Late Boomer
Super Member
But not so much around tight parking spots, as your license plate indicates.My 2003 4Runner with 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 engine. 245hp is more than enough to stay out of trouble on the freeways.
Toyota Thread
- Thread starter H2oman7.62mm
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Late Boomer
Super Member
More of everything in the same type of vehicle. Mitsu Mirage to Ford Escort to Ford Focus were upgrades, especially the Focus. But these are not Toyotas.
Me switching from the Camry to the MR2 was not an upgrade, it was a change of how I interacted with a car. Not that I was completely distanced from active driving when I had the Camry, after all it had a stick. Still, driving it was somewhat uneventful. The MR2 was completely different. Not a freeway car, but a fun go-kart for switchbacks. A bit too dangerous at the extreme, much less predictable than a Miata, which is easy to control in a slide.
jayvis
Addicted Member
Not everyone lives in a megatropolis with tiny parking spots. I usually park my vehicles away from everyone else anyway, even when our uncrowded parking lots are nearly empty. I'm guessing that his license plate succumbed to a pesky trailer hitch. The same thing that wreaks havoc with today's cars' grilles and bumpers. Front and rear parking sensors are an option I'd never go without.
They're nice to have just like curb finders were a few decades ago. Curb finders, whiskers for feeling one's way to the curb. Now there's cameras and an on dash screen.
BSome
Super Member
I bought my wife a Toyota Scion xD first. My wife loved that xD and she gave it to our daughter, who totaled it within a year.
I purchased my first Toyota, the Avalon in 2013. That Avalon had a strong 6 cyl. engine and got great gas mileage (31 mpg) for its size. It was my daily commuter and never gave me any major issues in the over 250K miles it was driven. I gave it to my son, who later passed it on to his little brother.
I then moved up and purchased a truck, the Tundra Platinum 4x4 in 2018 with all its V8 goodness. They no longer offer the Toyota Tundra with a V8, settling for a V6 twin turbo instead. Since they went to the twin turbo, I've received numerous offers from Toyota dealerships to trade in my Tundra, more offers than I have ever received for any of my vehicles over the years. When I asked my dealer for the reason, he said it's because everyone still wants the V8 power.
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My 2019 Tundra Limited is that color and love it, its the 3rd Toyota we have had. It replaced a 97 Silverado that stranded us twice on vacation in Morehead city The misses is on her 2nd Highlander, got her 1st one in 06, gave it to her mom and dad and sold it just last year after her dad passed.
4 oil changes came included and on the last one the local Toyota dealer offered me $40,000 for it. I had had it a little past 3 1/2 yrs by then and that was real close to what we paid new.
That was very similar to the offer I received from the local dealership. They offered me a little more for mine and I would have thought about taking the offer if the Tundra still used V8 engines. But I also didn't care much for the looks of the new Tundra anyway, so I left happily with mine.
My 2003 4Runner with 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 engine. 245hp is more than enough to stay out of trouble on the freeways.
Hey, I've got the 2006 Sport version (V6) of that - and what a great riding vehicle...
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I feel the same way about my 1993 full-size Chevy Blazer with the 5.7 v8 ! But for the wife she loves our 24 forester which is roomy and very practical for its size and averages 27 mpg in intown driving !My 2003 4Runner with 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 engine. 245hp is more than enough to stay out of trouble on the freeways.
H2oman7.62mm
Super Member
The only thing I like about the 3rd generation Tundra is the smoother riding multi-link coil spring rear suspension... I wish there was a way for me to easily graft it to my 2007 frame.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Burgundy is a rare color around here. Anyways, 2006 is the sweet spot for cars and trucks. They are new enough to drive nice and have modern features like DOHC motors, ABS, and TCS. They are not so new to have forced induction, cylinder deactivation, auto-shutoff, lane detect sensors, and all the rest of the gizmos which cause trouble. The best part about our trucks is that issues are not difficult to diagnose, parts are inexpensive and or available at the junkyard, and there is plenty of room to DIY.
True, as the only thing I liked about the new Tundra was the smoother ride.
SoCal Sam
Lunatic Member
Independent suspension in a pickup calls for rear air suspension which will cause expensive problems later on.
Auto start stop has now got to the point it's almost seamless. As to wearing out the starter, it isn't a thing. I haven't read of one instance where the started died. It has to have happened but is so rare it doesn't come up. Lane departure with all the distracted driving is a very worthwhile feature. Direct injection is great for gas milage but is it worth it for the carbon build up on the back off the valves. Probably not. Combining it with port injection is a nice compromise, you get the best of both.
DesertRatt
All Bark, No Bite!
In my area, this is a really summer-time bummer. Shuts down the AC in 115F heat.
I am an old fashion (and old) sedan guy. I have liked Toyota, in part, because of the brand's strong record of reliability. I have owned a Cressida, Avalon and two Camry hybrids. I have recently made a deposit on a 2025 Camry. I am a bit concerned that Consumer Reports now rates the Camry's reliability as only average. Apparently it has slipped in recent years.
H2oman7.62mm
Super Member
It's not an IRS... you won't need air bags.
H2oman7.62mm
Super Member
Reliability has slipped with practically all manufacturers, Toyota has slipped the least and I would take anything CR says with a big grain of salt.
Those darn Camrys, having reliability issues at 200K+ miles.
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