrible thing was the market adjustment and added tint charge. Your cell phone not connecting to the vehicle well was a meh complaint. It seem like you guys want a luxury car. Try a BMW, Mercedes, or Lexus. Anyone who knows these 4runners, knows that this 5th gen with the 4.0 is gonna be the last of the old schoolish reliable ones. The 6th is gonna get over complicated.

 

Congrats, I almost flew out to Avondale Toyota to buy a pre-owned 2022 Limited. It had the Automatic Running Boards and only had 4k miles. They had it on website at 46,900 but then added another 1500 for dealer add on. I decided to pass since they wouldn't come off the dealer add on and me living in DFW. However, I kept an eye on it and its now at avondale Nissan price in the mid 50's LOL.

 

Definitely should test drive different vehicles and spend time. Even when I play around this X7 been the biggest from BMW I was thinking to myself yes BMW and fun but so less utility. No way my German shepherd would be comfortable behind the second row. And how small the interior in general. I was not happy about not having physical buttons especially for headunit and hvac controls. I'm pretty sure my wife will ruin the 21in wheels.

I wonder how the biggest from the Mercedes would be.

I think Lexus GX and LX have better utility while giving luxury features.

But yes, testing in person is a must. Atleast for me per the reviews I thought X7 is a very spacious SAV. But looks its much different than reviews

Forgot to add a pic-