First Post. Which Sequoia to Buy? Edit: THIS ONE!!!! Now with Pics! (1 Viewer)

[VentoGT]

Very happy to hear you have a Sequoia soon to be in your driveway. $4K goes a long way and now you can pick your own wheels out [I didn't like the black ones on my TRD Pro so sold them and got a set of Fuel Bronze wheels which I am very happy with]. Look forward to pics and glad your search is done!! Cheers!

 

[Perfect Tommy]

Very happy to hear you have a Sequoia soon to be in your driveway. $4K goes a long way and now you can pick your own wheels out [I didn't like the black ones on my TRD Pro so sold them and got a set of Fuel Bronze wheels which I am very happy with]. Look forward to pics and glad your search is done!! Cheers!

Me too! And thank you for the advice. You all provided a lot of insight that was helpful; I appreciate it.

Yup, going to see how things look and operate and undoubtedly make a few modifications. That will be fun.

 

[joseywales]

Congrats on finding your rig. I must say, I’m a little surprised you passed on the TRD in Moon. That was what had you all so horny from the get go, then you find a new one (9,000 miles and never titled is new), and you pass?? WTF? All kidding aside, the gray is a nicer color in my mind. My ‘03 is Phantom Gray. Love it...

 

[Perfect Tommy]

Congrats on finding your rig. I must say, I’m a little surprised you passed on the TRD in Moon. That was what had you all so horny from the get go, then you find a new one (9,000 miles and never titled is new), and you pass?? WTF? All kidding aside, the gray is a nicer color in my mind. My ‘03 is Phantom Gray. Love it...

Have to say, I surprised myself. And for the same reasons. From the start what I wanted was TRD Pro in Lunar Rock. And there it was, essentially new. When I compared the vehicles though I couldn’t escape the conclusion that the $4000 difference could ‘net’ me a Pro (and maybe better/different/more useful to me components). Plus, 3,000 fewer miles and the CPO warranty on top of the remainder of the new warranty. Rationally, it was the way to go*.

When I go pick it up, and see them side-by-side, maybe I will second-guess ….

but I doubt it.

I’ll surely do the grill, all-weather mats, rust protection and ceramic paint treatment right away. Then drive it. A lot.

It will no doubt evolve.


* I’ve bought a few cars emotionally (irrationally), including a costly 356 and 911; I learned.

 

[joseywales]

Any Porsche is an emotional buy. I used to drive a supercharged (Paxton) ‘78 911SC. Fun, but costly to build, maintain and pay tickets. My Ducati’s were the same. Now my wife insists I drive “jalopies” to stay out of trouble

 

[Perfect Tommy]

Finally! Picked up the Sequoia! and .. very pleased.

The trip to pick it up was a white-knuckle adventure. Illinois to to mid-state Wisconsin, mid-morning on a day where maybe a dusting of snow was predicted. Turned into the scariest drive of my life (and I road-raced cars for 11 years), through a white-out, 'snow-squall' during which we saw at least six overturned cars, a 40+ vehicle pile-up, and probably a dozen cars in ditches, on top of guardrails, on top of other cars ... unreal conditions. Driving (all-wheel drive vehicle) felt as though there was no steering (or braking) input, just being buffeted all over the place. For hours.

We arrived and the Lunar Rock Pro was still there. After all is said and done, I am glad I chose the Magnetic Grey Metallic. Looks much better on the vehicle, maybe because it is so massive.

We spent the night and drove back the next day. Sunny, cold, and infinitely better than the previous day. First impressions:

This thing is huge! From the driver's seat it seems to be much wider and taller than the old Expedition. Great view. Great visibility.
Starting the engine was a shock: it literally 'roars' to life. That said, it is a very quiet road vehicle (even at 70-80mph). Because of the conditions, I got to work with 2wd-to-4hi and back (always reducing speed to 60mph or a bit less). Very smooth and quick transitions.
I really like the side-view mirrors. Gigantic, and good field of view since they extend so far from the vehicle.
Comfortable. Hours at the wheel, no problem! My kids were especially impressed by the second-row seats (room, comfort) and the fact that the armrests are adjustable.
Ergonomics, generally, are very good. Everything is within reach of my alligator arms, and rationally laid-out.
The power is impressive. While I didn't get to really 'stomp it' there was enough clean (of ice/snow) road and chances to pass that I was able to get a feel for it. Should be a ton of fun off-road.
This vehicle has a lot of presence in-person. Imposing but not garish.

As soon as I figure out how, will post photos (must take some first, I guess). The car (truck? what is it?) had Toyota all-weather mats, so I may keep those and return the ones I bought. I have the Pro grill and will install that almost immediately. Beyond that, just going to drive a while and see what I like/don't like. At present, I am thrilled with the set-up.

Thank you all for all the help. A pain at times, but I certainly found the right car.

NEXT EDIT: photos and modifications.

 

[VentoGT]

Congrats and interesting conditions for a first drive! Look forward to pictures

 

[goodnightnyc]

Finally! Picked up the Sequoia! and .. very pleased.

The trip to pick it up was a white-knuckle adventure. Illinois to to mid-state Wisconsin, mid-morning on a day where maybe a dusting of snow was predicted. Turned into the scariest drive of my life (and I road-raced cars for 11 years), through a white-out, 'snow-squall' during which we saw at least six overturned cars, a 40+ vehicle pile-up, and probably a dozen cars in ditches, on top of guardrails, on top of other cars ... unreal conditions. Driving (all-wheel drive vehicle) felt as though there was no steering (or braking) input, just being buffeted all over the place. For hours.

We arrived and the Lunar Rock Pro was still there. After all is said and done, I am glad I chose the Magnetic Grey Metallic. Looks much better on the vehicle, maybe because it is so massive.

We spent the night and drove back the next day. Sunny, cold, and infinitely better than the previous day. First impressions:

This thing is huge! From the driver's seat it seems to be much wider and taller than the old Expedition. Great view. Great visibility.
Starting the engine was a shock: it literally 'roars' to life. That said, it is a very quiet road vehicle (even at 70-80mph). Because of the conditions, I got to work with 2wd-to-4hi and back (always reducing speed to 60mph or a bit less). Very smooth and quick transitions.
I really like the side-view mirrors. Gigantic, and good field of view since they extend so far from the vehicle.
Comfortable. Hours at the wheel, no problem! My kids were especially impressed by the second-row seats (room, comfort) and the fact that the armrests are adjustable.
Ergonomics, generally, are very good. Everything is within reach of my alligator arms, and rationally laid-out.
The power is impressive. While I didn't get to really 'stomp it' there was enough clean (of ice/snow) road and chances to pass that I was able to get a feel for it. Should be a ton of fun off-road.
This vehicle has a lot of presence in-person. Imposing but not garish.

As soon as I figure out how, will post photos (must take some first, I guess). The car (truck? what is it?) had Toyota all-weather mats, so I may keep those and return the ones I bought. I have the Pro grill and will install that almost immediately. Beyond that, just going to drive a while and see what I like/don't like. At present, I am thrilled with the set-up.

Thank you all for all the help. A pain at times, but I certainly found the right car.

NEXT EDIT: photos and modifications.

Sounds like a real adventure! And a fitting first drive for the Sequoia. Congrats and looking forward to seeing pics.

 

[Perfect Tommy]

UPDATE! Have driven the truck for almost three weeks now and can report that it is every bit of what I hoped for. Drives like a dream, can handle sloppy conditions with aplomb, tons of room. Big plus is the number of compliments I’ve received, from teenagers to contemporaries; everyone thinks the vehicle looks great.

So far have replaced the grill with the Pro version (big improvement to my eyes) and got some all weather mats. Will replace the Toyota second row mat because it doesn’t cover the tunnel to the third row ( and that will get some foot traffic when traveling or car-pooling).

Next week I take it in for ceramic coating and clear protective film (for planned road trip our west). As soon as that is done will post pics - with the weather in this area it will be the first time the vehicle has been really pristine since I picked it up.

 

[Perfect Tommy]

All set up, for a while, anyway. Added the TRD Pro grill and it makes a big difference; much cleaner, simpler appearance. Ceramic coated and front surfaces protected with film. I love the color, especially how it varies in differing light; have been getting lots of compliments.

The ride is great.

 

[Perfect Tommy]

Oh. this is for @VentoGT : my maybe best 356. '63 S90, Ivory White with Blue interior. Engine was hot-rodded (Elgin cam, all new internals, Carrillo rods, Webers, etc.) and suspension beefed up. Man, I miss that car. At today's prices will never be able to replace it ....

And this is the one that followed it. another '63, an 'S', also hot-rodded. This one was really fast. Heron Grey, black interior. The board is a 9'7" Tudor, also grey, and a great nose rider!

 

[Perfect Tommy]

While I'm reminiscing ..... my race car, just before sending it off to its new owner in Europe (where it still races). My second SWB 911 race car. '66, 2.0L. With this one (after many frustrating years) I actually won a few races! A beauty that was also a beast. Once guest-driven by Tony Adamowicz! He said it reminded him of his old TransAm-championship car, so it was set up 'right'.

 

[VentoGT]

Gorgeous P-cars. I'm glad I got the pleasure of driving some air coolers and wasserboxers when they were in the land of the normal!