Stuck it out with our tahoe since I first posted here a while ago but the time has come. I've "decided on" and "written off" nearly every vehicle 3 different times.

I get to where I think I've decided then, like clockwork, about a month later I'm back to researching all the same vehicles. That being said, with all things considered, I've been trying to hunt down the right TE for a while now. I figured getting the TE to replace the tahoe would give me at least 2 years of evaluation regarding whether we need a tahoe size vehicle or not. 2 years because, that's when my wife's lease would be up on her car. If in 2 years I decide we need a bigger vehicle, she will get the TE and I'll get something larger.

Been looking used or new but having a hard time finding the right one. Did most of you TE owners order yours? How many bought used? Thanks again for the awesome resource here.

Went to cars.com to find where in the USA one was with the color I wanted and KDSS. Flew from my end of tour and road tripped it to next duty station. They are rare and bought it new. Awesome SUV especially if you enjoy offroading, if not start as the adventures are worth it! (Highly recommend KDSS)

Just so I'm clear... No factory option for remote start or heated seats on the TE, right?

Don't believe so, but they're freaking waterproof! I once shut the door while raining one afternoon only to open the door the next morning to see two water drops still sitting on the seat. Awesome!

I already have it in my mind that I will have to order my TE, unless they magically find a black TE with KDSS, with no other options, at least none that I am going to pay for.

I had to order a truck once, took four months to get that thing, the longest wait ever.

I just picked mine up today. I liked all the colors of the trail so that wasn't a deterrent. You can have the dealership add in a remote start and I believe they will add in seat heaters as well. Throw $$ at the stealership, they'll do anything for you really.

It was difficult to find an '11 Trail though, I have 5-6 dealers here and only 2 of them had trails, making it about only 3 Trails in stock on Long Island. None were KDSS . It was rare to even have the Trails up here by me, and impossible to find one on the lot with KDSS. I think ordering one would be your best bet for what you want

A word of advice, I'm not a dealer nor work for one, since just bought one today...But the best time to buy a car is at the end of the month and end of year. I got mine for under dealer invoice price easily, they're more concerned with selling and moving the trucks than for how much. Just my $.02. Good luck though, it is worth it.

Try bringing along a virgin next time.

More likely to find a unicorn...

McGeorge Toyota in Richmond, VA tends to get 1 or 2 on a regular basis. Ask for "Book"

Those are more rare than unicorns, I'm told.

TE's are only hard to find if you live in a place where TE's are not normally sold. Our dealership always has one or two on the lot along with 6-8 SR5's and LE's. NEVER any 2WD's. If you live in a place where you have not much snow, no 4 distinct seasons, no mountains and 2WD 4Runners are offered chances of finding a TE locally are usually slim.

Thanks for the info and personal experiences. I'm generally against buying new but seeing the resale on these things and dealers willing to deal, it might make more sense to buy new, at this point.

I do think it's ridiculous that any vehicle over 35k doesn't have at minimum, heated seats... even as an option. My 01 tahoe has them. So does my wife's 11 GTI. Can't think of a car I've been in recently that hasn't had them.

Oh well. It'll be a 10 year truck at minimum. Throwing a little money at it is expected.

Do the Tahoe and GTI have leather seats? I don't think I've seen any vehicles with fabric seats that were heated. The Limited and SR5 upgrade both have leather and heated seats.

Tahoe, yes. GTI no. It had the classic plaid seats which are fabric.

Stock photo from google.

My 2011 TE w/ KDSS came with factory remote start (I believe it was included in the package with the Nav). I bought it new in May '11, and was fortunate enough to find the exact one I wanted at a dealer about 2 hours away.

Definitely no factory heated seats available as an option for the TEs. though.