Grenadier
- Thread starter WreckITFrank
- Start date
Can you not turn off the heads up display? Also, is there not a traditional speedometer?
If I was concerned about maintaining a consistent speed, I’d be using cruise control
mgreenspan
Founding Member
I’m thinking $65k base, but who is going to buy it without the lockers? $75k will probably be the best optioned no frills off-road spec’d one you can build.
You’ll pull the trigger. It’ll look great in your driveway with your other vehicles after you ditch the Alfa.
evilfij
Well-known member
They drive like a truck. Or at least ride like a truck. The highlander drives like a Camry. Keep in mind my daily is a 4 banger 5MT 4x4 tacoma so an extra 111hp for the 4.0 V6 is a lot (even if the 4runner is an auto). 270hp/278ft/lbs is more than enough for me (and if I want to go fast I have a 400hp jag and 500hp GT3). I also am considering a GX460 Lexus but that’s 60k. If the grenadier is $75k and has BMW drivetrains well …. 4runner is 41,515 MSRP for SR5, 43,650 for a TRD Off road with the rear locker. 10k more for a pro but I don’t think it’s worth it. It’s either that or a wrangler. But GF insists on an auto and I would have to poke out an eye to buy an auto in a vehicle that had a manual option. ;-)
The appeal is that it is simple and reliable. I am sure the new 4runner when it comes out in 2024/25 will be a 2.0 turbo hybrid crap with a million gears in the auto or something. The new sequoia and tundra drivetrain is crap IMHO. I want to buy the new cars I want that are still available to buy. I already was not able to get a challenger hellcat widebody with 6MT because FCA killed the manual. :-(
I just don’t have time for more projects so until JimC retires and starts JimC’s rover repair I am focused on getting stuff new while I can. For example, Porsche has IMHO ruined the GT3 by adding particulate filters and programming the engine to run stupid hot for emissions. And that is setting aside all the useless tech they added.
I mean if the grenadier was $50k or even $60k and stayed simple I would be all about it. I mean I remember back around 2010 when you could buy a new ROW 110 for like $25k.
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Just get a 4runner. No way Grenadier will be anywhere close to same price bracket.
We bought a TRD Offroad version a couple years ago. It has been great. The criticism that folks generally have is that it is an old design and old power train--which is one of the reasons it's great. Yes a 5 speed auto is not a refined driving experience. On the highway if you try to accelerate hard or head up a mountain pass very fast you are screaming in 4th gear. But, the transmission is proven durable. The 4.0 engine has enough power and again is simple, reliable. Seating position is way better than a Tacoma--closer to a Tundra (we had a 2010 Tundra for awhile). HVAC controls are knobs, you can actually use them in the winter with gloves on.
The GX460 used to have the 4.6L and 6speed auto (same drivetrain that was in our Tundra). There is no question that is a nicer drivetrain. But for the long haul I think the GX doesn't age as well as the 4runner. A lot of the HVAC and stuff is built into the touch screen. I think they all come with folding seats in the trunk area that take up space. Etc, etc. An old lexus just gets tacky.
If you get a 4runner and going to spend a fair amount of time on road, consider getting KDSS. For heavy offroad modification KDSS makes suspension changes more challenging. But it definitely makes handling better on the highway. The system is more complex than regular swaybars, but seems to have proven reliable enough.
We bought a TRD Offroad version a couple years ago. It has been great. The criticism that folks generally have is that it is an old design and old power train--which is one of the reasons it's great. Yes a 5 speed auto is not a refined driving experience. On the highway if you try to accelerate hard or head up a mountain pass very fast you are screaming in 4th gear. But, the transmission is proven durable. The 4.0 engine has enough power and again is simple, reliable. Seating position is way better than a Tacoma--closer to a Tundra (we had a 2010 Tundra for awhile). HVAC controls are knobs, you can actually use them in the winter with gloves on.
The GX460 used to have the 4.6L and 6speed auto (same drivetrain that was in our Tundra). There is no question that is a nicer drivetrain. But for the long haul I think the GX doesn't age as well as the 4runner. A lot of the HVAC and stuff is built into the touch screen. I think they all come with folding seats in the trunk area that take up space. Etc, etc. An old lexus just gets tacky.
If you get a 4runner and going to spend a fair amount of time on road, consider getting KDSS. For heavy offroad modification KDSS makes suspension changes more challenging. But it definitely makes handling better on the highway. The system is more complex than regular swaybars, but seems to have proven reliable enough.
mgreenspan
Founding Member
Hard disagree on the GX assessment. There are plenty of aftermarket cosmetic changes to be made for the hideous grill on the newer GXs. The overall package you get with the GX compared to the 4Runner is substantial. Seating position in a 4Runner is not the same. Lower and more like the rest of the brand and a Wrangler vs the feel of a Disco/Defender.
Biggest issue with the GX is the steering feel. They’ve made it lighter and lighter. Still tight, but a 470 to a 460 is not the same.
As far as everything else goes vs a 4Runner, the drivetrain is better, the interior is better, the suspension is the same for upgrades amongst Toyota products, the diffs/axles can be swapped, KDSS on some, I could go on. I have a 16 year old GX470 with a touch screen. Still perfect. Plenty of options for upgraded modern aftermarket touch screen options and I’ve seen what some folks are doing to the 460s and it is easy to do if you don’t mind taking apart the dash.
I’m getting a Grenadier whenever it arrives stateside. Two other friends at work, too. My plan is to sell my GX because the prices are stupid right now. I’m also selfishly shipping my KZJ95 I daily in the UK back here this next summer because I don’t want to get rid of it despite pressure from my wife. She wants me to drive something equally new to her vehicle. I put like 3k miles a year max on my daily here in the US so the older Toyota will be fine. I think the Gren will be ideal for comfort and for vacation use similar to how we used the GX when we lived in the US. I’m totally rambling.
Z.G
Well-known member
Get the GX460, pre 2014 low mileage if you can. That's when they changed it to the terrible front grille.
Love my GX, my buddy bought a 4runner around the same time and it pales in comparison, and was more expensive. I like the 4 runner look more, but that's it, not many other benefits.
To keep this on track with the thread, I received this general email at RN over the weekend, which is pretty funny since we dont even offer accessories for the new Defender.
I couldn’t figure out how.
The speedo is there, but it’s not in your sight line. I found myself looking down to see it.
erover82
Well-known member
Except for niche vehicles such as the Grenadier where relative simplicity is a design feature, I've given up expecting new vehicles to be simple. They're all so complicated now with 10 million parts that it hardly seems to matter if another has 10.5 million parts. The way Toyota comes late to the game with tech, having let it mature and learning the pitfalls from early adopters, I'd bet that 2.0 turbo hybrid will have better power delivery at higher fuel efficiency and be just as reliable. The bad news is it'll probably wear a horrendously massive ugly grille and the ever fashionable angry eye headlamps.
We bought a brand new 4-runner back in 2010. We have two kids (who were pre teens at the time), lived in upstate NY, hiked and fished in the Catskills, hunted in the ADKS, skied in Vermont, all sorts of mild off roading and shitty weather driving... The 4-runner was a fantastic SUV and we pummeled it -- it never missed a beat. Fast forward to 2022 and my Son, whom lives in Denver and still does all of that stuff plus more, bought a 4-runner last year. He absolutely loves it! It is bombproof, and he doesn't have to worry about anything happening to it because it is relatively inexpensive on upkeep compared to a lot of other options. Most useable SUV on the market in my opinion. If I needed another do it all SUV that I had to drive a lot, I would buy a new 4-runner in a heartbeat. The more I read and hear about the Gren, the more of a pipe dream it seems. The pricing that is getting tossed around is also crazy, Gotta ask yourself "why?" at some point.
mgreenspan
Founding Member
Enter the GX. It’s all Toyota parts. I just put in upgraded brakes(pads & rotors front and rear, and front calipers) and the parts totaled $540 or so. It can be done in the driveway. If you avoid scheister dealerships you’ll pay the same as the 4Runner for maintenance. Downside is the lack of that rear hatch window. That thing makes the 4Runner worth it on some days.
I did a quick conversion on both the Australian and British configurator for an entry level petrol SW Grenadier a week or so ago (That's the only option in the US.). Supposedly both sites show the newer, updated prices. $57K USD in OZ and approximately $58K USD in England after you subtract the 20% VAT. Someone should probably check my math though. The extras add up quickly but a lot of options are easy bolt-ons and can be done down the road a piece - including the E-Lockers.
The 4Runner is about the only other affordable option out there other than a Wrangler. Both are hideous either inside or out as the case may be. Generally speaking, the Toyota will last a good bit longer.
Z.G
Well-known member
I was bummed about missing out on that feature. But for every feature the 4runner doesnt have(heated steering wheel/windshield, cooled seats, V8, etc etc) the Gx makes up for.
I wonder what sort of aftermarket support the Grenadier will have in the US. I imagine ARB & Front Runner will hit the development pretty hard, but I wonder who else will.
My sister went to the dealership intending on buying a new one and didn’t because it was so uncomfortable. She’s coming from a 2017 Discovery. Ended up ordering a new Volvo XC90 while she waits for her Rivian