hello t4r!

question: "is it worth upgrading to a 2014 t4r trail premium?"

i currently own a 2010 base edition trail with minor goodies such as a lift, tires and battery. i do very little off roading, but love the way it looks and drives. i still owe money on it and would be paying the same monthly payment as a new one. for those of you that made the leap, why did you and what are the pros and cons that you have experienced?

thanks,
-cire2

I upgraded from a base SR5 4x4. I wanted the upgraded 4wd capabilities and the better ride with the KDSS, the premium package was an added bonus. No regrets at all, I would do it again tomorrow!

thanks dewfang! i may have to test drive one since there are really no suspension or engine differences between the 2010 and 2014 trails.

Hey mate -

I just picked up a reg 2014 TE, non premium.

I was picking between a lightly used 2012 TE Premium (or at least it had a sunroof, etc.), and the 2014. I liked the looks of both the 5th gen front fascias, so I wasnt to worried either way on that, but the interior of the 2014s is a big step up. The ride is nice, cabin is pretty quite, and I cant really complain about anything (other than they didnt have any mag greys available...)

The major thing is if you are ok with starting anew with your equity/payments. If you are, and its what you want, go for it and dont think to much about what the rest of us think.

I just traded in my 2011 SR5 yesterday for a 2014 Trail Premium w/ KDSS and I LOVE it! Such a different ride, didn't expect it to be that different.

thanks for the input guys. im working a couple deals through 2 dealerships right now, one wants 37,900 for trail premium + fees, and the other wants 35,500 for regular trail without kdss + fees. i havent test drove one yet, but i really wanted to get your guys take and see if it was even worth the trade up, especially when it has the same drive train. ill keep you guys posted.

-cire2

I got the 14 TE base with KDSS. If you don't want to do Creazy lifts and have a spciallty off road dedicated truck then make sure you get the one with KDSS. I got mine at March 2014 with KDSS for $35,300. Even with 3 inch OME lift the KDSS performs flawlessly both on and off road. Just for example during an off road trip I pulled two Jeep Rubicons out of mud hole a few times with my bone stock TE when it was only 2 days old!

payment might be the same but the payoff wont be.... I would ask yourself what are you gaining other than more debt....

Just want to echo this. If you got the money than I say do it but a lot of people just gain debt on stuff like this. Really not getting much more than what you already have but you're inheriting some debt. This is just me, but I would take the money I had to get the new 2014 and mod the hell out of my 2010. No car rides like a car that is paid off.

I recently considered making the leap to a new TE, but decided to keep the one I have. Went ahead and got it lifted and have a Gobi on order. I figure I'll have this one paid off years before I'd have a new one paid off and at 75k miles, this one's just getting broken in!

You aren't even broken in! Their is a Fj on the blue room with over 500k miles and all he had to change was a bad catalytic converter and a few belts. If properly cared for these cars will last half a life.

I wouldn't do it. If it's a 2010 you're probably pretty close to paying it off, trading it in will extend that another 2-3 years. As well, the upgrades to the 2014 edition are incremental at best. Entune is, well, finicky and the new face lift is a personal choice. The only real upgrade you'd be getting is better looking gauges and heated Softex seats & sunroof if you get a premium. You could easily add a better head unit with a GPS on your current ride and if you wanted heated leather seats you could get some Katzkins. It would breath some new life into your car especially if you're a comfort creature kind of person. As well you'd save a lot of money in the long run by not inheriting debt. Also consider that the 4runner is basically mid life right now, you're going to be asking the same question in 2 or 3 years when a complete redesign comes out. Better to just hold out and upgrade when the benefits are really worth it. My 2 cents.

awesome feedback all. thank you!

your feedback help me stay on this side of the fence, you know that saying "the grass isnt always greener". sn_85, you are absolutely right, i will hold off until they have an engine upgrade. hopefully they upgrade it in 2016, but until then ill keep messing with my 2010.

cire2

Not sure there will be a 2016 4runner. 2016 Highlander I have no doubts about.

CAFE standards.

Wake the floc up...

I'm pretty sure that there will be a 4Runner for years to come, it just may look more like the new Pathfinder....

As to the op's question, I also recently thought about trading for a new TEp. I REALLY want a white trail, heated seats and a radio I can see in the day time. However, after much thought, I came to the realization that it was simply not worth it. Do I really want to add another 2 years of payments back on for the small upgrades that the '14 has? Nope. I basically decided that if I was going to be adding additional years to my payments it would be on a Land Cruiser or a GX460, not a different color version of what I already have. All of those upgrades could be had for a total of like 3 car payments. Besides, I have the last year of the 4Runner without that damn injection pump!

Vehicles are just a really good way to get your self into a never ending cycle of debt.