I have a SR5 with third row and with kids it is a bonus when they take friends with them, I wanted a trail as well but needed the seats. IT comes down to what you really need. Lockers-yes can be added later soooo Limited or SR5 with third row might be the better option.

Also on my third row the back seats slide forward and back as well as recline. Not sure all 5th Gens do this so something to look for as my kids like the recline option when on our way home from a long day and they can sleep.

i would have to agree there is nothing to talk you our of here. Any choice is a good choice. Only opinions and preferences here!

Buying one in general ;-). Not because I don't like them, but I just hate spending the money. So far I'm not hearing anything negative.

Love mine. Sometimes I wondered I should have got an SR5 due to the price difference but because I got such a good deal on a brand new leftover '12.... I'm driving a limited for what I would have paid for an SR5 with the upgrade package. I think the upgrades are worth it unless you plan serious mods.
My only complaint: I wish it had another inch of headroom- if I sit properly centred and upright in my seat, my head will touch the roof around the sunroof.... Which is what reduces the head clearance. However I usually drive with my right arm rested on the centre armrest so I'm usually tilted to the right a bit so my head/hair doesn't touch.

Full-time 4wd will be a beaut in the winter. Smart key feature is great. Rear window roll-down is incredibly convenient- especially on road trips. Many times I pulled out my ONR quick detailer to clean bugs off the front end and windshield without having to open the lift gate and have stuff potentially fall out. It also allows you to rearrange items after you close the lift gate as there is more room than you think when it's closed. Very convenient for quick access. Fuel economy is reasonable. Long mileage intervals between oil changes due to synthetic. A strong knowledge base on this forum will arm you with plenty of information as well. Nothing more comforting on a road trip and looking down at the Toyota emblem on the steering wheel. Didn't get that feeling with the Jeep- as much as I enjoyed having it.

@JayceeP I remember it wasn't long ago that you were a Jeep man... By the looks of that rant above the 4Runner has won you over!

OP I think we're all in agreement here that you won't regret your purchase... Despite how much we all love the TE, if you're even slightly considering the benefit of the 3rd I think that's the way you gotta go!

You aren't going to hear a lot of negatives. They are just good honest vehicles. They aren't perfect, you will find things you dislike or think, "I wish Toyota had done XXXX instead of YYYY".

What turns people into fan boys so much of the Tacomas and 4Runners is that they stay true to what you thought you were buying when you first got it - solid, reliable, competent performance. If you properly maintain it (not hard or expensive), 200,000 miles later you will be smiling every time you look at the fading paint on your 4Runner - not because it is perfect, but because it still feels/drives/ etc. so close to what it did when it was new and its repair/maintenance costs have been minimal.

When a vehicle has that kind of long term reliability and a solid strong competent on-road/off-road driving experience it becomes easier and easier to overlook minor imperfections!

David

The only thing you'll you'll regret about getting a 4Runner is not having
done it sooner. I'm right a 3 weeks with mine now. All I can say, is it's
fantastic.

Thanks for all the input guys. We ended up getting an '13 LE w/o the 3rd row. We tested a few models including one with the 3rd row and weren't impressed with it.

It is a hard adjustment coming from a relatively agile A4, but the truck is very solid. The luxury features were not high on the list, but they will make it a little easier adjusting from the Audi. Now I just need to take off the running boards and sell them...and then do something about those skinny tires...

Congratulations!

I think you will be very happy with the LE!

David

Muchas gracias!

I knew I wanted a Limited but also knew I didn't want it to look like a limited. Yes, it helps a lot once you get rid of those skinny 20s. Got rid of the Limited emblems too for good measure. Love it thus far and don't regret getting the LE at all

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Limited all day, its way more civilized thanks to the Xreas suspension control system. And the full time AWD is very convenient as well as a more refined driving feel too.

Nice wheels...what model and where did you get them?

I did like the better body control with the XREAS and my wife likes the relative simplicity of AWD. I don't love all of the chrome, but we got a silver one so the chrome is not as pronounced.

Thanks! They are by Level 8. You can get them at Discount Tire direct. I am a nut about bronze wheels and they are one of the few I could find in the right size/offset

My favourite is the magnetic grey in a limited, I saw one today and said "damn I wish I got that". But I kinda differ because I love the chrome