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Show Friday, March 28, 2003, WHEELS Toyota 4Runner: Rugged, reliable and, tougher to roll t 97 Cad Seville STS. 49K actual mi. mint, dk $14,900. By Warren Brown The Washington Post That arrangement prevents the corner absorbers from bottoming out, or from pitching and rolling in sharp turns or during That means better Eanic stops. and vehicle control. The 2003 Toyota 4Runner, a midsize1 y vehicle, is. one of the best SUVs available. The Toyota 4Runner entered the U.S. market 17 years ago. It was rugged. You could take it ; beat it up, tow heavy ' loads. It kept running. People loved the 4Runner for its toughness and reliability. But it had shortcomings. The interior was cramped. Hide and handling were rough. If you failed to read windshield-visor labels warning you to go gently into the curves, you could roll it If you failed to wear seat belts, you'jbould roll it and die. You could roll the 2003 4Runner, too. But you would have to work hard to do it. Toyota went to school on this one. The company lengthened the wheelbase 'the centerline distance between the front and rear wheels by 4.5 inches. It widened the track by about three inches, and it added larger wheels. The result is a more stable SUV that takes corners nicely with nary a hint of tipping. Toyota also did several clever things with the new 4Runner's suspension and braking systems. Like its predecessors, the 2003 model is built But there's a difference. The new frame is stronger, more rigid, endowed with nine cross- members, as opposed to eight in the older versions. The body atop that frame is more rigid, too. The whole assembly rides sport-utilit- The System worked perfectly on slalom maneuvers on vacant lots in rural Virginia; and it also worked well in the tailgating mayhem of Interstate 95. Toyota gave the 4Runner standard antilock brakes; and it added a couple of more braking controls as well. Those include what the company calls "brake assist" and "electronic brake force distribution." Brake assist is .anticipatory. It senses the driver's attempt to panic stop, off-roa- d, body-on-fram- e. nine-memb- a on four-whe- the driver, and then applies what it construes to be the needed stopping force. I found this feature annoying, although I probably would feel differently if it actually preventsecond-guesse- er suspension system, which is enhanced by several electronic controls traction control, vehicle stability control and, on the tested Sport Edition, a diagonally linked shock absorber. That absorber system diagonally links the compression chambers in the shocks at all four wheels. The front-le- ft shock is linked to the gas-fill- shock. The rear-rig- ht Nuts & front-rig- Beware. PRAISE: The 4Runner is excelSUV market lent. But the mid-siz- e is, crowded with worthy competi- tors. This is a good buy out added premiums. ' V 0 m S:j?itH QUOTIENT: VEHICLE LAYOUT AND LINEUP: . . The 4Runner is a front-enginsport-utilit- y vehicle available with l; or either drive. There are three trim levels the luxury Limited; the Sport Edition; and the e; four-whee- two-whe- el SR-- nt 5. ENGINES: The 4Runner Sport Edition can be equipped with a i , or a Attention! The 6 has more horsepower 245 hp at 5,200 revolutions per minute, compared with 235 hp at 4,800 rpm But the for the has more 4.7-liter- V-- 6 32-val- V-- V-- V-- 8 0 dlr fcSt 94 Chevy Camaro, orig owner, 31 k, mint cond, 6 cyl, $6200 Blue book, 6 $6000 Obo JlTv!j$i'"! 02 Ford Mustang Conv. V-Loaded. The Car Source Car Source " 98 Chev Cavalier, Best Buy in Town, 4dr, CD, 0 $3200 obo. or (801)226-477- 5 1 . 94 Chevy Silverado, tow pkg, amfm, CD, $8695 obo 766-- 1 156 or 420-030-0 01 Dodge Stratus 4dr, loaded, mint cond, 76k mi, $7495 obo or 0 8 M' 1 im 01 Fdrd 4x4, dsl, White 58k miles, 0 $20,500 Call 99 Ford Escort 4dr, at, cass, cd, ak, 46k mi, Sharp! $4500 376-443-3 dlr5154 J 99 Ford Escort LX. grt gas mileage, whtie, 00 Ford Escort, 26kmi amfm cass 4dr, white, grt shape! 5spd, Air, $5700768-251- 1 01 Ford Escort, Loaded, $6,795. The LOOK '00 Ford Focus,' 34K mi, $3900 8 '99 Ford Escort SE, 4dr, " alloy rims, hard to find this clean at this price! t low mi, S $7,495. Family City Motors 225-40- $4,995. Family City Motors 225-40- ' '98 Ford Expedition . XLT, 4X4, 3rd seat. rear AC, CD changer, 00 Ford Mustang, AT, Silver, Alloy, more, only $9975 492-- 1 110 only 56K mi - Nice! $16,495. Family City 9 Motors SaSfH claMiiiros fcriag rcmlu 373-445- 0 ' Fuel capacity is 23 gallons. Premium unleaded gasoline is required. MILEAGE: I averaged 18 miles per gallon in mostly highway driving carrying mixed loads. Pretty SUV. good for a bodyon-fram- e SAFETY: In addition to items mentioned,, there are front air bags designed to deploy at speeds appropriate to the speed of the crash, optional side bags up front and optional rear curtain PA!D FO bags. PRICE: Base price of the tested 4Runner Sport Edition 8 is $32,075. Dealer invoice price on base model is $28,546. Price as tested is $34,585, including $2,000 in options and a $510 destination charge. S NOTE: Compare with Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra SE SC 6 4WD. will pay off ycr trca no'n.sttcr PURSE-STRING- what yea B sale iwunst l'gHrr"C fi)remj 8:30ea-8:G- 0 1 AUTO CENTER '98 Chev Cavalier 2dr. teal, $4,995 ! 7T 96 Cad El Dorado ETC,, pearl, 10 CD cass grt cond, $15,500 435- 4 657-024 or 15QVICE PARTS pa Monday-Frida- y ' 9-- 7 1 HARMON'S c-a- V-- '02 Chev Blazer 4dr, white, $16,995 ' o.t r:oT. In fqct cr.co r:o incSio a dsd iva V-- V Ju (--Ms k i 96 Cadillac Deville, low mi, 63k. Lthr kit, runs grt! Perfect cond. 3 $9500 Obo Scfvrdsy DfQDtDfcvjn Touota f I til C:rfl f mww.brentbrowntoyota.com ttm - MUMP V-J-s:i 1 HARMON'S AUTO CENTER M "99 Cadillac DeVille Mach 1, 90 restored, profesbuilt sionally engine, 71 Mustang, $12,000 obo 7 67 Porsche 912 Dark Green, 2pcatoywhl8, ; ret eng, big bore kit, wevers, K&N headers very clean, $5000 obo 1 80 Toyota Stakebed truck. $3500 gold, only 20k orig mi, mint cond, $19,985 373-303-1 19Kml.perf.cand, pwr pkg, wrty, bergin 4. Dlr $11,900. '02 Bulck Century, pert oond, pwr pckg, wrnty, grt buyl $9,900. 4. Dlr4991. ST 'OOOIdsmoblleAlero 4dr, black, $7,985 373-303- HARMON'S HI 98 Buick LeSaber.white new Mitch tires, Exc. cond. 1st $5950 (tow book) takes HI AUTO CENTER .. . 00 Cad Cater, 1 Ownr, Pewter, Wrnty, Uhr, All Pwr, 38K, $12,800. 787-145-4, Dl 4991 AUTO CENTER 01 Pontlae Grand Prix 4dr, red, $12,485 ' 373-303-1 ---- 99 Cad Cetera 28K All .. Pwr, Lthr, Alloys $13000489-690- 7 DVD System year 100,000 mile warranty Front & rear air conditioner 10 EXAMPLE: Dual sliding door 7'" Cruise control yk44 -- Comnact Disc -- Power locks 5 " J' -- Power windows -- 9 HARMON'S $2,000 Rebate No Charge Integrated -- '02 Bulck Century, -- V-6 engine J twjc Y, -- 5 speed auto transmission jii 1 1338 Sale Price $19,995 Less Rebate $1,000 HURRY OFFER. ENDS BIARCH 31st . 4991' seats folded. It can be equipped to tow a trailer weighing 5,000 AUTO CENTER ' $15,900 obo. 0 SmitH HARMON'S" over $21 K, will sell for 95 Dodge Intrepid, Loaded.very clean, an pwr, exdt cond, cd. 3 $2950 '. V6, lthr, Warranty! $13,475 atci ;.wnfnty,W(rww,key- Robyn$73 $13588. 02 Dodge intrepid, ES, " Tt. ed me from crashing. Electronic brake distribution makes more sense. It gives more braking force to the wheels that have more traction, thereby reducing the chances for potentially catastrophic weight shifts and the consequent loss of vehicle control. There are myriad other features, such as Toyota's "Downhill Assist Control," which keeps the 4Runner moving straight and steady down steep grades. And with Downhill Assist Control (operated by a button marked "DAC"), there is "Hill-staAssist Control." HAC to helps you move up steep inclines without fishtailing; or it allows you to stop uphill without sliding backward. Perhaps it's my boyish enthusiasm about such things, but I found it all to be very neat stuff. I like machines, especially those that work extremely well, as was the case with the tested 4Runner Sport Edition. If you are in the e market for a SUV, I think you will like it, too. i Cacdc '67 Camaro SS 396, restored classic, disc brks, pwr stmg, appr at Zjg : grey, AT, toact: 1 9. 700 ODO.f Itopnff jft 00 ford Taurus SES, Ji 54t $ wiim, Kinueu, at, cik Terry 808 - 99 Chrysler 300 M 224-13- 99 Chev Prism, 4dr, AC, auto, $4,999. 5, ' J f - ' 0 Brent Brown Toyota 00 Chev Malibu. $6450. White, cd, Loaded. 74k Exclt cond! 0 .96 Chevy Corsica, AT, AC, exc cond. Looks' Sharp! $2850 794.1856 or 592-48- 98 Dodge Intrepid, Nice, $6988 Brent pounds. with- People who equate SUVs with evil saw evil. People who love them gave enthusiastic thumbs up. 1 Brent Brown Toyota JUTES. auto, 4 dr, pwr pkg, pert cond, grt price, dlr $7,200. iwu iu uiww irom, $13,495. Family City Motors 225-406-9 up and 75.1 cubic feet with rear RIDE, ACCELERATION AND HANDLING: Very smooth ride. Great stability in panic maneuvers. Hi 01 Chev Cavalier sedan, $7850. f $4,999. 02 Chrysler Sebnng. LXI convertable, loaded, w lthr, CD alloys, & mora. $17395 L 00 Ford Taurus SES, V-6- COMPLAINT: Some Toyota dealwill demand premiums. V-- '02 Chev Ualibu, pert oond, fctry wrnty, V6, CD, pwr pckg, grt buyl 4 Dlr $8,900. IChevLumina, gewter, AC. pwr : Ickswin, clean, $7300" obe. Call at 3,800 rpm for the . CAPACITIES: The 4Runner seats five people. Cargo capacity is 42.2 cubic feet with rear seats ' ers 24valve 99 Pontlae Grand Am 2dr, silver, $8,995 Family City Motors V6, at, loaded, CD .exlnt cond. $4995. at 3,400 320 pound-fee- t torque rpm, compared with 282 pound-fee- t The Washington Post standard-equipme- 00 Dodge Gr. Caravan, silver,, rear AiC, 36K rrifi 224-132- 0 90 Ford Taurus LS, - Dolts: 2003 Toyota 4Runncr By Warren Brown HEAD-TURNIN- G 95 Chry Cirrus Lxi, V6, loaded, super lo miles, 98 Dodge PkJ'.sx 1500, 4X4, Sport Pfni ext cab, V8 engine, bick. grt looking $14,995. mid-siz- shock ht J Brent Brown ToyotaV 02 Dodge Intrepid, YES! $12930. ' rt independent el s ? Chev. Tracker 4X4, only 22K mi, white $7995. Family CHy Motors TJO HARMONS AUTO CENTER shock through is linked to the rear-le- ft a controlling, central absorber. Page E3 ' . |
